Have you ever taken Bikram before a redeye? I never had, but when I was in Seattle last week for Hearing Health Foundation‘s annual Hearing Restoration Project meeting, I thought I would give it a try. Redeye flights usually kill me – I can never really fall asleep, and if I do, the flight is just too short to be worthwhile. I almost always come down with a cold within a day or two after a redeye. I thought a Bikram class before the flight might relax me and set me up for a better sleep experience. It was worth a try, right? So that is what I did. And it worked great!
I found a wonderful studio, Bikram Yoga U-District, and headed there for the 4:30 class. The studio was clean and bright and the folks at the front desk were nice enough to keep an eye on my luggage so I could take the class worry-free. After sitting still at a conference table for 2 days and overeating at group dinners for 2 nights, it felt so good to stretch out the aches and sweat out the toxins. I must admit it was a rough class for me, probably due to the time change, so I took it a little easy and enjoyed the ride. The final savasna was a dream.
After class, I showered and headed right to the airport for the trip back to NYC. I felt relaxed and somewhat serene. I was ready for the flight. Things went smoothly and I was able to fall asleep almost immediately and stay asleep for most of the flight. I was still tired the next day, but I was able to function. And, I am cold-free a week later. Someone please find me some wood to knock on….
Fellow yogis, will you try a Bikram class before your next redeye?
I love standing bow pose. I love the balance of it as you reach forward and kick backward simultaneously. I like the feeling of grace as you hold your chest up high and proud, but bend your body down to exercise your heart. I feel strong in this posture even if my body sometimes struggles through it.
Last week in class, the teacher had us all take a step back in this posture so that we could move forward in a better way. Many of us were bending forward in the fuller expression of the posture, but our hips were not aligned. She had us stay straight up, kicking and reaching but in an upright position allowing our hips to remain parallel to the front mirror. In only the final seconds did she have us bend forward to exercise the heart. Not many of us could bend down as far with our hips in this proper alignment, but we were doing it the right way and getting greater benefits. I certainly felt a deeper stretch in my hips and back and a more stringent call on my abs to support my body.
I have been trying to replicate this process in my practice since that class. I feel the difference in my body, but I also see the difference in the mirror. My posture is not as pretty as it once was, not as fully extended, but I have decided not to care. I know I am getting the benefits and that is the point. It will be pretty again, although it might take a while. Doing it the right way to get the health benefits is more important than the short-lived gratification of a pretty posture looking back at me in the mirror.
That got me thinking about how important the ability to go back to move forward is, both on and off the mat. It requires discipline, self awareness, and the ability to delay gratification, many of the things needed for success generally. It is something I am trying to teach my school-aged children. For example, I make them recopy messy homework assignments so they are neater and better organized. Going back (recopying) to move forward (learning how to do neat and organized homework). While they are not thanking me for this now (at all!), I hope that longer term, they will be glad they have the skill and discipline required to do homework properly, so they get the full benefits, just like I hope to do in standing bow.
Fellow yogis, do you have a posture where you need to go back to move forward?
I love savasna. Who doesn’t? That wonderful reward at the end of standing series, between postures on the floor and at the end of class. The time when the health benefits are being absorbed by the body. In final savasna, I can sometimes feel the blood surging through my veins, cleaning out scar tissue and toxins, and spreading oxygen throughout my body. It is an exhilarating feeling.
But Bikram yoga is all about balance. You have to give maximum exertion to get that feeling of maximum relaxation. I find this particularly true in the back strengthening series on the floor. While the postures are short in duration, the effort required is great. Backbend after backbend against gravity. My heart is always pounding and my breath comes heavy, but once the posture is over, I settle into the maximum relaxation portion of the program. And it feels good. My breath and heart rate return to normal as I prepare for the next pose. I use the phrase maximum exertion, maximum relaxation almost as a mantra to keep me going during the postures, and to help me enjoy the relaxation of the savasna.
I once had a teacher that in final savasna, encouraged us to relax our bodies so much that we could feel the floor supporting our body, rather than our body holding itself in place on the mat. If I really focus on it, I can do it and it is a great feeling of freedom. Almost meditative. If I have the time at the end of class for a more leisurely savasna, I always try to relax to the point where I can feel the floor supporting me. Almost like a well-earned hug at the end of class.
