I remember what I wore to my first Bikram Yoga class ~ bike shorts and a sports bra. I look around me and there are ladies in bikini tops and bottoms. Ninety minutes later, I decided to ditch the bike shorts. The sports bra I could live with. I check out the outfits for sale at the studio. Pretty darn cute, but also pretty darn pricey. We're looking at between $45-$60 a piece! Clearance items are marked down by 40% which isn't bad. Ten months into my practice I have acquired a few items of hot yoga clothing. A word of advice when picking out tops ~ make sure it stays where it should when you do the Half Moon Pose. For this pose, one must stretch both arms up, elbows locked, palms squeezed together tightly with index fingers pointing up like a church steeple. Then you bend sideways to the right then to the left. If the top stays to keep you "decent", it passed the test. I've had the misfortune of buying tops without "test driving" them first. I've had to keep adjusting during class. Very distracting. Live and learn.
As for bottoms, I now wear short shorts with side strings that can be pulled up and tied to look more like a bikini. On days that I feel bloated, I don't bother pulling the strings up so the shorts look more like shorts.
Whatever you choose to wear, be sure that you are comfortable. You will be sweating a lot, yes, I mean dripping A LOT. Last but not the least, be comfortable in your own skin. No one outside yourself will judge your fashion sense. It is all about you and you have to love YOU. Namaste.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Day 6 - My Body Cries, "Ooh, that hurts, but thank you very much!"
Day 6 ~ 2010 April 06 ~ 6:00AM ~
Six days of yoga and I felt a little stiff today. My balance was pretty off during the Standing Bow Pulling Pose, but I did well during the Balancing Stick. My Eagle Pose was not ideal today, and I appreciated the corrections my instructor told me during class.
You just never know what you're gonna get, how your practice is going to turn out. I think this is what makes me a Bikram Yoga junkie. It's the same 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises day after day, whether you're in a studio in Canada, the U.S., or the Philippines. One might get fed up with the routine, but amazingly enough, this is not the case with me, as my body keeps me on my toes, keeps me guessing, and keeps surprising me with little accomplishments. Gaining half an inch in my back bends, or half an inch to finally locking my knee during the Hands to Feet Pose. And the sweating, oh the sweating. It feels so good to sweat. After having my water and shower, boy, I feel like a million bucks...at least. The body may feel sore, may feel some stiffness and pain, but really, it is whispering a sincere "Thank You" for giving it the gift of Yoga. Namaste.
Six days of yoga and I felt a little stiff today. My balance was pretty off during the Standing Bow Pulling Pose, but I did well during the Balancing Stick. My Eagle Pose was not ideal today, and I appreciated the corrections my instructor told me during class.
You just never know what you're gonna get, how your practice is going to turn out. I think this is what makes me a Bikram Yoga junkie. It's the same 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises day after day, whether you're in a studio in Canada, the U.S., or the Philippines. One might get fed up with the routine, but amazingly enough, this is not the case with me, as my body keeps me on my toes, keeps me guessing, and keeps surprising me with little accomplishments. Gaining half an inch in my back bends, or half an inch to finally locking my knee during the Hands to Feet Pose. And the sweating, oh the sweating. It feels so good to sweat. After having my water and shower, boy, I feel like a million bucks...at least. The body may feel sore, may feel some stiffness and pain, but really, it is whispering a sincere "Thank You" for giving it the gift of Yoga. Namaste.
Day 5 - Have Faith In You
Today is Monday, April 5th. My family had Easter Sunday dinner at my sister's place. We didn't arrive home until just before midnight, and my hubby and I had a glass of wine before bed. I would have refused because I will be going to the 6:00AM class. I decided to have it in the end as it is a nightly ritual that my hubby and I look forward to. I made sure I drank a litre of water afterwards to counteract the effects of the alcohol I just consumed. I went to bed at 1:00AM; thoughts of not rising at 5:15AM and not being able to execute the postures to my liking flooded my mind.
My body clock is pretty efficient; I hardly oversleep and most times I am awake before the alarm goes off. I made it to class on time, with a clear mind and determination to do well, to let go and move on if I couldn't hold a posture the entire time, and welcome the next with a renewed faith in myself. I left the studio with a big happy smiling face.
While at work a few hours later, a customer of ours stopped to chat and complimented me on my good posture. Wow, that made me feel like a million bucks...at least! This is what 10 months of practice does to you. What will be in store for me when I complete the 30 Day Challenge? Have faith...
