Tag Archives: Bikram yoga

Joy’s Journey- Day 24 Bikram Yoga- Going for the 30-Day Challenge!

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Today is the first day I had to look at the calendar and count which day I was on with Bikram Yoga. Was it 23 or 24? and to my delight, today was 24!

Day 1 I had NO IDEA what I was doing or if I could survive 90 minutes of 105 temperature with 40% humidity, but obviously by taking one day at a time I am not only surviving but my Bikram Yoga ‘practice’ is improving little by little.

If nothing else it is showing me that I am dedicated and am willing to concentrate and work through everything that is unfamiliar…oh SO unfamiliar!

Like with most goals, simply showing UP and doing the best you can is the goal with Bikram Yoga. Do what you can- the right way- and you’ll receive 100% of the therapeutic benefit. So for that, I am grateful.

I’m not going to lie….it has not been easy. Yesterday both my arms felt heavy and stiff and actually ached, that even typing on the computer keys seemed difficult. Today I took it down a notch and was more gentle on myself and as a result feel more energized than tired. How cool to listen to your own body’s wisdom and when you do, you feel better! Imagine that for a concept?

Perhaps why I feel elated today is also because it is sunny and almost 80 degrees weather here on September 13th in Vermont. Hard to believe but so welcomed. It was only a week ago that we thought fall was here and that winter was just around the corner.

It is often said that it takes 21 days in a row with any habit, whether eating, working out, doing YOGA etc. and I have to agree this is true.

For me, my goal is 30-Days straight…and then this little voice in my head says but “Bikram” himself says give him 30-days and and you’ll change your body and give him 60-days and it will change your life!”

So who I am going to listen to? Myself or Bikram himself?

60-Days could be cool, after all I did recently turn 60 years old. Typically on my Birthday I’ll do that many pushups (and not the girl ones on your knees) for every year. I think I began doing that at age 55. 60 was a stretch, but I did it, but I believe I did rest this year for 10 seconds after 30 and continued on. So you see, setting goals is something I am quite familiar with.

So as I get closer to the 30-Day mark I decided to research what I can expect by going the full 30 days.

Can you change your life in 30 days? The benefits of a Bikram Yoga 30-Day Challenge

As mentioned above, Bikram Choudhury tells his students: “Give me 30 days, I’ll change your body. Give me 60 days, I’ll change your life.” While it seems impossible given the number of unsuccessful weight loss plans and other advertised fad exercise regimens out there, Bikram Yoga studios all around the world have been fortunate enough to see several students experience the truth of this statement first-hand.

30-Day Challenges are designed to help students delve deeper into their practice, refine their postures, and gain a better understanding of their body and capabilities.

What is a 30-Day Challenge?

The goal of a 30-Day Challenge is to take a class every day for 30 days and over time see the positive physical and mental changes realized by a consistent practice.

Are 30 days of yoga in a row too much?

Not at all. (Or so they say!) Bikram Yoga is different from most other forms of exercise. Because yoga does not tear the muscles, your body does not require time to repair itself between classes. Furthermore, Bikram Yoga restores health and brings your body and mind back to balance. It is safe to take class every day, even twice a day!

What are some of the benefits of a daily practice?

Most of the people who completed their Challenge have mentioned that they sleep better, gain flexibility and muscle tone, lose weight, handle stress better, smile more often, feel more confident in their appearance, see major improvements in their yoga postures, and find other forms of exercise and daily activities easier.

During a 30-Day Challenge you also have a chance to pay better attention to your body and to the physical and mental changes happening during those 30 days.

To the right you’ll see before and after pictures. I wish I had taken pictures of ME when I started for a comparison. One thing I have noticed is that I am kinder on myself, my body, my body image, my body weight and how I look in skimpy yoga clothes. For that, in itself, I am grateful.

I’ll end here with a picture of my favorite pose. Favorite, not because I love the ‘pose’ but because it is the last of 26 poses in the series and the ONLY pose you do one time….. and from Day 1, it is one of the few poses I could do!