On Monday I was nominated for the “One Lovely Blog” Award by The Souzapalooza Blog. As a newly minted blogger, this encouragement is very rewarding, especially from such a seasoned blogger. Souzapalooza lives in Westchester, and among her many other interests, loves Bikram Yoga. I have enjoyed her comments on my blog and hearing her thoughts on her practice. It is always a comfort to know that you are not alone in your struggles. Thank you Souzapalooza for your interest in my blog and for the “One Lovely Blog” award!
The One Lovely Blog Award nominations are chosen by fellow bloggers for those newer and up-and-coming bloggers. The goal is to help give recognition and also to help the new blogger to reach more viewers. It also recognizes blogs that are considered to be “lovely” by the fellow bloggers who choose them. This award recognizes bloggers who share their story or thoughts in a beautiful manner to connect with viewers and followers. In order to “accept” the award the nominated blogger must follow several guidelines:
Thank the person who nominated you for the award.
Add the One Lovely Blog logo to your post.
Share 7 facts/or things about yourself
Nominate 15 bloggers you admire and inform the nominees by commenting on their blog
Thank you, Souzapalooza for the shout out!
Seven Facts About Me:
1. I live in NYC with my husband and two children, aged 11 and 9.
2. I have a 40-50% hearing loss in both ears. It is genetic and started in my 20s. My father and grandmother had the same issue. I hope everyday that my children will be spared.
3. I love Bikram Yoga — I guess that is not that much of a surprise given my blog!
4. I am very organized! I love making lists and checking things off the list when they are done.
5. I spent 20 years working on Wall Street but am now involved in non-profit work related to finding a cure for hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Check out Hearing Health Foundation for more information on this important work.
6. I just learned how to add a link to my blog and recently learned to tweet. I really need to improve my tech skills…
7. I love walking and hiking! I wear my Fitbit everyday and get very excited when I hit my 10,000 step goal for the day. I also track my sleep on the Fitbit, which is really fun.
I will nominate the following blogs — I am very new to this so can’t get anywhere close to 15!
Views From the Podium – This is a blog written by a Bikram Yoga Instructor. I really enjoy her insights into the Bikram Yoga practice and her unique perspective as a teacher on the yoga that gives me so much. This is coupled with stories of fellow practitioners who are doing great things outside of the hot room that are always inspiring to read.
Hearing Health Foundation Blog – This is a blog written by Hearing Health Foundation. It is a great blog that shares tips and information for the almost 50 million Americans living with hearing loss and tinnitus. It is also a comfort to those who have family members or friends with hearing loss.
Grand Piano Passion – This is a blog written by a fellow Hearing Health Foundation volunteer and board member that discusses her return to piano playing as an adult. Check it out for interesting insights into reclaiming your passion as well as being a musician with hearing loss.
“Mom, please go to Bikram so we can all have a better day.”
This is a direct quote from my 9 year old son this past Saturday. I was waffling about going to class on Saturday morning since we had a bunch of errands to run and a busy plan for the day. But out of his mouth, came a truism. If I went to a Bikram yoga class, I would have a better day, and so would the family. The whole family laughed when he said this, and immediately shooed me out the door to class. And we did have a better day – less yelling and frustration, and a lot more laughing and relaxed family time. Ninety minutes very well spent.
That got me thinking about something that teachers often say at the end of class – that the time you take for class is not purely selfish time, but is more than that. Some go as far as to say that taking class is sort of like paying it forward – as the strength and peace you get from class are passed to others you encounter during the day. While I always thought this was somewhat true, my son put it in such simple terms that it really sunk in. I could always see that going to class was a positive for me – better health, more energy, and a greater sense of calm, but it took my son to show me how it so clearly impacts others in my life as well. We all have a better day when I go to Bikram yoga class. It’s just a fact. I am grateful there is such a simple way to guarantee a better day.
Fellow yogis, do your friends and family push you out the door to class?
Hot Off The Mat ™ 