My body clock is pretty efficient; I hardly oversleep and most times I am awake before the alarm goes off. I made it to class on time, with a clear mind and determination to do well, to let go and move on if I couldn't hold a posture the entire time, and welcome the next with a renewed faith in myself. I left the studio with a big happy smiling face.
While at work a few hours later, a customer of ours stopped to chat and complimented me on my good posture. Wow, that made me feel like a million bucks...at least! This is what 10 months of practice does to you. What will be in store for me when I complete the 30 Day Challenge? Have faith...
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Day 4 - A Date With The Easter Rabbit
Day 4 was Easter Sunday. I made a date with the Easter Rabbit during the 9:30 class. It turned out to be a “comfortable” class, i.e. not too hot and not too many people in attendance. I was able to spread my arms for the Full Locust without having to touch my neighbour. Needless to say, my execution of the Rabbit Pose is pretty fair. My aim is to be able to position my thighs so they are perpendicular to the floor, and not on an angle.
One of my friends at the studio said that the rest of her family were going to church for Easter Sunday services. She had considered going with them, but in doing so would mean she would have to do a “double” (2 yoga classes in a day). She’d signed up for the 101 Day Challenge. On her 93rd day, she had not done a double ever, and she’s not about to ruin her record, even for church. Oh the things we do (and don’t do) for yoga!
So what did I have to give up for yoga? Sleeping in, especially on Sundays. It would have been nice to just relax in bed on a Sunday, but I’ve been feeling an enormous satisfaction in going to yoga early in the morning. I feel so energized for the rest of the day that it’s worth getting up early for.
One of my friends at the studio said that the rest of her family were going to church for Easter Sunday services. She had considered going with them, but in doing so would mean she would have to do a “double” (2 yoga classes in a day). She’d signed up for the 101 Day Challenge. On her 93rd day, she had not done a double ever, and she’s not about to ruin her record, even for church. Oh the things we do (and don’t do) for yoga!
So what did I have to give up for yoga? Sleeping in, especially on Sundays. It would have been nice to just relax in bed on a Sunday, but I’ve been feeling an enormous satisfaction in going to yoga early in the morning. I feel so energized for the rest of the day that it’s worth getting up early for.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Day 3 - PM Hot Yoga Ain't That Cool
I am a morning person, through and through. I was born in the morning, I cannot sleep in past 8:00AM, and by 10:00PM, I am already "falling off my perch" (as what my mother-in-law would say). Which is why I prefer to practice yoga in the morning (6:00 or 9:30 on weekdays and 7:30 on weekends), and I've already had a few 6:00AM classes tucked under my belt. Getting up at 5:00 AM? No sweat! Ha ha!
One of the instructors said that there are both pros and cons to practising either in the morning or afternoon. In the morning, one tends to have a cold body from being asleep all night but one's mind is fresh and clear of distractions. By the afternoon, one's body is already stretched, but the mind tends to be too busy and prone to distract one's practice. The 3:45PM class would have been fine for a work day, except that I would be squeaking in with only a few minutes to get ready and settled in. I would be lucky to park my mat down on my favourite corner spot where I could see myself in the mirror front and side. This class is also a busy one--busy class, hotter room, closer proximity to a sweaty neighbour, and not much arm room to do a proper Full Locust.
So today, a work day, I had no choice but to attend the 3:45. With only about 10 minutes to get ready, and not finding my headband, boy was I in a tizzy. Good thing my studio has complimentary hair ties! Nothing more distracting than hair sticking to your face when you need to focus on your practice! I parked myself beside the door, close to the wall where the thermostat is. 99 degrees F. Not bad, but why do I feel hot already? It wasn't a packed class as it is the Easter long weekend. My practice was doing fairly well, except during Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose where I felt this awful stinging sensation down my nostrils! I was bending with my forehead touching my knee, and I could only think of some beads of sweat going down the wrong way! That sure hurt! So much so that I had to get out of the posture and stand upright until the stinging subsided. It felt like I've inhaled sea water! Ouch!
Big changes are happening to my body. My spine is becoming more and more flexible as my back bends are getting deeper little by little each day. I still have quite a ways to go, but that is the beauty of yoga. You have a whole lifetime to reach your goal, whatever it is. There will be good days and bad days. Tired days and sore days. In my case, it's simply amazing that no matter how well or bad my 90 minutes pan out, I am happy to let it go and look forward to the next day. And tomorrow it will be a morning practice. Happy Easter, and Namaste!
