Student Profile - Annika Gofton

Tell us about your first Bikram Yoga class … when did you go and why?

My very first class was in September 2009. My husband went there first and recommended I check it out.  It was hot, but in some reason I had no trouble doing the poses. I actually thought I do them perfectly. Silly me – as time went on, the learning process started about how to do the poses correctly.  In my 10 day trial package I managed to get 6 classes in. I loved it from the beginning!

How often do you practice these days?

When I first started practicing I was doing 3-4 times a week.  It all changed with a challenge in 2010 April. We were all doing a 30 day challenge (yoga every day for 30 days). Then I continued to do 60 in a row, which turned into a 100 day challenge. That literally changed my life!!!

What are some of the most important benefits you receive from Bikram Yoga? Has it helped to improve your life in any way?

The most important benefits for me are emotional ones. I am born and raised in a country named Estonia and living in Canada since 2007 made me home-sick a lot. Bikram yoga helped me to deal with it and made me look at life in a different angle. I used to have many mood changes too – they disappeared.  As for physical benefits – there is so many – deep sleeps, don’ t feel my knee injury anymore, quick metabolism, better digestion, fit body and the list goes on and on!

What do you find most challenging about practicing Bikram Yoga?

The most challenging part is to just listen to the dialogue and avoid things going on in everyday life.  Often different thoughts sneak their way into my head. I am so looking forward only having classes where nothing bothers me and I am fully meditating!

What’s your current favorite posture?

I love the cobra pose as I can see it progressing. All the back bends feel great also. I mostly like all the postures J

What is your most dreaded posture?

They say that the posture you dislike the most, is the one your body needs. For me was the locust pose, where you lift your both legs up. I disliked it so much, that I often avoided it. But once I had a teacher taking photos of my poses, I could see how high up I go. I had no idea I went so high, so I started to love that one and push even harder.

What are some of your New Year’s resolutions for 2012?

Since I found out I am pregnant I haven’t come much, as I work a lot and in the evenings I was just totally wiped from work. Now I am at my second trimester and I have more energy. I am hoping to come 2 or 3 times a week!

Comic book time

If teachers push you, they actually want only good :)

Cobra pose - Bhujangasana

It’s a short posture, right at the start of the spine-strengthening series, but it’s a blockbuster: aimed at the often-troublesome lower back. Strengthening those muscles helps not only with back pain, but reinvigorating the nervous system and the organs of the lower body.

Cobra pose triggers the lower back, helping with various spinal conditions. Cobra creates an intense massage of the abdomen which helps digestive function and prevents and helps to cure digestive ailments. The pelvic floor is activated in this posture helping with menstrual problems, fertility and the function of reproductive organs.

Strengthens

• Latissimus Dorsi
• Erector Spinae
• Trapezius
• Gluteal muscles
• Abdomen
• Thighs
• Deltoids
• Biceps

Stretches

• Hip joints
• Shoulders
• Heart and lungs

Stimulates

• Spinous process
• Kidneys and renal system
• Digestive organs
• Reproductive organs

Benefits

• Relieves back pain
• Increases spinal strength and flexibility
• Improves the function of the large and small intestines, liver, kidney and spleen
• Improves pigeon chest by opening the rib cage
• Permits maximum expansion of the lungs increasing oxygen intake, therapeutic for asthma
• Improves digestion and elimination
• Improves function of reproductive organs
• Helps relieve lumbago, rheumatism and arthritis of the spine
• Reduces symptoms of gout, herniated disc, sciatica, tennis elbow
• Helps relieve menstrual problems
• Strengthens the immune system and revitalizes the thyroid
• Soothes sciatica
• Looking up tones the optic nerve, improving vision
• Helps to regulate blood pressure through compression of the kidneys and renal system

Student Profile - Terri O.

Tell us about your very first Bikram Yoga class …

When was it and why did you go?  My first class was 7 months ago in Ithaca, NY.  My good friend convinced me to give it a try as she had been practicing for several years and found it to be a great way to de-stress and stay in shape. She warned me that I was probably going to feel “awful” during my first class, but that I had to come back and try it again before I made up my mind. And I did…feel awful…until afterwards.  I went back twice in the next 3 days and was hooked!

How soon did you come back for your second class?

(see above)

What are some of the benefits you receive from Bikram Yoga?

The biggest benefits I gain from practicing Bikram Yoga are an increase in my flexibility, improved posture, and reduced stress levels. Decreasing my stress levels and correcting my posture helps reduce my tension headaches!  Practicing Bikram Yoga also forced me to become much more aware of my diet and I have since changed to eating much lighter (and healthier!) fare.

What keeps you coming back for more?

Outside of the studio, I am constantly pulled in 10 directions at once. My mind is racing in overdrive for most of the day. In the studio, I can focus intensely on my breathing and my postures and let everything else go. For me, Bikram Yoga is a means to take 90 minutes out of my day to not think about anything else except the very thing that I am doing at that moment in time. 

What do you find most challenging about practicing Bikram Yoga?

The biggest challenge that I came across, particularly when I first started, was figuring out how much I should eat before class. Initially, even a small lunch before an evening class would leave me feeling ill for most of class. Then, it came to a point where I realized that I wasn’t eating enough before class and I would be light headed by the third pose.  Even now, my food intake really affects how I feel during class.

What’s your favorite posture? 

