Extra Value Meal #1 - Bikram w/Cheese

Bikram Yoga Park Slope

I haven't been to a bikram class in about a month or so since I started this project. Today I wanted a good stretch, and I also wanted to know exactly what I was going to get. I could have easily gone to another new studio and taken my chances but I wanted some familiar poses and to "stretch my limits."

So I went to back to Bikram.  And it was fuckin' awesome.  I love a good backbend and anyone who has seen me play capoeira knows I could benefit from them. My favorite posture in bikram actually is that first backbend right after the sidebends in half moon (ardha-chandrasana).  When I do it , I almost look something like this.

Anyway, I was able to find some good focus today and felt like all this vinyasa and other stuff I've been doing has really opened up my practice - certain postures in particular.  Eagle pose, standing bow, locust, camel all were awesome today.

The peak of the bikram standing series (first half) is triangle pose - trikanasana.  One thing about bikram's triangle is that the front leg is bent. When I was at Laughing Lotus for instance, they kept it straight.

I had the hardest time today with both my standing separate leg stretching pose  (dandayamana-bibhaktapada-paschimotthanasana) and the standing separate leg head to knee pose (dadayamana-bibhaktapada-janushirasana).  These are the like the bread of the triangle sandwich.  On the first one I couldnt get my head near the floor and on the second I couldn't get my head to stay on my knee. Maybe I was being lazy but it wasn't there today. Good to be aware of though.

I left feeling good, refreshed, zapped out and a little bit dehydrated.  I stood a little taller in my posture and got my day going.


My schedule has changed drastically and I will no longer have the luxury of taking a 2 or 3 or 4 pm yoga class. For the most part, the only classes I'll be able to take are at 7:30 or more likely 8pm or later.  This may affect my project some but I hope to continue as best I can and at the very least continue a somewhat regular (2-3x week yoga practice). The benefits so far have been innumerable.