One of the instructors said that there are both pros and cons to practising either in the morning or afternoon. In the morning, one tends to have a cold body from being asleep all night but one's mind is fresh and clear of distractions. By the afternoon, one's body is already stretched, but the mind tends to be too busy and prone to distract one's practice. The 3:45PM class would have been fine for a work day, except that I would be squeaking in with only a few minutes to get ready and settled in. I would be lucky to park my mat down on my favourite corner spot where I could see myself in the mirror front and side. This class is also a busy one--busy class, hotter room, closer proximity to a sweaty neighbour, and not much arm room to do a proper Full Locust.
So today, a work day, I had no choice but to attend the 3:45. With only about 10 minutes to get ready, and not finding my headband, boy was I in a tizzy. Good thing my studio has complimentary hair ties! Nothing more distracting than hair sticking to your face when you need to focus on your practice! I parked myself beside the door, close to the wall where the thermostat is. 99 degrees F. Not bad, but why do I feel hot already? It wasn't a packed class as it is the Easter long weekend. My practice was doing fairly well, except during Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose where I felt this awful stinging sensation down my nostrils! I was bending with my forehead touching my knee, and I could only think of some beads of sweat going down the wrong way! That sure hurt! So much so that I had to get out of the posture and stand upright until the stinging subsided. It felt like I've inhaled sea water! Ouch!
Big changes are happening to my body. My spine is becoming more and more flexible as my back bends are getting deeper little by little each day. I still have quite a ways to go, but that is the beauty of yoga. You have a whole lifetime to reach your goal, whatever it is. There will be good days and bad days. Tired days and sore days. In my case, it's simply amazing that no matter how well or bad my 90 minutes pan out, I am happy to let it go and look forward to the next day. And tomorrow it will be a morning practice. Happy Easter, and Namaste!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Day 2 = HOT, HOT, HOT!!!
Today is Friday, April 2nd. Also happens to be Good Friday, and there was no 6:00AM class. Everybody showed up at 9:30...yes, EVERYBODY, or so it seems. I got there before 9:00 as I anticipated that it would be busy with people needing to get their practice done first thing to make way for the long weekend. I managed to secure a good spot up front to the right of the platform (where the instructor stands during class). However, as more and more people arrived, the hot room was looking more like a big can of sardines. Oh joy...it's gonna be a HOT one...
And it was! Aside from the heat blowing out of the studio heaters, you have about 50 human bodies generating even more heat on top of that! I swear the thermostat registered over 109 degrees F! I could tell I was going to work extra hard, from the time the first beads of sweat started trickling down during Pranayama breathing, the very first thing we do. I usually don't start sweating until after the Eagle Pose (posture no. 3).
If you let it, the heat is going to be your foe, but only if you let your monkey mind get the better of you. My friend, the mind is a powerful thing, but there is one thing that's even more powerful, that's always your friend. One thing that we do every second to keep us alive. That powerful, wonderful thing, is our BREATH. Yes, my friend, breathing slowly in and out through your nose will calm your monkey mind, will help you meditate, will help you focus on ignoring the heat. Your breath will calm you, will stop you from feeling light-headed. I experience the magic of breath each time I torture myself in that hot room. But what about that feeling of thirst, you ask? Guess what? I never felt the need to drink water in the hot room. All I need is my breath. Water never tasted better than after 90 minutes in the hot room.
So how did my practice go today? I'd say it went well, better than I expected, despite the heat, or should I say, BECAUSE of the heat! I felt that I was able to go deeper in some of the postures; I just have to ensure that I have proper alignment first and foremost. I think my lower spine is loosening up quite nicely. I am looking forward to Day 3, and wonder what surprises my body has in store for me tomorrow! Namaste!
And it was! Aside from the heat blowing out of the studio heaters, you have about 50 human bodies generating even more heat on top of that! I swear the thermostat registered over 109 degrees F! I could tell I was going to work extra hard, from the time the first beads of sweat started trickling down during Pranayama breathing, the very first thing we do. I usually don't start sweating until after the Eagle Pose (posture no. 3).
If you let it, the heat is going to be your foe, but only if you let your monkey mind get the better of you. My friend, the mind is a powerful thing, but there is one thing that's even more powerful, that's always your friend. One thing that we do every second to keep us alive. That powerful, wonderful thing, is our BREATH. Yes, my friend, breathing slowly in and out through your nose will calm your monkey mind, will help you meditate, will help you focus on ignoring the heat. Your breath will calm you, will stop you from feeling light-headed. I experience the magic of breath each time I torture myself in that hot room. But what about that feeling of thirst, you ask? Guess what? I never felt the need to drink water in the hot room. All I need is my breath. Water never tasted better than after 90 minutes in the hot room.
