Bikram Yoga, Day 3

Third Bikram class in four days, skipped yesterday though my body really did not like that.

Teacher was M subbing from out of state. 10am class on a Saturday, full and crowded, as expected. The place is like Grand Central station, people in and out all day long.

Teacher

- Even toned voice, so even that sometime the class missed the cue to go.

- Humorous, elder guy with glasses and no six pack abs

- Great tip: during Bow Pose, keep the arms relaxed as you kick hard with the legs. That really made a difference, as I felt myself go higher, and suddenly my lower back muscles were working. Awesome.

My Practice

- Weak! I am so weak! Those first few standing postures sucked, my thighs are like mush. I remember a time when I could do those poses with ease. My thighs were strong, I had muscle once... once...

- Ab muscles are very weak too, and as I suspect, are the reason for my neck muscles being so stiff, since I try to do everything with my neck and shoulders instead of it coming from my abs and core.

- Didn't mind the heat at all, even with the crowded room. I wonder when that happened. The heat used to be absolutely unbearable, but at this studio I have no problem with it.

- Made it through the entire class without sitting out, brownie point for me.

- Am sweating buckets. It's interesting to look at my forearm while doings forward bends and to see it covered in sweat, large beads of sweat rolling down.

- Today was not about strength, not even stretching, just about tolerance for the class, endurance.

Thoughts

- Witnessed lots of frustration today, including my own towards people. Must remember that is the lesson

- Teacher said, Bikram is not about the heat, it's about the yoga

- I say, in my future teaching classes, don't ignore the heat - embrace the heat, acknowledge the heat. Its hot! But it does not matter. Don't ignore the sweat, acknowledge the sweat! But tell yourself it does not matter. It is not about crowds, or space in the mirror, or perfect heating conditions, its about the yoga. Being here now, being one.

LATER AT HOME, about two hours after class

Weighed myself for the first time since starting this Bikram yoga journey. Lord almighty. And this was AFTER a Bikram class! Well cannot say I am surprised, it merely confirms reality. Looking forward to losing that weight as I continue my undisciplined journey in Bikram. Reading a lot of the teacher training blogs helps me to get a new perspective on the classes. It's like in marital arts training, where you aim not at the board, but past the board. Reading the blogs puts my focus not on the upcoming class, but on the future where one day I might be there attending teacher training. That idea really makes the upcoming class a cinch, like nothing at all. One baby step in a huge long term journey.

As for effects, my skin looks amazing, the typical flushed out, fresh and pure post-Birkam complexion. I am tired (about to take a nap now) but I feel loose. My neck is impossibly tight, still a mystery to me. I am starting to feel like I am wet all of the time. From class, from showers. And with it raining, now, too, nothing but wet.

"Get in the car, drive to the studio, unfurl your mat, and just lie down."

Recited that to myself as I was lying there before class started, as everyone else was pouring in around me. And I giggled at the idea that I really don't have to do anything else. I absolutely gave myself permission to lie there on the floor for the entire class. That would be okay. That would be fine! That made me grin. Can you imagine??? But of course, knowing myself, I don't just lie there. I don't. I let the class sweep me along into postures, into movement, into poses, constrictions and contractions. All I have to do is get there. Rest takes care of itself.