Aug Bikram Yoga challenge

[okorolina40]

HI all - just wanted to post a Bikram Yoga challenge in sync with the Aug raw challenge --hopefully this wont be too much.

THe studio I plan to attend has a 30 day challenge, but I am going to see how my funds do for the first 2weeks.

Here are the Levels I am aiming to reach (maybe over a 30-60 day period if I dont reach the 15 class level in 30 days) you can pick whatever you think is good or create your own goal for yourself and post as you go :)



7 classes in 30 days

10 classes in 30 days

15 classes in 30 days

18 classes in 30 days

20 classes in 30 days

25 classes in 30 days

30 or + classes in 30 days


Create Your goal: ___ classes in 30 days


Good luck and Have fun!! Relax, Relate, and RELEASE!!!

Blessings,

rawnaija

[spicyfull]

I've always wanted to take Yoga but have never got around to it. There's a Class on the Oxygen Channel that I Love but I just watch it. I Love the music, I don't think, I know I could not deal with the Eastern Music. I only want it for all the Health Benifits, like Stretching and Stretching..........

[Authenticme]

Hey Naija,

I'm so there with the Bikram Yoga Challenge. I think there is something about the heat that allows the muscles to be more flexible and plaiable. I find that I am able to accomplish certain yoga postures better in the heated atmosphere.

My own pledge: 6 classes in 30 days.

I"m leaving room for the possibility that I may just do more then that. Thank so much for starting this thread!

[okorolina40]

I can relate to some of the music selections for some Yoga classes - they can be a bit too spacey.. lol!

if you arent able to do Bikram, feel free to incorporate Yoga videos, tapes, and network shows on cable that get you Stretching and feeling all warm and tingly!! It doesnt necessarily have to be 105 degrees to get you detoxing :)

Blessings,

rawnaija

[Inaia]

This is so awesome! I am so jealous. I am a Bikram fanatic. I am in Tokyo right now doing a contract where I work 6 nights a week and am taking 3 classes @ Berklee Online so it's not feasible or healthy for me to try to pack in getting to one of the Bikram studios here. I do have the CDs and I am advanced enough that I could do the class with the CD in my apt. But I am so sick of being in my apartment! Getting to the gym-which is in the hotel where I sing, it's free and included in my contract- is the only time I can get out of here and do something other than work.

I wonder how I could get motivated to do Bikram in my apartment for the next five weeks until I finish this contract and head back to Paris,Miami Beach and then LA.

Today is August 3rd. I could still get in there if I can figure it out for myself.

OK! Now that I've thought aloud, I'm going to think of a solution and come back and post it.

Kudos to all raw Bikram yogis & yoginis :rolleyes: doing this awesome challenge!

[Frecs]

ummm...ya'll have me thinking... I don't do yoga but rather a Christian alternative to yoga called PraiseMoves. I use a DVD at home and usually workout early in the morning when the A/C isn't on and it's warmer in the house but still not 105...but if I wore sweats maybe?

Other than getting a good sweat going, are there other benefits to doing hot yoga?

[Vegan Princess]

Ooo I love this thread. I love bikram...but have been horrible about going the past 6 months!! I can't make it in again until Wed I think b/c I'm house sitting, but I'm going to commit to 6 this month as well...and hopefully that will help me get back in the habbit! :p I used to go 4-5 times a week.

Cindy

[okorolina40]

Okay my update for the weeks physical activity:

Mon: 20 min of walking

Tues: 20 min of walking, 30 min of dance

Wed: 90 min of Vinyasa FLow - (mellow Bikram style)

Thurs: 90 min of Anusara Yoga, 40 min of dance

Fri: 40 min of walking, 90 min of Bikram

Sat: ( planning to do another 90 min of Bikram!)

Sun: (planning to do 90 min of Anusara)

Bikram Yoga -- my 1st true class was today!

