Bikram Yoga Revelations

Well I've gotten over my concern. It seemed like doing 90 minutes almost every day of a boot camp exercise should yield many more results than what I was perceiving in people who'd attended the class for years.

I wanted to figure out how I could achieve noticeable progress with my body fast and maintain it from day to day.

I found out that exerting myself more (that 110% effort) was NOT the answer. (In fact, I think I pulled my hamstring one day).

After researching contortionists, stretching and various other topics, I discovered some things that totally changed my Bikram yoga practice.

Three things to look out for:

1. Find Your Fulcrum

This is the place of energy/physical concentration that holds a pose together. Often the fulcrum is in the belly, but it can also be in the hands and various other places. When you find your fulcrum, the place that provides ultimate stability when two opposing forces are seemingly de-stabilizing, place your maximum attention there and breathe slowly.

This has helped me tremendously with balance. A lot of dialogue happens about tightening this muscle, that muscles, every muscle etc.... but there is just one fulcrum per yoga pose.

2. Stretch Throughout the Day

17 of the 26 Bikram yoga poses target either the hamstrings/upper leg or the spine. So, if you want to maximize your class time and excel, to me, it makes sense to loosen the hamstrings as fast as possible so that 17 postures are as easy as possible.

I started my Bikram yoga practice by spending hours for a couple of days straight stretching my hamstrings. I even used massage tools, gels, even a book called the genius of flexibility...to no avail. I was sore everyday and like I mentioned above, I pulled my hamstring one day too.

The big key that has helped me is frequent short stretching. By stretching constantly (5-10 seconds a stretch) throughout the day, I maintain the limberness that I've achieved during class. Otherwise, throughout the day my muscles would tighten again. And, each day of class, was much like the day before: good but not great.

So, how do I stretch? Pretty simple, I reach for my toes when I wake up, various times throughout the day, and before I go to bed. I also place my fingers under my heels and smoosh myself to my legs so that my stomach is against my thights, forehead to shins (no gaps).

By doing this, 17 out of 26 poses are relaxing to me - I look forward to them.

3. Vortex Breathing

Do this during the rest periods. Vortex breathing is a 3 count inhale and a 5 count exhale accompanied by the feeling of well-being. You can order the Getting into the Vortex: Guided Meditations CD and User Guide through abraham-hicks.com if you're interested in this part.

Class was unbelievably satisfying and easy for me today. My elbows touch the floor when I do separate leg stretching; my hamstrings are staying loose; my breathing was easy the whole time. The Bikram class is becoming really, really good and relaxing of all things.

Next, figuring out the backbending postures....