So, it's been a few days since my last post and things are still going well. I've been to yoga everyday and I've been very disciplined about my caloric intake. A couple of classes in a row, though, I've had some small victories that, after about 3.5 years of Bikram, are pretty major.
1. I no longer dread Triangle Pose. I used to absolutely ABHOR this posture because it worked every single cell and muscle in my body. And after about 40 minutes of contorting myself in various positions in other postures, Triangle loomed as the bane of my yoga existence. However, as of a couple days ago, Triangle Pose now offers me the opportunity to check out how FLAWLESS my right side is. I don't look at myself when I do the left side LOL because it is flawed but my right side is on FIRE. There are few things more exhilarating than finally, partially mastering one of the hardest postures in the Bikram Yoga series. Next up on the list of postures to totally own is Eagle Pose. I'll get it, eventually, but for now, conquering my fear of Triangle is enough.
2. I only require 1 half frozen bottle of water. I have finally figured out the correct "formula" for ensuring that I don't run out of the tasty, cold, refreshing goodness that water provides. I have to freeze my pomegranate lemonade bottle 60%-70% filled. The rest I can fill with water to facilitate the melting process. By the time we're on the floor and resting, I'm still good on my water supply AND it's still cold. This is a major accomplishment for someone who went into class with 2 pomegranate lemonade bottles. While it inspired "refreshment envy" of other yogis in the room, it also caused me to sweat WAY more and it lured me into believing I really needed both bottles.
3. I have learned to "check in". In Bikram Yoga, according to Richard Mercer (the owner of the studio where I practice), the benefits come best when you're able to "find your breath". Let me explain. In the beginning of the series we begin with a breathing exercise where you inhale for six seconds and exhale for six seconds. The purpose is to calm your spirit, be able to fill your lungs to their capacity at will and on command, and stretch out your shoulders and neck early in the series. It is this breath to which everyone should return when they feel stress in their bodies during postures. For whatever reason, I never paid attention to this. Even now, the beginning breathing exercise elicits more yawns from me than attention being paid to how well I'm breathing. But the idea of returning to a place of stillness is very much present.
Almost a year ago, I would enter class and prepare to bang it out with every fiber of my being. I would go as far into a posture, as fast as I could, and torture myself into staying as far as I could possibly manage. I would end class completely exhausted, kind of sore, and annoyed that I wasn't feeling as good as I wanted. After a one on one session with Richard, I learned that the actual purpose of the yoga was to go into a posture up to the point where my breath became labored. This meant that it didn't matter if my half moon looked more like an "L" than a crescent if I wasn't in control of my breathing. The same with Standing Head to Knee, Balancing Stick, Triangle, Camel, and any other pose that made you feel like you wanted to die. So, what I have FINALLY learned to perfect is the "check in" process and my Bikram practice has become infinitely better.
From the very beginning of class, I check in with myself. Half Moon Pose is the first set of postures and it begins with a person leaning to the right side (arms above your head, fingers interlocked, thumbs crossed, index finger extended, and biceps by your ears at all times). It's the extended arm piece that can make this challenging. The tendency is to collapse in your rib cage and bend over as far as possible in order to make the posture look the best. This can create very labored breathing. What I do now is bend over a little bit - maybe a third of the distance I know I'm capable of, at my best, and I check in with myself - how am I breathing? If I am breathing calmly and normally, I go a little further. About two thirds down, I check in again. If, still, I am breathing calmly and normally, I go as far as I can. Usually, by this time, the posture is over LOL but the fact that I'm engaging in the process is important to me. I can use this check in process for every posture and, when I do, my postures are better. I may go in and come out of them slower than everybody else in class, but who cares. I can now look forward to Triangle Pose instead of dreading it. And that is a small victory that means the world to me when I'm in a room that's 105 degrees LOL!
Anyway, soooooo onward. My yoga is done for the week and now I have some strength and conditioning workouts I will focus on for Saturday and Sunday. Soon, my friend Jamel and I will begin training for the Broad Street Run (10 miles). Well, HE will be running the race. I'll just be doing the training LOL! It will include, obviously, lots of running, but on the off days, I'll need my Bikram practice to stretch and even me out. Pray for me, yall! I think I'm settling back into the groove!!!
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