Hello!

Join Login

Article How Bikram Yoga has changed my life!

By

57 Comment

As a Mum, finding a way to look after myself has been really important! Here’s a bit of an insight into how Bikram yoga has changed my life…

Each time I enter the hot room I am excited by the prospect of my mind being able to rest.

Like most of us, my life outside of the room can easily be taken over with planning, doing, organising, running, and generally juggling a few balls in the air at any one time.

When I practice Bikram I cannot possibly be doing shopping lists in my head or menu planning for the kids or I will simply die in there!

“My mind is strong and clever, but in order to listen to my body I need it to be quiet sometimes”

When I first started practicing my relationship to Bikram was quite externally focused. I looked around the room, compared myself to others and did anything I could to distract myself from the fact that it was so bloody hot.

I remember the teachers saying it was about the ‘breath’ and I would think to myself as if, I can’t possibly breath in here.

But over time I quickly learnt that the more that I could come back to my breath and each moment, the more my body would surprise me with what it was capable of.

One of my teachers often says “isn’t it interesting that it is your body that is doing all the work and it is your mind telling you that you can’t do it”… Yes it is!

Bikram yoga has given me permission to get out of my head and into my body.

My relationship to Bikram now is an internally focussed one. I thank myself each time I practice for valuing myself enough to take 90 minutes out of my day just for me.

Practising in front of a mirror has also totally changed my perception of my body and allowed me to start loving and accepting all of my curves and edges.

“I am blown away with my bodies strength and stamina, and choose to focus now on what it can do rather than what it can’t”.

So as I continue to show up and I breathe through each posture, my body remembers how good it feels to be in each moment and then let it go and move onto the next one.

My intention is to keep practicing what I learn in the room, outside of the room in my daily life. To notice distractions and what I can so easily do to avoid being in the moment.

Because the truth is when I am in my body and each moment, I flow and my body knows exactly what to do!

“My life outside the room has changed because of the magic that happens in the room”.

My favourite studio is Bikram Yoga Northern Beaches in Warriewood.

Martin, Katie and the Team make you feel welcome from the moment you step in the door and the layout and design of the studio, as well as the experience of the teachers contributes to the overall positive vibe they have created.

By tuning in I have been able to tune up my body with increased flexibility, strength and stamina.

It has given me access to internal resources that I never even knew I had and provides a constant reminder for me about how good it feels to come back to my breath and into my body.

Creating this level of stillness in my mind serves my beautifully on my journey though motherhood and I would encourage all of you to give it a try.

Share this

Comments

  • While I don’t have trouble slowing my body down (when I get the chance), even when my body is at rest, I find it incredibly difficult to slow my thinking down. Perhaps yoga could be what I need to get some balance in my life.

    • I hear you, my mind was the biggest thing that got in my way initially! But with time and patience it is also the area that I get the biggest gifts from in the room… Yoga has certainly helped my mind / body balance, if this is what you are seeking, I encourage you to give it a try x

    Reply

  • I have been wanting to try bikram yoga for a while now…no more excuses!

    • Awesome, I hope it works for you! Good luck 🙂

    Reply

  • My staff at work laughed and laughed when I tried yoga. They correctly assessed that I would have trouble slowing down and getting into the right mindset.

    • It’s def a challenge, particularly for me too, but that is what I love about it 🙂

    Reply

  • I congratulate you but this is not for me. thanx.

    Reply

  • I’ve tried yoga but unfortunately my girth is too wide & bulky.I’ll leave it to the skinny girls. I’m glad you’ve found something that keeps both your body & mind healthy.

    • Thanks – yeah I have found my thing and I hope you find yours… I would like to say though, from what I know about Bikram yoga, it does not discriminate based in age, size, sex, etc. That is what I also enjoy, practicing in a room full of people from all walks of life, each will their own stories and injuries (sometimes). It is def not just for the skinny girls!

    Reply

  • I would love to try yoga for relaxation and all of rhe other benefits you get

    • Give it a go, you’re so worth it 😉

    Reply

  • I don’t ever seem to have the time to do these things — not if I want to spend any amount of time with my husband once our girls are asleep — I need to start trying to reorganise my schedule!!!

    • I hear you, it’s a juggling act! I just had to start making ‘me’ a priority, because the better I get at looking after myself, it seems the more available I am for my kids…

    Reply

  • I would love to learn yoga…im so unfit and more core is a mess…
    Bikrim is not for me though…medication im on means im prone to overheating so this is a no go.

    • I think you have just got to find what works for you! Good luck 🙂

    Reply

  • I have always wanted to try this type of yoga but have not found a local class yet. Now I want to do it more!! Thanks

    • Ohhh so glad! Hope you find a local class x

    Reply

  • I love yoga, sadly as a diabetic my body doesn’t deal well with extreme temperatures so I can’t do this kind.

    • I just think find whatever works for you and stick to it x

    Reply

  • Interesting I’ve never heard of of this before sounds really good though May have to find out where abouts it is near me..

    • I had heard about it, but did not understand why everyone got so hooked until I tried it myself! Don’t get me wrong, the first time killed me, but I was determined to give it a good go and eventually it all started to flow… Good luck in finding a place near you x

    Reply
Post a comment

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

Join Login

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join