90 minutes in a yoga studio heated to 105 degrees.
That's hot.
That's Bikram.
I've never done anything yoga related before. I talked about doing it but this was really the first time. At first I found myself resisting the process. Something didn't quite fit and I felt really out of place.
Maybe it was the fact I was surrounded by sweating strangers in a hot room on New Year's Eve. Maybe it was because EVERY pose felt awkward and made me fall over. Or maybe it was because I was experiencing something new in a new environment with new people......
This year I've got quite the list of things to begin and Bikram has given me insight on how to get started.
Regroup and Reset
The breathing exercises at the beginning were very relaxing. All the air out. All the air in. Basically we spent 5 minutes taking deep breaths and it was very soothing. Deeper breaths, slower heart rate, focus... I wonder how much more productive I would be if I developed a similar calming approach to beginning projects.
Regrouping with a few deep breaths is all I need for a new approach. Those few precious seconds when we take time to breath and take time to think can be the difference between acting positively and acting negatively. I choose the former.
Breathe and take it slow.
I used to rush around and all that caused was anxiety and worry. I realized it's completely unnecessary. My problem with starting things was becoming overwhelmed too easily. SO much needs to be done and often times I'd try to tackle it all at once without a clear plan or procedure. Then either the thing wouldn't get done or it would be done poorly-then I'd feel worse. This is a very counterproductive cycle I'd been following. I prefer a calmer approach to beginnings.
It's quite a challenge for me to take things slow but I'm discovering that this is the best pace for life and living.
Leo Babauta has a lot to say about this zenful approach on his blog. I've been gathering a lot of helpful ideas on how to approach projects differently and how to live life with more purpose and focus
Recognize your own flow of energy
Holding the poses was harder than I anticipated. There were 26 in total. It was really tiring, I didn't realize how much effort was involved. After each pose was a period of rest and thats when I felt my blood really flowing. I felt my core beating. I felt my own flow of energy.
Something interesting was happening here. There was method. There was order. This is something I need to pay attention to. If I can master a series of poses perhaps I can master a series of other disciplines as well.
I'm learning that my energy flow needs nurturing and I'm convinced that these series of poses helped my circulation and relieve aches in my back. Keep your energy flowing.
Welcome all experiences
The initial unpleasantness of Bikram was expected, and the first 30 minutes were incredibly awkward . It took me awhile to get used to the instructor's voice and sitting on the mat. My towel was gradually getting soaked with sweat and I was breathing heavily the entire time. I was defiantly uncomfortable.
Interestingly enough, after being uncomfortable for a little while I began to get into . And somewhere between the Cobra Pose and Full Locust Pose I found the instructor's voice not to be THAT annoying and I actually started enjoying the challenge of each new pose. I learned to accept my discomfort then it wasn't so bad.
What I didn't expect... ..
...to enjoy myself
...to discover yoga is a workout
...that holding one pose can be so hard
...that there are a LOT of people into this
To say the least, Bikram Yoga exceeded my expectations. I'm glad I had the opportunity to try something new and I'm looking forward to the next session.
I figure if there is going to be an upgrade in my life I've got to do the upgrading. I see myself turning into a different, better version of myself in 2013.