Well, I got a friendly nudge from one of my friends and revered colleagues that I hadn’t posted in awhile…I feel kinda like Kristy did a few posts back about NOT HAVING ANYTHING TO POST AT ALL.
Not true…I just didn’t have anything very nice to say.
Not about anybody in particular…just having one of those days/weeks/months ****insert time frame here****
Not quite like just PMS either…I mean, I know that feeling…but it’s kinda like when Audrey Hepburn asks George Peppard in Breakfast at Tiffany’s if he’d ever experienced the “Mean Reds” – being afraid but not knowing what you’re afraid of exactly.
The battle to beat the Mean Reds has happened most every morning this past week – ick. I open my eyes…thank my lucky stars to be alive and then the doubt creeps into my mind like little green men from outer space. I shake it off – say my intentions…and JUMP out of my bed as if it is possessed with all the ickyness…And go about my day.
I woke up yesterday and KNEW that I absolutely, positively HAD to do Bikram Yoga…I texted my best friend Sean Niles – who, being a musician, sometimes keeps late nights…GET YOUR ARSE OUT OF BED. LET’S DO BIKRAM YOGA. I tried to wait until at least 11:00 am to send it…but all day I knew I had to get into that studio…he agreed for us to get together and go to the 8:15 PM class in downtown L.A. (THANK YOU SEAN NILES)
Anyhow, on the way to yoga – I was stressed out, tired…argued with a friend on the phone to the point of tears…showed up downtown, where we walked over to the Disney Concert Hall from the Rosslyn Hotel (a good jaunt…) and walked into my inner sanctum called Bikram…
Now, for those of you who don’t know what Bikram Yoga is – check it out online …. www.bikramyoga.com For those of you who’ve heard of it but not partaken…you have no idea.
This is one of the most awesome practices that I have ever found…it works for me.
90 minutes in 110° heat in a small room, practicing 26 asanas including pranayama breathing…very cleansing and really f$*%&ing hard, if I might add.
I have been practicing Bikram for about 5 years, off and on…and every time is a spiritual and physical awakening for me. Last night being no different…as I flowed from one pose to the next, I became extremely emotional…some of the series of poses (the balancing poses – Tuladandasana, Dandayamana, Bibhaktapada & Paschimottanasana) which I normally do very well at…I could barely keep myself together…I actually laid down in Savasana (DEAD BODY POSE) for most of this series…tears streaming down my hot face.
As you go through the asanas, your teacher will tell you what parts of the body that the poses are affecting…and there are some poses that specifically work on areas that may cause you to become emotional which is normal. All 26 poses created emotion to almost brainsplitting pain (emotional, not physical) so needless to say that at the end of my 90 minutes…I felt as if I expelled a lot of REALLY negative energy and was able to regroup my mind a bit…I laid in the dark room for a few minutes at the end and set my intentions to be good to myself…
As Sean and I walked through downtown L.A., carrying our yoga mats – we talked and enjoyed one another’s company as only he and I can do after nearly 20 years…no pretense, no bullshit, no expectations…We dined on tabboloueh, veggie burgers, and Morningstar nuggets…and basked in the afterglow of yoga!
I guess good friends, good food and good yoga can cure the Mean Reds…very cool
NAMASTE
Sounds AWESOME. I would love to do yoga more. I love the way I feel after … even though I’m not that great at it and I’m sure the poses are SO not right – haha
Let’s do it sometime…the closest Bikram studio for us is Studio City I think…
Maybe that should be a girls trip…
Well…perhaps a day at the spa would be better…ha ha ha
hehe … maybe a day of yoga AND spa
yehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhssssssssssss…….
would be most excellent….
Glad to know there are other folks blogging about Bikram on WP.. Also glad to know that I am not the only one that cries and experiences so much spiritual awakening in Bikram..
Many blessings to you!
Namaste
K
I have thanked you often for introducing me to Birkram all those years ago. It is one of the most intense practices. And, I still stink at Padangustasana.
Sean is such a good guy. You are very lucky to have him so close. 🙂
K~
Yes, it is TRULY AMAZING that something like Bikram can move you physically to tears…but it is so darned cleansing…Thanks for commenting…no link to you, but will try to find your blog!!!
Michelle~
This practice has been one of the best I have ever entered into…my house of worship so to speak…
Yes, wish you were closer too…
xxx
j~
I tried Bikram yoga several years ago. I liked it. I know there is a studio here in South Pas–I may have to check it out again.
C
I’m ready to go if you are…
http://www.BikramYogaSouthPasadena.com
When is good for you….????
Jody
Hello Jodycakes,
Just wanted to drop a line to say hi and to thank you for the cleansing and centering experience that is Bikram. I almost died from heat exhaustion and extreme nausea, yet somehow emerged anew, refreshed and regenerated at multi-levels. Before we go again, I think I need to see a Chinese herbalist to help me control my own naturally raging inner heat. Til then, sashay…chanté…namaste.
Wow Jody you are going to make sure I get there aren’t you? I’m so not a morning person. We’ll have to see if we can find a mutal afternoon/evening that works.
I have to admit I’m a little intimidated. It was hard for me the last time I went and I’m 30 pounds heavier now than then! And I’m as uncoordinated and stiff as you can be. I know Yoga is not competitive but it is a challenge for me to stay in the “work with my own abilities” zone and not compare myself to others. Probably another good reason for me to go and work on that “head space” stuff too!
C
Okay…gauntlet thrown down…:)
I too have a problem letting go…but you know what…we can do it together….
Truly I felt terrible that I laid in savasana for a lot of the poses…I simply could not do them.
So if you are up for it, I ‘ll drive to good ol Pasadena and let’s find a mutual time that works for us! I would love love love to go with you…
If not…whenever you are ready my friend…seriously.
xxx
j~
… maybe I’ll try to go too …
BIKRAM OUTING…I can just feel it…
Sean- with both of us being such HUGE fire signs…yeah, it’s a little harder to keep the internal core temp down…despite our teacher I hope you’ll go back with me…
wanna go with the goyles???
xxx
jodilini