"It's never too late, it's never too bad, and you're never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again."- Bikram Choudhury
I have made it to the 3rd day of my Bikram 60 Day Challenge! Yesterday, I had a tough time getting myself yoga. I thought there are just so many other things I could be doing instead of yoga. I could be sleeping, watching tv, making jewelry, or playing on the computer (I am now addicted to Bejeweled) My mom and I were talking in the car and she had a good point. "What is the point of a 60 Day Challenge when you are going to be skipping days?" It is indeed a challenge. I think one of the hardest parts about this challenge is actually getting the motivation to go. Once I am there I am fine.
I met someone yesterday after the session and we started talking about yoga and I mentioned I was starting the challenge. She was very nice and it felt good to meet someone that I could connect with and be myself. I learned that she had completed the challenge and she said it was a great feeling. I can not wait to get to that moment of accomplishment. I can not wait to make more friends at yoga!
Today, I got up early and went to Bikram at 10am. I thought to myself: I am going to get this off my checklist for today so that I can go and do whatever I want for the rest of the day. I made it! Each day, I find new challenges for myself. I looked up at the wall and the word for today was 'faith.' On page 36, of Bikram Yoga, By Bikram Choudhury he explains about the different yoga forms. "Bhakti Yoga: Devotional practice. Here the yogi seeks out and comes to see the Divine in all people and in all creations of the universe. This form of yoga includes formal worship, praying, and surrender to God." I find that going to Bikram is a time that I meditate and pray to God. I ask him for strength and determination throughout the poses and I also thank him for every breath that I take in and out of my body.
FAQ's of Bikram Yoga:
Why is it so damn hot in here?!?!?!?
- "Ideally, each one of Bikram's Torture Chambers is heated to 105 degrees... Yoga changes the construction of the body from the inside out, from bones to skin and from fingertips to toes. So before you can change it, you have to heat it up to soften it, because a warm body is a flexible body. Then you can reshape the body any way you want... The heat will initially serve to allow you to twist and stretch with less chance of injury." (Page 73-74, Choudhury, Bikram)
Why meditate anyway? What does meditation actually mean?"
- "Meditation is the practice of focusing and calming the mind in order to communicate with the God inside you, your self or spirit.(page 76, Choudhury, Bikram)
I weighed myself this morning and I have lost 0.6 pounds in three days. Whoo! Let's keep this up. I now weigh 156.0. I have also noticed that my acne is decreasing and the scars are beginning to fade away. I feel like inside of me is a sleeping giant and it is just starting to become awakened. Even though I am in a 105 degree room for 90 minutes, after the journey I feel refreshed and renewed. It is like a reset button and I am ready to take on the day. When I came home I was really craving some fruit. Mom brought home a juicy watermelon and I ate an entire bowl of watermelon. It was so fresh! I am also starting to stay away from the energy drinks. I haven't had one since I started the challenge. I thought that I would need them to recharge, but my body thrives for water not chemicals and caffiene. I am feeling really good about myself and am starting to gain more confidence. I am still working on the challenge of talking to the opposite sex.. But I need to just take it, "One day at a time."
Someday, I shall do yoga, though more for the fitness aspect than the spiritual. Right now it's not an option for there is NOTHING in my podunk village except cows, fast food and a few exercise machines. But someday.
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