So it's been four weeks since I started on my Bikram adventure. I still love it and learned some new things this week.
Quieter mind
I have a lot of people asking me how I can stand a 90 minute class. I don't think I could walk on a treadmill, or do anything exercise related for 90 minutes. The thing about Bikram is that each pose is intense and requires great thought and determination. On the days I have walked into the studio with a bad attitude, it dissipates within the first three poses. There just isn't space left in my head for anything else when I focus on class. By the time I leave, I am more in touch with my body and less concerned about the crazy insignificant crap that lives in my head.
I'm not going to say I don't still have attitude or anxiety sometimes. It has lessened.
Injury
On Monday I completely tweaked my neck. I got home, in a lot of pain, and had no idea how I hurt myself. I spent the night icing my neck every few hours and attempted to talk myself out of going to class on Tuesday. This was the kind of neck pain that usually hangs out with me for three or four days.
They always say in class that if you have an injury, you should still come to class because it will heal you. Honestly, that sounded like crap to me. But I decided to see for myself.
On Tuesday I went to class, left my ego in my car, and went through class at a slower place. When I left, my neck didn't hurt anymore. At all. I was really surprised, but can now attest to the fact that if you are injured, you really should go to class. I even saw a woman in class who recently had knee surgery. She goes easy in class, but she's there.
Correct posture
On Wednesday I went to class and hurt my neck AGAIN. As was the case on Monday, I didn't know what caused my injury. I went home very frustrated.
On Thursday, I went back and spent the whole class trying to figure out how I was hurting my neck. I figured it out! My head was on the floor all wrong during the rabbit pose. As I was getting into it, I could feel my neck begin to tighten. I pulled out of the pose and started over. I could see how my posture was wrong by looking at others- and prevented another neck tweaking.
In class they say that if you do the posture right, no matter how much you can do, you will get the benefits. It's not about how deep you go, it is about having the right movement.
Mental benefits and physical benefits
I went into Bikram to find mental stability. I am unquestionably getting that. I am also getting unbvelievable physical benefits. I took a picture the day I started and a picture last week. My body is completely changing. I can't wait to see what this looks like in a few months. (Maybe I will share the pictures then.) I can actually see that someday soon I'm going to have a hot body. (Not related to the hot room.)
Have you tried Bikram? What has it taught you about yourself?
Image: Flickr, Ron Sombilon Gallery, Creative Commons Attribution-NoDervis 2.0 Generic
In my two weeks of Bikram Yoga I've heard a lot about the rules of etiquette. Don't be late for class. Don't leave room. I appreciate the need for rules and abide by them... but especially in new situations they can intimidate me. I don't think I am special in this way.
Today I learned specifically why some of the rules of Bikram are so important.
Ten minutes into class a woman walked in late. For me, it takes 10-15 minutes to silence my brain and place all my focus and energy into the class. The lateness of this individual, paired with her entry into the room mid-pose was frustrating. I reminded myself to clear my mind and return to my focused practice.
The teacher in this particular class was fantastic. He gently reminded her to be on time next time and he set her mat up for her as he provided the rest of the class advice for improving our poses.
Between poses, He reminded everyone that was new NOT to leave the room. He told everyone to go into savasana (dead man pose) if they were not feeling well. This usually makes you feel better within 30 seconds. He also reminded everyone to breathe through their noses.
The lady, who was late, would not listen. Others were having the same issue. In the room and out of the room. Sitting on mats laughing. Basically, not listening.
As the class went on it got worse. The lady that was late started telling the teacher that she couldn't do particular poses. She talked and talked and talked. As a new person, I understand the insecurity and uncertainty of being new. But part of yoga is learning to be silent, try your best, love yourself and respect others.
It hit me. Over the last two weeks I have grown to love my quiet space. Though class is hard, I love the focus I am developing and the feeling of accomplishment I get when I do something I couldn't do the day or week before.There is something about taking the class with others that makes it special. I didn't appreciate someone so blatantly ignoring the rules, and the helpful advice from the teacher.
But this is HER process.
And my process? Love instead of judging. Silence my head, focus and try my hardest regardless of what mayhem may be happening around me.
Turns out- I appreciate and now understand why we have the "hard core" rules of Bikram Yoga.
My accomplishment today was having a great session regardless of the activities around me.
