Bikram Yoga - Hot and Not Bothered

by Gretel Breytenbach

It was hot, really hot. I walked into the room and breathed deeply. I wasnt sure how long Id be able to stand the heat, and yet somehow it was comforting. We waited. People filtered in and positioned themselves around the room. Beginners at the back Kate said. That was me.

All the yoga Id done in the past was more relaxing than taxing. While it offered a full body workout there was a peaceful component to it. Not so Bikram Yoga. When we started, it was almost like a personal training session but for yoga. This was a language I understood, but it was more dynamic, challenging and thrilling than any yoga Id done before! I settled into my body and felt the stretches. I also struggled, lost my balance, whinged in my mind, wondered how much longer the class would take, and was desperate for a sip of water.

At the end of 90 minutes I knew Id found an exercise routine I could be committed to. That was day one. On day two, my sister decided to come with me. She was surprised at how difficult the routine was. I was impressed. Having practiced pilates, personal training and a serious daily cardio-routine, I was relieved when she admitted to me that she no longer thought yoga was for sissies!

I still experienced some dizziness, shortness of breath and struggled with my poses and mostly my attitude. The instructor informed us this was all perfectly normal. She also advised us to lie down on our mats and breathe deeply until the feelings of lightheadedness passed. I was proud of myself on day two. The stretches felt a little more natural, and I wasnt asking myself how much longer the session would last. I found myself a little more balanced, a lot more focused, and still thirsty!

I missed a number of days worth of practice. This upset me because I was paying the bargain price of $17 for ten consecutive sessions. Sadly, life, my attitude, and in one case, my resolve, failed me. I convinced myself that I was sore, my body needed a rest, and that it would be better to sit back and enjoy a beer with my beloved than race off to a session that would exhaust me, make me sweat, and ultimately make me feel and (hopefully) look better.

My sister and I both saw results after our first two sessions! Mental attitude maybe? Or could it be that the heat and the practice allowed our bodies to begin to detox, letting go of all the unnecessary water retention, cellulite and toxins that collected over winter? My third session proved easier still. I understood the moves and didnt need to look at the instructor all the time. I also became aware that perhaps I was looking for approval?! This was an interesting session because I finally realised that looking in the mirror (the whole front wall is a mirror) had a major purpose! And its this: in order to gain the most benefit from the pose, you need to understand how your body moves. The only way to create this awareness is to look at yourself in motion. Theres no closing of eyes and meditating.

This is a fully interactive routine where you challenge yourself to stretch deeper for longer. While the physical aspect of yoga is known as Hatha, the mental aspect is known as Raja. Raja yoga is the fostering of mental discipline. This is where I needed the most work, and I knew it. Simply practising postures isnt enough for me. Past experience has taught me that practising regularly and fostering a healthy mental discipline adds a new dimension to every aspect of my life. Problems arent as daunting, challenges are dealt with more efficiently, and its true, whenever Ive practiced with dedication Ive been far happier in and with myself than ever before.

All in all I attended five of the 10 days. The benefits, even in that short space of time, have been enormous. I feel more grounded, stronger, more determined and disciplined. My concentration is better, my circulation better and my digestion has improved. Im more flexible and less stressed. In fact, I even feel happier!

On a purely physical level, yoga is beneficial for your nervous system, skeletal, muscular, endocrine, digestive and respiratory systems and fortifies your immune system.

WHAT IS BIKRAM YOGA? Bikram Yoga is a twenty-six asana (posture) series designed to scientifically warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons, in the order in which they should be stretched.

Bikram Yogas twenty-six posture exercises systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to one hundred percent of your body, to each organ and fibre, restoring all systems to healthy working order, just as Nature intended. Proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well-being will automatically follow.

Bikram Yoga is practiced in a room heated to 37.5 degrees Celsius with a humidity of 40%. With the warm-up series, this enables the participant to perform deeper stretches for longer since muscles are more flexible. It also allows the body to detoxify more efficiently and promotes better blood flow. What this translates into is an exercise routine that offers more muscular flexibility, deeper stretches with faster results, and a mental discipline that will stand you on good stead in every component of your life.

Bikram Yoga is practiced Nationally and Internationally, in South Africa as well! There are studios in most major cities. For more information, class times or to find a certified studio, visit http:www.bikramyoga.com.

What you can achieve and learn through Yoga:

■ Discipline

■ Mental fortitude

■ Consistency

■ Joy

■ Patience

■ Gratitude

■ Compassion for yourself and others

■ Acceptance