One of the most important things i was told by an instructor is to “Listen to your body”. Although the dialogue during class is one that encourages and compels you to go to your personal limit qnd beyond….., you must not push beyond comfortable stretching pain! There is no point to go so far beyond, injure youraelf and have to stop to heal or stop altogether.
As BethRSmith said it is not a competition. Every single day your body will feel different, some days you will have a breakthrough… On other days you may not have same balance, strength or energy….. Just accept it….. And keep coming back to your mat!! I am 50, and have completed a 30 day challenge, and now go about 6 times a week…..
Albeit, this is NOT Bikram, which are all 90 minute classes….. I think that is challenging just to fit it in……
Where i go it is called Moksha Yoga, and we have 90, 75, and 60 mimutes classes, as well as other classes which have more or less stretching and holding, and more or less dynamic moves (ie. Vinyasa flows)….. The variety and the different durations makes it more do-able, at least for me.
Namaste
