"It's as if a great bird lives inside the stone of our days and since no sculptor can free it, it has to wait for the elements to wear us down, till it is free to fly." Mark Nepo

Friday, September 25, 2009

Do You Like It?


"Do you like it?" This is the question I hear most often when I tell people I've started practicing Bikram yoga, and that I'm now a month into the classes. Generally when I start something new, that I stick with, I am able to gush about how much I love it. With this yoga, however, I'm always stopped by the question.

Each class is an hour and a half of rain forest sweating, trying to push my too often ignored body into positions a contortionist would be proud of, and looking at my rolls of fat and many imperfections in the mirror.

Some classes are so hot my primary goal narrows to just breathing and staying in the room. Progress happens in micro units, and being able to do a pose one day is no guarantee I'll be able to do it again. I fall out of the balance poses over and over again. Camel is still my nemesis - the dizziness and nausea sidling up to me even before I'm all the way on my knees. All around me people are completing with grace and beauty poses I'm still trying to start.

Why would I say I liked that? Why do I keep going back? Why do I look forward to going back, even on those days I'd rather do just about anything else.

Perhaps it's the challenge. Every class I'm able to do at least one pose a little bit better than the class before. This week I surprised myself by being able to grab a knee - two classes in a row - that had been previously completely inaccessible to me.

Maybe it's because no matter how hard I work, I'm never sore after. I'm breathing more easily. My hip is healing. My posture is stronger, more effortless.

It might be the teachers. All three are very different from one another, so every class is different. Each brings a very unique energy to class, but all are deeply respectful of our efforts and our presence.

Some days on my way to class I think about how delicious water will taste afterwards. Like the first sip of coffee on a camping morning, water after a Bikram yoga session is ambrosia.

For certain, it's the feeling I get at the end of class and beyond. After the final breathing asana, and we're all in savasana, the teacher will give us a gentle thank you and hopeful message to return to the world with. "Namaste," and sometimes the clear voice of bells, wash the air clean as the teacher leaves the room.

Namaste. The light in me sees the light in you. My spirit recognizes and honors your spirit. I feel like I have more consistent access to my own calm loving light. And from that place I am better able to recognize the light in my fellow travelers.

A practice that stretches mind, body and spirit. A practice that honors exactly where I am and asks no more of me than I can give. A practice that is at once demanding and accepting.

Do I like it? Yes. I like it. A lot

Namaste.

photo from Flickr


13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds lovely.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Glad you're getting wonderful payoff for what truly sounds like torture.

Jessica Nelson said...

First, LOL, Angie's comment just cracked me up.
I always wondered what Namaste meant.
I've heard Yoga is really good for your body. :-) I'm glad you like it.

tricia said...

Tempting, but not so tempting I've been there yet. =) Glad you are loving it.

Carol Murdock said...

I'd really love to do this too but I hate getting out and I'm afraid I'd never stick with it because of that! Hope you can! :)

Carrie Wilson Link said...

Namaste. The light in me sees the light in you. My spirit recognizes and honors your spirit. I feel like I have more consistent access to my own calm loving light. And from that place I am better able to recognize the light in my fellow travelers.

A practice that stretches mind, body and spirit. A practice that honors exactly where I am and asks no more of me than I can give. A practice that is at once demanding and accepting.


Wow.

Deb Cushman said...

I honor your spirit and motivation. I admire your courage in seeking a challenging path.
Namaste.

kario said...

Have they hired you yet to write their marketing materials?

Seriously.

Love you!

Amber said...

Wow. You said this all just right.

Namaste.

Keep it up.

:)

Kathryn Magendie said...

I enjoy my yoga, although it's not in a class, but on my own. Although I've been away from it since the surgery and really miss i t- my body and spirit miss it.

Namaste...

Ambiance in the Attic said...

I am encouraged by your ability to stick to it even when it's uncomfortable. My husband and I started walking today and doing some exercises. I've heard yoga is really good. I'll check back on your progress. Thanks for the encouragement to make my own progress!

Midlife Roadtripper said...

"I'm never sore after. I'm breathing more easily. My hip is healing. My posture is stronger, more effortless."

That part would work for me.

Jerri said...

Namaste.