Last night, I went to a new-to-me Bikram yoga studio in Stoughton with my friend Jenn. We hadn’t seen each other since my birthday at the end of June, so we basically attacked each other at first sight. It was Jenn’s first experience with Bikram and she loved it! I’m really starting to fall in love with the practice and it fits in seamlessly with my new workout schedule.
The two of us brought dinner with us to the studio and, after class, laid our yoga mats outside in the parking lot and ate under the stars. It was rather romantic, actually. We had a long overdue girl chat; the air was mild and crisp and we were riding the post Bikram yoga high! It was kind of perfect
Post-Bikram sweaty glow!
Note to self: food phone photography at night is not successful. Case in point…
I dined on Brussels sprouts and tempeh with a generous dollop of organic ketchup. This is one of my all-time favorite meals. It’s so easy, delicious, and satisfying!
This morning was a self-proclaimed rest day. Bikram had me feeling pretty sore so I rolled with some meditation and deep stretching before getting ready for work at the clinic this morning. I worked through the early afternoon and then came home to make a pretty stellar salad.
Looks wimpy. Tasted awesome! Into the Tupperware container went raw kale, broccoli, green beans, hemp seeds, and Trader Joe’s tomato basil hummus. Lordy, was this good. I was also craving rice cakes (I know, random) so I had a couple of those with my salad. Hit the spot!
What I’m Learning from Bikram Yoga
It’s no secret that I’ve fallen in love with Bikram yoga. During my first class, I couldn’t (for the life of me) figure out how or why anyone would endure such an uncomfortable practice. I was hot; I was overhwhelmed; I found it difficult to breathe properly. I was so uncomfortable. After class, when I stepped outside and felt the cool, sunny day wash over my body, my uncomfortable state turned into a peaceful one. I felt so in control and relaxed. My mind was clear; I felt like someone had taken an eraser and wiped my mind clean. It was utterly freeing.
At this point, I was reminded of the ever-wise quote “Change is uncomfortable” and realized that Bikram was something I could use to challenge myself in a new way. That’s what life is about anyways, right? Since I knew what to expect from my next class, I was much more at ease and open to letting my mind go and focusing on holding the poses correctly.
After class number two, I realized something new: I was paying attention to solely what my body could do. I love this about Bikram. Not once do I think about what I look like. The practice really demands your full attention to the poses that you have no space left in your brain to worry about anything else. We worry less; we pose and relax more. I’m a big fan of that exchange. 
Bikram also makes me feel so grateful for my body and the strength it possesses. Your body is the only thing you own for your entire life – all you can do is love it. Every inch of it.
I’ve decided to continue practicing Bikram on a regular basis. It’s giving me so many tools that I need right now, as I’m dealing with a whole bunch of personal life changes. It has helped me to release so many of my fears, worries, and anxieties. I honestly haven’t worried about anything in the past two weeks, thanks in part to Bikram. There’s only room for love in my heart. I think that is truly the best gift we can give ourselves.
Namaste!
Stay lovely,
Heather
Great post and some fabulous points about yoga! I have yet to really get into but I really want to try to! I can totally relate to shifting the focus away from what your body looks like to what it can do! That is what I love about CrossFit so much it helped me get to that point where I wasn’t worrying what I looked like but instead was simply focusing on what my body was doing!
I love that CrossFit has done for you what Bikram has done for me. Such a beautiful thing!
Yes, I love this! Yoga is such an amazing tool; mentally, spiritually, and physically. It’s always a great feeling to challenge yourself with a new pose or sequence but the wonderful thing is the asanas are just a conduit for the real challenge and growth that happens within. Practicing yoga has taught me so much about myself and how to live a better life. I love when others share the same experience! Now if only I could get my power-lifting-loving boyfriend to a practice
Btw, Sumits is another great hot yoga style. Not sure if they have any studios on the east coast but if so you should check it out. I’m also a big fan of a good ‘ol Vinyasa flow. Namaste!
Hahaha – I literally laughed out loud at your boyfriend comment. I feel the same way. Maybe someday Matty will accompany me. Thanks for the Sumits suggestion too!
Sounds like a true j’adore la vie moment! I do bikram sporadically and whenever I do, I feel like I need to do it more because I DO love it so. I need to go to a class now actually… in addition to all of the mental therapuetic benefits it provides, itz an awesome stretch, too!
Oh, girl, it WAS!
