Bad Ass Work-out, Bikram Yoga

By Lu

I have to thank my friend, Sandrine, for introducing me to Bikram Yoga. That's her on the picture with Bikram himself. The first time I went, I was in such distraught condition, but for some reason I pushed myself to go. When I was in there, I thought I was going to die. My heart raced.. I felt so dizzy and not long after the dizziness went away, I started to feel like I was going to throw up. Then, I laid down there trying to just hold myself together. I survived the standing series, and then it hit the floor series, and I was like Thank God. When it finally was over an hour and a half later, I felt like a champion.

Bikram Yoga is a sequence of 26 postures developed by a dude named Bikram Choudhury (the Guru) and it was derived from Hatha Yoga. Sandrine is a long time practioner and she even went to seminar and got her pose perfected by Bikram. This yoga is practiced in a room that is heated to 105 degree to promote health. At times it is called simply as "hot yoga." You can stretch so much more when your muscles are warm. Also, you sweat all your toxin out. I am literally soaked in sweat each time like I just jumped in to a pool..except I wouldn't smell like chlorine.

http://www.bikramyoga.com/

When I first tried this, I've been crying so much from losing someone I loved. It was such a shock because I thought we would have been together forever. He promised me the world and knowing him, there was no way I could have ever thought he didn't mean it. The first couple of weeks were so hard. Sandrine was there for me, and she was a truly great friend.

Our friendship also revolves around food, for having to meet her at our Food Club, "Six Degree of Dipak." Dipak, the ringmaster of our Food Club is friend with Scott, who is Sandrine's husband. I was in the Club being Tina's friend, who is Dipak's friend. This is how my circle of friends extended. Sandrine always packs me something to bring home every time we see each other It could be something small, but it is always delicious.She's one of the most thoughtful persons I know. She reminds me of myself at times in being kind to others. I told her once that I wish I could change and not be so nice. I just do not have it in me to be a bitch to others. She told me to never change. She said she understood what I said, but that is our core as asian women, and that is who we are. Don't change it for anyone - it is not something bad. She told me that anyone I encounter who doesn't appreciate or take advantage, they're the toxin. Purge them out because the right type of people accept kindness graciously and return it. She's right. She also said being a person with gentle and kind heart is really the reason why people are friends with me to begin with, or fall in love with me. So never ever change. She's glad she's never changed and I agree with her because she sure is blessed with a great family, friends, luck, success, and a baby to come. Good things always come to those who are good themselves.

We always talk about food, and we sometime go out eating food that no one else would eat. Coming from Indonesia and she's from Malaysia, our palettes are pretty evenly matched. She said I am her buddy to eat coagulated pigs blood sauteed in chives.

She made me porridge, served with chicken in black bean sauce the sunday after my break up. I couldn't swallow any food for days. I ate that night and it reminded me of my childhood - at times when I was sick, I would get comforted when my mom made porridge. It was like the equivalent of meatloaf or mac and cheese over here. I continued to lose about 8 pounds in the next several weeks. I tend to eat when I am stressed or depressed. This time, I can't even eat.

But I don't think I would ever forget that meal she made me. Though I only ate several spoonfuls, it filled me so much more in my heart.

Anyway, she told me about Bikram Yoga. She said I should give it a try. Let me tell ya, I am hooked now. I can't go every day like some people, as literally I feel like I am going to die every time I am in there. But I also was able to let go each time. Between gagging or can't breathe in between the pose, I laid down in the dead body pose or Savasana...I looked up to the ceiling and I let go. I let go all my troubles. I let go all my memories of him. I let him so he could literally fly. I let go so I could move on too. And each time I left that torture chamber, I felt a little peace.

I truly believe that heat does wonder to anything. Sunshine gives such joy. Dough needs heat to rise. Engine in cars needs combustion to ignite and motor. Life.. life needs heat to blossom. I get it, I hate it when things are bad. I hate it when things don't go my way. But, at least I could tell myself, I am still here, and I am strong. At least I could get up tomorrow and subject myself to torture in Bikram Yoga, and feel like..wow...I can do anything.I also discover a new love - coconut water. They sell pure coconut water in little sippy boxes and they're $3 but seriously it is the best thing you ever drink coming out from hell for an hour and a half. I now go to yoga so I could drink coconut water afterwards. It is available at Whole Foods for 40 cent cheaper.

If you're into extreme sport, or a true yogi, or even just want to test your conditioning, definitely try Bikram Yoga. There's nothing sissy about this yoga and if you're a man, you're a real man if you can survive hell with me. Just look it up online for a studio near you. They are every where!

You guys of course heard of Glen Danzig, right.. singing "Mother.." He's talking about a date to Bikram Yoga, if you wanna come find hell with me, I can show you what it's likeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!

However, when you feel like a million dollar afterwards, sleep like a newborn, have more energy to run the marathon...then you know how wonderful this practice is. Find out for yourself! I did.