Bikram Yoga for the very first time.

So yesterday I decided to try out Bikram Yoga for the very first time. On a cold winters day in December, why not commit myself to 90 minutes of postures in a heated room with a number of other yoga enthusiasts. Having heard various horror stories about sickness and water on the lung, from Bikram sessions, I was apprehensive if I'd be able to complete the whole 90 minutes. I'd been advised to take a large bottle of water for constant re hydration.

When I first walked into the room the heat didn't hit me straight away, but within a few minutes the entire studio was getting warmer and it seemed to simulate a beach style yoga class (the instructor wearing swimming trunks for example!) I was told that if I wanted the temperature to be higher, that I move to the centre of the studio. I was quite alright with where I was for now.

We started the session with a series of standing postures, which I could join in for the first half, and then I took a rest. The instructor said it was fine to do this and any newcomers are advised to do this anyway but they don't like you to leave the studio, as the first step is to get used to the heat, and that in itself will do your body some benefit.

Secondly, we moved on to floor poses which I found to be a little less strenuous, but again had to sit out of some, purely down to not being used to the heat in the room. I had to concentrate to synchronise the movements, and breathing in a new hot yoga environment. I was constantly sweating, and drinking water and splashing it over myself to try and cool down.

Overall, I'm pleased that I tried it out, and will continue in the New Year to reap the benefits. After the class my cheeks were fully flushed. I was very impressed with the clean products the yoga studio stocked, including natural and organic hand and body wash.

Favorite Yoga Photography

 

Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Pose

Today in Hatha Yoga we practiced something completely new called 'Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Pose'. In this pose you sit on your tail bone with your knees up and together, with your arms wrapped around your knees. Your forehead rests on your forearms. The balance within the body is incredible. I felt I could hold this pose comfortably for a few mintues and transfer all my energy inwards. Try it!  

Meditation

A few days I go I completed my first 30 minute meditation. I have never done this before, and as quite an active person I was apprehensive whether i'd be able to do it or not. I particularly chose meditation because I wanted to still my mind of all the recent thoughts and anxieties I've been facing as a student.
I was able to reach a point of relaxation, on and off with occasional thoughts popping in to my head. I actively had to detach myself from these thoughts in order to reach a state of peace and clarity. I also noticed a heightened awareness to outside sounds, so recommend if you intend to do this, to choose a quite time of the day.

Bolster Pillow

In yesterday's yoga session we used a bolster pillow, in a floor position, to stretch out the back and open the throat centre (Visuddha chakra). This really helped my breathing as the jaw is softened, the head is relaxed on the floor and the rib cage is lifted. The bottom of your legs and feet are bent under your thighs so you can hold your feet with your hands. I found it better to use two mats as the floor can be quite harsh on the front of the feet. According to the yoga philosophy the 'Throat centre' relates to communication, self-expression, and truth.    

Head Stand

After a day on your feet, it's time for some yoga. Today, I focused on a Head Stand and felt the pressure from around my feet and ankles, mainly down to standing a lot in my job, drift away. Head Stand allows the upper body to do most of the work relieving your poor feet of anymore stress. Stabilised with a block supporting the top of my back and hands clasped against the back of my head, I felt I could hold this position comfortably for a few minutes. What a great feeling.

New yoga posts coming soon !

Watch this space.

Apres yoga

I have recently discovered how amazing it is to relax in a sauna straight from a yoga session. If like me you are not a member of a bikram yoga studio, the best substitute is to jump into the sauna at your gym straight after a yoga class. The benefits of yoga are to get your internal organs working really hard, and this directly warms the entire body. Once you've got to this point, even a 10 minute relaxation in a sauna can send your body into complete relaxation state.  

Fish and Crane pose

Today I completed fish pose and felt my complete chest opening up and my shoulders drawing back toward my spine. This is an excellent stretch and the deeper you go the more you can feel the benefits.  Moving on to balances, after a concentrated yoga session, I could hold crane pose for around 20 seconds. This is my personal best. 

Cut the caffeine by breathing

Cut the caffeine with simple breathing techniques. This will make you feel more awake in an instant. Take your thumb and forefinger, and start by blocking your right nostril whilst breathing through your left for 6 seconds. Hold the breath for 6 seconds and then swap nostrils and breath out for a further 6 seconds. Do this for a few minutes per day and as your lungs gets stronger and more open you'll be able to hold the breath for longer. 

Fight fatigue!

In constant need of energy I've had a great night sleep, and began the day with a fabulously healthy option of an apple, banana and beetroot smoothie. For lunch I've had parsnip, carrot and elderflower soup. Later this evening i'm going to a two hour yoga session to squeeze out any unwanted toxins. Let's see if this gives a much needed energy boost!  

1 hour lesson plan

Today I planned a one hour session starting in sitting position, moving to standing poses, then flow yoga, some twists and finishing in a meditation. 

Organic herbs

Specific herbs have been recommended by health care professionals for a long time. Recently, I tried out turmeric and boswellia and Gotu Kola as a food supplement. I have noticed that my skin has got softer. Clearly, there are benefits of working from the inside outwards. 

Hatha Yoga

Today I completed 1 hour of Hatha Yoga. I can feel how I've worked my quadriceps and hamstrings. My Yoga breathing was long and controlled in my practice, subsequently bringing more oxygen to the blood and my brain.