Bikram Challenge: 30 Days of Self Loving

It was over a month ago that I received a wonderful Valentine’s Day e-mail from my Bikram Studio. Instead of advertising relationships, chocolate, gifts and all that commercialized holiday gush, they were promoting self love and their famous 30 day challenge. I had already been keeping a regular bikram yoga practice by going 3-4 times a week so I thought, “Why not really challenge myself?”  In case you are wondering what a 30 day bikram challenge is; it is practicing yoga every day for 30 days straight in a 110 degree room. Sounds crazy right!? Yes, I did complete this and it is possible! 

The first full 7 days of my challenge went great! I was getting through each class without taking breaks. It was only until the second week that I really started to see drastic changes in my practice and my body. I began perfecting my form, by making sure I had the proper hip placement and making sure my knees and elbows were locked. One of the reasons why I love this type of yoga is that your body is doing resistance training against itself. How amazing is that?  I made sure to give each class 110%. Though each class was becoming more difficult than the previous I was starting to see so much more depth and flexibility in my postures. I couldn’t believe the depth in my back bends! It was unreal!  

My Personal Advice

What I learned from this experience is that bikram yoga is a constant struggle of MIND OVER MATTER. One thing I advise is that you go in to it with positive thinking with thoughts like “Yes I can” and avoiding thoughts like “I can’t do this” or “I’m not flexible enough!” Negative thoughts will only hold you back from reaching your full potential!

They don’t call it a challenge for no reason. Yes, it is completely exhausting! Be prepared to sweat and  experience all kinds of emotions. Make sure you are hydrated for each class.

If there was ever a day that I felt stressed out from the office or my personal life, I felt that bikram provided me with a 90 minute relief and utter mental clarity. When you’re in the hot room keep the stresses of your everyday life out. Remember, your practicing self-love! Focus on you for the entire 90 minutes.

Final Thoughts

I am completely proud of myself that I completed such a challenge unlike no other. I feel so much more in tune with my body and am focused in almost all aspects of my life. I am ready for the next step, which is a personal challenge of 60 days. I leave you with a wonderful quote that inspired me to practice 30 days of self loving.

“May your life be bathed in Love, Inside and out, bones to skin, finger tips to toes.”