Bikram Choudhury, the man who founded Bikram Yoga, is highly controversial because he decided to copyright the 26 different positions performed in Bikram Yoga. In order to become a certified “Bikram Yoga” instructor you must pay a $5000 fee to take his courses and then pay a franchising fee to open your own studio. Once you open your own studio you MUST abide by these specific guidelines: (more…)
Urban Dictionary defines Toilet Yoga as “The contortions one performs to get the turd out”. Ex: Mary-Jane: Dude, I just dropped the biggest log! Peter: I’ll bet you had to do some grandmaster-level toilet yoga to get that monster out of your bunghole!
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I’ve been looking everywhere for a good website that provides detailed information on the poses and their benefits. I finally found what I was looking for on the Bikram Yoga Seattle website. Check it out! Roll your mouse over each of the poses, and then the description and health benefits of each pose will pop up on the left hand column. Enjoy!
So I’m finally getting the point of this whole twitter phenomenon! Before I always wondered, why do I care what other people are doing 24/7? I know… I’m a little slow. Now I see that it’s a great tool to get quick updates from your favorite sources – I get quick and fast info on everything and everyone from The New York Times to The Kogi Truck to the yoga twitterers I’m about to highlight.
After a fatty weekend with no physical activity + endless amounts of food, I am determined to get in a Bikram Yoga session today. Determined I say!! But after a people filled weekend, the only thing I feel like doing is veg out in front of the TV with a bag of chips. Mmm, who’s with me? :p
I did, however, manage to take my dog for a walk this morning! I was starting to feel bad because I was so busy this weekend she didn’t have much of my attention. My physical activity levels have definitely increased since becoming a dog owner. There are literally no more excuses now for lounging – all responsible dog owners know this! As much as I’m tired, sluggish, lethargic, (insert adjective here), etc. my puppy’s needs need to be met – time isn’t gonna stop for me to sleep in!
Besides, who can resist the cutie below? 
I’ve mentioned Bikram Yoga in a few posts here and there, but sometimes visuals do so much more than words can. Here it is – Bikram Yoga straight from the horse’s mouth – Bikram Choudhury’s interview with CBS:
Microfinance has been a longtime interest of mine so imagine my surprise when I found something that tied two of my loves – yoga and microfinance – together! Yay!
Microfinance is the supply of loans and other financial services to the poor who are unable to qualify for loans through regular banks. It was founded by Muhammad Yunus, who believed that in order to help the poor we need to help them help themselves. He thought one way to do this could be to provide them with small loans that they would repay over time. This would give the poor the opportunity to get the funding needed to start up their own little businesses and slowly earn revenue, thereby supporting themselves in the long run.
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How many of us stay up late at night in an effort to get some extra work done? We need more hours in a day! Unfortunately for us, we’re going to have to make do with 24. Like I briefly mentioned in my last post, there is a strong correlation between the amount of sleep you get and weight gain. We can blame our weight frustrations on more than just a lack of willpower on our part to eat right and exercise.
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Bikram Yoga is no joke! This is tough stuff, making it all the more important to be well prepared and know what to expect before going to a Bikram Yoga class.
Hydrate! One of the most important things is to get water into your system! You’re going to be in a 105 degree heated room with a humidity level of 40%! Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your practice. The hot yoga room is going to increase fluid loss due to all that sweating you’re about to do. Being properly hydrated will also help prevent fatigue. It takes about 30 minutes for water to fully absorb into your system, so try to drink a lot of water at least an hour before your class starts. I’ve made the mistake of going into class dehydrated and just trust me on this one, it was no fun at all. Please don’t be stupid like me.
Do you ever have those days when you walk into a yoga class (or any other workout) and know that it’s going to be one of those off days? I mostly do Bikram Yoga, so my bad days kind of start like this – from the moment I wake up I debate for 10 minutes in my head whether or not I want to go before I finally drag my lazy butt out of bed. As I drive to class I am still having this ongoing debate in my head, but somehow convince myself that I’ll feel great afterwards. I walk into the yoga room and start feeling lightheaded and get that inkling of a headache. Uh-oh, I already know it’s going to be a long 1.5 hours, but I can’t leave now! I have trouble breathing from the first pose and my balance is even worse than usual. (more…)
awesome. i had to quit after ending up in urgent care during bikram hah. .-= Lisa-Anne´s last...