Yogini implies a certain level of proficiency, so I'm not gonna claim that one.
Bikram's is the style of yoga I do most often though, when I'm not as busy as I have been these last few months. So I know a little bit about it.
Hey Shannon-
There's a sign on the door at my studio that says, "Attn. yogis and yoginis..." and since it's a "beginning" class, then aren't we all experts? (haha). I have been searching for a while for someone with whom to discuss Bikram, so if you don't mind...How often do you go when you go? How often would you prefer to go? I have other questions but I have to run right now. I'll be back later!
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What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
I Used to go once a week, in a perfect world I'd go daily. However, if I could fit it in I think twice a week would suit me quite well. Recently I haven't been going at all, I think the last time I went was over a month ago. After this week I should have a touch more time, I'm going to try to get into it again.
Well I've heard the terms yogi/yogini used either way, I've heard some use the term to refer to experts in the field. So I just want to make sure I'm not misrepresenting myself! I'm just learning. (And next time I go back I'll have to do a lot of work just to get where I was before. It's amazing how fast some of those skills vanish when you're not using them.)
I would love to discuss it though, what in particular were you thinking about? I'm glad you brought it up in any case; it's a good reminder for me to get to class again.
Hey Shannon-
I was just playing...I am far from a yogini as well. :p
I go once a week regularly. Last summer I had a week to use up the package that I bought so I went 5 days in a row. I was blown away by how amazing I felt, physically and mentally. It was sort of surreal, actually; I felt like I needed Bikram to get through my day. I have heard that though, that it can get "addictive."
What other sports/activities do you do? Do you find it makes you better at them?
How is your studio? I have been trying to talk the owner into getting rid of the carpet but he says it's a liabilty...I just think it's kind of gross.
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What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
I'm terrible at it, but I like yoga. It's a 5.15am class at the Y. I feel less tension after sitting at a desk all day. But like you, at best I'm once a week.
Danagrrl, I envy you that week where you went every day. I would love to be able to do that. I've heard from another friend who used to go daily that it really is addictive when you go that often, and she got into really good shape that way.
I had to laugh regarding the carpet though, I know what you mean. I believe it's a requirement if your studio is going to be labelled an official Bikram location. The place I go is in the process of switching over to generic "hot" yoga though really they're all Bikram trained and the class follows the Bikram style. But from what I can understand, we can get rid of that carpet once we're not Bikram anymore. It is a bit gross, but I don't mind it too much. I wonder what it'd be like without it, if the matt on the floor would be too hard? I practice at home but on the livingroom carpet, so really I've no clue what it'd be like on the floor. The only other problem I can see is it getting slippery with the humidity and people's sweat. That'd be a bad scene.
I do Tae Kwon Do as well, but I haven't been going to yoga much since I started that class. My sister has been doing both though, and says that the flexibility and core stuff in yoga make a huge difference to her performance in class. It makes sense to me.
Tennessee gent, that sounds like a good time for a class. Except I suck at mornings, haha. But it'd be great to start your day that way.
Wow, I really better get back at it! All this talk is making me remember how much I miss it.
Dana, do you do other sports that you find it helps with?
TG-
is it a Bikram class at a "non-Bikram" place? (morning classes are awesome!)
Shannon-
my studio is starting a challenge tomorrow that is every day, for a month. I would love to do that, but I am worried that I couldn't commit and/or would get bored, so I don't...(isn't that a lame reason?!)
I live in a pretty "natural" community, so not only does the studio smell ripe, but many people don't shower. It is rough, and the carpet is something I just try to block out altogether. I have seen bug colonies in there! YUCK! I just went this morning, 7:00 class, and it was amazing. I love to start my day off like that.
I am big on cross-training in general, but I am currently revamping my schedule. I am hoping to do Bikram 2x/wk, at least. It's hard to commit to that with my schedule, and it also add$ up, big time. That said, I do believe that the more I go, the better I feel, as I said before.
In terms of other sports, I guess I am first and foremost a runner. I compete regularly, and run 5K's to 1/2 marathons. I believe that yoga really helps me with both my terrible hamstrings as well as my posture and breathing, especially when I need to "dig deep" in long runs. I live in New England where it gets really humid in the summer, so doing Bikram reminds me that no matter how hot I get on a hot run in August, it's never as hot as my studio!
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What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
Yikes... bug colonies that's gross! Good thing you use a mat on that floor.
Morning classes, sounds cool. My studio was holding 6:30 classes for awhile, unfortunately they ended at 7:30 and I have to be on the bus for work at 7:15. Technically I could just be doing it in the morning at my house though and I rarely do, so I can't complain.
Most of the classes are the standard 90 minutes, but they offer one hour classes at 4:30PM (who's home at that hour anyway?) And they used to offer them at 6:30. I've never done any of the one hour classes, I wonder how they'd be in terms of intensity. The 90 minute classes seem pretty long some days.
It's likely not Bikram. Bikram is one of the more common forms of yoga that's going around right now, based on the concepts by Bikram Choudhury. I doubt it's been around that long, since Bikram himself is still teaching. One of the main features of Bikram yoga is the heat of the classroom. It's HOT, 100 to 105 degrees F, so you drink a lot of water before hand and then promptly sweat it all out, which is supposed to be cleansing. (It actually does make a noticeable improvement on my skin when I'm going often enough).
