Breath, focus, and strength

I've had a really good yoga week. I managed to get into the hot room four times last week and my body and brain are thanking me so much for it. It feels great to connect with my practice again. Reminder to self: this is why you do yoga.

Over the weekend, I participated in two posture clinics led by longtime Bikram teacher Lynn Whitlow. I learned so much about my practice from her. She gave so many great tips that have already changed my classes for the better. I got some nagging questions answered and got intense personal corrections on a few postures.

I think the most important thing she said was one of the first things she said. The three elements of a Bikram yoga practice are breath, one-point focus, and physical strength. When you are having a hard time in class, it is probably because one of these areas needs your attention. Every time I got overwhelmed in class today, I carefully re-assessed those points and every time I found that one of the three needed my increased mindfulness.

More often than not, it was my breath that was wonky. Taking another tip from Lynn, I pushed my postures to the point right before losing control of my breath, then stayed there in stillness and focused on breathing normally. Breathing normally, a concept that I didn't really understand until the clinics, makes postures so much easier. Trying to slow down my breath actually makes me feel more out of breath. What a revelation that it's okay to breathe shallowly! Just keep breathing, Lynn urged. It takes a lot of concentration to keep breathing through the whole class.

My balance issues have been greatly helped by Lynn's declaration that almost all balance problems are focus problems. I felt a little embarrassed hearing that since my balance is so bad. Some classes, I feel like I'm distracting everyone around me because I just can't get my balance. She told us to keep one point of focus (which has been mentioned in, I don't know, every class I've ever taken) and for some reason, it settled into my head. Not moving my eyes really does help keep my mind and body from wandering and falling over.

I got personal correction on triangle which as totally revolutionized the posture for me. I don't dread it with the same fervor I used to! I'm actually excited to tackle it and push the boundaries of my strength, which is increasing rapidly with every class. I still have trouble with triangle but I now understand the posture and what it means for my body.

The third element of the practice is physical strength, meaning contracted muscles. I'm using my abs and inner thighs more than I ever have in my life. On days I don't go to yoga, I've been doing ten regular sit-ups to focus some more attention on my abs. I am growing really addicted to the feeling of sore/tired muscles the day after going to class. It helps me to feel solid and strong instead of weak and tired.

Long story short: the posture clinics were awesome and my practice was helped out so much by everything Lynn had to offer. I'm having so much fun applying everything she shared over the weekend. Look out, triangle. You'll be mine soon.