Bikram's Yoga. part one.
January 24th 2008 23:26
Bikram’s Yoga. Part one.
A friend once told me, just before the new millennium, that we were entering a new era, a spiritual time, a Zen century...
Did I laugh? Hmmm... Maybe, honestly I don’t remember but I sure felt quite sceptic!
At this time, I did have some knowledge about mind, soul and body and was somehow interested in health in general, but without a doubt I was lacking the maturity to seriously commit to what seems to me today the vital source of life, taking care of myself.
So a few years later, in a new continent with a child, I am reconsidering my beliefs and my priorities.
New era? Maybe. It seems to me that more and more people are aiming for a better life, a healthier lifestyle, looking for harmony within themselves, and a balance in their mind.
We try to eat better, less meat, more organic, less cage eggs, and if we could just eat less in general it will definitely make us feel all together much better. Sports and general physical activities are more promoted, health shops and vitamins distributors are everywhere. We are today more aware than we have ever been in our whole history!
I have been looking for years for an answer, a solution to a sense of emptiness that was haunting me. I have been looking everywhere, at everyone, listened to everything and read all that could help me to feel better. For a long time I thought that someone out there had the key to make me feel better, so I looked and looked and never really found anything.
As silly as it might sounds for some of you, or predictable or boring, entering a Bikram centre, by accident (really!) and starting classes regularly has been so far the best thing I did for myself, so far I can remember. Well, I guess now I have to explain to you why...
The Bikram’s Yoga is about 26 postures, executed twice over 90 minutes. In between each posture there is always a short pause where the whole body stay still in order to completely absorb the benefits of its efforts. The mind also should stay quiet, focused and if it starts wandering around about the shopping list, or that annoying phone call or whatever has been distracting you lately, try to bring your focus back to the room and listen to your body, your breath, and yourself .
It is really 90 minutes just for you, you own them, they are yours! You look at the mirror in front of you, might feel a bit strange at the beginning but look at yourself with honesty, no judgements, just look and accept who you are.
I went this morning, and I was very tired and not so sure I wanted to do it, but I remembered one of the teacher saying that, yes, there is some days when we might not want to make the effort but at the end of the class, when we finally lie down we feel so proud, so quiet and so full of this wonderful sense of achievement.
What I heard today was for example, it is not about the postures, it is about you. How far you push yourself, find your limits, and push them further. It is about to let it go, feel the fears, acknowledge them and let it go.
I felt today dizzy many times, and I thought I would not make it until the end... but I did!
Today was probably the hardest day at Bikram since I have started. Lots of fears appeared while working on the postures. I was trying to learn to trust my body, my strength, myself and at the same time trying to keep my mind clear and focus.
A friend once told me, just before the new millennium, that we were entering a new era, a spiritual time, a Zen century...
Did I laugh? Hmmm... Maybe, honestly I don’t remember but I sure felt quite sceptic!
At this time, I did have some knowledge about mind, soul and body and was somehow interested in health in general, but without a doubt I was lacking the maturity to seriously commit to what seems to me today the vital source of life, taking care of myself.
So a few years later, in a new continent with a child, I am reconsidering my beliefs and my priorities.
We try to eat better, less meat, more organic, less cage eggs, and if we could just eat less in general it will definitely make us feel all together much better. Sports and general physical activities are more promoted, health shops and vitamins distributors are everywhere. We are today more aware than we have ever been in our whole history!
I have been looking for years for an answer, a solution to a sense of emptiness that was haunting me. I have been looking everywhere, at everyone, listened to everything and read all that could help me to feel better. For a long time I thought that someone out there had the key to make me feel better, so I looked and looked and never really found anything.
As silly as it might sounds for some of you, or predictable or boring, entering a Bikram centre, by accident (really!) and starting classes regularly has been so far the best thing I did for myself, so far I can remember. Well, I guess now I have to explain to you why...
The Bikram’s Yoga is about 26 postures, executed twice over 90 minutes. In between each posture there is always a short pause where the whole body stay still in order to completely absorb the benefits of its efforts. The mind also should stay quiet, focused and if it starts wandering around about the shopping list, or that annoying phone call or whatever has been distracting you lately, try to bring your focus back to the room and listen to your body, your breath, and yourself .
It is really 90 minutes just for you, you own them, they are yours! You look at the mirror in front of you, might feel a bit strange at the beginning but look at yourself with honesty, no judgements, just look and accept who you are.
I went this morning, and I was very tired and not so sure I wanted to do it, but I remembered one of the teacher saying that, yes, there is some days when we might not want to make the effort but at the end of the class, when we finally lie down we feel so proud, so quiet and so full of this wonderful sense of achievement.
What I heard today was for example, it is not about the postures, it is about you. How far you push yourself, find your limits, and push them further. It is about to let it go, feel the fears, acknowledge them and let it go.
I felt today dizzy many times, and I thought I would not make it until the end... but I did!
Today was probably the hardest day at Bikram since I have started. Lots of fears appeared while working on the postures. I was trying to learn to trust my body, my strength, myself and at the same time trying to keep my mind clear and focus.
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Comment by Louie
Climate Red
randomthoughts
Phil's Wellness Tips
Great post, very in tune with where I am at today.....thank you
Comment by Bikram Yoga Cowichan Valley
I have been practicing Bikram's for a couple years now and the change in both my physical and mental well being has been incredible. Thank you Bikram!
Comment by sandeye
Bird Story
San Francisco Music News
Yoga Tap
I have not yet investigated Bikram Yoga, though I have been a Yoga practitioner for over a year and am serious about my practice.(I am currently studying and researching the various styles of Yoga in the world.)