I am currently taking Bikram Yoga at a wonderful studio in South Burlington, Vermont called Queen City Bikram Yoga. http://www.queencitybikramyoga.com/

It is an fairly new facility so it is up to date, clean, fresh, it has wonderful instructors and everyone is friendly and makes you feel welcome. They are currently running a 30-Day challenge for the month of September, so if I do “theirs” as well as the 11-days I had ‘under my belt before September 1st’ it means I’d do 41 days in a row. I’m not quite sure about that ‘yet’. One thing I will do is ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

Putting Things in Perspective! ‘Irma’ is on her way!

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Today I decided to go to a later Bikram yoga class. I just needed that extra 6+ hours of ‘rest’. I always enjoy working out earlier in the day, but especially with Bikram Yoga, as then I have time to unwind, catch my breath and still be productive throughout the day. Plus, to be honest- I have it behind me! done!

As I wait…watching the clock and questioning my decision to do a 4:30 pm vs. 9 am class I realize what it must be like right now for all my friends, family and business associates in Florida as they “wait” for hurricane IRMA to hit.

I have lived in Florida off and on for about 6 years have never experienced a hurricane, tornado, typhoon, earthquake or other earth catastrophe. The closest I have come is to be in a snow and ice storm and experienced a ‘white out’ while driving. Not fun!

Many of the people I know in Florida have been through a hurricane before (or more) and are not freaking out like I would be, but everyone in the ‘sunshine state’ IS concerned and for good reason!

I have heard many people say it is a wake up call to what is important in our lives when we are faced with things like this that are out of our control. It is the people in our lives, the relationships, family and safety of all that matters, it is not the material stuff. Still, several friends are afraid of losing sentimental heirlooms, photos or things that are dear to them…and I understand. I once had water flood into my house and all the boxes in our storage room got soaked. The things I was most sad about losing were photos that can not be replaced- but at least I still have the memories.

So today I pray for the safety of many and understand on a small scale what it must be like for people all over the world when they know a catastrophe is coming and all they can do is prepare for safety and then wait.

Tomorrow is 9/11…the infamous date when the USA experienced terrorist attacks ‘on our soil’. The date still haunts many and will never be forgot, but also the outpouring of love and volunteerism that poured out to those affected showed what a great Country we live in and how people step up to help when in need.

Generally speaking, people are good, people care and people want to make a difference. I know I do… which drives me to do the things I do in life.

So, today, as I wait impatiently for 4:30 pm to arrive so I can go to my Bikram Class (Let’s be honest here, so I can check off Day 21 of my 30-Day Challenge) I will keep active prayers for those who are also waiting…. but their wait is “IRMA”.

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

Joy’s Bikram Journey… Days 19 & 20 BAM….What Hit Me?

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Day 20 today. I left my Bikram Yoga Class today and asked my husband, “Did you get the License plate number”. He replied: “License plate, What are you talking about?” Me: “The truck that HIT ME broadside today during yoga!!!!”

OK, so we all have good days and bad days, right? and in Bikram yoga, it is no different. Yesterday I bounced into class all peppy, 20 minutes early. I did a first ever in my Bikram Yoga 30 day challenge- I positioned myself in the FRONT ROW, where I could see myself in the mirror…. my whole self.

It seems like I mastered poses I had not before, OK, mastered is an exaggeration, but honestly there is something about staring into your own eyes for 90 minutes that was very powerful. During those 90 minutes I actually begged for my YOGA guides to help me. Surely we have yoga guides, right?

The only error I made yesterday is I wore what is equivalent to a snowsuit in Bikram (long Prana belled at the bottom yoga pants and a ‘spank type’ built in bra type of top…long in length! The heat could not escape even if it tried. BUT- it didn’t matter. It was a great “practice”….one of my best.

