So I just showered, then made myself some lunch after my morning Bikram Yoga class. Today was a great Bikram Yoga day. I got there 20 minutes early so was only the 2nd person in the room. I laid out my mat to reserve an optimal spot in the back of the room, then went back outside to chat it up with my favorite instructor. By the way, when you guys choose your spots, do you usually gravitate towards the same general area? If I could, I would probably stick to the same exact spot every single time – what can I say, I’m a creature of habit, so sometimes moving to a spot across the room makes me a bit disoriented.
The class started out well, but it was definitely HOT… I should’ve positioned myself next to the double doors!! Today I really struggled in the balancing series, especially the Eagle Pose! I kept falling out of it despite my intense focus and concentration, and I usually never have a problem with this pose, except trying to bring my gripped hands below my chin (still not there yet). *Sigh*, my body was just off balance even though my mind was fully engaged. Ok, I know this all doesn’t sound so great, but what really made class great today was all the effort and energy I poured into each pose. I was working at full capacity today and it really made a difference even though I wasn’t perfecting every pose.
You know, one of the most challenging things for me is simply holding my arms above my head for an extended period of time. They get sore, and sometimes I get tired of having to lock my elbows and engage the muscles around it while having to elongate my spine. So much to think about and actually requires quite a bit of concentration!! Agree? Disagree?
Then there’s the pose I look forward to THE MOST – The Rabbit Pose aka “Sasangasana” – It was love at first try. I love it because it’s relaxing and fun! My instructor always tells us to pretend like we’re a wheel. When I pull on my heels and roll forward, my upper spine feels incredible and I actually welcome the slight rush of blood to my head. It is also one of the last poses, so it tells me that the finish line is near. *Big Sigh of Relief* – it’s an amazing feeling of accomplishment every time I finish up a Bikram Yoga class. I may not always feel my best IN class, but I always feel my best AFTER class.
P.S. This might be TMI, but my bowel movements are INCREDIBLE after a bout of Bikram Yoga. 
This video explains in great detail how to do the rabbit pose correctly – we don’t do the headstand part in Bikram Yoga though:
nancy says:
so funny… i didn’t have sound on b/c kids sleeping. but looks like dolphin pose (except being on the tip toes). that pose drives me nuts b/c it is so strenuous on the shoulders/upper arms. I think it’s funny that you hate holding your arms up and love this one… seems like they both would require arm strength. maybe you really have a lot, but forget that when you are standing up.
so glad you are so happy getting back into classes. sounds like you are almost at that giddy state i am. a break was just what you needed. congrats J, an excellent post. really a nice window into your practice.
oh, and I always want to be in the back center. i go early to get that spot and if i’m stuck in the front i’m very self conscious. not great for a soon to be teacher, huh? doh!
18th June 2009 at 5:35 pm
~m says:
well, it’s not fun to have your arms straight up for a long time or straight out, like in utkatasana, but that’s how we keep the jigglies away!
good to hear pavanamuktasana is working on you, that pose keeps you regular and things moving in your system.
i try to not have a spot. i actually blogged about that a lot, a long time ago, i even made it a point to practise in every spot in the room! ah, the memories!
18th June 2009 at 8:13 pm
Jiggly says:
nancy – you’re right, that pose does require a lot of arm strength because of all the pulling at the ankles we’re required to do, but for some reason the need to resist gravity when i have my hands raised is much more of a pain to me!
~m – one time i didn’t come to class early enough and ended up in front row center – it was by far my worst class ever… i felt incredibly self conscious and couldn’t focus at all!! so after that experience, i make sure i am always in the back. maybe one day i’ll have guts like yours and experiment with every spot in the room. you are intense!!
18th June 2009 at 9:14 pm
M* says:
Humans are creatures of habit, that’s why we always choose the same spot / locker. [I am guilty of this too].
But changing spots on the mat has helped my practice immensely, as sometimes I am right smack in front of the instructor and get corrections handed to me on a silver platter [after they're done beating me up with it :p ]
And I totally get what you mean with the bowels, it feels … cleaner inside, non?
18th June 2009 at 9:14 pm