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Bikram
Chowdhury wisely said
“Yoga is for everybody. Yoga is
not about how flexible you are. It is about stretching
your body and spine in all directions. All that matters
is that you try the right way, go to your personal 'edge'
and you will get 100% of the benefit. What you get from
a yoga class is what you put into it. No matter how old
or sick or out of shape, you can still stretch and have
a new beginning with yoga.
It's never too late.”
Personal Progress
How
quickly you progress will depend entirely on you -- upon
your natural ability to a small extent, but mostly upon
the time and effort you give to yoga. It will have
little to do with how "perfectly" you can do the poses.
(Few of us ever do the poses "perfectly"). Instead, it
will have to do with how well you understand what you
are trying to accomplish in each pose, how honestly you
try to accomplish your goal, and how supple your muscles
and joints have become in comparison to the point at
which you began.
Ours bodies become stronger and extra supple the more we
work on them – like a piece of wire, it can bend and
change shape with heat and flexibility. In yoga, there
is no standard of comparison except yourself. Perfection
is the best you can do that day.
During the 90 minute class, you will be guided through
the postures by a certified teacher who has over 500
hours of training at the Yoga Collage of India in Los
Angeles. This series has been approved by the American
Medical Association. Bikram yoga is a scientific formula,
a process that can reduce and eliminate the symptoms of
chronic disease, injuries and stress and serve as
preventative health care for a long and happy life.
Some
Helpful Tips
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Remember to breathe!
Yes, it's true: Many of us will hold our breath
during physical exertion, keep breathing even if you
are taking in small sips of air. Never underestimate
the importance of breathing.
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When in doubt go
easy. Asana means with ease. Push yourself as hard
as you can, but at the same time respect your body
and your abilities. Patience is one of the most
challenging aspects of Bikram Yoga.
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Willingness is the
key. The hardest thing to do is to get to the
studio, once you are here you will thank your
disciplinary self afterwards!
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Discover your body,
your mind and your limits! It is your instructor's
job to push you to your limit. But only you know
what you feel on any given day. Listen to your body.
This is your opportunity to learn about your
mind-body connection and balance.
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And remember, it is
the intention that counts.
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