I've been away from blogging lately. Do you ever get into one of those spaces where you can't find time to do anything you want to do? Yeah, that's been me. The most frustrating part? I didn't know how to fix it. I finally found myself in this emotional complaining space... and something needed to be done. My boyfriend suggested I try Bikram Yoga.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Long story short, Bikram Yoga is one form of hot yoga wherein you do 26 postures in the 90 minute class. It was developed by Bikram Choudhury from Hatha Yoga. The class starts and ends with a breathing exercise. Most poses are done twice. There is a standing series, and a sitting series. The yoga studio is a cool 105 degrees.
My excuses:
The class is 90 minutes. I can't even find time to eat lunch. How am I going to find 90 minutes? Not to mention the time to drive there, home, shower, etc.
It takes place in a 105 degree room. That's hot.
It comes with strict rules of etiquette. I can't leave the room if I feel sick or have to go to the bathroom. I need to arrive 15 minutes early, etc.
The attire is... minimal.
It's expensive.
I started talking to people and reading about it. People love Bikram or hate it. I read that I should go as much as possible the first week, and to not give up until I went three times.
So I bought a one week pass.
Bring
If you are going to Bikram Yoga for the first time you will need a few things.
A big bottle of water. I freeze one. It melts throughout the class.
A yoga mat. If you don't have one, you can rent one.
Two bath towels. One for your mat, one for wiping off.
Wear short shorts and a sports bra if you are a woman. Trust me. No one cares what you look like, and it's better than soaking through pants and a shirt.
Your first class
The class is 90 minutes. I'm not going to bullshit you. This is a LONG class. My tips:
Drink plenty of water all day before class. Stop drinking water 1 hour before class.
Eat healthy all day. Don't eat anything for 2 hours before you go.
Walk in with the mindset that all you have to do is stay in the room.
Pick a spot in the back of the room where you can see the teacher, and the other students.
When the teacher asks if there is anyone new, state that you are. They will help you throughout the class.
Make sure you can see yourself in the mirror.
Rest when you need to rest. Yes, I know the teacher is pushing you to go stronger, harder. If you are dizzy, rest. If you are nautious, rest. My biggest week one lesson: There is no room for your ego in the yoga studio.
Watch everyone. There will be beginners and advanced students.
Know that you will reach a point where you will chastize yourself for going. It WILL be hell. You WILL feel awesome after you're done.
It took me four classes
It literally took me four classes to make up my mind about Bikram Yoga. It is AMAZING.
I am sleeping at a normal hour, I am eating healthier and I feel better. The 90 minutes- it's a committment to myself. I choose ME for 90 minutes 5 days a week. (Yes, this is only week 2. So I know this isn't habit yet.) But I can already tell... for me, this is life changing. Every day I go, I feel just a little bit happier. I feel a little more in touch with my body, and the world around me. I think it is already making me a nicer person and more focused mom and worker.
Yes, I reach a point in each class where I say, "What the f*ck am I doing here?" I'm not that flexible yet, and I still don't love seeing myself in a sports bra and short shorts in the mirror during class. But I can't recommend this "90 minutes in the torture chamber" enough.
Are you a Yogi? What do you do to take care of yourself?
Do you put your phone on silent every night? I do.
It's really annoying to me when someone dials the wrong number at 3 am and wakes me up. It is equally annoying when one of my early bird friends calls and I am not on board with rising and shining yet.
Hello silent feature.
Last night I tweeted praise for Rob Lowe's new book at 1:28 am and put my phone on silent. At 1:43 am I missed a very important call. On further attempts to reach me, my silent function performed as expected and I slept. (FYI- I am fine, my family is fine.)
I spent all day wishing my phone had not been on silent. But at the same time, let's be honest here, without my silent setting I wouldn't have had one uninterrupted night of sleep in the last 6 months. Between texts, gtalks, tweet alerts, and random sales calls, my phone is open for business 24/7. Which got me (and my boyfriend) thinking...
Could we whitelist certain individuals in our contact list to allow their phone calls (not texts)?
SemiSilent is FREE. It let's you hand pick people who can break the silent barrier should there be an emergency. I tested it with my boyfriend. It works. Now I know I can sleep, and should an emergency happen in my family, or with one of my close friends ever again, my phone will ring.
