Bikram Yoga

[sfgirl]

So I started doing Bikram yoga a couple weeks ago and I sort of feel like it is the perfect compliment to recovery. It is the same 26 postures everytime in the same order, the same timing etc. So basically you go in and can watch yourself improve. What is interesting though is that you don't necessarily improve linearly and that so much of it is not about reaching a goal but about doing the best you can do at the moment. It is really about being at the level you are at at the moment and being ok with that which I think is what I need to learn to apply to every aspect of my life. That being said it doesn't mean there is not a challenge there or room for improvement. Obviously I think you can take this philosophy and apply it to any exercise program, it is just that in this one it is sort of forced on you in the rhetoric of the class and the format itself. And it is quite the workout.

[californiapoppy]

I'll have to look into that, is it something like stretching exercises?

[sfgirl]

No it is actually much more. It is a combo of strength, stretching, and balancing in a very hot room. The room is heated to 105 degrees so you sweat a lot. It is quite intense. But since it is the same 26 poses over and over you really see yourself progress and feel how your body is doing each day. You can feel when you have eaten badly or been treating yourself badly because you see it in how you are feeling as you exercise. I don't know. I really enjoy it. It is both strenuous and balancing. And it is a real workout but in a way sort of meditative.

[californiapoppy]

Yeah, I looked it up I think I'd like it, the trouble is I won't find it around here. Oh well, maybe rural France will catch on soon.

[traderjane]

Hi SFGirl,

Thanks for the PM. I'll respond as soon as I can (I need 5 posts here under my new name in order to do so).

I do Vinyassa Flow yoga and just love it. How is Birkram different from Vinyassa? Would love to try it sometime.

Take care,
Laura

[Gypsy Feet]

Ooooo, more hours in the day please! I want to find out all about yoga, and chakras, and umm lots of other things. Im far to tired today though. . .

[arobert]

i 'll try myself to go through this workout.

[recycle]

Years ago, I had a fairly strong Ashtanga practice. I know that would be too much for me right now (7 days in). I would be nervous about the heat of Bikram, I am afraid that it might be too much stress for me at this stage. Besides, it is not very pleasant to be around me when I break a good sweat, my body is getting rid of an amazing amount of toxins through the skin. Probably way more information than you want to hear, but it will be a while before I sweat around other people without the haz-waste team being called. Eww.

[otterbearcat]

I have been doing Ashtanga yoga for the past couple months, about once a week. If there is any kind of 'spiritual awakening' for me in recovery, this is it.

@ recycle,

The studio I go to has 'gentle' classes and is pretty easy going. Perhaps you could start out slow...?

[daisy2]

I've only done bikram 2 times (over a year ago now) but I remember it being the most intense workout, a really cleansing feeling too. I have been thinking very seriously about starting up again, although this past years trangressions have left me kinda out of shape! I can see how it would be great for recovery. I will probably leap nito it again pretty soon, may start a walking program first as I need to get back into the groove of exercising again.

SFgirl- how many days a week do you practise?

[jacksmith123]

Sounds interesting. With all the celebrity frenzy over Yoga makes me feel positive about yoga. Of late i am experiencing stress at work plus, have some back and right shoulder problem. Hoping to relive these pains through Yoga.

[mark467s]

I also wan tot do this yoga.I really want to be fit .I'm ready for this yoga.but before that I want ot know more about this Bikram Yoga.