-- the heated room plus the focus on yourself in the mirror allows for increased emphasis on posture and seemingly more attentive-ness to your alignment and physical cues as you move thru the sequence. This is based on my 1st class experience. Also, with an instructor present, you always have another pair of eyes checking for correct positioning and execution. I find that the heated room encourages a shorter warm-up and ease into the postures, and I am forced to breathe because I need the oxygen for the poses AND to cool off my body!!

for more info on Bikram yoga,

please visit http://www.bikramyoga.com/

So if you have a Yoga tape at home, maybe try to have a mirror around (attached to the wall!!) or look at your shadow... or maybe even inquire about a class near you.

My Bikram class has no chants or meditation, although I am doing my own centering and prayers silently. My focus is on technique and exercise, although the principles I have found apply broadly to me irregardless of my spiritual preferences..

I think any Yoga is good, as long as you breathe, focus, keep efficient and correct alignment, and have fun!!


Blessings to all!!

rawnaija

[Authenticme]

I've found that the heat has all kinds of beneficial effects for me.

* like a sauna being in the heat is a detox in itself though the pores of your skin. You sweat and release toxins.

* makes muscles more pliable and therefore you more flexible. Postures that you might have found difficult in other forms of yoga become a tab bit easier in the heated room. And out of the room, you might notice the reduction aches and pains as you move doing daily activities because your muscles are less stiff

* ooooooh, the wonderful things it will do for your posture and your abs. Yes, your abs! Strengthens your core muscles which supports your back thereby minimizing lower back pain. ( this is just the benefits of yoga not heat per se)

*another benefit of the sequence of bikram yoga is the postures also build
muscle. During one period where I was doing my bikram faithfully a work mate commented on my biceps. He asked if I had been lifting weights. I was like "nope, this is all yoga!"

Wow! I just pumped myself up! Can't wait to get to class Monday!

[lavendarJ]

I enjoy reading about everyone bikram journey. I've been wanting to take a class for soooooooooo long. I keep hoping that someone will open up a studio. The closest one to me is an hour away and I have to be realistic with myself. My schedule is going to be so chaotic that I just know I'd end up paying for classes and then not even being able to attend. I'm returning to school again to work on my MSW.

[okorolina40]

Hi Lavendar -

Thats okay - we all have seasons where we arent able to do what we would like, but give yourself a little slice of heaven now and then. Any exercise is great. I can definitely relate, as a grad student, so I have to really face my schedule in a few weeks and I need to make sure that I have my outlets in place by then so that I have something to turn to other than food.

Maybe try some basic Yoga at home in a very warm room --- the site recommends having a heater int he room to increase the temperature. I have also done slow Sun salutations right after taking a hot bath/shower and that feels really great..

Think of some alternatives that you are "do-able" and incorporate those. Maybe for Chrismas break you can take some classes...?

Blessings,

rawnaija

[lavendarJ]

You know that's a great idea, I can definitely do something during Christmas break...even if I go to California then I know I'll have lots of choices there...

[Vegan Princess]

California is FILLED with bikram studios!! I think we have 25 in the Bay Area alone! And that doesn't include all the non-bikram ones. :)

Cindy

[Vegan Princess]

I finally made it to class tonight for the first time in I don't know how long! Felt awesome!! I almost blacked out a couple times, but other than that I actually had a really strong class. So one class down, 5 to go to meet my goal of 6 for the month. Although I really want to try and go every day left this week (fri, sat, sun). And I may try for a double on Saturday.

Cindy

[the_lab_rat]

I just started bikram yoga this week and I LOVE it! Totally addicted! The studio I go to (Cindy, you're right, they have dozens of them here in the bay area!) has a 10-day trial membership thingy...I'm trying to go every day before I go out of town next week... and sadly then I'll have to wait til I get my first paycheck to be able to join :( I'm gonna go into bikram withdrawl, *sniffle sniffle* LOL Anyway, if I can afford to join one, I'd totally go every day! This is the first thing that has really allowed me to start losing weight again, and it's even improving my skin! And afterward I feel this deep sense of calmness and peace that has been missing all these weeks I've been raw... Yeah, all that in the 5 days since I started yoga! :D

[Vegan Princess]

Bikam truly is incredible. My teacher was able to quit smoking meth by doing yoga! Not only is it great for my body and cures my back pain, but it's like therapy, quieting my mind.

