awakenedbody Half Moon pose (Ardha-Chandrasanaa)
Camel pose (Ustrasana)
Standing Separate Leg Stretching pose (Dandayamana-BibhaktapadaPaschimotthanasana) when a man stood up to leave the room because he was finding the heat too much, the teacher said, “Where are you going? Sit back down! Do not leave the room, commit to at least staying in the room for the whole 90 minutes, even if you have to lie down...” Despite his grumblings, I like this teacher though. He’s clearly passionate about Bikram yoga and he knows what he’s talking about. He’s like Bikram’s version of Dr House. Questionable bedside manner but endearing in a grouchy kind of way. As far as surviving the class though, here’s a tip. Don’t wear too much. My regular yoga class clothes are too heavy for Bikram. A light-weight singlet t-shirt and shorts is best. Whatever you do, don’t wear tracksuit pants or a heavy baggy t-shirt unless you want to die of heat exhaustion. And don’t wear white unless you’re happy for everyone to be able to see through your clothes by the end of the class once they’re dripping with sweat.
Day four: Hang in there
I’ve done four classes now and it doesn’t seem any easier. For the last 20 minutes of the class, I am hanging on with the last dregs of my emotional and physical strength. DECEMBER 2012
Tree pose (Tadasana)
I watched a documentary on telly the other night about the amazing power of the brain and visualisation for managing physical pain so in the really tough moments I’ve been imagining myself encased in a block of ice in the hope that it might make the intense heat more bearable.
No joy so far. Although last night after class, I overheard the teacher tell another new guy ‘not to worry because it does get easier’. Get’s easier!? I wanted to grab the teacher by the collar and scream “WHEN? In the name of all that’s Holy, WHEN does it get easier?” This other new guy had struggled cont. overleaf
BIKRAM BASICS IN A NUTSHELL WHAT IS IT? A sequence of 26 Hatha poses done over 90 minutes in a room heated to 41 degrees Celsius. WHO DEVELOPED IT? Indian man Bikram Choudhury, a National India Yoga Champion who started studying yoga at age three. At the age of 20, Bikram shattered his knee in an accident so, with the help of his friend Bishnu Ghosh, designed a series of postures for rehabilitation. Bikram yoga was born. WHY THE HOT ROOM? The heated room is for warming the muscles and allowing you to work deeply and safely into the various postures. Heat takes the trauma out of stretching as well as heals and prevents injuries. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BIKRAM? According to Bikram, the regular practice of this ‘hot yoga’ will do many great things for your mind and body including eliminate toxins, reduce cholesterol, tone and strengthen muscles, strengthen bones, improve flexibility, reduce stress as well as achieve and maintain your proper body weight.
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