After your first Bikram class, what was your impression? |
What drives you to continue to practice? What keeps bringing you back? |
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I knew I would be an addict. Bikram is something I can do 'til forever. I loved seeing so many different types and sizes of people in the class. It made me very comfortable. I felt completely worked out and completely peaceful after my first class. It is this interesting combination of simulataneous experiences that works: Extreme challenge and extreme peace. |
Sweating. It's the best feeling there is. Gaining strength and flexibilty. Progress. Peace of mind. The practice of focus. The practice of being present. The practice of non-competition. The practice of listening to my body. The practice of breathing through fear. The practice of non-judgement. The desire to be able to do triangle pose comfortably and deeply. The desire to lose the pain I feel in my body from years of athletically overdoing it. |
What are some of the benefits and changes you've seen in yourself?
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What is your favorite posture in the series and why? |
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It's remarkable to me when I see the strength I have developed in my legs. I am a cyclist and strong from that; but I seem to be stronger from Bikram. I am amazed that I can bend backwards and see myself going further and further back. I find the process really interesting; seeing where I need to gain strength and where I need to let go in order to get there.
Whatever I am going through emotionally is directly applicable to where my body is on any given day. I go to class 6 or 7 days a week.
Bikram is my serenity, my meditation, my prayer. No matter how I feel when I enter the room; the feeling upon finishing the class is tremendously satisfying. I always feel peaceful and usually quiet.
My mind is quiet after class...that's something that's ordinarily hard to come by for me. |
I love the standing bow. I think it's a beautiful poture. I also love the back bend. Both of these poses feel so good. The strentch I experience and lengthening of my spine is thrilling. |
What is your greatest challenge about the yoga? Yourself? |
What advice can you give to a 1st timer after they complete the class? |
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My greatest challenge is not to judge myself; letting go completely and trusting my breath to get me through; honoring and loving my body wherever it is on any given day at any given moment; remaining present and focused.
Here's the beauty: My greatest challenges in yoga are my greatest challenges with myself at any given moment on any given day. |
Come back; constantly. |
Is there anything you would like to add? |
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I've been practicing now for 3 1/2 months. It continues to be very difficult for me. Sometimes I think I am unique and nobody experiences the pain and challenge that i do. Then I speak with a teacher and I am reassured that no matter how long you practice you experience growth and setback, growth and setback...So, as long as Bikram is a metaphor for life I will stick with it.
I would like to thank all the teachers for their care and attention and humanity. |
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