General – Page 2

How Bikram Yoga was introduced to the West

May 13, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

I love the fact that yoga has been around for thousands of years – in India at least. Then you can trust that it is not just a fad – it has a solid foundation that has been proved to assist the body, mind and soul for millennia. It is only relatively recently that people in the West have been introduced to the practice.

By the way, Hatha Yoga is the name given to the physical type of yoga (there are many types) and the Bikram Method is just one type of Hatha Yoga. Bikram’s is reputed to be the most hard working, dynamic, challenging and effective series of postures as it works every muscle, tendon, ligament, internal organ, every inch of the spine – you name it – it gets worked – right down to the cellular level.

What you may not know is that it was the Hollywood actress Shirley Maclaine who originally “found” Bikram on one of her spiritual journeys through India and it was her who persuaded him to come to the United States to establish his type of yoga there as she felt it could help people from all walks of life.

It caused quite a stir especially in Hollywood where many stars, celebrities, and professional sports people sweated their butts off in classes taught specifically by Bikram Choudhury himself – the founder of this ground breaking yoga system.

The first Bikram book was published in the Seventies and it was this book that I studied and practiced from every day for 12 years in my bedroom before waking up suddenly one morning with an absolute knowing that I had to teach it! Over the decades it has spread dynamically around the world, myself being the second person in Europe to have been trained in this system. I originally brought it to Jersey in April 1997 and it took the island by storm!

It is definitely a challenging workout but my aim in teaching is to impart the importance of what I believe it is really about and that is a “body mind connection” experience. The more harmony you can create between your body and mind the better your body will be. Once you can establish that it is amazing what your body will do!

Bevx

Why are my best Bikram Yoga classes when I’m tired?

May 7, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

I have noticed something time and time again. Sometimes when so tired from being in an office all day and almost talking myself out of going to class I actually have the most amazing class and to top it all I am no longer tired afterwards! Why is that?

Well yoga actually gives you energy instead of depleting you of it as it works from the inside out not the outside in. The body actually has so much energy available that we are not even aware of and it is just waiting to be released. You could look at the postures as a way to free up that energy. As you allow the body to move and be held in certain positions “trapped energy” will be released and start to flow more. After regular practice you may notice how life “flows” more when practicing yoga than when you don’t as the body is intrinsicly linked to all areas of your life.

By the way, you may wish to look at inflexibility as energy that has got stuck – once you move that body part a few times, blocked energy frees up and the body “becomes more flexible”.

When you’re tired you may just not “try so hard” but instead let go and allow the body to open up, allow energy to flow which will automatically bring more ease to the body. For a long time I used to “fear” some postures as I found they hurt but after studying energy and many other modalities over the years I realise now that I was not willing to just let go – I was trying to control it so I would “get it right”. So for me when I am tired I let go so much easier, I stop trying so hard and hey presto I have a great class and uncannily feel much stronger and have oodles of energy after class as an added bonus!

You may like to give it a go when you find yourself battling the excuse of being too tired to go to class. You could be pleasantly surprised at the result!

Bevx

Bikram Yoga Postures – Friend or Foe?

April 25, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

When practicing Bikram Yoga you will inevitably find some postures easy but there may be a few that seem incredibly hard! Perhaps it’s the balancing on one leg bit that challenges you the most or maybe trying to place the head on the knee and not below the knee in the many compression postures. Often, for someone who has a busy and hectic life or is an ideas type person, the Savasana (the lying down between the floor postures) maybe the biggest hurdle of all! Everyone is different and can be challenged in different ways. The person on the left of you may do a near perfect Standing Bow Pulling Pose but find the Triangle somewhat difficult! So what causes this?

A strange phemonena!

Well one “phenomena” I have noticed happen many, many times over that when something is going to do us “good” or provide some type of freedom for example, there is a part of us that fights that or tries to push it away! You may have experienced that yourself in other parts of life too. Sometimes we hold back on allowing ourselves to experience the good stuff and will find a way to “block” it. I can categorically say from my own experience and from talking to friends, it is quite common.

So what is the posture actually doing?

So what does that have to do with the postures? Well each posture is placing the body in a certain position to allow it to experience certain things. Some postures for example, will stimulate organs whilst in the position, bringing the body back into balance when lying in Savasana. Other postures will stretch the spine out as much as possible and compress the internal organs, others will do the opposite by compressing the spine and stretching out the internals. Standing Bow Pulling Pose for example will shunt blood from one side of the body to the other and then stimulate a balance of the two sides of the body when you stand still after the posture. Others assist greatly in the training of the mind and focus. And so it goes on. There is a reason (or rather many) for every posture. Yoga is holistic, the postures work on other levels too, not only on the physical but also on the mental, emotional and if you are open enough, even the spiritual too.