As many of you know, I am on a gluten-free diet because I am anaphylactically allergic to wheat. This diet was not a choice for me. When I was diagnosed I weighed a dangerously low amount because my body rejected most of the food I consumed. I literally carry an epipen with me incase I am served wheat unexpectedly.
To say that making a change to become gluten-free was hard is an understatement.
So when I read today's post on Gluten Free Works titled Chef Damian Cardone Brags About Feeding Gluten-free Patrons High Gluten Pasta I was infuriated.
High-level overview incase you haven't read the article
Damian Cardone, an executive chef, (Facebook page) was intentionally feeding gluten filled pasta to patrons that had requested gluten-free pasta.
On Valentines Day week, Mr. Cardone wrote on his Facebook wall: "May god help the liberal hippie idiot whos going to ask for gluten free pasta this weekend." (I won't even comment on his spelling.)
He goes on to say: "People ask me for gluten free pasta in my resturant all the time, I tell em sure, then I serve em our pasta, which I make from scratch with high gluten flour. And you know what? nothing, NOTHING! ever happens!"
Then, he attempts to concede that some people might have actual medical reasons for needing to be on a gluten-free diet:"Ok Dr.Cardone, I know theres a few people who might have a real disorder, Im just saying the majority of these people are jumping on the band wagon because its now the popular fad diet."
What I am willing to concede
I am willing to admit that many people choose a gluten free diet as a lifestyle choice. Some assert that this is a fad and that may or may not be true.
That said, people also choose to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle and I think we could all agree that forcing those people to eat meat by tricking them is unethical.
What I am not willing to concede
It is never, ever appropriate to serve people that request gluten-free food items that contain gluten. It is even more unacceptable to serve those people gluten filled food intentionally.
Some people, like me, are allergic to wheat. Others have a legitimate medical condition called Celiac Disease.
Celiac disease is a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy. This damage affects the ability to absorb nutrients properly. People with Celiac Disease become malnourished, no matter how much food they eat.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease DO NOT always happen immediately. For me, I get unbelievable stomach pain about 60 minutes after the consumption of wheat. Symptoms vary from person to person. Worse, my stomach pains can last up to 3 days.
Celiac Disease is no joke. My great grandma died of the disease. I am fucking tired of people telling me they don't believe in allergies or that my diet is a fad.
If you agree with me that this kind of behavior, from an Executive Chef at a restaurant no less, is unacceptable, please join me in sending him Facebook notes letting him know.
Gluten-free people need to be able to trust that they get what they ask for in restaurants. Let's work together to stop people participating in unethical actions like this.
UPDATE: Damian Cardone deleted his Facebook profile 10 minutes after I contacted him
When I purchased my iMac a year ago, the man who sold me the computer summarized Mac use as follows:
Look at your screen. Think: What would I do if I were 5? Then do that.
So it turns out that despite her limited reading skills, Naomi (6) is amazing with the computer. Maybe more amazing than me. Maybe.
She somehow found a site called Paper Doll Heaven. She loves dressing famous women in "paper" clothes. I'm not super happy that they start in their suggestive undies, but whatever. She relies on Swackett daily to make fashion decisions. That's pretty awesome.
Yesterday I opened PhotoBooth for some random reason, and I discovered video gold. There were hundreds of videos and images of Naomi being... Naomi. One video instructed people about the proper way to exercise. It was 15 minutes long. Another featured Naomi riding backwards on a rollercoaster. Yet another was a long stream of thought diatribe, and it lasted almost 20 minutes. (Yes, she CAN talk that long.)
I realized that most of the videos were recorded when I was sleeping. I had no idea they were there. The blackmail possibilities are endless.
When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, Naomi always says she wants to be a rapper
One of the fun things about being a parent is taking time to ask your kids what they want to be when they grow up. The answers are always amazing and it is especially awesome if you can get them to explain why. (Indecently, while I was typing this blog she said she doesn't want to be a rapper anymore. She wants to be an ear piercing person. Equally amazing.)
About 3 months ago, Naomi informed me that she wanted to be a rapper. She is smitten with Jaden Smith's mad rapping skillz in Never Say Never and Ludacris rocks her world in Baby Baby. (And yeah, she obviously has Beiber fever.) So she has been practicing. You know, when she doesn't think anyone is looking.
