Day 3: (Wed. 3/6) 

The 26 poses of Bikram Yoga

I did it! I got through my first three days of my Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge! I feel great too. My skin is glowing, I'm less tense, I'm super energetic, and I'm improving each time I attend class. For those of you who don't know what Bikram Yoga is all about...basically you work your ass of doing 26 different Bikram Yoga poses standing and on the floor of a 105 degree room. For those of us who are fairly fit and enjoy the heat, it may seem pretty easy...but it's definitely harder work than you think. Each time I go to class I get more and more flexible, my knees lock better to maintain poses longer, my breathing gets more into a rhythm, and am learning to become more comfortable being uncomfortable with sweat rolling all down my face and body for 90 minutes. 

A fellow activist friend of mine offered a free month of Bikram Yoga pass for Funky Door Yoga on Facebook back in December. I quickly said I'd love to try and out and take the pass (I couldn't be happier that I did)! I have been attending the FDY in Berkeley since I live in Oakland, but there are two other FDYs across the Bay in San Francisco. I've never tried Bikram or Hot Yoga before (so I don't know what the competition is like), but so far...I LOVE Funky Door Yoga! My first official class I attended was just last Monday, Feb. 25th and just after taking 3 classes I wrote my name on a big chart at the FDY front desk that was for 30/60/90 day challenge participants. So some participants or fellow yogis are taking 60 or 90 day challenges. I thought 30 days would be a good start for me, plus I'm going out of town next month, so it wouldn't work out. I am excited to share my thoughts, progress, tips, and other things about my new favorite thing to do...Bikram Yoga!

A few tips:
1)Don't wear to much clothes (You'll take them off anyway after 5 minutes in the heated room)

2)Anyone with long hair should wear your hair up to stay cool, but not on the top of your head. Some poses require putting your head on the ground or on the knee.

3)Bring at least one water bottle (Coconut water is also great because it has so many electrolytes to refuel during or after such a nice workout)

4)If you aren't provided towels and mats, bring at least one towel to put on your mat so you don't slip.

5)Take off jewelry or glasses (When it gets hot you'll want it all off anyway, but it's also difficult to put your hands under your feet with lots of rings and bracelets. As for the glasses, they'll slip down your face from the sweat and will distract you).

6)Please DO follow that rule about not eating at least 2 hours before class. Need I say more? hehehe:)

7)Always get to class at least 15 minutes before it starts. You'll need to set up your mat and towel...and most importantly get a good spot. (If you're a beginner, it is recommended you stay near the windows or back door).

8)Even if you'd rather take a shower at home or if you don't have time to do your entire shower routine at the studio, at least wash your face and body in a quick shower so you don't get a toenail fungus or break out from all of the sweat. Basically do what you hope all the other yogis are doing.

9)Don't wear makeup (especially eye makeup)! I came from work to class one day and didn't have time to wash my mascara off before class. Boy was that a mistake! Right when my face started sweating, mascara got into my eyes and they were burning for the first half of class until it all came off. Just get some makeup remover wipes and keep them in your yoga bag. 

10)Don't shave your legs right before class (unless you never cut yourself:) This is a funny one...right before my first class I shaved my legs and cut myself a few times on each leg. Honestly, I never cut myself that much, but that day I guess my razor was unruly. So the whole drive to class I am wiping my legs where I cut myself to stop the blood. By the time I got to the studio I was relieved that the blood stopped flowing. But...five minutes after I am in the 105 degree studio my cuts on my legs start bleeding again! haha...I had no idea my little cuts were bleeding again until we had to bend our chests to our thighs. The heat started the bleeding again. I was so embarrassed that somebody noticed, but everybody was concentrating so hard I don't think anyone did. Good thing I brought my own personal towel I was able to wipe off my legs a few times and roll up the towel. Needless to say, it was not fun. 

11)Breathe! Try to breathe through your nose as much as possible too.

12)Start planning your meals and snacks throughout the day better. Since you are not supposed to eat 2-3 hours before class, it's important you plan your day out. I suggest eating 3-4 hours before class and of course soon after class to replenish. Also think about what you are eating of you don't already. I already eat a mostly vegan diet, except fish on occasion, but I have a real addiction to coffee. Since I started Bikram Yoga last week I have only had two cups of coffee! I normally have two cups a day at least! After you start doing Bikram though, you start to naturally think more about what you eat and how you take care of your body. It's great!

13)Taking care of your body & mind means also getting enough sleep. If you are able to, eight hours is always ideal. But if you are a graduate student/teacher like me or if you have kids... get at least 6 or 7 hours of sleep.

14)Do your research! If you are reading this, you already are...but just read up a little more on Bikram Yoga. It never hurts to go in class at least knowing the basics or to see if it's right for you. There's no beginner class, everyone takes the same class (regardless of experience), so it definitely helps to know a little of what you're getting into.

15)Stay positive and motivated! Don't get discouraged if you can't do as awesome as the experienced yogi next you, think of it as more motivation to attend more classes and push yourself more each time. If you can (not going out of town and your schedule allows it), take a 30 day challenge. Believe me, once you start you won't be able to stop.

I hope this helps if you are thinking about trying Bikram Yoga out. After just a week and a half I feel so much more toned, my mood is much happier and relaxed, and my flexibility, concentration, strength, and balance have all improved tremendously! I have always been more fit and flexible than the average person. I also have a lot more endurance than others, but I have been off and on exercising for over a year now (which isn't like me). I have also noticed some other things I need to work on. I need to work on my balance (which includes learning to lock my knees better). I also need to try not to get distracted by wiping my sweat off or fidgeting while lying down in "savasana" or during poses. Lastly, I am working on regulating my breathing and trying to breathe through my nose more. During poses is when it's most important to breathe, but many of us get so consumed with trying to get the pose right we forget to breathe correctly or at all. If you don't, you are bound to have a headache when you leave. Regardless, always try to finish a class! I haven't left in the middle of class and I don't ever intend to, once the first half is over it slowly gets easier. Make it through. You'll feel hella good afterwards:)