I have been doing Bikram yoga for about 18 months and am on day 15 of my first 30 day challenge. I can’t believe how much progress I have made in such a short time. I was slacking off, going only about 2 times a week and regressing in my practice. Now I feel amazing. The main thing I have noticed is that my stamina has improved. I no longer think about the heat and can focus on my practice. My flexibility is also much better. I used to hate half moon, now I love it. I do think taking electrolytes and Calm calcium/magnesium supplements has helped me.
VERY new to this forum!
I am set to start my first 30-day challenge tomorrow and am excited. Our studio rules are: 30 classes in 30 days. You can do this however you like as long as you get them in. I’m going to try a class a day. I may need to do 2 classes in a day (6am, then 4pm) at times with a day of rest (still less than the Instructors’ Course does). My dear husband suggested that I slack off for 24 days, then do 5 classes a day for 6 days! Hahahaha! I got a good chuckle out of his suggestion!
Yes, it closed a year ago this week, October 30th! They have two others studios, one in Kits and one in the West End, and I have no idea when or if they will re-open a third.
I have switched to the Richmond studio and love it (different owners than Cambie) - for many reasons - consistent heat, high ceilings, microbiotic flooring, 30-day challenges, pot-luck get-togethers, supplyin of towels and mats, etc.
Yes, it closed a year ago this week, October 30th! They have two others studios, one in Kits and one in the West End, and I have no idea when or if they will re-open a third.
I have switched to the Richmond studio and love it (different owners than Cambie) - for many reasons - consistent heat, high ceilings, microbiotic flooring, 30-day challenges, pot-luck get-togethers, supplyin of towels and mats, etc.
Good to hear someone from local. Is this a Vancouver/Canadian forum?
I am currently on a two-week trial at Bikram Richmond. I only been to once. I love to go more but just impossible.
Where do you live? What other studio have you tried? What package are you currently in?
Far from it I am very pleased to say, actually last count we have regular visitors from
122 countries. This is the most popular hot yoga forum in the world.
I will leave the local stuff to you and Bonnie to figure out.
Rules are pretty simple: Set a realistic goal (15 min’s, 2hrs, whatever) and stick with it. No extra hours/days available at the studio, so most of this will be “home practice.”
My major challenges include living in a teeny 1BR apt. with little space/no “heat”, a husband and dog who are likely to interrupt, and a full-time dayjob. Biggest challenge is that I am much less motivated when I don’t have a “place to go” and “group to meet.” Really - guilt from instructors and ribbing from classmates have been my major sources of inspiration throughout my life
Oh yeah, and aforementioned dog has hidden my iPod somewhere.
Anyway, posting my 30-day goal here in the hopes of adding some outside pressure, until I learn how to be Self-Motivated
Thanks - and good luck to everyone with their challenges!
I think one of the simplest things that I’ve learned doing hot yoga is that it is better not to have any expectations of myself other than I will practice XX times per week. When I go in with no expectations I’ve never been anything less than pleased with changes, progress or “aha” moments that I’ve had. So, I guess what I’m saying to you is…just do it! Distractions? Bring them on…that’s even more challenging!
I just started a 30-day challenge at the studio I go to. I’m on day 2!! Wish me luck, I’m trying not to think about how many days I have left but only the day I’m on. Will be a challenge (no pun intended) to get the classes in during times offered with work, but I’m trying to be creative.
The studio actually ended up postponing the start date so more people could do it.
They also turned it into a “40-class” challenge, with doubles on some days that are offset with days off - and you have the option of whether or not to practice at home for some or all of those “days off.” And if you practice at home, you only get “credit” for some of your hours.
It’s complicated Between the 2 classes I missed and the extra days I have from when I started and my home practice, I actually have no idea what “Day” I’m on
Already, my need to meticulously track and quantify my progress in the projects I undertake has gone completely out the window. Hooray, Yoga Challenge!!!
I guess it all boils down to your own personal challenge and commitment. What you are prepared to commit to and then action is the ONLY thing that counts.
The more complex the rules the harder the compliance. That’s why simple guidelines work. 6 days per week, one day off (optional). This makes the challenge SUSTAINABLE and allows people to feel comfortable continuing with their own maintenance program after (which may stay at the same frequency or not).
Restricting the number of doubles was something we had to do because there are those who will not carry out their commitment because they have the backstop of the double class option. That ‘backstop’ stopped them coming to class when they should have because it provided them a kind of excuse not to come. It’s 6 daily classes a week, not 3 doubles per week (which seems to defeat the whole purpose).
Does your studio provide in their (complex) guidelines a day off or not? Interested to know.
Does your studio provide in their (complex) guidelines a day off or not? Interested to know.
Namaste
Gabrielle
Absolutely! I think technically, we might even get two or three days off??
*From my understanding*, the schedule/rules look something like this:
Monday - double (1 morning/1 eve)
Tuesday - double (2 eve)
Wednesday - home practice optional - but this is our main “day off”
Thurs - double (1 morning/1 eve)
Fri, Sat, Sun - 1 mandatory home practice, additional practice encouraged
weekend and/or make-up classes (as needed) TBA
So it comes out to 6 studio classes per week, plus one mandatory home practice to make it 7—and that is all you get “credit” for. If you miss a class, you can do 2 home practices out of your 7 for the week.
Update: I have officially dropped out of the challenge… I was on something like Day 17
During the second week, I started getting headaches, which I assumed were signs of detoxing, dehydration, or both. They soon became migraines which lasted for days at a time. My doc gave me a prescription for migraines which I took twice and I felt better… though I missed a few classes and was struggling to make them up.
... then there were these nosebleeds. Starting last week, I was getting them almost every morning and assumed it was from spending so much time in a hot room, or maybe another sign of detoxing. Thinking I was lacking nutrients or not detoxing quickly enough, I went on a 5-day juice fast (organic fruit/veggie juices including a liquid amino acid supplement). I was feeling absolutely AMAZING - like Superwoman!
Then, this past Monday night after class, I got a major nosebleed while taking a shower - and it really scared me and my husband, because the blood was spurting right through my hands and wouldn’t stop for almost 30min’s. I was wiped out the next day and missed another class.
This morning’s class… I felt about 90 years old. I had horrible body aches all over (not muscle pains - but the body aches you get when you have the flu) and literally could not get into any postures - I ended up lying out for several poses; and at the end of class my instructor was really concerned. I stayed home from work, and asked my husband to bring me lunch this afternoon because I didn’t have enough energy to stand long enough to make something. But no headaches, no fever, no stomach upset - just shakiness/body aches that are subsiding (it is evening now).
Is any of this *normal* to experience during a challenge??? I keep trying to figure out where I went wrong. I have a healthy diet and take supplements, and I drink a ton of water… but maybe I needed to tweak something else? Did the juice fast make the nosebleed thing worse? Why these awful body aches? I am so full of questions, and more than anything, terribly disappointed in myself.
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