Bikram...Oh ye Gods!

Ten reasons to try out Bikram yoga!

1. Hot damn! 

You sweat more in this 90 min, 105°F class than EVER before. Work hard, stretch hard and yes on the odd evening you’ll want to die hard, but just push through. 

2. Touch your toes. 

Never did my 5ft 10 inches allow, but the heat is solely used to enhance flexibility so that once you've warmed up the sky is literally the limit.

3. Walk tall.

Posture becomes something that you ooze. No more 'shoulders back' glares (yes mother) because you naturally assume an alignment that goes beyond the 26 pose (Asana) series and into the everyday. 

4. “Stretching and pulling equals simultaneous’’

...this is an equation that any mathlete can master. Heads up though guys, this takes time.  Be it the balancing, standing or floor series you will soon find it’s less an art of collapse and tug, more stretch and pull.

5. Mix it up.

Ladies the numbers are pretty even so who knows what Bikram might bring into your life, besides preventative medicine and a svelte tum? As an excellent remedy for the knees and ankles it draws in the likes of rugby players. That's right my last class was DELIGHTFUL!

6. Pfffft to any notion of ‘perfect’. 

Leave body hang ups at the door, along with emotional baggage and the food shopping you picked up en route. There is no judgement. Focus on you and not the supple specimen you think is laughing at your cockle ockle standing bow. She's not I promise!

7.Any age CAN do.

Clichés aside- it really is never too late to give Bikram a go. Last week there was a 73 year old standing tall beside me...err WOW!

8. Max and relax.

Class opens up windows that allow you to shut out life’s torments. It’s a cleansing and purifying practise; yes the sweat runs that Mac-up right off, along with nasty negative energy. 

  9. Sleep, drink and be merry. 

Hydrate as much as possible beforehand so that you’re well quenched during class. Learning to breathe in and out through your nose is paramount, get this and you WILL ‘have a gay old time’.

10. Do it your way. 

Buy a drop in, monthly or annual class pack and take advantage of induction offers (these will vary with each studio). Either way, fall in line with friends, lovers or loathed enemies. They won’t be haters for long.

 

If you have not signed up after my ten point wonders then you clearly need a dousing of MJ. That is Mary Jarvis, when it comes to personality she’s got it, and this completely transcends into amazing yoga practise.

I have added to this blog post since meeting Mary. She taught at Bikram Choudrey’s Yoga College of India in San Francisco for 10 years so she knows the man, the guru, the mantra and the practise like few others. Her story reveals how a dedicated relationship with yoga has shaped and safeguarded her. One inspirational muma! 

Mary has been in the UK this March judging the UK Yoga Asana Championship 2012 which was held in Richmond. First of all this competition was absolutely WOW and just what any striving yoga bunny dreams of being part of. Our studio had a fleet of competitors who trained their sweaty butts off to muscle up and sharpen up their postures. All of whom performed amazingly! 

Now I ain't no Son Of A Preacher Man, but Bikram is without a doubt to do with body AND mind. "Ha"-sun, "tha"-moon, "yoga"-union. A union: a meeting of body, mind and spirit. Before finding my two feet standing tall in my local studio I would have totally rolled my eyes at this ‘mind and spirit’ chat, but now I am all in. This dual strength is what makes it a preventative medicine that betters every system of our body, get Bikram into your universe!

Mary’s workshop was hugely inspiring. Something that has really stuck with me is her drawing light on the person we become in the moments between giving 100% to each posture where we practice savasona, 100% relaxation. In this moment we find ourselves, see ourselves, and are that person that perhaps no-one else knows. So powerful, and so interesting to see initial glimpses and over time a profound presence of ourselves. A stronger, focused, fearless person.

What is so powerful about this yoga series is that idea of present moment because it is unknown and undiscovered. Not until you charge your body into your posture do you know what you can achieve. 

The body is an INCREDIBLE, WONDERFUL thing and if you do what you can on any given day that you choose to practice...THAT is the most honest art of Bikram yoga and YOU.