Most women- even the full figured gals, know that wearing less clothes in 105 degree heat with 40% humidity is the way to go. It’s not unusual to see women in bikini bathing suit type bottoms (you know they MAKE Bikram bottoms like that and they cinch at the sides?)…always with a skimpy sport bra. (The fancier the criss-cross in the back, the more popular). OR, they wear bootie shorts or capris, but rarely does anyone wear what I wore….and it will be my last time. The only benefit is I could WRAP my sweaty foot around the ‘bell’ and hang on during poses better.

Today I went INTO yoga tired. Perhaps it was because it was Day 20 in a row and I didn’t sleep well the last two nights, or because I had experienced 2 hours of body work 2 days ago and felt like I was recovering from the healing massage. I KNEW going in today that I felt ‘weaker’ but I still showed up and gave it my best.

My best today, was OK -nothing earth shattering AND I knowingly positioned myself in the BACK ROW. Typically in the back row you can still see yourself in the far distant mirror but not today. Unfortunately, (or fortunately) today I could not see myself at ALL because of where the instructor was perched upon the box. So, from now on- I will, no matter what, be able to have eye contact during the session.

Some well-meaning friends and even family think I am a bit EXTREME with this 30-day challenge, but I don’t think so. Yes, it is a physical and mental challenge for sure, but I like where it is taking me.

If you are inspired, check out BIKRAM yoga in your area. I believe most studios offer an introductory 30 Days for $30 package. If you are in Burlington Vermont I highly recommend Queen City Bikram Yoga, http://www.queencitybikramyoga.com/ owned by Marla Ceppetelli.

I think I have experienced at least 7 of their instructors and they are all fantastic! In her own words she says: “Welcome to Queen City Bikram Yoga. We are so happy you are here. Why? Because all of our students and teachers took a first class. We all were trepidatious. We all survived and we all feel better!

There are no requirements to come to class. You can come to any class on any day. If you feel nervous, excited, worried, self-conscious or not good enough to come to class then you are like the rest of us.

You can do this yoga whether you are old or young, injured or fit, sick or healthy, happy or sad. It is never too late to feel better. All you need to do is show up and be prepared to change your life.”

When I went into my first class I was petrified….truly- but I felt at home and welcomed. I had NO IDEA that I would take on my own challenge and do BIKRAM 30-Days in a row when I began. I was simply taking it one day at a time, and still am.

THEN the studio decided to conduct THEIR 30-Day Challenge for the month of September. Yikes, if I do that it will take me to 41 days in a row. Am I “up for it?” I have no idea. Like I said, one day at a time.

So what are you doing to challenge yourself?

Challenges are fun as long as you are also gentle on yourself and realize that there will be ‘good’, ‘better’ days or an occasional ‘rotten day’.

Enjoy the process…. and Don’t postpone JOY.

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

 

Bikram Yoga- more than 1/2 way there! Funny Description of Paige’s 1st day.

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I couldn’t sleep well last night and I began to wonder if it is my BIKRAM YOGA “practice” that is shifting things internally and messing up with my night time sleep schedule….and day time energy slumps. They say it gets easier and I can expect to BECOME MORE ENERGIZED – but WHO is they anyway? 🙂

Yesterday was Day 16 of doing Bikram daily. I began to question if what I was doing….a 30-Day Challenge was actually good for me and wanted to hear others experience of what it did for them! So I googled and found many great stories, videos etc. but THIS one put a smile on my face and I continued to read on and actually ‘champion’ her successes.

….and this is where I stumbled upon this part 1 of a gal, Paige Williams, who shared her Bikram story in Oprah Magazine. http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/paige-williams-60-day-bikram-yoga-makeover/all

This girl, Paige, was 80 pounds overweight, divorced, out of work, and deeply in debt. OK, so none of those are me, except I am a 60-year old woman who had never done a BIKRAM challenge and someone, much like Paige, who wants to make peace with my body while balancing my body-mind-spirit connection. Oh and add one more thing, I’d love to drop at least 10 pounds in these ‘infamous’ 30-days. (I’d like to say where the FAT could melt off, but I guess I will have to just wait and see.) One thing I know, a woman with a ‘men-o-pot’ around the belly can not bend into poses easily.

