The week has flown by and I really haven't had much time to do my daily blog posts. It was my goal to write everyday but I suppose sometimes life gets in the way and I can't even seem to find the time to do anything! I have made a goal to try to dedicate at least 20 minutes a day to the blog, whether it be actually writing or researching the topics I post about.
This week has been pretty big for me as I finally started back to Bikram yoga. I haven't done Bikram for almost a year now due to injuries as well as being sick. I was really nervous because I knew how out of shape I was coming in to the first class. Boy was I right. Bikram's torture chamber kicked my ass! My heart was pounding within the first 5 minutes and I was sure I was going to vomit about halfway through. Nothing can really prepare you for a Bikram class. Not only are you working your cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and lymphatic systems, but every single cell in your body is being pushed to its limits. The pay off is pretty great though, the second I stepped out of that class my entire body was just vibrating. For the last two days I have been radiating heat and my mind has been much clearer. As soon as you start yoga, your entire body's energy system starts to flow again and you become a furnace. On top of the physical benefits, Bikram's class can also be a huge emotional roller coaster. The poses are designed to purge toxins from the body, which also include mental and emotional strain. I have been to classes where participants become extremely emotional and sometimes even begin to cry. This is not yoga for the lighthearted.
"Bikram yoga classes typically involve going through a series of 26 poses, or asanas and two breathing exercises. Each position flows to the next one, which proponents say can help your body release toxins and well as tensions. According to Wikipedia, blood circulation is affected a lot during class because of compression and extension of the muscles. These two movements work together to bring oxygen throughout the whole body. While students are doing one of the poses, circulation will actually be temporarily cut off. This in turn stimulates the heart to pump more blood. The pumping of fresh blood is called extension. Once you finish the pose and you come out of it, the new oxygen-rich blood can help the arteries that were being compressed.
By the time the 90-minute class is over, most students will feel both tired and energized. The idea is that the heat combined with the poses will help your body clean out its lymphatic system, and then even more toxins will come out in your sweat. Drinking a bunch of water before, during, and after class can help reload your body with good liquids.
As you sweat your way through the poses, the stress-caused hormone cortisol can also leave the body." - Alison Stanton
Regular practitioners also believe that regular Bikram exercise reduces the symptoms of certain chronic illnesses, such as thyroid disorders, arthritis and circulatory problems. However, Before starting any form of exercise, talk with your physician and research the practice. In addition, it’s always best to first perform any yoga path under the guidance of an experienced teacher, who will not only teach you about the history and theory of the style, but also instruct and correct your postures and other physical attributes important to the practice and to avoid injury.
Bikram is intense and very much unlike Ashtanga or Hatha yoga. In Canada, Moksha yoga, a mix of Ashtanga and Hatha performed in a heated room, is very popular. This type of hot yoga is very different from Bikram and if you are a regular Moksha goer Bikram will still be a shock to your system and definitely a lot different than what you are used to.
The most important thing to remember, if you are practicing Bikram for the first time, is to come to class well hydrated, and dont eat anything 2-3 hours before your class. Trust me.
Since this week I have finally been able to engage in physical exercise, I have been trying some classes at the gym. I tried BodyPump yesterday and I pretty much died. Today I am so sore I can barely move, although I think this also has to do with my Bikram class on Tuesday. Arnica cream, lots of water, fruit and vegetables, and hot steams are the only thing really helping at this point. However, my new daily regime has also sparked my interest in researching a lot about what foods are best to eat pre and post workout, as well as pre and post yoga. I have found so many articles on this topic, all saying different things. So, I decided the only way for me to find out whats best for ME, is to try. So, next week, I am going to try (and blog about) all the different types of nutrition advice for pre and post workout, and let you know what happens, how it made me feel, and which I will decide to stick to. As for now, I am a glutton for pain I suppose, so I am off to the gym! xJ
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