S.W.E.A.T. it out!

March 3, 2014

I was recently invited by a friend to try Bikram Yoga after she had purchased a Groupon. Despite having done other styles of yoga, Bikram was extremely unfamiliar to me. After attending three classes I knew I wanted to continue.

For those of you unfamiliar with this style of yoga, Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga that was synthesized from traditional hatha yoga techniques. All Bikram Yoga classes run for 90 minutes and consist of the same series of 26 postures, including two breathing exercises.  Bikram yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F with a humidity of 40% (whew! lol)! Bikram has numerous documented benefits; the increased room temperature correlates with improved physical performance of the body. As the blood vessels dilate and tissue expands, blood flow is improved and oxygen is distributed throughout the body thus creating an overall sense of well-being : )...sold yet?! If not, additional benefits include enhanced strength, increased flexibility, improved posture, mental clarity, a balanced blood pressure and proper metabolism, and an improved ability to concentrate ~ all great ways to be good to your physical selves. One of the benefits that I was very conscious of was the flushing of toxins and impurities from the body; I feel great knowing that I am treating my physical and mental body well and creating an internal environment well illness and dis-ease are not welcome.

Upon completion of my class one evening I was lying in final Savasana, drenched in sweat from my hair to my toes, face covered in a cold lavender infused cloth, my previously pounding heartbeat now finding it's normal rhythmic pattern and I became aware of the euphoric feeling that seemed to consume me. I lay on my mat thankful for the opportunity to S.W.E.A.T. it out: Stop, Wait, Expel, Accept, and Trust all that is. While physically sweating I was emotionally sweating.

Stop...stand still.

Giving myself permission to purchase a 3 month membership to participate in an activity that was for me was quite a big step. It meant I was saying to myself that it was okay to stop the busyness, be still and listen wholeheartedly to my spirit voice. Be in intentional stillness within. I was in stillness with me ~ Jajuana ~ and it felt wonderful.

Wait.

I did not force my body to do anything. I listened to my instructor's gentle guiding voice and then I did something I don't normally do; I waited. The athlete in me is competitive, the new yoga student in me that is being birthed quietly reminds me that there is no room for a competitive nature when you are (re)discovering how to be in complete union with your divine self. While waiting I listened and flowed easily with what felt right for me.

Expel.

Synonymous with eject, bar, ban, oust, remove, dismiss. What I did to all the events of the day, the thoughts, ideas, doubts, fears, feelings of inadequacies, unhealthy narratives, etc. that arose. These things were not conducive to a positive state of BEing; therefore I released them all.

Accept.

While my body can execute both breathing exercises and at least 18-20 of these hatha poses most times with ease and fluidity, there are definitely postures that present as physically challenging for me. Dandayamana-Janushirasana/Standing Head to Knee, not consistently happening; that grounding leg will simply not stay locked for the full duration of the posture, fully extending and locking that raised leg, nope can't hold that for more than a minute either because the first step can't be completely maintained. The process has to be honored. Accepted. Standing solidly and easing from Tadasana/Tree Pose into Padangustasana/Toe Stand, absolutely not happening...right now : ) I not only fully accept this but I completely embrace my current temple in all its totality; all of its stages of fluidity. I accept these quiet moments with this body that has endured so much in this lifetime. I am learning more and more how to accept what is happening now, without cluttering the moment with the past or future or with judgement.

Trust.

I trusted this stranger to guide me, push me to a point of healthy discomfort. I trusted my ability to block out everything other than my internal voice. I don't always do this so well when I'm by myself so doing this surrounded by people who looked like they were stars in Cirque du Soleil definitely required trusting my ability to heighten the sound of my internal voice and turn down any outside ones. I trusted that this body that is sometimes prone to some serious hot flashes could endure the 90 minutes of 105 degree temperature (without leaving the room). I trusted that feet, ankles and knees that have been battered by years of sports, running and dancing could keep me standing strong and balanced. I trusted that my wide hips that have expanded from birthing 3 healthy babies could twist, turn, thrust and stretch as much as some of the postures required. My chest houses a heart that has been broken and repaired many times over, previously mastered holding its breath whenever pain would strike and has even taken some violent physical blows from some unforgiving lovers, yes ~ that chest ~ I am proud to say it showed up for me and expanded in ways I didn't even know it could. I took deep intentional breaths that felt as if they filled up my whole chest cavity and it felt life changing.

During that final Savasana I smiled deeply within mySelf and I told Her that it was great spending this one on one intentional time with Her. I happily told Her to be patient with me as I continue to grow stronger in walking from this space daily as if there is no other option. She thanked me for feeding Her;  She reminded me that She was always there and I needed to remember. With Bikram Yoga I am physically and emotionally S.W.E.A.T.ing things out; standing still, waiting, expelling, accepting and trusting. It is through this process of detoxing, growing, nurturing, re-discovering, reminding, and trusting that I am seeing GODDESS manifest in me as me. I am the creator of my life. I choose to increase my creativity and energy by accepting and embracing my perfectly imperfect individual self.

‘Enoughness’ is my new benchmark, living rarely more than a breath away from astonishment at the marvel of simply being alive. I have since completed nine consecutive Bikram Yoga classes. What intentional activity are you engaging in that helps you stay connected to what matters most ~ your natural divine self?

 

Love and Light,

Jé

NOTE: This is 1 of 4 blog posts from my original blog that I started in 2014. I share these first 4 with you and thank you in advance for being a witness to my journey.

NOTE: If you are in or near the Historic Arts District Hyattsville, Maryland, I would HIGHLY recommend Bikram Yoga Riverdale Park owned by  Kendra Blackett-Dibinga. Beautiful welcoming studio full of diversity and an abundance of positive energy and affirmations.