Apparently racial profiling is still alive and well in elementary school #fail
So Naomi comes home from school 2 weeks ago and she is very upset. I ask her, why are you sad? She tells me that a girl in her class told her that she could never be a rapper because she is white.
WTF?
This was the first time Naomi even noticed that people differ in color. I was so happy she never noticed until that lame little girl pointed it out.
So I spent time on the computer, showing her wildly inappropriate Eminem videos, being sure to speak loudly and distract her attention when he swore. Her interest was renewed. I told her the possibilities for white female rappers is endless. Yeah, when you search for female rapper on google Fergie shows up. But in my opinion, she is no rapper. There is no Caucasian female equivalent to Eminem. This is a pain point in the rapping market, yes?
So she kept on practicing
She practiced in the shower. She practiced along with Jaden Smith as she carried her iPod shuffle around. And she practiced on PhotoBooth and delivered the most hilarious, adorable performance of all time.
She clearly has no idea about the message she is spitting. Her intensity toward the end is... commendable. And as you can imagine I am so... proud.
So I spent a bit of time thinking about it. I determined that if my daughter was using a weight loss program at nine, I would likely feel exactly the same way. A commercial diet program at nine years old... is just a problem.
Now I understand that she stated that she was overweight. I also understand that some changes likely needed to occur. But counting points... and eating preprepared meals seems like the complete wrong way to teach a nine year old overweight girl that beyond all else, she is beautiful no matter what.
I'm not an expert on this subject. At all. I was the opposite of Ginnifer; a skinny kid who heard a comment or two about having "rail thin" legs every week. So I get that as an individual I have no right to address this subject.
But as a mother I can.
(So flame all you want.)
Enough with the diets.
I am so sick of women feeling crappy about themselves and the way they look. I think a lot of it starts at childhood. So how should her parents have handled her weight issues? (If we assume they were actually present, and not unfounded.)
HEALTHY CHOICES.
I got mad as a (small) kid a lot because we didn't get sugar cereal. Or soda. Or candy unless it was Halloween. My mom made homemade bread for the sandwiches in our lunch boxes. (Overambitious, but awesome.) My sister and I ate fruits and vegetables whether we liked it or not. We were surrounded by healthy items. Once in a while my mom would make homemade cookies or banana bread. I appreciated those treats immensely.
As a kid, I HATED that my friends got Alphabits cereal and we didn't.
For kids surrounded by processed snacks, making healthy choices isn't so easy. But if parents are willing to support a Weight Watchers program for their nine year old, why not take time to teach her to make healthy choices for life instead?
Ginnifer stated that she goes on and off Weight Watchers, and tries to not let herself go when she is off. No matter how pretty this picture was painted by the press, this is a yo-yo diet. Plain and simple. I think yo-you diets are a problem. I think they teach women to hate their bodies, and feel less confident about themselves.
Our kids don't need yo-yo dieting tips. They need lifestyle changes that teach them to make healthy choices every day.
Instead of standing behind a yo-yo dieting lifestyle, why not teach our children the importance of exercise? Why don't we teach our children to select healthy snacks and pay attention to portions?
I'm no angel.
I don't set perfect examples for my daughter. She has processed food sometimes because it is easy. But I am allergic to wheat, and she sees me make healthy choices around my allergy. We talk a lot about she can make healthy food choices. She often comes to me asking for candy, and I send her back to the kitchen with the instruction to make a healthy choice. I hope she learns from our talks.
Someday if she needs a diet, that's fine. But I will teach her that weight loss is about making healthy food choices and exercising. I will teach her that diets are bad... but lifestyle changes that support good health are great.
While I typed this post, this song came onto Pandora by Aaron Lines. (Synchronicity at its best. I'm addressing that in a blog post soon.)
Women: we need to stop feeling bad about ourselves. (Myself included.) If we don't start, who will teach our daughters?
Lyrics: You Can't Hide Beautiful
She says, "Don't stare at me" She's afraid I might see those five ectra pounds she talks about Man, I don't know what she's talking about She looks through magazines With every page she dreams of looking like somebody else. I wish she wasn't so hard on herself. Then she falls asleep with just my t-shirt on But even when her hair's messed up and her makeup's gone
You can't hide beautiful, you can't hide wonderful...