So here is how it was described in Paige’s article. Paige needs a physical and spiritual overhaul. Can 60 days in a Bikram hot-yoga studio really undo years of damage? and this is where it got funny-and accurate.

OK -SO I NEED A PHYSICAL & SPIRITUAL OVERHAUL too, I agree. CAN 30-DAYS OF BIKRAM HELP ME?

Paige writes: “The teacher wants me to make a Japanese ham sandwich. To my knowledge, I’ve never seen a Japanese ham sandwich, but as I understand it, I’m to stand bent with my face to my shins and chest to my thighs in perfect vertical union—I am the sandwich.

I would say I look more like a jelly roll. My flabby abdomen won’t let my forehead anywhere near my knees, and my legs tremble as I try contorting myself into a position my body neither recognizes nor endorses. The goal is to concentrate on stretching and breathing, but I’m fixating on my unpedicured toenails. And the neon paleness of my legs. And the fact that I probably should have shaved.

The students around me are tanned and toned and very nearly nude. Every body glistens. We’re in a Bikram yoga studio, after all, where the heat is set to 105 degrees and the humidity to 40 percent, to facilitate flexibility. The men wear nothing but shorts; the women rock hot pants and halters. Because I’d rather lick the sweat-soaked carpet than bare my wretched flesh, I have on the hot-yoga equivalent of a snowsuit: calf-length sweatpants, a jog bra, and a T-shirt. I’m huffing harder than a serial killer. And we’re only on posture number one.

Posture number one of class one of day one. Assuming I survive, I’ll make the ham sandwich and about two dozen other postures every single day for the next two months, for the notorious 60-day Bikram challenge. I’m subjecting myself to “Bikram’s torture chamber,” as founder Bikram Choudhury himself calls this insanely intense regimen, because the program promises renewal from the inside out—because suffering inside this hot room may be my surest path to survival out in the world.

I need to change so many things about my life, it’s hard to know where to start. I need physical and spiritual transformation, from the mental to the muscular to the molecular. I need to stop treating my body like a landfill. I need stability, which I haven’t seen in so long, I’ve forgotten how it feels. I need a reset button.

“Do this yoga for 60 days and it will change your body, your mind, and your life,” says Choudhury, a former Indian yoga champion who lives in Los Angeles and who is, depending on your viewpoint, either a beloved lifesaving guru or just a really flexible guy who got lucky, and rich, with an idea and a persona. Bikram students believe, and I hope they’re right, that Choudhury’s heat-centric, copyrighted sequence of ancient hatha yoga postures is a transformative agent like no other; testimonials the world over suggest this yoga eases the symptoms of a range of maladies—depression, diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraines, arthritis, back pain, and heart disease, for instance—while relaxing the mind and slimming the body.

“Can’t you just do all that by, like, running every day for 60 days?” a friend asks. Good question, but the answer doesn’t interest me. None of my past fitness activities—racquet sports, cycling, jogging, gym circuit training, kickboxing—seem catalytic enough for the depth of change I’m after.

I’m not a renovation; I’m a tear down. And I’m hoping Bikram is my bulldozer!”

So here I am….JOY, not Paige and I began questioning if what I was doing was sane, smart or worth it. I can say each and every day is different- for example Day 17 was TODAY and I felt GREAT. I could balance stronger, I was less tired (despite not sleeping well last night) and honestly if I had to, I’d actually be able to do a 2nd class later today, which they call a ‘double’! (Now that I think of it, I believe it was the TAVALA TRIM drink I had prior to class today that made a difference) I’ll have to try it tomorrow! www.DaveandJoy.com

Am I going to stick it out? You bet. How could I come this far and not complete the 30-days? I’d truly let myself down if I quit now. 30-days straight or admit I don’t have what it takes.

I began Bikram when I listened to my inner self/my voice tell me this is what my body needs. I wasn’t thrilled to ‘hear’ the message but I believed it to be true.

