Benefits of Bikram

I've only taken 4 Bikram yoga classes, but those 4 classes have really changed the way my body works. Most notably the reduction of body aches, like I mentioned in my previous post. But I've noticed other little things too...

1. I can sit with my knees and feet together with very little effort now. Some may think, "big deal!" But it is a new experience for me. I have some tree trunk thighs (sometimes I have to buy jeans a size up because my things can't fit into the legs!), so it's actually WORK to try to get them to come together because my thighs will physically not allow my knees to touch. Well, it's not that bad! But now I can sit all "lady-like" with ease. LOL I think this is possible because in Bikram, about 80% of the standing poses are done with your heels and toes of each foot touching the whole time. I had trouble with this the first class. Sitting with knees and feet together also engage your core muscles, so it's a mini-workout if you sit like this - even more of a workout if you sit on one of those balance balls (I have one somewhere that I used to use at my desk... gotta find it!) 

2. In my fusion yoga class that I take on my off days, I can bend and fold farther than I used to. One of the basic moves is triangle pose (I think?) - where you open your legs and bend over - then touch one hand to the floor and reach up with the other and look up. Before, I was able to touch my palm to the ground, but now I am able to bend over even more and bring my elbow and forearm to the ground!

3. (SORRY ***TMI***) Three words: In the bedroom. Do I need to explain? I would like to keep this PG here!

4. Ability to relax and breathe deep and slow. Those crazy breathing exercises we do actually help with relaxation. I do some deep breathing before I go to sleep and I'm usually out in a few minutes.

But now, I have not gone in almost a week (I am waiting for payday to start my new month)! I kind of crave it! But it's a good thing I have not gone because I'm tapering for my 5k on Friday. I'm going to run today and go to my level one (easier) yoga class tomorrow night... then the next time I do anything will be Race Day!! Woohoo!! Come on sub-30 minute 5k!!!!

3.1 - Newport, and starting a new class tonight

Newport
January 13, 2012, Friday
12:41pm
3.1 miles
32:23

This last run was about one minute faster than the last time(s)! I was more aware of my pace, though, so I think that helped. I tried not to let it go under 11! I also had a few knee issues the night after, but I am fine now.


I am starting a class called "FitWit Flow", which is a combo of yoga and pilates moves. I was looking for a yoga class around here and this was the closest thing. I hope it's good. I tried yoga with a guy friend of mine waaay back in the day (before Liam) and I could not take it seriously (mainly because I was laughing at my friend trying the positions and "impressing" the older women in the class). So, I didn't go back. But I think I am at a good point in my life where I could definitely benefit from it - the breathing and the stretching techniques. I have to face it, my body is pretty much effed and I need to take care of it a little better these days. Plus I need some me-time. Joel has his nights at JuJitsu, so I wanted to do a class too.

I also joined a site called dailymile.com, which is a Facebook type site for exercising. I've been looking for something like this. Thanks to my blogging mommy friend Christina for introducing it to me! It synchs up to my Garmin uploads and imports them into my dailymile profile. Although... they don't use seconds when reporting times! :( Every second counts! Don't they know? haha They rounded up my time for latest run (as shown in the widget to the right)!