Back to Bikram

Since starting a new job a few months back, yoga - of any kind - had to take a backseat to more "practical" matters. The demands of work, having to manage my own schedule as well as the schedules of the other 3 members of the family.

I hardly went to class, hardly practiced on my own. After a while, I found myself in the same situation I was before yoga - stressed out, hypertension, migraines, messed up sleep patterns. When my BP shot up to a 140/100 shortly after new year, I found myself in familiar territory. I knew that only yoga (ok, and maybe an occasional dose of Melatonin) could bring me back on track.

And so I got back into the studio. I realized I was missing out on so much and that I owed it to myself to keep coming back. I've been practicing about 1x or 2x a week - far from the daily practice just a few months ago. But I know I have to start somewhere.

Rockstar Yoga

A different exercise

I received this BBM broadcast message a few days ago and I thought I'd share it here:

Today, let's try a different exercise.

Are you ready?

Stretch you patience...

Bend in humility with your knees down in prayer...

Exhale anger and hatred...

Inhale love and laughter...

Wiggle away from temptations...

Twist away from suspicions...

Bend backward.

Hold it a second,

then look up to the heavens.

Have a blessed day!

Practice Log: FNR with Marc at Urban Ashram Manila

Took the 7:00am FNR class at the Ashram today, with a focus on backbends. My backbends are much weaker than my forward bends so I had to make an extra effort to get to the maximum expression (well, based on my own maximum) of the asanas.

Our teacher, Marc, also pointed out the difference in hand positioning for Bujanghasana or cobra pose in a Vinyasa class compared to the Bikram series. In Vinyasa, the hands need to be placed almost below the ribs whereas in Bikram the hands are placed at the sides of the upper chest. What's always key is that shoulders need to be relaxed, with arms close to the body. Easier said than done!

Will be taking a yoga break for the long weekend. Hoping to squeeze in some practice on Monday. Vinyasa Flow, Ashtanga Led or Bikram? Good thing I have the whole weekend to make up my mind.

Practice Log: Ashtanga Basics with Patricia at Urban Ashram Manila

I've been curious about Ashtanga for almost as long as I've been practicing Bikram. Finally, I took my first class at Urban Ashram Manila with Pat a.k.a. The Crazy Breather as my teacher.

Having heard so many stories about how challenging Ashtanga is, I was happy to find out that they offered an Ashtanga Basics class at the Ashram. I also made a conscious decision to take several FNR classes (3 to be exact) to familiarize myself with Sun Salutations and the other Vinyasa which turned out to be a very good move for me (and I suggest the same to anyone looking into trying Ashtanga after having only practiced Bikram) since I only looked like a half-confused armadillo instead of a totally lost sheep!

Pat was calm and reassuring throughout the class. She gave just the right amount of correction when we needed it. I was lucky to be in a small class of less than 10 yoginis, which gave her lots of time to go around and guide each student through all the twists, backbends, forward bends and other poses. I had a really tough time in Parshvottanasana or intense side stretch (yes, it was intense) where you have to cross your arms behind your back because of my tight shoulders.

No monkey business here: Parshvottanasana or intense side stretch (Photo credit: http://www.yogini.jp)

When Pat started talk about how Dolphin was a preparatory pose to the dreaded Headstand, we all gave Pat a dirty look before bursting into laughter. No headstands today, that's for sure! This is a Basics class, isn't it?

As we lay in Savasana, I thanked the Universe for another opportunity to deepen my yoga practice through a class that was both strong and gentle. I'm not sure I'm ready for the Led or Mysore classes yet, but I will definitely come back to take the Ashtanga Basics class very soon.

FNR - Flexibility Not Required (but Strength definitely is)

A few days ago, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into a whole new yoga world. After practicing Bikram yoga exclusively for almost a year, I decided to deepen my yoga practice by trying out some classes at the newest studio in town - Urban Ashram Manila. Will share a full review of the studio (facilities, teachers, classes available) in another post.

For now, I just wanted to share my first non-Bikram yoga experience via a FNR class at the Ashram. The FNR series was designed for beginners to get a better understanding of the basic postures and vinyasas. The teacher goes around making corrections to guide students safely through their practice.

The session started in Savasana and slowly introduced exercises leading to ujjayi breathing. As a Vinyasa-based series, the poses are done synchronized with the breath. Being a Bikram practitioner, this was all new to me but eventually I got the hang of it. In Bikram, one also needs to be conscious of the breath, although it is more quiet and natural breathing that you need to do to sustain and hold the Bikram poses.

From the floor we moved up to do Sun Salutations or Surya Namaskar. The movements were just as I expected, having checked out several videos on YouTube. What I didn't expect was how difficult Downward Dog was going to be! My palms and wrists always hurt after class, so after my 3rd class I had to ask my teacher Marc for pointers. He explained that Downward Dog is actually a resting pose (what??!!) and that you need to distribute your weight evenly on your palms while engaging your triceps more. As Sri K. Pattabhi Jois or Guruji's famous saying goes: “Practice, practice and all is coming.”

After moving through the Sun Saltulations, the teacher also guides the class through backbends, forward bends and twists with focus on a particular theme for the day. I attended a class that focused on twists, and i really appreciated how I was learning to consciously lift my chest and open my shoulders while doing twisting poses.

After chanting Om, the last 15 minutes of class is spent in Savasana. I've had good ones in all the classes I've taken so far. A good Savasana is a sign that you've had a strong, purposeful practice and I'm looking forward to joining another FNR class at the Ashram soon.

Learn more about the FNR series and The Urban Ashram Manila at: http://www.urbanashrammanila.com. Free classes are part of their Open House which is ongoing until September 3.

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