Bikram builds muscle
This is the third week of my renewed yoga practice at Bikram yoga of Ashland. The results are astounding. When I began on March 20th I could barely get through the entire practice let alone go into and hold some of the postures. Slowly as I fight against sore muscles and a mind that wants to tell me I can continue tomorrow I am regaining my strength, my flexibility, and my balance. This week I've managed three days straight and expect to finish out Thursday and Friday before taking the weekend off.
My body is feeling very strong. On Monday I managed to enter and hold each posture twice, and I didn't have to go down to the mat to rest. Tuesday I wasn't quite there, but at least I managed to stay standing up. Today my muscles didn't give me a choice. My body said to rest. It is important to listen to your body when practicing Bikram. Your body will help you to go deeper into the postures than you think you can. It can also warn you when you're pushing things too much. As I continue this practice I have to continually remind myself that this isn't a competition. It is a practice. As I go each week on a consistent basis the results will be a slimmer, stronger, more flexible body.
Muscles are beginning to respond. Today I was able to tighten and hold the core muscles of my stomach for the first time. There is muscle under that layer of belly fat. Slowly that muscle will build and the belly fat will melt away. This is going to be a great summer.
