Many of you have heard the good news, @christopharii has started practicing Bikram yoga. I am so very excited, it’s so cool to see him rockin’ out Dandayamana Dhanurasana / Standing Bow - his favorite!
Dandayamana-Dhanurasana; image from http://bikramyoga.com
It’s home practice for him until he knows the routine a little better. Then he’s committed to trying Bikram at the studio! Maybe Saturday. Until then, I’m hanging up sheets and setting up mirrors and space heaters so we can get closer to the appropriate heat. When I practice at home, I don’t get much of a cardio workout. I know it’s the lack of heat, but there’s only so much one can do to get a room hot in upstate ny! Even in the summer.
@christopharii asked tons of questions that I couldn’t answer. So he read thru the Bikram book (the purple one) and practiced various poses. He was shocked when I told him I could barely get my hand around my waist in Ardha-Matsyendrasana / Final Spinal.
So, he showed me how to set up correctly, so I can sit up straight and get my hand all the way around!
Ardha Matsyendrasana; image from http://bikramyoga.com
Turns out, my heel was behind my knee, not at the knee! My toes were just barely poking out above the knee. Which, of course, put me in a tight little squished up posture to begin.
I’m practicing at home for another couple of days then I will finally get back to the studio to practice. I have learned so much in the past two days, I’m really excited to try it out in the hot room!
Tags: alignment, Ardha-Matsyendrasana, Bikram, bow pose, dhanurasana, Final Spinal, love, Spine Twisting
A+++++ to your friend for actually READING THE BOOK. Oh my gosh. Good for you guys. There are so many people who practice for years and continue to make the same mistakes over and over, when the answer is in the book in black and white! Spine twist is a great one. I really think that if you follow ALL the book’s instructions (or the teacher’s dialogue) word by word, you will end up doing a much better spine twist than the majority of Bikram students.
Clearly I need to read the book again!
good news, we got the room HOT today.
we miss you dear