Headstands? Those are hard! I still can't do them. Thankfully there aren't any in the classes I take. Shoulder-stands are wearing enough on the abs after a while.
Is your class more of a "flow" style, or is it a lot of distinct separate poses?
Flow. They do the "hot" yoga at some of the Y's in Nashville, but I have not been to one yet. (In Nashville, with only 6 weeks of winter, there is plenty of opportunity to sweat.)
I've heard of that approach for headstands, and I've tried it, seems like it would work if I practiced more! I've also tried doing headstands against the wall. One of my main problems with them is that I can't stand pressure on the top of my head. But perhaps I'm just not resting the weight in the right place.
The pressure has to be more on the hair line than on the top of your head.
When you're practicing with your knees on your elbows, try to get your back streight.. hummm... like in balance.. with your knees just leaving less and less weight on your elbows... once you can balance with your knees bent.. then your feet will go up easily.
Ok! Well I just tried it again and I managed after some effort to get knees onto elbows, haha. But I can't seem to keep from rolling onto the top of my head if I want to use it as a balance point. I tried to rest on my hairline but then I couldn't get my feet off the ground. Anyway I'll try it more, but not yet because my head is starting to hurt. I must either stop being a wimp or learn to do it the right way! Practice is key I suspect.
knees on elbows has to be "easy"..
get down on your knees
bend to put your hair line on the floor (not forehead, not head)
put your hands flat on the floor touching your head, with your elbows on the floor (to figure out where to put your hands)
where your elbows are, that's where you have to place your hands. put them there, keeping your head on the floor at your hairline
now without moving your toes from where they are straighten your legs. (this will raise your bum way up.)
make sure you are still on your hair line.
stop.. start over and over again until this becomes natural and too easy. you have to be able to do this without taking too long.. so that your neck doesn't get tired. keep your back straigt, almost arching.
then..
with you head on your hairline and legs extended.. bend ONE knee to put it on the elbow. you should be able to move that leg without moving anything else. (in other words.. your body has to already be in the right position with the weight on your hands and head, not on your feet)
bend second knee to put it on elbow.. your two feet can touch each other at this point to form a triangle.
I started the yoga classes at the gym yesterday.. What I want to get out of it is mostly flexability and relaxation. The lady who gives them seems to know what she's doing but I think that the class is mix of different styles.
the pamphlet says :
Quote:
These group classes are organized mainly around the 10 movements of the Sun Salutation, which are the basis for most forms of yoga. These movements, as well as approximately 50 other complementary postures, will bring you to take on challenges at a slower pace, while counterbalancing the effects of the repetitive movements in your daily life.
I might go on Thursdays as well.. when it's not a beginner's class so I'll learn some stuff faster.
A quicker progressing class sounds good too, but with yoga you can usually find a way to challenge yourself in any class, if you push your technique, depth in poses, etc. That's what I've found, anyway, in the classes I've taken.
Speaking of which, thankyou for your advice on headstands. I've always envied people that skill so I will continue to work on it. I'll let you know when I finally do one.
Monday's class went well.. usually I don't have much patience for relaxation.. but just before the yoga.. I did 2 other group classes : "Buns of Steel" and "cardio Tae-Boxe" so I didn't mind at all the slow pace!
besides.. my lower back was hurting since saturday night.. so I was real anxious to see how I'd be on tuesday.. and I'm glad to say that I think the Yoga helped ! but I didn't "push" the poses because of my back.. but still was in the average.
I have to do some of the moves on the floor cause I don't have my own real yoga mat.. and the gym mats we have are challenging for balance.. but that challange is good on some of the other moves.
other than that.. I think I'll have to wear something warmer.. I was dressed for the 2 other classes and not enought for the slower pace..
about the thursday's class.. I'd love doing the more advanced stuff as well.. but it's mostly a question of doing it twice a week, it would replace the 20 mins stretching I already have planned.. and the gym is really on my way home from work.. so it's no hastle..
these classes are all included in the gym membership.. so I can go or drop them as I wish.. when the nice weather comes I'll probably rather do gerdening or go for a bike ride.
Did you try the Thursday class?
I hear you on the outdoor activities though! May as well use the sunlight while it's here.
I'd be careful on the low back thing, I'm pretty sure that overdoing it in yoga a year or so ago is what really aggravated my already stressed out desk-work back. But it already sounds like you're watching it, so nevermind. Hehe.
yup, I'm just back from it .. was good. I learned that our classes are based on Haltha Yoga.. so I'll be able to google on that. The teacher is really always careful to tell us how to move so that we don't hurt our back.. she makes us move all the time the way I only move when I can't move because I hurt myself LOL but it will be good for me. and I don't think I'll be overdoing it as long as I don't try too much stuff at home LOL
She said I was really can take the level II classes without any problems.
Bikram Yoga
Technically I could just be doing it in the morning at my house though and I rarely do, so I can't complain.
Linear Mode
