byilog

Hi everyone,

Today when I walked in to the 6:15 class, the room was PACKED! When I settled in, grabed a drink of water, and laid back on my mat before class started, the only thing I could think was how glad I was to be in the room. I thought about how the heat felt great and how great it was to be doing something to better myself. And then I thought about how I can't imagine not practicing Bikram's yoga.

To those who just started practicing, I hope you continue. You will be amazed at the changes that occur in your life. To those who are committed students, we are the lucky ones :)

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

This week has been a crazy one for me, with lots of minor injuries (cuts, burns, bruises, etc.) It's so nice to be able to go in to BYI and know that I won't get hurt. It sounds silly, and I'm normally not as uncoordinated as I have been this week, but it's just been one of those weeks for me.

In the room, you will not get hurt as long as you listen and follow instructions of the teacher. It's nice to know I'll be safe, even in my week of clumsiness!

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

Today I planned on going to the 4:30 class. I took Andrea's class last week and really enjoyed it, and all week I expected to go again today. I lost track of time and wasn't going to make it to class in time so I had to go to a later one. 6:15 came and went, and I knew I had to go to the 8pm class. I don't want anyone reading to think that I didn't want to go because I only wanted to practice with a certain instructor - I just really like getting my yoga in earlier in the day.

When I walked in, I recognized a woman who is in her first 2 weeks of practicing, and I have seen her at almost every class I've attended this week (usually in the morning). Generally I don't talk to people much before class, but I know when you first start it's hard to keep coming, and I was so impressed that she had made it back as many times as I had seen her, and more! I mentioned that I was surprised to see her so late in the day, and we chatted a little bit. In our conversation, another woman joined in who was in her second class! It made me realize even more how grateful I am to Andrea and everyone at the Bikram Yoga Institute for this truly amazing opportunity. Everything happens for a reason, and I'm glad today that I went to the 8pm class. Not only did Britt make me laugh (as usual), but I hope I started to make two new yoga friends.

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

My last 3 classes have been some of the best I've had since I started practicing regularly. I have made it through the standing series and improved each time. When I find myself wanting to give in to the temptation of sitting out a pose, I just think of how little time I have left in the room that day, and how proud of myself I will be if I complete the class the way I want to without sitting out any poses. Using myself as motivation instead of comparing myself to everyone else in the room is a change I'm proud to admit has taken place in the past month and a half.

I want to remind everyone that is new to Bikram or in a rut that just showing up is an accomplishment. Pushing yourself to your limit, and then just a little bit further (as our instructors remind us to do in our poses) will keep us going stronger every day. Remembering how you've improved is great motivation to just keep going.

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

I want to share with you something an instructor said at the end of a class I took. We were coming into our final savasana, and he started talking about the pose - the dead body pose. He explained that the body we came to class with that day was dead. When we woke up from our final savasana, our body was a new body. An improved body.

Our instructors at BYI always relay the importance of taking a full 2 minutes at the end of class to get the full benefits of the practice. When I am having trouble taking the full amount of time, I think about the new and improved body I want to leave class with and I can stay in my final savasana for a longer period of time.

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

A couple of weeks ago in Don's class, he mentioned that some students will comment on something that the instructor said that helped them considerable, and after class ask the instructor why they had never mentioned it before. Don went on to explain that the instructors say the same things every class, whether or not you choose to hear what they say is up to you. I thought about Don's story in my Rabbit pose today. A few classes ago, I chose to hear one of the instructors say to bring your heels together, and I thought to myself, "Wow! That made a huge difference, why haven't any of the other instructors said that before." Every class since then, I have heard the instructors say it. I just wasn't listening, and chose not to hear their words.

Listen to every word your instructors say, stay in the room mentally and physically and your practice will improve.

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

Today I had to drag myself out of bed to get to yoga. I was exhausted after a long shift at work last night and didn't know how far I was going to be able to push myself in an 8am class. While my strength wasn't what I would have liked it to be, I did notice I had a much easier time relaxing into the postures. In Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose I felt like I came down farther than usual (I'm still not too close to touching my forehead to my towel) and I noticed how much more relaxed I was. I thought of something I read in Bikram's book about this pose. One of Bikram's students is talking about how she fought her way through this pose with clenched teeth. And then one day she was exhausted and Bikram was having them stay in the posture for much longer than usual - so she stopped trying.Her legs stopped hurting and bowed back, and she touched her forehead to the floor. I think about this story when I'm having trouble relaxing into postures, I hope it helps you to remember to relax as much as it helps me.

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

I want to comment today on Locust Pose. I remember in my first Bikram class ever, I thought I was going to burst into tears in this pose. My elbows hurt so badly I thought they would snap in half. I could barely get them under my body, much less touching. When we got into Locust Pose, I heard someone grunt a little bit. It was then that I realized I felt no pain, my elbows were under my body and almost touching! I was amazed, and excited! I'm hoping in a couple of weeks I can get them together - I'll keep you updated!

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

Today I picked a spot in the front of the room (thanks Kelly for the encouragement!). Andrea said, "Remember, everyday it's just practice." I think reminding myself of that throughout class was helpful. One of my favorite things about yoga is that it isn't competitive with others.

Andrea walked on my feet today in class too! Overall a great class :)

Namaste,

Becky

Hi everyone,

This pose has been difficult for me lately. I can't seem to find the balance between breathing and feeling the stretching in between my ribs. I have been reading about this pose in Bikram's book and I think one thing that will help me is making sure I keep my chin 3 inches away. He also suggests swaying the hips first in this pose. My next class I will be focusing on these two things. If anyone else has suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Namaste,

Becky