I didn’t know you practiced Bikram! How cool would it have been to go to a nearby studio during HLS?! SIGH. Maybe someday. P.S. – I love how you always spell it’s like “itz.” It always makes me smile!
I feel similarly about Yoga. I found it when I was studying in college in NYC and immediately found an atmosphere I hadn’t known of before. I loved that there were no mirrors at all. Just you, your mat and the poses. There was no judgment. This was something I wasn’t used to at all and loved it. The teacher was quirky and spirited too which also made for a great class. If you’re ever in NYC you should check out Jivamukti. It’s not Bikram–but it’s the studio I regularly practiced at when I was going to NYU and loved it. Have a great weekend!
I loved reading your anecdote, Yaara! It’s so beautiful what yoga can do for people. There is nothing like finding that inner peace, huh?
I just tried hot yoga for the first time yesterday – in hte middle of it I couldn’t understand the appeal (I was sweating everywhere) but afterwards I couldn’t help but notice how relaxed and at peace I felt. Crazy what yoga does to yea!
That’s so great, Sam! Are you going to continue practicing?
I loveeeeee Bikram. I used to do it a TON, but since the finances aren’t so hot lately, I haven’t done it in forever. I miss it!
I totally feel you, girl. It is EXPENSIVE. College ruins things for us in the moolah department. Ha!
Thanks for this post about Bikram. I’ve been thinking about trying some classes, but I’m trying to figure out which yoga practice would suit me best. The heat factor of Bikram intimidates me a bit!
I totally understand what you’re saying. After your first class, though, the heat really isn’t a big deal. Even if you just try it once, it will be a great experience for you in some way.
It’s so cool to read that you’re so taken with Bikram. While living in NY, I practiced nearly every day — take class at Yoga To The People if you’re ever in NYC…it’s a great studio that became like a second home to me. I now live in Japan and miss Bikram beyond words — but heat a room in my apartment and practice at home for 90 minutes as much as my schedule allows
Yoga — in particular, Bikram for me — makes you you. I truly discovered who I was through the practice. Bikram + veganism truly saved me from struggles similar to what you express on your blog. With Bikram, it was the first time in my adult life that I saw my body as a whole, instead of seeing bits and pieces of things that I disliked or things that I wanted to change. Eventually, I started to think of Bikram not as exercise, even, but as my practice. A practice that is a long, steady, cumulative and nourishing change on the body and mind. I’m hoping to do Bikram training and certification when I eventually move back to the States.
LONG comment, but it’s cool to read that a blogger I like is so taken with the practice I love. Enjoy every uncomfortable, hard, tiring, magical, unique, amazing, sweaty minute
Wow, Kate! That is so amazing that you still practice Bikram even though you’re not in a studio. You must have so much concentration, skills, and strength.
You are so amazing, girl. Your comment filled my heart; I can tell how passionate you are about Bikram and know that you’re going to make an amazing instructor! I’m not yet at the point where I view Bikram as soley a practice (I still am viewing it as a liberating form of exercise) but I can totally see how you view it the way you do and it makes perfect sense. xoxo!
I’ve never done Bikram yoga before – the idea of working out in such a sauna-like environment kind of scares me! But I do really want to try it. And this post has made me want to try it even more. I need to start looking into studios in my area.
Also, roasted brussels sprouts are the best! I love when they get brown and crispy!
Chelsea, my girl, it would be PERFECT for you as you’re dealing with the stresses of school. I know that 90 minutes is a lot of time for you to carve out because of the work load but if you can do it, it’s so worth it! <3
I have been dying to try Bikram yoga, I’ve only taken one yoga class a few years ago but with my regular workout routine, I think I’d truly benefit from practicing yoga as well. I’m eager for the peace of mind I’ll get from it too
Also, tempeh and organic ketchup is just the best.thing.ever. Simple, delicious, just like you said. Great blog
<3
it has been at least 6 years since I have done Bikram yoga, I loved it. But now I am scared to go back, I am so bad at yoga. I know it is so good for me though, maybe I will gain the strength to do it.
I so so so get this.
blogging on weekends is too “costly” here too.
for me right NOW it’s family time it takes from but come fallfall it’s working too :/
Finding that damn balance is always a struggle; family always comes first and you prove that time and again, Carla! You inspire me to take a break.
Love you!
Bikram is the best. So many people mistake it as an “easy” and “relaxing” thing to do…. which it can be, but forewarning, people…. YOU WILL BE SORE. xoxo babe!