yogalifer

I’m glad that the two of you agree with me. I thought that maybe I was just being unreasonable or a difficult student. The other thing that I notice when I try to do the 80-20 breathing is that I totally lose the rhythm of my class. The deeper inhales and exhales provide me with a sense of rhythm and focus that helps me stay in a more meditative state. When I do the 80-20 everything just seems disrupted and out of sync.

I have picked up the diaphragmatic chest breathing technique (although I didn’t know that there was a name for what I was doing). The first time I did it was during Pranayama and I noticed my lower ribcage flaring out on the inhaled breath. That technique just felt right and I have kept it up ever since. I will be more conscious of trying this breathing technique during backbend in Half Moon. Would this also apply in Camel?

Speaking of backbends–I have also employed your technique of looking as far back as possible and never looking up my nose. It is amazing the difference that this can make. Now if I start to feel a little queasy as I am moving into Camel, I just tell myself that I will be looking far back to where the floor meets the wall soon and I will feel better. This actually encourages me to want to move into the position. Basically, it takes away any resistance to moving into Camel that I used to feel.

Namaste
Cindy

Well, I finished my 30 day challenge and did do a back-to-back double on the 30th day. The whole thing was a great experience and I will likely do it again when I have a stretch of time to do it. I have to admit that the time commitment was more challenging than the physical. While the yoga studio is close to my office, it is a 30 minute drive from home for the weekend classes.

When I did the double class, I stayed in the room between classes and felt ready to go for the second one. One thing that I didn’t expect, though, was that I was very light-headed for the first part of the second class. I could even feel myself swaying back and forth during the breathing exercise (not a good sign). I really started to question my reasons for even trying this. By the time we got to triangle, I decided to sit it out to see if I could recover. I sat Japanese style, made eye contact with myself in the mirror and concentrated on my breathing. I actually ended up getting up and doing the second set of triangle and finished the rest of the class with no problems. I think that I may have been a bit dehydrated. I tend to sweat a lot and the room was especially hot and humid that day.

Some things that I would do differently next time: 1-Change my clothes and towel between classes. Starting out a class with sopping wet clothes and standing on a squishy towel is uncomfortable and distracting. 2-Even though I don’t typically drink during class, I might drink a bit in class 1 to prepare for the long haul. 3- Instead of hopping up from the floor right as the second class starts, I will stand up early and move around a bit before the class starts. I think that will help with the light-headedness.

I have to sat that I never would have believed that I would do a 30 day challenge or a double when I started Bikram last May. I am so excited that I have gotten to a level of ability in which I could do this. Actually, there were many things about Bikram that I was skeptical about in the beginning. My skepticism has been proven wrong on nearly every point. However, that is the subject for another time.

Namaste
Cindy

Bonmar,
Yes, today will be the 26th class (after I drive 30 minutes through the snow!!) and I will be done with the 30 day challenge on March 4. Thank you for the support!

Gabrielle,
I don’t drink water during class any longer and I do think that causes fewer distractions. It was hard at first, but I don’t even think about it any more. However, do you think that it might be a good idea to have some during class for a double? I tend to want to drink quite a bit after a class and could see myself getting a little swishy in the stomach if I do that between classes.

Also, I already told some instructors and a few friends about my plans to do the double on the 30th day. I wish that I wouldn’t have after reading your comments. I am looking for a quiet meditative time and there may be some distractions now. I will remember your suggestion the next time.

Namaste,
Cindy

Gabrielle,
Thanks for the great advice. I typically shy away from confrontation, but I know that I am not doing myself or others any favors when I do this. So, I am going to talk with my instructors about this issue. I have mentioned the Hot Yoga Master Class book to the owner of the studio and she is interested in seeing it. I think that I will show her the section in contention and feel her out as to whether she might agree with this approach. I am not sure that she will because she is very firm in the Bikram teachings. I’ll see what happens in the conversation and determine my next moves. 🙂 This is the only Bikram studio that is nearby and I want to continue to go there so I will work something out one way or the other.

Kelly,
Thanks for the detail! A trainer suggested that I sit on tennis balls, but did not say any more about how to go about it. I am going to try your approach.

Namaste,
Cindy

Hi Gabrielle,

Thanks for your response. I have an accounting/finance background so I do tend to get a little wrapped up in the numbers sometimes. It’s good to get a reminder every once in awhile to let that go. %-P I am enjoying a slimmer figure and a smaller clothing size. Bikram makes it sooo much easier to make healthy food choices and to cut out the bad stuff.

Thanks,
Cindy