tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post6305409940750614747..comments2024-02-26T12:11:42.481-06:00Comments on Create. Cook. Survive Law School.: Bikram Yoga 30 Day Challenge RecapSummerBreezehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01815035326287027654noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-33508489115760961872014-01-23T13:22:28.711-06:002014-01-23T13:22:28.711-06:00Hi! Congratulations on your Bikram journey! I com...Hi! Congratulations on your Bikram journey! I completely understand how going every single day is sometimes not possible, but having the mindset to go as often as possible is half the battle, so congratulations!<br /><br />As to your other question, you will find that Bikram is an inherently mental practice. In the beginning, you'll (or at least I) mainly focused on getting through the postures correctly and capably. But as your practice developes and you become comfortable with the postures (to the best of your ability) and the sequence you'll find that you think less about the physical aspect of the yoga. It was at this point that I started paying attention to the slightly differences in my practice from day to day. Why did camel kill me one day and was tolerable the next? Why did I fall out of standing head to knee after getting my head down when yesterday I held it for the full minute. If you listen to the teacher explanations or read Bikram's book you'll start to learn about what postures target what. And often, the pose I was having trouble with targeted that particular area. For example, camel is often one of my most challenging poses; it is designed to target stress, amongst other things. I recently finished law school and to say I was stressed during it would be an understatement. Camel helps limit stress hormones and it makes sense that my body was acutely aware of the change. Oftentimes the postures that you're having the hardest time with are helping in the biggest ways. Paying attention to the changes in our practice can help identify areas we need to work on.<br /><br />As to your questions about "wants vs. needs," they vary from person to person. But I suspect the largest "want" culprits are wiping the sweat, excessive water drinking, and getting distracted. Serious Bikram practicers can avoid all of these habits. I'm not suggesting that you give up water during class, but perhaps try to consider whether you are actually thirsty or are looking for it help make you less miserable. The next time you think about something other than the postures challenge yourself to find the true meaning behind the thought.<br /><br />Hope these help and I'd be more than happy to try to explain any more. Best of luck!!SummerBreezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815035326287027654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-46924617406344408342014-01-23T06:49:35.085-06:002014-01-23T06:49:35.085-06:00I meant focusing on...I meant focusing on...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12782835597977774742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-11093734219814466722014-01-23T06:45:56.970-06:002014-01-23T06:45:56.970-06:00Thank you for sharing your experience. I am not d...Thank you for sharing your experience. I am not doing the challenge but I am trying to go everyday. The thing with me is that I have one baby, one teenager and a husband. They are helping me in my objective of going everyday but sometimes it is just not possible. Anyway, you have reinforced my passion for Bikram and I am fascinated by the idea of focusing of what the body is trying to say and at the same time ignoring the wants. Any additional tip about these two aspects would be most welcomed. Cheers. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12782835597977774742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-8019458741343281252014-01-08T16:09:26.171-06:002014-01-08T16:09:26.171-06:00Thank you Rodney!! Best of luck on your challenge!...Thank you Rodney!! Best of luck on your challenge! I know you can do it and I'd love to know when you finish to say congratulations! SummerBreezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815035326287027654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-49781774122471523162014-01-08T01:31:17.996-06:002014-01-08T01:31:17.996-06:00Wicked stuff, thanks so much for sharing!!, im goi...Wicked stuff, thanks so much for sharing!!, im going to try this challenge :-)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01531755007046019098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-1944180701012725062013-10-30T16:07:32.103-05:002013-10-30T16:07:32.103-05:00Thank you so much Kim! Those are such sweet words...Thank you so much Kim! Those are such sweet words! Let me know if you start a challenge! I'd love to follow your progress!SummerBreezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815035326287027654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-60924586029269951832013-10-29T19:27:57.716-05:002013-10-29T19:27:57.716-05:00Wow! Your before and after pictures are amazing! N...Wow! Your before and after pictures are amazing! Not only are you more toned but your skin looks better and you are glowing in the afters! I will definitely give the 30 day challenge a try next time I get the chance (:Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816727596925326047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-9290198157294521422013-07-01T08:09:07.526-05:002013-07-01T08:09:07.526-05:00Hmm... it looks like you really got the good resul...Hmm... it looks like you really got the good result, Summerbreeze. You looked great after the challenge. It's true that when you worked hard for something, the reward will taste sweet!<br /><br />#Mathias@<a href="http://www.thesportingclub.com/san-diego-spa-services.php" rel="nofollow">TheSportingClub.com</a>Mathiashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14879076313475976421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-36937885281416431682013-06-26T13:52:19.211-05:002013-06-26T13:52:19.211-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mathiashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14879076313475976421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-35310253703013199192013-05-13T15:11:10.290-05:002013-05-13T15:11:10.290-05:00"I'm still having a hard time waking up i..."I'm still having a hard time waking up in the mornings [...]" Try eating Paleo or Primal, once I eliminated grains from my diet my idiopathic hypersomnia really let up; I don't have the trouble I used to dragging myself out of bed, literally. Just a thought! By the way, great job and congratulations on your progress! I'm too chicken and too poor to even think about trying Bikram Yoga for 30 days, not until I can at least master the basics.Shadehttp://shadeofashes.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-70477909046019572802013-04-29T10:28:41.120-05:002013-04-29T10:28:41.120-05:00Thank you both for your comments!
