Regaining your figure

Hello Ruby

Wow, as if it isn’t enough to just start Bikram Yoga. As if it isn’t enough to start a 60 day challenge. AND as if it isn’t enough to go on that incredible cleansing plan. But Mighty-Amazing-Ruby, you are doing all 3 (well I hope I have that first point correct, you are starting your first day at Bikram yoga tomorrow, right?). That is an incredible plan you have embarked upon so congratulations. I hope that you keep us posted on your progress.

Re returning to your former shape: 60 days of Bikram Yoga alone would probably do that for you. You ask if you should include some cardio. Let me make this as plain as I can… I sincerely think that you don’t have time to do anything else!!! 😆 Your question makes me believe that you are an inexperienced Bikramite otherwise you would realize that there is plenty of cardio in there for you. You will become lean, toned and lose weight (although I prefer to say ‘lose shape’). Your muscles will lengthen and strengthen so bulking up is probably not going to happen.

Re cleanse plus yoga = powerful combination: Ruby please be attuned to your body. I am not sure if you have ever done a cleanse before but they can certainly upset the apple cart metabolically speaking. Going to Bikram Yoga has been known to kickstart many of the body’s systems and facilitate its own deep work. So just be aware of that!

There are many things that can manifest that may (or may not be) a result of starting your practice (this includes diarrhea). With your cleansing work you may need to take it easy in some poses. One in particular is called Wind Removing pose (on the floor).

Re lethargy: Your practice can initially either make you more tired or more energized. Can’t tell you which. Just listen. Get the right amount of rest. Obviously your meditation will help.

Re meditation: 2 sessions PLUS a Bikram class makes 3 meditation sessions. I wonder if you are working during the next 2 months. :cheese:

I am very inspired by your motivation and action. The great thing is that besides so many other things you will once again feel comfortable in your skin, physically, mentally and emotionally!!!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

PS I’d love this forum to be one of your support mechanisms – how about it yogis and yoginis?

PPS Just want to flag something briefly. You have committed yourself to a very intense and rigorous physical schedule. I just want you to be sure that your diet has the right balance (of protein and carbs for your purpose). You seem to be very well prepared so I imagine you have not just included raw foods but plenty of *live* raw food (ie sprouts: nature’s power pack!). 🙂

Hello Jackscat

Congratulations on having your baby! I hope there are other mothers out there who can offer you their experiences in doing Bikram Yoga after birth.

Here is what happened to me:
I joined pre-natal yoga classes literally just to meet other first time moms. This was an Iyengar class – which offered some great ideas for body preparation, in helping open up the pelvis. I took these ideas and incorporated them into my Bikram practice because I had plenty of time while everyone was lying belly-down. :cheese:

I did one Iyengar class per week (sometimes less) during months 5, 6 and 7. And I did between 2 and 5 Bikram classes per week til my daughter was born. I remember doing a one-set series in the hospital on day 2 :lol:. And I started the yoga in earnest a couple of months after.

I remember the Iyengar yoga teacher talking about how important it was to try to reverse the effects of this pelvic opening after birth by steering away from certain poses. One thing I think about the Bikram series is that it doesn’t really focus on pelvic opening and that is why I was able to draw knowledge from other yogas to provide this.

I did notice changes in my body when I went back to Bikram yoga. Amazingly double leg Wind Removing pose which was always so easy, was EXTREMELY DIFFICULT – go figure! In the double leg portion, my knees would not come together and I could barely grab the opposite leg with my arm. I needed teacher assistance. Over time my body has gone back to normal. Well almost normal. Although I won’t go into specifics here (ask if you like) but not all my poses are as deep as they used to be – this could also have to do with my reduced frequency of practice with my changed lifestyle.

Your friend’s friend is right about the relaxin but what experience does she have with Bikram Yoga? It is at least worth asking. The people who have the strongest negative opinions about Bikram yoga are, in my experience, the ones who seem to know the least. This woman could be concerned for you, without personally knowing what the series can do.

There are plenty of professionals who use Bikram yoga as their own holistic health regime. These include doctors, Pilates instructors, osteopaths, chiropractors, gynecologists, you name it. They all swear by it. You need to decide based on your gut feeling.

If you feel that your body is changing in a way that supports this other person’s opinion then by all means attend a weekly Pilates class. I would actually recommend that in any case. It will certainly get you back to better re-developing your core muscle strength. Your perineal muscles can take a while to recover after pregnancy and childbirth. Better to focus on that now especially if you are planning another pregnancy.

It worked for me and thousands of others. I know that if I didn’t do the yoga my pelvis may indeed have ‘set’ in its open state. It took concerted effort to get it back to where it was. It was possible because of this yoga.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