Welcome!

Wow, writing a first post is a bit weird! I'm here writing another Bikram yoga blog. I have been practicing for almost a year and a half, and my usual schedule is 5 classes/wk. I was just laid off from my job though, so I've decided to go every day! In a sense, I am completing a challenge, though I have no idea how long it will last for. :) I enjoy reading other Bikram blogs, and especially as a beginner, I found it helpful to read what others felt about the practice so I could learn from them. With my new free time, I am hoping to give back to the community that has benefitted me so much.

I'm about to head off for today's class in about 10 minutes, so here's a bit about my practice yesterday.

Yesterday, I did my first ever double! I practiced at 9:15 am and then again at noon. I asked for advice beforehand from one of my teachers, and a coconut water, emergen-c, and banana, plus some water, in between classes did me well.

One of the other teachers told me - don't have any expectations. He was right. :) I have never held standing bow or standing head to knee for the full time, ever. Lately, after class, I have been practicing both of them, and I am able to stay in a lot longer then. I was hoping that the after-class magic would carry through into my second class of the double! As it turns out, I did hold them both for a longer amount of time than normal, but not through the full set. I shouldn't have had expectations.

What did turn out really well - Hands to Feet. I am often able to lock my knees in this posture, but during my second class yesterday, I felt pretty close to touching my head to my feet, too. I'm hoping other yogis will understand this, but I felt more like I was pulling straight down, like something gave way in my hips and there was no rounding or pulling forward at all, only straight down. It felt sooooo good.

I also had amazing focus throughout my second class. The heat didn't bother me at all, and the whole class went by in what felt like about 20 minutes. My body felt loose, happy and springy afterwards - how lovely. However, after I got home, I ate lunch and then had a two hour nap. I was apparently exhausted. I am not sure if I will do one again soon - I loved the feeling during and after the double, but by the time I went to both classes, came home, and napped, it was already time to make dinner - my whole day was gone! I am happy to say I now have one double under my belt, though, and it wasn't as scary as I thought it might be. :)