Not for Me~
If something is in demand, I tend to sit back and wait to see if the fad will fade. Just because everyone else is doing something, makes it more likely that I won't. However, I'm learning that my pride is keeping me from some pretty amazing things. I had a preconceived notion of what Bikram Yoga was. Much of it was true, in that I always thought it would be so boring doing the same series of poses in the same order every time. I also thought it might be potentially dangerous and psychologically straining to be in that kind of heat for that long of a time, not too mention I had heard stories about how strict they can be. Generally I avoid "burning" too many calories, because I hate the idea of getting any skinnier, and also avoid wearing clothing that is that skimpy most of the time. Oh--and the part about feeling nauseated, or potentially blacking out? No thank you. So you can see why I was hesitant.
When I finally did give Bikram Yoga a try, it was while I was in Las Vegas with my husband, Connor. He even came with me! I mostly went out of curiosity, and because I knew the studio there was genuine. The experience was not what I'd call fun, and since yoga for me has always been playful ground, this felt completely new. The class was very strict. We were not allowed to talk, drink any water inside the classroom,
(am I really remembering that right?) nor could we wipe off our dripping sweat with a towel,
(because it was a sign we were distracted) or leave the room for any reason. Our instructor let us know we were committed. I watched an older man lay down on the floor because he wasn't feeling well in the class. Our instructor kept prodding him to get up and stay with the practice. At one point, I felt a little queasy, so I sat out for a pose. Connor and I were doing our best to do all the poses correctly, and our teacher was very attuned to making sure we stayed with her words exactly. We made it through the practice together, looking at the clock near the end, trying to cast out claustrophobic thoughts. I was so impressed with Connor for taking this intense practice the whole way. The good part was when we left the studio, and drank our coconut water, we both noticed how good we felt. It was amazing. We both immediately craved to come back as soon as possible.
(In the locker room, someone complimented my "going against the grain," and I explained I was a playful Ashtanga girl. I didn't even know what I had done that was so shockingly out of bounds...This Bikram stuff is so serious!)
Converted~
So, coming back to Bikram "as soon as possible" ended up being almost a whole year later.
It still didn't appeal to me much. Then I started to hear all the talk going around about a new studio where you could try 21 days for 21 dollars. This studio happened to be very close to where I live, so it was both cheap, and convenient. I had just finished using my pass for Aerial Silks, so I thought,
"Why not give Bikram a try?" I talked my sister Heather into going with me. She was just as skeptical as I was. This was a very different experience. We were allowed to take quick sips of water throughout the class, and I was allowed to wipe of my face with a towel.
"Yes!" I thought. Then I noticed people were excusing themselves from class, and coming back into the room. People left the class early as well.
There was still a sense of order. We were expected to stay with the words of the teacher, so that everyone moves exactly together. We were encouraged not to give in to discomfort or distraction, but it was so much better to be our own agents. Think about it--if someone is forcing you to do something, are you really learning self disipline? No. In this free state of suggestion instead of strict commands, it felt like I wanted to try harder to stay in the room, ignore my thirst, my sweat, my discomfort. I found that if I took on one pose at a time, I became completely present. It didn't matter that we did the same poses every time anymore. I started to really enjoy the physical and mental challenge. My normal yoga attire was quite comfortable, and the heat was so relaxing.
Feeling lightheaded, or nauseated hardly ever happens now. Attending these classes consistently now for 3 months has brought a whole new awareness to my yoga practice. Also, I never thought I'd say this, but getting up at 5:30 a.m. to attend a 6:00 a.m. Bikram is one of the best ways to start the day.
Never have I thought getting up that early was healthy. Especially to exercise. Even when I'm getting paid to teach a class that early, I always regret it later in the day. I always feel like my rhythm is off. It seems like I always want to go back to bed for a nap all day, my appetite gets weird, and my digestion does too. I believe in rising with the sun, and not before it.
(Unless it's to watch the sun rise, of course.)
Bikram is different. When I'm done with the class, I've been in a hypnotic sleep-like trance for the last hour and a half. My mind and body actually feel rejuvenated. The feeling of being cleansed from the inside out is invigorating. The effect it has on serotonin production, and endocrine system balancing is noticeable. Maybe it's because of all the poses where we activate the thyroid gland through compression, in combination with the sweating out of toxins. All the mood lifting, the clean feeling, the energetic cell vibration--you'd think you went and got baptized! The more I partake of this practice, the more I can't live without it. Now I understand the popular demand.
