I went to the last class of the day, and even as I walked in to lay down my mat and towel, I could tell it would be a difficult class. It was very humid again, and pretty darn hot!
There were 2 newcomers right behind me today. A young woman who'd been to our last community class brought in 2 friends. They were both hiding under giant T-shirts and long pants. As class progressed, they rolled up the pant-legs. One of them shed her T-shirt, as she had a sport/bra top on under it. They both struggled mightily with class, but they signed up for 1 month intro packages, so I am hoping to see them again.
So, class was very humid and hot, and I was drenched, soaked through, sweating gallons and gallons. I was a little dizzy, but I powered on through. Teacher suggested sips of water for the weak ones among us, just before triangle, and I sat down to take a drink. I was feeling wiped out, and my inner monologue was something like this:
I'm so tired. I could just sit out the first set of triangle. Then I'll feel better for the rest of class.
Wait. What about trying to bring some determination and focus to class? What about all that crap I just blogged about wanting to do?
Oh, no one here reads that.
How do you ever freaking expect to get through teacher training if you can't handle one hot humid class? What if Bikram was here? Would you still just want to rest instead of using/developing focus and determination if Bikram were here?
And then I stood up, started triangle, and thought, "Wait a minute...Bikram is here! Every day!" That made me smile, and I finished up the class without sitting any postures out.
Pardon me if I sound like a cult member. Maybe it's what happens during a challenge. But honestly, Bikram's words, his instruction, his inspiration, and his constant needling and pushing and insisting that we do better--they are all with us every day at Bikram yoga class. He's not a god ( I think, but you never know...), yet his presence extends far beyond his own body. And Boss definitely has my respect and gratitude. And it makes me want to do better!
I'm thinking of Johan and Happy Yogi, who got to take classes from the Boss for real this week. More inspiration.
Go Back and Look Again
9 years ago
"What if Bikram were here"--that's perfect! (So's the self-negotiating/internal monologue) Not cult-like at all. I love the idea of drawing on inspiration from people outside ourselves in the yoga room. Anything to get you into the postures and through the class.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes Bikram is in the room everyday! What an awesome way to look at it when you are struggling. I cannot wait to take an actual class from him! This spring...I'll take one down at TT since I am lucky enough to live in the city where it's being held right now....
ReplyDeleteInner monologues always crack me up, because they sometimes sound so familiar... :) Way to turn it around!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Yeah, this does all sound... familiar. ;)
ReplyDeleteI like to practice in front of the picture of Bikram (we have a couple in the yoga room here) because it reminds me that he is there, sort of.
I was talking to a friend last night about how it's actually really EASY to be focused and determined when Bikram is teaching, because you don't have a choice. Literally. He's so compelling when he teaches that your brain just shuts down completely, and you follow his instructions without questioning whether you can do it. You just do it. It's great! I hope you get to go to training... :)
J, I couldn't agree more. It was harder to bring the determinaion today with Emmy. But she's got so many great corrections that I didn't want to miss. That saw me through.
ReplyDeleteSisya, great way to look at it. And don't worry we are all to aware you are all out there wishing you could be here as well. I'd say of you can go down to Vegas for a couple of days during TT and see what it's like.