Don’t fight or resist the posture!

The reason why I have explained the above is that very often the posture that you or your body needs the most will be the one you dislike, or even “dread” the most or find the most challenging! It is almost like there is an internal (subconscious) fight going on. I have taught several types of energy work for many years and this is the thing that has fascinated me the most. We can often put up amazing resistance to the things that will allow us to change something for the better. It feels easier to stay in the comfort zone instead of challenging yourself to go outside of it! This is actually a very large subject and I am finding it hard to put into words but I hope you get the gist by the end of this post!

See the posture as the gift it really is!

So what to do about it? Change your feeling and focus about the posture. That actually is very easy to do as it is just a thought and feeling. It may take longer for the body to enjoy the posture but you can change what you think about it in a nano-second! So instead of seeing it as the posture to dread, or the “punishment” it may feel like at the moment, see it is the “gift” it really is for you. Have gratitude for what it is doing, even for how it is teaching you something about yourself for example.

Be aware that on some level this posture could give you a freedom that you may never have experienced before. It could give you incredible focussing ability to improve your sport for example. It could just open you up to many opportunities.

Funnily enough, once you’ve cracked this, more often than not it will then become your favourite posture and the easiest to do!

So is that Bikram Yoga posture your friend or foe?

It is whatever you choose it to be in that moment!

Bevx

How to stay strong and calm in a Bikram Yoga class

April 11, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever done a Bikram class you should have experienced the incredible peace you get after the class that usually lasts quite a while. The body can even tingle all over for hours and you can sleep like a log! However what about when you are in the class itself? Is it possible to feel that peace when you are challenging yourself in so many ways? When you first start it may not feel like it as the mind often wanders, you’re busy checking out the other students’ postures, often comparing yourself and all sorts of other distractions (such as the heat) can manage to get your attention.

However there are a couple of simple pointers that can be put into action straight away that I personally have found to really have a beneficial effect not only on my postures but also my whole class experience.

Drink lots of water before you come to class

Now I know this one is obvious and you should have heard it many times but make sure you drink lots of water before you come to class. You do sweat a lot in a Bikram class so obviously you need to be hydrated before class and also after class to replenish what you have lost.

However, I was always a bit concerned that if I drank too much water I would need to go to the loo mid-class so I would not drink as much as I should! It was a belief that I used to limit myself with and I can so see that now. I finally got over myself and started to drink a lot more than I used to and that addition alone made such a difference to my strength. The difference in how I felt, how much stronger and calm I was in the postures, was like night and day. I know it is such a simple thing but when you’ve been stuck with a limiting belief for many years and finally kick it – it is a great feeling.

Breathe through your nose (not your mouth)

A lot of energy can be wasted by huffing and puffing through the mouth during and in between postures. Again I was guilty of that for a long time and more recently another teacher just happened to mention to breathe through the nose instead of the mouth particularly when standing in between postures. The room I was practicing in at the time was incredibly hot and humid even for me, and it really helped me stay calm and bring back my attention and focus rather than letting the mind go all over the place and allowing the internal chatter to have a negative effect. Again it was an instant realisation that something so simple could have such a beneficial effect.

Those are the things I love – small adjustments but with big results. I hope they help!

Bevx

What’s the difference between yoga and sport / fitness?

March 25, 2015 By Beverley Brown Leave a Comment

All movement of the body is great – after all you need to move to maintain flexibility and strength in the body for starters. It also helps the mind to get clearer – one of the keys to your body feeling a lot more ease.

I’m not a runner but I know lots of runners who say that their sport allows them to go into the “zone” and when they are they in the zone they feel like they can run a lot easier and further etc etc. It is the same in yoga when you obtain that mind / body connection you can experience a lot more ability and ease in the body.

But what then is the main difference with yoga? Once again it is a massive subject but in the context of this post if you check out the page on this website (bikramyoga.je if you are on Facebook) about Bikram he boldly states:

“ Yoga is the only exercise on this planet from which you gain energy instead of burning energy. ”

He also went on to explain in class that consistent sport can wear down (or even damage) parts of the body after a long period of time or if there is a repeated action on one side of the body such as in tennis etc. Some sports can also create a lot of tightness in certain areas of the body. If you are an athlete you will probably relate to some of this!

So what does Bikram mean by that and what is the difference with yoga? It is that yoga works from the inside of the body to the outside not the other way round. Every yoga posture (in the Bikram Yoga series at least) will work the spine – the “backbone” of your body – the “backbone” of your life in fact! It has a knock on effect on your glandular system and therefore the organs and so it goes on! Without a healthy spine, many parts of the body would be compromised not only physically but internally too. Together with the brain, the spine forms the body’s nervous system which is essential for maintaining mental and emotional health which in turn is a major contributor to bodily health. Suffice to say the spine is the centre of your body and it affects every other part. With regular practice of yoga you will begin to realise that everything is linked and yoga is therefore is a “wholistic” method of exercise and also a completely natural type of “medicine” so to speak!

