My Bikram Yoga Experience

In a heated room (around 40 degrees Celsius). 26 poses. 90 minutes. Sweating like there's no tomorrow. 

The 26 poses of Bikram Yoga (photo courtesy: mshliladventures.blogspot.com)

The first time I did this, I thought I was going to pass out.  Just 20 minutes into the session, I felt dizzy.  Everywhere I looked, everything has black speckles. I felt nauseous.  I couldn't breathe.  I suddenly felt claustrophobic.  Instinct was telling me to go out of the room but the instructor specifically told me before the class began that I would be feeling what I was feeling.  Apparently, it was normal for a first timer.

After what happened to me, I thought that I wouldn't go back for another class.  No use going back. It's not for me.  I can't do it.  I'm incapable.  It's ridiculous.  There are a lot more sane exercise regiments.  But lo and behold.  I got back.  I found myself missing it.  And I gave in to my urges.

I miss the heat.  The sweat. The poses. The stretch. The focus. The serenity while doing it.  The siphoning of stress. The relief. The relaxation.

I only do Bikram in the evening because it's a downer for me. It sends signals to my body that my next activity should involve a bed and some pillows. You can say that it's a sleep trigger for me.

I don't know if i can sustain it. Although this kind of yoga sends happy cheers to my back (I had a back operation a long time ago and scoliosis sometimes get the best of me), it wreaks havoc to my weekly budget. Per class costs P650 but if you go on karma sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8pm), it's P450. And my gym membership costs P2100 monthly. Some may ask why don't I stick with the gym to scrimp? Well, gym activities are an upper. So I don't want to do it in the evening, lest I'll be wide awake the whole night. Besides I don't think I can survive a round of cardio after work. I'd rather go with a calmer, but very challenging set. So when meetings are scheduled early in the morning, I try to salvage my missed "me" time with a Bikram class.

Ok. Health is wealth. Cliche but so true. I have 2 energized kids and I want to keep up with them. There might be a lot of reasons not to exercise but there's a longer list of reasons why we should. I would want my kids to have the best of me... to participate in activities they're interested in, to run with them, to play with them. I can only do these if I'm fit. I need to be fit to fit (in my kids' lives). So bakit ko nga ba pinahihirapan ang sarili ko by doing Bikram? I might just be a masochist or you can read this post again.

BIKRAM REMINDERS:
 1. Arrive 15 minutes before the time.  They don't usually let you in after the class has started.
2. Bring a mat, a towel and a huge bottle of water.   
3. If you get dizzy, sit still or lie down. And it gets better as you practice more.
4. If you think you can't do the poses, try still.  It isn't about perfection.  It's about exertion.  You just need to exert some effort.  You'll definitely improve as you go along.
5. Focus. Focus. Focus.  You'll be able to balance more. And hold poses longer.

I do Bikram Yoga at Bikram Yoga Manila, you may click this link for details, classes and studio locations - http://www.bikramyogamanila.com/

Namaste!