Tag Archives: don’t postpone joy

Joy’s Journey- Day 24 Bikram Yoga- Going for the 30-Day Challenge!

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Today is the first day I had to look at the calendar and count which day I was on with Bikram Yoga. Was it 23 or 24? and to my delight, today was 24!

Day 1 I had NO IDEA what I was doing or if I could survive 90 minutes of 105 temperature with 40% humidity, but obviously by taking one day at a time I am not only surviving but my Bikram Yoga ‘practice’ is improving little by little.

If nothing else it is showing me that I am dedicated and am willing to concentrate and work through everything that is unfamiliar…oh SO unfamiliar!

Like with most goals, simply showing UP and doing the best you can is the goal with Bikram Yoga. Do what you can- the right way- and you’ll receive 100% of the therapeutic benefit. So for that, I am grateful.

I’m not going to lie….it has not been easy. Yesterday both my arms felt heavy and stiff and actually ached, that even typing on the computer keys seemed difficult. Today I took it down a notch and was more gentle on myself and as a result feel more energized than tired. How cool to listen to your own body’s wisdom and when you do, you feel better! Imagine that for a concept?

Perhaps why I feel elated today is also because it is sunny and almost 80 degrees weather here on September 13th in Vermont. Hard to believe but so welcomed. It was only a week ago that we thought fall was here and that winter was just around the corner.

It is often said that it takes 21 days in a row with any habit, whether eating, working out, doing YOGA etc. and I have to agree this is true.

For me, my goal is 30-Days straight…and then this little voice in my head says but “Bikram” himself says give him 30-days and and you’ll change your body and give him 60-days and it will change your life!”

So who I am going to listen to? Myself or Bikram himself?

60-Days could be cool, after all I did recently turn 60 years old. Typically on my Birthday I’ll do that many pushups (and not the girl ones on your knees) for every year. I think I began doing that at age 55. 60 was a stretch, but I did it, but I believe I did rest this year for 10 seconds after 30 and continued on. So you see, setting goals is something I am quite familiar with.

So as I get closer to the 30-Day mark I decided to research what I can expect by going the full 30 days.

Can you change your life in 30 days? The benefits of a Bikram Yoga 30-Day Challenge

As mentioned above, Bikram Choudhury tells his students: “Give me 30 days, I’ll change your body. Give me 60 days, I’ll change your life.” While it seems impossible given the number of unsuccessful weight loss plans and other advertised fad exercise regimens out there, Bikram Yoga studios all around the world have been fortunate enough to see several students experience the truth of this statement first-hand.

30-Day Challenges are designed to help students delve deeper into their practice, refine their postures, and gain a better understanding of their body and capabilities.

What is a 30-Day Challenge?

The goal of a 30-Day Challenge is to take a class every day for 30 days and over time see the positive physical and mental changes realized by a consistent practice.

Are 30 days of yoga in a row too much?

Not at all. (Or so they say!) Bikram Yoga is different from most other forms of exercise. Because yoga does not tear the muscles, your body does not require time to repair itself between classes. Furthermore, Bikram Yoga restores health and brings your body and mind back to balance. It is safe to take class every day, even twice a day!

What are some of the benefits of a daily practice?

Most of the people who completed their Challenge have mentioned that they sleep better, gain flexibility and muscle tone, lose weight, handle stress better, smile more often, feel more confident in their appearance, see major improvements in their yoga postures, and find other forms of exercise and daily activities easier.

During a 30-Day Challenge you also have a chance to pay better attention to your body and to the physical and mental changes happening during those 30 days.

To the right you’ll see before and after pictures. I wish I had taken pictures of ME when I started for a comparison. One thing I have noticed is that I am kinder on myself, my body, my body image, my body weight and how I look in skimpy yoga clothes. For that, in itself, I am grateful.

I’ll end here with a picture of my favorite pose. Favorite, not because I love the ‘pose’ but because it is the last of 26 poses in the series and the ONLY pose you do one time….. and from Day 1, it is one of the few poses I could do!