Standing Bow Pulling. I saw my friend do this pose seemingly perfectly during that first class she took me too.  There was just something graceful about the posture and it stuck with me.  It has always been my favorite.

 Your most dreaded posture?

Triangle. My arms are just SO tired by then!

Any New Year's resolutions for 2012?

 Get to the studio!

Great Deal on a Used Yoga Mat!

Need a new yoga mat? Consider buying from this guy who spent $89.74 for a brand new yoga mat and one class in a hot room, he only wants $1 and your sympathy I think!

Yoga mat for sale. Used once. - $1 (Bellevue)

Yoga mat for sale. Used once at lunch hour class in December 2009. Usage timeline as follows: 

11:45a
Register for hot yoga class. Infinite wisdom tells me to commit to 5 class package and purchase a yoga mat. I pay $89.74. Money well spent, I smugly confirm to myself. 

11:55a
Open door to yoga room. A gush of hot dry air rushes through and past me. It smells of breath, sweat and hot. Take spot on floor in back of room next to cute blonde. We will date. 

11:57a
I feel the need to be as near to naked as possible. This is a problem because of the hot blonde to my left and our pending courtship. She will not be pleased to learn that I need to lose 30 pounds before I propose to her. 

11:58a
The shirt and sweats have to come off. I throw caution to the wind and decide to rely on my wit and conditioning to overcome any weight issues my fiancée may take issue with. This will take a lot of wit and conditioning. 

11:59a
Begin small talk with my bride to be. She pretends to ignore me but I know how she can be. I allow her to concentrate and stare straight ahead and continue to pretend that I don't exist. As we finish sharing our special moment, I am suddenly aware of a sweat moustache that has formed below my nose. This must be from the all the whispering between us.  
12:00p
Instructor enters the room and ascends her special podium at the front of the room. She is a slight, agitated Chinese woman. She introduces me to the class and everyone turns around to greet me just as I decide to aggressively adjust my penis and testes packed in my Under Armor. My bride is notably unfazed.

Click here to read the rest of the story! 

Sit up

The sit-up serves to invigorate the body in between poses. A quick stretch to the hamstrings, it helps to prepare and open the lower back and legs for the final stretching pose at the end of class. More importantly the double-exhale helps to release toxins from the lungs helping to energize the body in between the poses.

Strengthens

• Abdomen

Stretches

• Hamstrings
• Calf muscles
• Achilles tendons

Stimulates

• Diaphragm

Benefits

• Double breath exhale helps to eliminate toxins from the lungs. 
• Strengthens and tones the abdomen
• Open mouth exhalation stimulates diaphragm and eliminates toxins from the lungs
• Re-aligns spine in preparation for a new posture
• Increases strength of lower spine
• Strong exhale also increases energy levels

Student Profile - Anna H.

Tell us about your very first Bikram Yoga class … when was it and why did you go?

My first Bikram Yoga class was actually in 2009 in Kingston, ON. I was in my first year at Queen’s University and I had heard about the benefits of “hot yoga” and, since I’m the least flexible person around, I knew it would be a challenge and wanted to try it out.

How soon did you come back for your second class?

I went again two days later but after that, it was a year before I ever went back and began practicing in Guelph regularly.

What are some of the benefits you receive from Bikram Yoga?

There are so many benefits to be had from regularly practicing Bikram Yoga. It really is unique for each person though, I think. I have a definite increase in my flexibility, a stronger body, and a stronger mind. My most appreciated benefit is improved breathing. I’ve found that in practicing Bikram Yoga regularly I’ve learned to regulate my breath. This is substantial for me because I struggled with anxiety and lightheadedness prior to beginning and I’ve found myself able to breathe deep and remain calm through stressful situations – a skill which I attribute to Bikram Yoga. Another benefit that is very important to me is its positive effect on my mental health. Having struggled with depression, Bikram Yoga is an important part of my lifestyle that helps calm my mind.

What keeps you coming back for more?

To be honest what keeps me coming back for more is what repelled me in the first place! My first Bikram Yoga class blew my MIND. I had never experienced such a challenging, exhausting workout!!! I had fancied myself a pretty athletic girl leading up to it and it completely kicked my BUTT!! I had so much respect for people who actually went on a regular basis. I loved and hated the fact that it was so difficult for me – I wanted to work up to being able to come often. Even if you’re repelled at first, I would strongly recommend you give yourself a month of coming at least twice a week before you write it off because with each class, you get stronger!

What do you find most challenging about practicing Bikram Yoga?

I think for me the poses themselves are definitely a challenge since I have terrible natural flexibility – it really takes me a long time to improve in my postures. It’s challenging but its also such an excellent environment to improve in because there is no judgment and everyone is at different points in their practice – it doesn’t matter if you can’t do all of the postures well as long as you’re trying your best.

What’s your favorite posture? Your most dreaded posture?

My favourite and least favourite postures are always changing. For the longest time my most dreaded posture was the Locust pose, but recently my back has become strong enough that I don’t feel like I’m dying when I’m doing it. So now Head to Knee is my most dreaded because I’m still really bad at it. But! I know that one day I’m going to have a break through class and be able to finally lock my knee! My favourite posture is savasana because I love focusing on my deep breathing and trying to relax as efficiently as I can.

Any New Year's resolutions for 2012?

To continue to work on a well-rounded and healthy life!