To anonymous - ...Thank you both for your comments!<br /><br />To anonymous - I actually gained a couple pounds during my challenge and weight more in the "after" picture than I do in the "before." I think it goes back to the old adage of muscle weighs more than fat. Stick with it and I'm sure you'll start to see results soon! Good luck!<br /><br />To Divine Doctor - I did not do any other exercise during the challenge. The before and after is attributable purely to Bikram and eating healthy! Bikram truly is a total body workout!<br /><br />Thanks again and best of luck to you both in your practice!SummerBreezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815035326287027654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-51827396405214395132013-04-29T09:48:22.249-05:002013-04-29T09:48:22.249-05:00I have to ask as I just started Bikram myself and ...I have to ask as I just started Bikram myself and I'm also doing the 30 day challenge - is this dramatic change the result of only doing Bikram Yoga + good diet or did you do any other type of exercise on the side? I was really inspired by this post actually! Divine Doctorhttp://thedivinedoctor.tumblr.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-50171370908497027702013-04-28T16:27:37.203-05:002013-04-28T16:27:37.203-05:00Hi, I just started bikram and randomly stumbled up...Hi, I just started bikram and randomly stumbled upon your blog. Your before/after pics have inspired me to try going every single day. One thing I've noticed is that I have actually gained a few pounds since starting bikram; did you experience any weight loss or gain? Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-17264491399163321982013-04-09T20:23:41.622-05:002013-04-09T20:23:41.622-05:00So inspiring! xoSo inspiring! xoChelseahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08284801170964980550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-51217319511335175962013-03-26T10:32:43.889-05:002013-03-26T10:32:43.889-05:00Thank you! I think your teacher is probably right...Thank you! I think your teacher is probably right about your knee pain. I think we subconsciously tend to favor parts that have had an injury. I'm sure as you build more muscle in the knee that it will bother you less.<br /><br />As far as diet, I really didn't stick to any particular plan. I try to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and I've really been concentrating on limiting refined carbs and meat (I'm from Texas; we tend to eat excessive quantities of meat). From a challenge standpoint, the days that I limited those were usually the days that I felt the best.<br /><br />One other quick thing, make sure you are replacing your electrolytes! That more than anything will help!<br /><br />Hope this helps! Thanks for the comment and good luck finishing! :)SummerBreezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815035326287027654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-15147066453961416432013-03-25T10:40:59.074-05:002013-03-25T10:40:59.074-05:00Wow, amazing. I'm doing a sort of 30day challe...Wow, amazing. I'm doing a sort of 30day challenge myself, I'm at a point now where an old knee injury is giving me a bit of trouble, talking to the teacher today she said it could be that my muscles are just a bit tired and to focus on really pulling the knee cap up.<br />I just have a quick question, were you following a precise diet during the challenge?<br /><br />| c o s e d a s a p e r e |https://www.blogger.com/profile/00995484252279210445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-51377866249242014862013-02-07T14:49:15.374-06:002013-02-07T14:49:15.374-06:00Thanks you so much!!!
And glad you're going t...Thanks you so much!!!<br /><br />And glad you're going to try again. Just remember to BREATHE! Learning how to breathe in that room is the hardest part. Once you can control you're breathing the heat becomes much more tolerable. Good luck!!!SummerBreezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01815035326287027654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8650586193249727246.post-42674784260414488142013-02-05T20:39:16.264-06:002013-02-05T20:39:16.264-06:00Holy moly, you look amazing!!!
I've only been...Holy moly, you look amazing!!!<br /><br />I've only been to one Bikram class and didn't enjoy it that much, but that was a few years ago. You've convinced me to give it another try. I'm going to google local Bikram studios now!Abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08764045462839398375noreply@blogger.com