So what does that mean – you shouldn’t do sport? – of course not – I’m a great believer in doing what you love as that in itself is a major reason to do it! However it may be a good idea to incorporate a regular yoga practice to counteract the wearing down of tissues and the muscle damage that can occur.

Yoga is actually a “generator” of your body and does not deplete it or wear it down – it actually rejuvenates and can even reverse and at least halt the aging process. This subject is my favourite of course but it will need a few more posts to talk about that! It’s all about that “life force” (and more importantly what you do with it) that I mentioned in my earlier post.

I hope this explains at least a bit so you if you don’t like sport or normal fitness classes OR if you love it and want to stretch out and repair the body you may wish to give yoga a go!

Bev x

So what’s so different about Bikram Yoga?

March 19, 2015 By Beverley Brown

The Bikram Method of yoga is one of the most popular types of yoga out there. Wherever and whenever you go to a 90 minute Bikram class you will get the same workout. 26 postures – most of which are done twice – each one specifically designed to work the body in a certain way and in a certain order. For some people it may sound a bit boring to have the same workout each time but quite honestly it is anything but that! Having the same postures to do each time allows you to have your own “benchmark” in some ways as you will feel the difference from class to class in each posture and can measure your own progress if that interests you. By the way some days you will find the postures easier than others – it doesn’t matter – it’s all good! In another blog sometime in the future I will explain why that happens.

The instructor will give a “dialogue” for each posture and there are several reasons for it. The instruction is specifically designed to protect and assist the student in getting the most benefit from each posture. The instructions are somewhat detailed and I actually love that as it assists new students to improve quickly so that no effort is wasted.

Of course when you first start you may only hear about 10% of the dialogue – that is all very normal! There’s a lot going on! Each class after that you will pick up more each time and eventually get some “aha” moments!

I’ll write more about this soon …

Bevx

Help! It’s my first time!

March 19, 2015 By Beverley Brown

When you attend a Bikram class for the first time it can feel a bit daunting! You’ve heard through the grapevine that it is a real workout, apparently it’s hot, you worry about being the new kid on the block, what if everyone is going to look at you – OMG there are mirrors????!!!! and so it goes on….

Well let me assure you there is nothing to fear – everyone has to start somewhere and it might as well be now! This yoga class is for you – no one else matters – only you! It is a personal journey and a very rewarding one at that.

Your first class may feel a bit of a blur – there’s a lot going on – “I have to do what???, What on earth is that teacher rabitting on about? Oh at least I can drink some water now! Oh – halfway through and I get to lie down – Phew! Ooh – it’s over and I feel really relaxed and I’m sure I’ll sleep well tonight!”

Take it easy on your first class – just get used to this new environment. The dialogue from the teacher will probably sound like a load of old gobbledly gook to you (some say a rap!) – that’s VERY normal – you will hear and understand a lot more once you’ve got your first class under your belt! Don’t forget you can lie down at any time if you need to – it’s your choice!

MUST DO’S:

Arrive at least 15 mins before class to register and relax
Drink plenty of water through out the day
Don’t eat for at least 2-3 hours before
Bring a mat and a towel to put on top – and another if you wish to shower onsite
Bring water with you in a plastic container (no glass)
Wear clothes you can stretch in – you will sweat so light and fitting gear is more comfortable
Go easy on yourself and smile!

See you in class!

Bevx

Welcome to my new Bikram Yoga site!

March 18, 2015 By Beverley Brown

Hello everyone

Welcome to my new website! I have been wanting to create a new site for a long time and here is my first attempt at doing the whole thing myself. It may not be perfect and it definitely is a work in progress but I have been itching to have a blog page for some time! I hope to be able to give a bit more information about Bikram Yoga and yoga in general than I have time for in class!

I hope you will enjoy the info that I post on here and look forward to your visits in the future.

Beverley x

How Bikram Yoga was introduced to the West

Why are my best Bikram Yoga classes when I’m tired?

Bikram Yoga Postures – Friend or Foe?

A strange phemonena!

So what is the posture actually doing?

Don’t fight or resist the posture!

See the posture as the gift it really is!

So is that Bikram Yoga posture your friend or foe?

How to stay strong and calm in a Bikram Yoga class

Drink lots of water before you come to class

Breathe through your nose (not your mouth)

What’s the difference between yoga and sport / fitness?

“ Yoga is the only exercise on this planet from which you gain energy instead of burning energy. ”

So what’s so different about Bikram Yoga?

Help! It’s my first time!

Welcome to my new Bikram Yoga site!

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