Over Halfway Through the 60-Day Challenge!

I thought I would be blogging regularly about what it's been like to constantly go to Bikram Yoga classes, but I have been too busy actually preparing to go and then going to the classes themselves to do much else. Preparing to go to a Bikram Yoga class means the following: keeping hydrated before and after a class, having clean (and dry) clothes to wear and clean (and dry) towels to bring to the class, making sure that the water bottles with Emergen-C are nicely chilled, airing out the yoga mats and spraying them with Lysol, and making sure not to eat a couple of hours before a class. I also find that I try not to eat a heavy meal even several hours before a class 'cause that make a big difference.

A couple of links to the Bikram Yoga postures:

http://www.bikramyogaportsmouth.com/table/byp/26-postures/

http://www.bikram-yoga-noosa-australia.com/bikram-yoga.htm

So after completing 32 sessions, what differences have I noticed in how I do the postures? For one thing, it's generally easier to hold some of the longer postures for a minute without falling out of them, like in the "Standing Head to Knee Pose" (which I can only do the beginning phase of) and the "Standing Bow Pulling Pose" though I'm starting to lose my balance more in the latter one lately. My legs feel stronger in the "Awkward Pose" and the "Eagle Pose." My elbows still feel mighty uncomfortable in the "Locust Pose" but it's not as awful as it used to be and my legs are starting to come off the floor in that pose. There's more action in the "Bow Pose" and I can actually lie back in the "Fixed Firm Pose" which I couldn't even begin to do when I first started Bikram Yoga off and on last summer.

I can feel more backward bending happening in the second phase of the "Half Moon Pose" and in the "Camel Pose" but I don't seem to be anywhere close to grabbing my heels in that posture. Someday? After the "Fixed Firm Pose," the "Half Tortoise Pose" is absolutely delightful. In the final phase of the "Head to Knee Pose with Stretching Pose," I feel like my forehead is miles away from my legs.

I have observed a couple of women students doing a fabulous rock solid "Toe Stand Pose" which takes tremendous patience, focus, balance and strength. To be able to do a really good "Toe Stand Pose" would mark a definite milestone in my Bikram Yoga progress. At the moment, I happily stay in "Tree Pose" while others are attempting or actually performing the "Toe Stand Pose." Someday...

Another pose that will take some time to develop is the second phase of the "Standing Head to Knee Pose." The thought of being able to kick one leg straight out and hold it there while balancing on the other leg seems like an amazing feat -- that's another pose that is a marvel to watch when students can do it well. Someday...?

As far as benefits, my body seems to responding nicely to the workouts. I can squat down on my knees for a while and get back up without feeling stiffness or discomfort. I am sitting up straighter at the computer; there is much less desire to slouch while sitting. My energy level is good and I seem to be sleeping better at night. Plus I am drinking more water now than ever before -- something that I never was able to do. And with Bikram Yoga, there is NO need for Metamucil; any problems with elimination are pretty much "eliminated" -- har har har!!

As far as focus and concentration, I think I still have quite a ways to go. I was just about to publish this post when I looked up and realized that I was posting it on the wrong blog. Doh!

~ Bathilda the Batty ~