If you won’t listen, then why ask- right?

I began my personal 30-Day Challenge on August 21st and September 1st Queen City Bikram Yoga, where I go, started their 30-Day Challenge. If I do just mine, COOL, if I do the studios’ it will take me to 41 Days Straight. What do you think? Think I can do it? Think I ‘should’ do it?

I look forward to the day when walking into a Bikram yoga studio is as comfortable to me as walking into a gym or fitness center. The familiarity of a cold 20 lb. dumbbell could really excite me! but in the meantime, I’ll see what YOGA can do for this less-than-limber 60 year old body.

If you happen to live in Burlington VT and would like to join me, message me. My husband joins me 3x a week and the more the merrier!

Joy Edgerton/ 802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com/ www.DaveandJoy.com

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How Many Calories Get Burned During Bikram Yoga?

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Today I was curious about how many calories I burn daily doing 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga… so did a little research. I read several articles and got various numbers so I won’t quote any in particular, but I did like this particular article I read and thought I’d pass it along. This article is written by Benna Crawford.

Hot yoga classes are hot exercise choices for increasing numbers of fitness buffs. The combination of challenging sequences and serious sweating makes them an attractive option for a weight-loss program.

Bikram yoga is synonymous with the style of yoga practiced in a heated, humidity-controlled studio designed to induce sweating while focusing on a standard asana routine. But weight loss equals calories expended, so it’s worth knowing just how Bikram stacks up against other calorie-burning exercise programs.

Counting Calories

Weight loss follows a simple algorithm: fewer calories consumed than calories expended. The Mayo Clinic points out that each pound is worth about 3,500 calories, so if you carry a calorie deficit of 500 calories a day, you can lose a pound a week.

Burning those calories is where it gets complicated. Aerobic activity that challenges the cardiovascular system is the number one calorie burner.

Low- to moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like most yoga routines, burns a high percentage of fat as fuel. Increase intensity with exercise like sprinting — or a demanding yoga routine — and you draw on greater amounts of carbs and protein for fuel. But high-intensity exercise burns more calories overall, so the tougher your workout, the more you lose. Building muscle mass through strength training also cuts calories because even resting muscle burns fuel for energy.

High-intensity yoga provides a vigorous cardio and resistance workout.

Bikram Protocols

Bikram’s hot yoga requires a series of 26 fixed poses, performed under the guidance of a trained instructor in a heated studio.

The poses are traditional Hatha yoga moves, but the performance is a kind of yoga boot camp. The room is heated to approximately 104 to 105 degrees F with a constant 40-percent humidity. During the 90-minute class, participants typically run through the routine twice. Bikram’s website claims that the heated studios quickly warm muscles and increase flexibility so you can work safely with a greater range of motion. You will sweat, so you will notice a water weight loss which does not translate directly to fat calories burned. But you work hard — a Bikram class is challenging enough to be an aerobic workout — and yoga poses use body weight for resistance, so you do some muscle building and high-intensity calorie burning.

Bikram Calorie Burn

Bikram yoga burns more calories than many other forms of exercise and yoga styles. According to Everyday Health’s Yoga Calorie Counter, a 160-pound person performing Bikram yoga for one hour uses 726 calories, compared to 508 calories for Ashtanga and Power yoga classes.

Most Bikram classes are 90 minutes, so the calories burned per session are 1,089 for Bikram versus 762 for other intense yogas. The Mayo Clinic calculates the caloric cost to a 160-pound individual for one hour of high-impact aerobics at 533 calories. For singles tennis, the cost is 584 calories, for swimming laps 423 calories and for stair treadmill 657 calories. As a bonus, yoga’s ability to reduce stress and increase fitness improves your chances of sticking to a diet.

Precautions

Bikram yoga is not for everyone. Hypertension, glaucoma, pregnancy, some forms of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease are all reasons to check in with your doctor before signing up for a hot yoga class.