I am currently taking Bikram Yoga at a wonderful studio in South Burlington, Vermont called Queen City Bikram Yoga. http://www.queencitybikramyoga.com/

It is an fairly new facility so it is up to date, clean, fresh, it has wonderful instructors and everyone is friendly and makes you feel welcome. They are currently running a 30-Day challenge for the month of September, so if I do “theirs” as well as the 11-days I had ‘under my belt before September 1st’ it means I’d do 41 days in a row. I’m not quite sure about that ‘yet’. One thing I will do is ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

Joy’s Journey Day 6 & 7: BIKRAM YOGA and more….

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Today is Day 6 today…. Is it true what they say that the more you do something each and every day, the easier it is to become a habit? I am pleasantly surprising myself with my new habit of 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga daily- but that is the kind of person I am once I make a decision.

Whoever said it was going to get easier as time goes on was inaccurate with my 6th day of Bikram. I am not sure but I felt more exhausted than days 1 and 2. I think my body needed a break…. my muscles and tendons, etc. had been taxed thoroughly the 5 days prior and I simply had not recovered enough. BUT YOGA is your ‘own practice’ so you DO what you can and do it right and you STILL receive the benefits.

BE-DO-HAVE… BE in harmony with yourself and intentions, DO-whatever it takes…HAVE the results you are looking to attain. In my case, it is a healthy, limber, strong and lean body! I want to age gracefully!

True, day 6 was very physically (not so much mentally) tough, even keeping my arms straight and to the front or to the sides took a lot of effort.

When I left the yoga studio my husband looked at me and thought he’d literally have to carry me to the car. I was POOPED beyond pooped. I had NO EXTRA energy to draw from. My body was depleted….

That is OK. I did it, felt like my own HERO or should I say “Shero“.SHE/HERO….

I hydrated myself after I got home and ate a huge bown of chilled watermelon. Watermelon never tasted so good in my life!

I promised myself to take it easy for the rest of the day to rejuvenate my muscles and be strong for Sunday, my 7th day in a row. As it turns out, Dave and I played a little tennis later in the afternoon- which was good for two reasons. 1) cardio 2) to confirm that Bikram Yoga is what I am supposed to be doing. Tennis HURT MY ELBOW, which was beginning to heal with yoga. hmmmm.

DAY 7-
I was excited for the day and for Bikram Yoga. I KNEW from when I woke up that my experience would be different and more energized than yesterday. Heck, when I lift weights at the gym, some days I am far stronger than others. Same here with Bikram Yoga.

By the way I highly recommend trying this form of yoga – it is not only a physical but it is a spiritual experience.

One week ago today I went into the studio after the morning class to see if I wanted to begin Bikram on Monday. Both Jess and Alex were there and welcomed me. I then emailed the owner Marla to introduce myself. By having a positive experience with staff from ‘before day 1’ made a difference for me as I was more than nervous to take up Bikram. I was downright petrified! I highly recommend Queen City Bikram Yoga. Thus far, I have experienced 4 different instructors in the 7 classes and they are all wonderful!

Today was a wonderful class. Was it challenging? Heck yeah, but I love a challenge!

Was it therapeutic? You bet. My tennis elbow has improved considerably since working with these stretches and poses.

I put on a new Quantum Relief Strip again today and I really do believe it helps with balance and bringing energy to the parts of my body needed most. For me, it is the right forearm, right elbow and the dan tien area below the belly button.

Am I going to continue? You bet. Next Saturday, due to a previous schedule, I won’t be able to do class so I may double up on Friday….we’ll see.

My goal, is day to day, I’ll decide- but ideally 30 classes in 30 days. As long as I don’t let myself down I am happy.

If you take Bikram Yoga I’d love to hear from you. Does it continue to challenge you but also give you rewards that you couldn’t see on days 1-7?

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

I am blessed that I work for myself (Thank you TAVALA) and can take Bikram yoga whenever I wish. Luckily at Queen City Bikram Yoga there are many options with times. This past week I did all the classes at 9 am but may change it up this week.

Feeling blessed!