I finished my 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge today!
30 Days
2,700 Hours (in class)
1,560 postures/poses
Who knows how many miles driven to and from class,
or how many loads of laundry I did,
or how many full water bottles I drank...
I spent two and a half to three hours a day on my Bikram Yoga challenge. Each class, every day was 90 minutes (an hour and a half), two 15 minute drives to and from Berkeley's Funky Door Yoga Studio (arriving at least 15 minutes before class to get a good spot), 3-5 minute final Savasana after every day, and 30-45 minutes showering (including washing my long hair), getting dressed, and drying my hair, etc...
I had a wonderful last class and couldn't be more proud of myself. Not only did I complete the 30 Day Challenge (never missed a class or did a double), but I never left the room during the class, never showed up late to class, and never sat down to rest during a posture! Even if I lost my balance or was struggling, I got right back into the pose and just remembered to breathe. I am a BEAST! hahaha:)
I was kind of secretly wishing they'd make a big to-do about the first people to finish their 30 Day Challenges today, but it was Bikram business as usual. I felt so great checking off my last day on the huge, colorful chart in front of the desk. I thought about going for the 60 Day Challenge, but I have a lot going on this month and it would be harder to keep up with it (just schedule/time wise). I honestly have no problem doing a Bikram Yoga class every day. It's the commuting, showering & hair washing, laundry up keep, and hour and a half class every day that is time consuming. You also cannot eat within the two hours before class, so you have to plan your meal times just right. I found that eating 2 and a 1/2 to 3 hours before class was best for me. Otherwise, it's not so pleasant to to Locust Pose with both arms/elbows under your body.
I kept thinking there was going to be a day when I just did not want to go or a time when I'd break, but no...I seriously love it. Granted, I dig some instructors more than others and sometimes scheduling a huge chunk of each day was hard, but I have really found something that I am excited about. I know that even though my 30 Day Challenge is over I will continue to improve. I haven't decided if I'm going to choose what classes I attend each week or if my schedule will stay the same, but I know I'd like to go to at least 4 classes a week. I think that's pretty realistic. Plus, it is bittersweet. I really would do the 60 Day Challenge if it were in the summer. I just super proud of myself for completing the 30 Day Challenge in the best way possible!
Today I did the best that I could in every posture. I even stayed completely still for all Savasanas and worked on pushing myself harder on postures I have grown too comfortable with. For example, today was the first day I balanced for the entire time in Toe Stand Pose with both arms up and "*my smiling, happy face!" (*wink: to those who recognize that line)
I don't know what my next 30 Day Challenge will be starting Monday 4/8, but I sure do hope it will be as rewarding as Bikram Yoga has been for me.