If you do add Bikram to your calorie-burning strategies, drink plenty of water to counter the effects of vigorous exercise in a hot room. As the exercise boosts your metabolism you sweat more to maintain a healthy core temperature. In a hot studio with other sweaty bodies, your evaporation system has to work harder to release the extra heat. If you experience weakness, fatigue, dizziness or headache in a hot yoga class, you could be in danger of heat exhaustion or heat stroke and you should seek immediate medical attention. end of article.

So there you go. What I gained from this article for ME is Bikram Yoga good for me at this stage in my life. Today was day 12 doing Bikram in a row.

They say give Bikram 30-days will change your body and 60-days will change your life! Two weeks ago I was nursing a tennis elbow. I couldn’t play tennis due to the pain and working out at the gym had its limitations as well.

I sat quietly and asked my body what it needed and heard a rather loud “Whisper” : “Bikram Yoga”. Really???? I don’t even like yoga. But I listened and here I am enjoying the many benefits of Bikram Yoga.

Although I have NO IDEA if I have lost a pound on the scale, I do know that already my clothes are fitting better AND my flexibility and balance have improved a lot!

If you are stuck in a fitness routine that may no longer be serving you like I was consider sitting quiet and asking your body what it needs to keep you healthy and fit. You may be surprised that it is a new exercise program that you never would have imagined on your own.

Two products that seem to be supporting my new fitness activity are electrolytes to replenish the minerals I lose in sweat, and Quantum Relief Strips for balance, chi, energy to my body.

I’d love to hear from you. Do YOU like Bikram Yoga? Have you ever done 30 days in a row? Did you get fit, more flexible and lose body fat doing Bikram Yoga?

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

Joy’s Journey- Day 11 Bikram Yoga at 6:30 am? Are you kidding me?

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Today is 11 days STRAIGHT that I have been doing Bikram Yoga. I had plans for the day that would cut into our usual 9 am class, so we decided to get up early and take in a 6:30 am class.

Not a problem for Dave since he is an early riser (4:30-5:30 am) but for me it was a stretch!!! I don’t know about you but the mornings I ‘have’ to wake up at a certain time with an alarm clock, I never sleep as well the night before. I think it is fear that I may over sleep. So to say I ‘may have got 4 hours of sleep’ is accurate.

Still I am dedicated and committed to do 30 Days straight of Bikram Yoga. You heard me….30 straight. I have heard of some people doing that and even knew 1 person who transformed his body from bent over and in back pain to thriving in 30 days! Cool for someone else but honestly never expected this of me. But as you may remember, I asked my body what it needed and heard is a loud whisper “Bikram Yoga” and the rest is history. (Don’t ever ask your body, or your soul/spirit if you don’t plan on listening or going into action!)

I figure if I can do this PHYSICAL CHALLENGE….then I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

Incidentally what IS my next goal? (aside from surviving and thriving with Bikram for 30 days straight?)

I have heard it been said that a goal should be so big that it scares you….. and if your WHY doesn’t make you CRY then it’s not BIG ENOUGH!

OK, so here is my goal and it won’t make much sense to anyone unless they are also with TAVALA, the network marketing company Dave and I work with.

My goal is to reach 14 Karat Gold by the beginning of November, 2017, and be the first in the company to reach that level – by or before the leadership Paradise Cruise. Not only does that double our income we are currently earning (6-figures +) but we would then also receive a $10,000 bonus. For this to happen we need to bring others on the TEAM up with us and that is the exciting part. TEAM= Together Everyone Achieves More!

So – how does all of this relate to Bikram Yoga?

 

When you are disciplined in one area of your life, it passes over to others. Discipline with Bikram Yoga includes the Body, Mind and the Spirit. When I am strong in ALL of those areas, I am unstoppable!

Incidentally, the Quantum Relief Strips help with that balance of energy & focus!

Have you ever done 30 days of Bikram Straight? I’d love to know! Also What is your GOAL and your WHY?

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

Joy’s Journey Day 6 & 7: BIKRAM YOGA and more….

