I don’t seem to build any visible abs or biceps.

Do I need to add push ups and sit ups every or every other day? Bikram do write in his book those exersices are no good for you body… but well, he used to be a weightlifter…

As you know from my other posts I skateboard also, and no time to do a full class 4 times a week. Mostly a half class 1 day a week and 2 full classes + pick-me-up set + 5 minyte sun salutations before and after I skateboard.

When you are in Awkward pose and you holding your arms firm? really stretching them toward the mirror?
I have found results from this posture.

For abs I would say tightening the area during all postures.

Namate, EdgeH20

Hi Stefan

What the yoga does is help you find a balance between strength and flexibility. So although you build your muscle you are also stretching them out at the same time and creating length. So what you should find is that you are developing well toned and sculpted muscles without the bulk. Generally speaking, bulk comes from shortened muscles.

You ARE building strength! And the lengthening process is helping you build safety into a wider range of movements (helping you prevent muscle injury in your own sport for example). In other words you have a healthier more resilient body.

I guess the question is whether you feel you are lacking strength or whether you feel you would like to look a little more pumped.

What are your aims Stefan? There are other kinds of yogas that provide more of a workout for your arms and shoulders (Ashtanga yoga, other styles of Hot Yoga). Bikram Yoga doesn’t have a whole lot of the weight bearing poses that can build muscles more significantly.

Let us know if you think you are needing to build more strength or if the desired result is more aesthetic!

Namaste
Gabrielle

Gabrielle - 31 March 2008 04:36 AM

Hi Stefan
Let us know if you think you are needing to build more strength or if the desired result is more aesthetic!

It is purely aesthetic. It is for the showbusiness I am involved in… some acting stuff.

I do see some bikram Yogis that have visible muscles and looking extremely fit, but also Bikram Yoga teachers have hardly any visible muscles, and “flabs”. I guess daily full classes is required to build visible muscle.

The thing is, I don’t have time for full classes a few times a week. Maybe just 1 or 2 a week. + the pick-me-up set before and after my skateboarding (3-4 times a week), and 1 half class. All at home as there is no studio close by.

Adding push-ups, situps, abroller extesices etc, would only require 5-10 minutes a day, like taking a break before lunc. Not as fun as Yoga but…

On the other hand, I get concerned when you write that those exersices will build hard muscles. As a freestyle skateboarder I want to skate smooth, and maybe then “yoga muscles” are the the best...?

Here is a clip from a recent skate demo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kFyOY3Y96A

Hi Stefan

I told you by PM system that a friend and student of mine who is a competition body builder and yogini extraordinaire is going to write you a response to your question about building and preserving muscle mass while practicing yoga. She is a little slow to get to you, but it is coming. It is school holidays here so kids are her priority.

In the meantime, you mentioned you had asked some questions of a pro, yourself. I would love to hear your findings.

Thanks for the youtube clip, very entertaining!

Namaste
Gabrielle

I wrote the headquarters and Biram wrote back I should call him. But I haven’r managed to get a hold of him.

I have not not bodybuilding in mind, but was thinking about adding pushups, sit.ups, crunches, pull ups etc.

Now, by experimenting with tighten my arms and fingers I do feel my arm muscles get more of a woek out. BUT, will Bikram Yoga be enough to get more visible muscles? And by tighten the abs, will that alsogive falt abs and maybe visible muscles.

Due to my skateboariding and meditation and yoga I don’t really have time for bodybulding or strengttraining, but hope Bikram Yoga a few times a week will give me a more visible strong body. And keep my stomach falt, en make it flatter.

Thankd for the nice word a about my videoclip. Iwish to skate very smooth, and maybe bulky muscles will prevent that…