So how did my practice go today? I'd say it went well, better than I expected, despite the heat, or should I say, BECAUSE of the heat! I felt that I was able to go deeper in some of the postures; I just have to ensure that I have proper alignment first and foremost. I think my lower spine is loosening up quite nicely. I am looking forward to Day 3, and wonder what surprises my body has in store for me tomorrow! Namaste!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Bring on the 30 Day Challenge!
Well, it's written in stone...I've signed up for the 30 Day Challenge. It's my first time to do so. Ever since I got hooked on Bikram Yoga at first sweat 10 months ago, I've been yearning to do the Challenge. I'm fortunate that my studio (Bikram Yoga Saanich) offers a lot of classes to choose from, catering to a varied clientele ranging from students, to stay at home parents, to working parents, to grandparents. The best time for me is 6:00AM on the days that I work, 9:30AM on my days off, and 7:30AM on weekends. I once dreaded the 6:00AM, especially during the winter months; I don't find it especially inviting to be heading out in the dark and cold! However, since I NEED to get used to this, I thought I'd give it a try. It was very difficult to get myself out of bed at 5:00AM. But I tried my best, and discovered that I just have to get used to it.
So today, on April Fool's Day (ha ha, yes, you will think I am a fool to "torture" myself in 100+ degree heat and 40% humidity for 90 minutes), my new adventure began. I was very pleased with my practice today. By this time, I am very comfortable not having any water during class (doubly foolish, you say!). What annoyed me more than anything is having to burp a few times just before I have to do back bends!
How did I do with the postures? The Standing Head to Knee is still my biggest challenge. I can extend my leg, but I still couldn't hold the posture the entire time. I couldn't hold the Standing Bow the entire time, but I noticed that I am able to keep my upper body down parallel to the floor. The Balancing Stick was a bit of a nuisance today as I wasn't able to keep my leg parallel and my hip square. I am very happy with the Triangle as I've discovered the proper alignment. I have improved on the Full Locust; I had been swinging my arms too far back instead of holding it just slightly up from being parallel to the floor. My spine is straighter during the Spine Twisting Pose and I am able to hold on to my knee. My Eagle Pose is improving in that I am able to sit down lower.
My daughter's teacher practised today as well, and she said she had thought about taking the Challenge. When she found out that I had signed up, she said that she will consider doing so since there is someone she knows who's doing it too. After class, she informed me that she has signed up. I felt very pleased about that. But what made me feel fulfilled even more was the fact that according to my daughter, she told her students about the Challenge today, and that seeing me there made her decide to take part as well. She also said that she will encourage her fellow teacher to do the same. I am so happy that I somehow helped someone go outside their box (as I have) and pass this on to others in the process. Maybe this is my Karma. Namaste.
So today, on April Fool's Day (ha ha, yes, you will think I am a fool to "torture" myself in 100+ degree heat and 40% humidity for 90 minutes), my new adventure began. I was very pleased with my practice today. By this time, I am very comfortable not having any water during class (doubly foolish, you say!). What annoyed me more than anything is having to burp a few times just before I have to do back bends!
How did I do with the postures? The Standing Head to Knee is still my biggest challenge. I can extend my leg, but I still couldn't hold the posture the entire time. I couldn't hold the Standing Bow the entire time, but I noticed that I am able to keep my upper body down parallel to the floor. The Balancing Stick was a bit of a nuisance today as I wasn't able to keep my leg parallel and my hip square. I am very happy with the Triangle as I've discovered the proper alignment. I have improved on the Full Locust; I had been swinging my arms too far back instead of holding it just slightly up from being parallel to the floor. My spine is straighter during the Spine Twisting Pose and I am able to hold on to my knee. My Eagle Pose is improving in that I am able to sit down lower.
My daughter's teacher practised today as well, and she said she had thought about taking the Challenge. When she found out that I had signed up, she said that she will consider doing so since there is someone she knows who's doing it too. After class, she informed me that she has signed up. I felt very pleased about that. But what made me feel fulfilled even more was the fact that according to my daughter, she told her students about the Challenge today, and that seeing me there made her decide to take part as well. She also said that she will encourage her fellow teacher to do the same. I am so happy that I somehow helped someone go outside their box (as I have) and pass this on to others in the process. Maybe this is my Karma. Namaste.
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