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Today is Day 6 today…. Is it true what they say that the more you do something each and every day, the easier it is to become a habit? I am pleasantly surprising myself with my new habit of 90 minutes of Bikram Yoga daily- but that is the kind of person I am once I make a decision.

Whoever said it was going to get easier as time goes on was inaccurate with my 6th day of Bikram. I am not sure but I felt more exhausted than days 1 and 2. I think my body needed a break…. my muscles and tendons, etc. had been taxed thoroughly the 5 days prior and I simply had not recovered enough. BUT YOGA is your ‘own practice’ so you DO what you can and do it right and you STILL receive the benefits.

BE-DO-HAVE… BE in harmony with yourself and intentions, DO-whatever it takes…HAVE the results you are looking to attain. In my case, it is a healthy, limber, strong and lean body! I want to age gracefully!

True, day 6 was very physically (not so much mentally) tough, even keeping my arms straight and to the front or to the sides took a lot of effort.

When I left the yoga studio my husband looked at me and thought he’d literally have to carry me to the car. I was POOPED beyond pooped. I had NO EXTRA energy to draw from. My body was depleted….

That is OK. I did it, felt like my own HERO or should I say “Shero“.SHE/HERO….

I hydrated myself after I got home and ate a huge bown of chilled watermelon. Watermelon never tasted so good in my life!

I promised myself to take it easy for the rest of the day to rejuvenate my muscles and be strong for Sunday, my 7th day in a row. As it turns out, Dave and I played a little tennis later in the afternoon- which was good for two reasons. 1) cardio 2) to confirm that Bikram Yoga is what I am supposed to be doing. Tennis HURT MY ELBOW, which was beginning to heal with yoga. hmmmm.

DAY 7-
I was excited for the day and for Bikram Yoga. I KNEW from when I woke up that my experience would be different and more energized than yesterday. Heck, when I lift weights at the gym, some days I am far stronger than others. Same here with Bikram Yoga.

By the way I highly recommend trying this form of yoga – it is not only a physical but it is a spiritual experience.

One week ago today I went into the studio after the morning class to see if I wanted to begin Bikram on Monday. Both Jess and Alex were there and welcomed me. I then emailed the owner Marla to introduce myself. By having a positive experience with staff from ‘before day 1’ made a difference for me as I was more than nervous to take up Bikram. I was downright petrified! I highly recommend Queen City Bikram Yoga. Thus far, I have experienced 4 different instructors in the 7 classes and they are all wonderful!

Today was a wonderful class. Was it challenging? Heck yeah, but I love a challenge!

Was it therapeutic? You bet. My tennis elbow has improved considerably since working with these stretches and poses.

I put on a new Quantum Relief Strip again today and I really do believe it helps with balance and bringing energy to the parts of my body needed most. For me, it is the right forearm, right elbow and the dan tien area below the belly button.

Am I going to continue? You bet. Next Saturday, due to a previous schedule, I won’t be able to do class so I may double up on Friday….we’ll see.

My goal, is day to day, I’ll decide- but ideally 30 classes in 30 days. As long as I don’t let myself down I am happy.

If you take Bikram Yoga I’d love to hear from you. Does it continue to challenge you but also give you rewards that you couldn’t see on days 1-7?

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com

I am blessed that I work for myself (Thank you TAVALA) and can take Bikram yoga whenever I wish. Luckily at Queen City Bikram Yoga there are many options with times. This past week I did all the classes at 9 am but may change it up this week.

Feeling blessed!

Joy’s Journey -Which Includes Bikram Yoga: Days 4 & 5

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I wrote a blog yesterday explaining how I LISTENED to my intuitive ‘inner self’ and as a result am now fully engaged in a commitment to do Bikram Yoga- for at least 30 days.

Day 4

I’m not going to lie…. I am exhausted today. It’s interesting how I can go to the gym, lift weights, play tennis etc. and not have the kind of fatigue I am feeling at this moment….but I am not complaining, it is a ‘good feeling of fatigue’, not a bad one.