If you're really strapped for cash, a lot of studios (in the city anyway) do a $29.95 first month...you could always do a little studio hopping for a month or two to get that deal at a couple places.

I'm sore today from my first class back...definately need to go back later and stretch out again.

Cindy

[the_lab_rat]

If you're really strapped for cash, a lot of studios (in the city anyway) do a $29.95 first month...you could always do a little studio hopping for a month or two to get that deal at a couple places.

Hehehe.. that's so sneaky :D I may have to do something like that for a month anyway until I have a set schedule and paycheck at work. Hmm, I wonder if any of the studios around here have that deal...

[Vegan Princess]

I went back today. That's 2 down, 4 to go to hit goal for the month. Took a nap this afternoon and was SO sore after...but I went and I feel great! So alive. :)

Cindy

[the_lab_rat]

I went again today too! LOVE IT! I think something was wrong with the thermostat today. I loved it...the extra heat made me totally peaceful and really let me feel things more deeply. But the teacher had to get cold towels for 2 girls, and one guy had to leave 2/3 of the way through! I'm so sad I won't be able to go tomorrow. Might go twice on Sunday to make up.

[Vegan Princess]

Isn't it great when your body adjusts to the heat and you crave it? Sometimes the heater comes on and it feels like air conditioning to me.

I went this morning. That's 3 times this month/week. I'm planning on going back at 4:30 for a double. I was soooo sore all night, but class helped. I know getting back to doubles will really help get me back to where I was quickly. Lab rat - have you done a double yet?

Cindy

[the_lab_rat]

That's so awesome you did 2 in one day! I haven't done that yet, but will try on Monday since that's my last day.

I think I am adjusting to the heat (I've always loved hot weather anyway). Today it was cooler than usual and I felt cold! I think they must've gotten complaints from the heat yesterday and kept it cooler today...either that or the thermostat is wonky. Oh well. Hoping for a hot one tomorrow :)

[Vegan Princess]

I was scared the first time I tried a double...but my teacher told me to try 2 doubles...sat and sunday and I would feel awesome afterwards. It can be tough the first few poses and you'll ask yourself "why am I here again???", but then your body will be so loose you will be amazed how flexible you are. You will also already be really focused and able to relax into the postures. At least that's how I feel. When I did my retreat I did doubles for a week...it was amazing. Teacher training is doubles every day for 9 weeks! The one thing I won't do though is back to back classes. I think I would die. Just make sure to eat and drink enough between classes.

Cindy

[the_lab_rat]

Whoa, a Bikram yoga retreat sounds so awesome! I wish I could afford something like that... oh well, maybe some day!

I've actually been debating whether it'd be better to do 2 back to back classes, or like one in the morning and one in the evening. Sometimes I think it's easier to just keep on exercising rather than take a long break, you know? Especially with Bikram...like, if you did back to back classes, you'd already be warmed up and wouldn't have to go outside and cool down or anything. But yeah, there are some poses I don't know if I could (or would want to) do twice right in a row! Although, flexibility is my main problem, so if I were already warmed up it might be easier...? Maybe I'll give it a try someday and find out!

[Vegan Princess]

I read somewhere you did yoga then ran 6 miles...so you could prob do back to back. I just feel like 1 class takes so much out of me...I need time to recover and rehydrate.

Cindy

[Vegan Princess]

Went again today. That's 6 classes so far this month - I hit my goal. :D But now my goal is at least 3 classes this week. and 3 next.

Cindy