When I woke up today I thought if I were still body building like when I was a competitive body builder at age 30, (incidentally- that was 30 years ago) I would definitely have taken the day off.

You need a day to rest, yes? Upper body one day, lower the next or back and biceps, chest and triceps, etc. This way you have a day for recovery.

I have not found what to do to fully recover from 90 minutes of Bikram yoga, other than to take it easy, stay hydrated and eat healthy foods before repeating it all over again the following day. Heck maybe what I am experiencing- besides the dumping of and elimination of toxins is that I have not stretched my muscles, my ligaments, my arteries or my body like this in a very LONG time!!!!

Approximately 6 years ago my husband and I did P90X….. which incidentally in many ways is easier than what I am currently experiencing. Every Thursday during that 90-Day program we did 90 minutes of “Tony Horton’s yoga”. Dave called it “Yoga from HELL” as it was tough….but I have to say the benefits outweighed our dislike of that yoga routine. Bikram is far better!!!!

Having been a personal trainer I remember how much I enjoyed doing the Beach Body P90X program because all you had to do was show up and push play. I was not training anyone, I was BEING trained. If you followed the instruction with good effort and form, you get results. It was nice being trained rather than being the ‘trainer’.

The instruction is one of the best things I like about Bikram Yoga. If I can just GET THERE and follow instructions and give it my best, I will receive the benefits.

In all honesty there is no room to have a big belly or muffin top when doing any kind of exercise, but especially with yoga. The belly simply gets in the way!!!! I feel like my waist is already a little smaller in just 4 days. Could that be possible?

Day 4 ‘down’…another fantastic instructor at Queen City Bikram Yoga today! Alex was great! I am impressed.

To bed early tonight, 8 pm. I’ll apply new Quantum Strips on my arm and on my dan tien area tomorrow. I know it helps. Also I’ll add some of the TAVALA TRIM (drink that is a metabolism booster, gives you energy and focus, suppresses the appetite and helps you lose body fat!

Day 5

I actually thought of getting up and doing the 6:30 am class today but I just couldn’t get myself going. I am listening to my body. GREAT class at 9:00 am. Another great instructor, Stacie….I continue to be impressed with Queen City Bikram Yoga.

Bikram yoga is therapeutic~ there were a couple of gals there today who chose Bikram over traditional physical therapy post-injuries or accidents. Their doctors are impressed with their recovery and things that they are now capable of doing that they were told they would not be able to do again. That keeps me going. Yes, therapy…. exactly what I want. Something more than just the physical.

Sweating toxins from the body has made my mind and body clear and cleaner in thought. I am more deliberate in my thoughts and actions. I like the new shift occurring.

Five Days Straight doing Bikram Yoga. I am proud of myself! But I am most proud of myself for both ASKING and then LISTENING to what my body, mind and spirit needed!

Yes I show up each day and honestly do my best, but if I didn’t know WHY I was doing it I doubt I’d have the inner motivation or drive. In some ways it is like business….once you find your WHY or reason you want to accomplish something and connect it with your ‘sweet spot – it comes to fruition.

In the past month Dave and I have accomplished what few have accomplished with Tavala, the company that has the Quantum Relief Strips I talk about wearing on my body.

We’ve accomplished a whole new level of success and several things have opened up… and I believe there are many reasons. One reason I believe is that we now are looking outside OUR own personal success, /and what we can gain from more abundance which creates room for others growth and success.

Another thing we have begun to do is to donate a portion of all our customer sales to WEA, an organization “Women’s Earth Alliance”. I am so moved with what this organization is doing to help women (children and families as a results) all around the globe. http://womensearthalliance.org/

I’d love to hear from you if you have ASKED your own body what it needs and actually LISTENED to what you heard.

Did you like the answer or fight it like I did? We are wise and yet the wisdom of our bodies is far wiser than our minds.

Joy Edgerton

802-846-7530

joyedgerton@gmail.com

www.DaveandJoy.com