Yes to Yoga!

What activity makes your heart beat like a marathon run, causes you to sweat so much, you look like you just stepped out of the shower, and relaxes you so much you could float away on a cloud? (And, no, it’s not what you’re thinking!) It’s yoga. Actually, Bikram Yoga. I’m not exaggerating when I say Bikram yoga changed my life.

Yoga, Day One
My yoga story began in May, 1998. At the time, I was an attorney at a demanding law firm, working incredibly long hours in a cold, formal environment. The only things keeping me sane were my Spinning classes (hard-core workouts on a stationary bike) and long-distance biking, which provided relief in the short term. But something was missing.

One of my Spin instructors had broken her ankle and started doing this strange kind of yoga called Bikram. She claimed it had completely healed her, and fast. She decided to get certified in Bikram and urged all her students to come to her first class.

So, on a hazy Sunday afternoon, after a wild Saturday night and on an empty stomach, I arrived at my first yoga studio. Unlike the gym, it was sparse and modest—just a room with one long mirror, a sink in the corner, and a black-and-white picture of Bikram, an intense-looking Indian guy with an amazing upper body.

Let the Torture Begin
About 35 people in various phases of undress (some in nothing more than Speedo bathing suits) stood facing the mirror, unblinking and still. The instructor began a one-and-a-half-hour litany of detailed instructions for each of the 26 poses that make up the Bikram series. We began with a strange snoring, raspy type of breathing exercise called Pranayama breathing. I felt light-headed. I thought I was going to faint. And we hadn’t even started the poses.

What kind of hell had I entered? Sweat was pouring down my face and rolling off my arms. We began the balancing series. All around me, people were floating into beautiful balancing postures. In one, dandayamana-dhanurasana (the standing bow), you stand on one leg, hold the foot of the other leg in your hand and kick it up behind you, while you tip forward leading with the other hand. I was doing great until I suddenly tipped over. I was exhausted, but I persevered. The standing poses ended with tadasana (the tree). “You are a tree,” the instructor said. “Feel your branches extend upward.” I am a tree, I affirmed, as I slowly tipped over again.

Timber!

“If It Hurts, You’re Doing It Right”
After about an hour of torture in the standing positions, we moved to the floor. Ahh, finally some rest. Not quite. There was one pose called salabhasana (the half locust) in which my arms felt like they were going to crack in half. The instructor encouraged us: “If it hurts, you’re doing it right.” Then the pose that supposedly was the climax of the class—the dreaded ustrasana (the Camel, shown on right). Apparently, people have major breakthroughs in this pose—they also get incredibly nauseous and dizzy. I felt all that plus panic, fear, and a sense of dread. This is all normal, I found out later. Your heart chakra, your most vulnerable side, is supposedly opening up—releasing years of pent-up emotion.

The last thing we did was two rounds of final breathing (Kapalbhati). Then the final Savasana (dead body pose). You just lie there like a corpse. That’s one pose I can definitely do. Ahhhh. As I lay there, I felt so relaxed. My body was melting into the floor. “Drink lots of water,” the instructor advised afterward. “You’ll either feel like hell after your first time or you’ll feel great.”

Starting Yoga The following are some tips to help you get started taking yoga. Find a studio. Yoga techniques vary. But there are benefits to be gained no matter what type you try. Research yoga studios in your area. Many now have Web sites you can check for schedules and other information. Dress appropriately. Attire will vary depending on the type of yoga. If you are practicing Bikram, dress in your coolest clothes possible. Spandex shorts and a jog bra or shorts and tank top are good. You do not need shoes for any type of yoga. Some practices permit you to wear socks. I prefer to go barefoot to get the full benefit (down to your toes!) of each pose. Minimal gear required. Most yoga requires a mat and a towel. Some studios provide these as well as blankets and blocks (used as aids in certain poses). Some studios rent these items to you. Once you decide to make the yoga commitment, you can buy your own mat (which you can tote around to look like a real yoga pro). Relax! Don’t worry about not being flexible. Remember, everyone, no matter how flexible they are now, had to start somewhere. People who have practiced for years may not be super-flexible, but they are reaping significant benefits from their regular yoga practice. One of the major aims of yoga is to relax, let go of your ego, and just surrender. I’ve found that most yoga environments are supportive places where you can let your guard down and just be. —N.Z.

Well, I experienced both. First, I felt euphoric. I called all my friends when I got home. I felt like I was on happy pills. I made plans, I danced ballet around my living, I sang. The next morning, I could not get out of bed. I had a fever of 102 degrees. Apparently, Bikram yoga can have the effect of releasing toxins—including colds and fevers—that have been hibernating in your system.

I apparently released two years’ worth of the flu.

The Long-Term Benefits
Undeterred, I kept up the yoga. In fact, I got really into it. I improved every day. The more I did it, the calmer I felt, and the more relaxed and focused I became. Answers came easily to me. Traffic became less bothersome. I began to wear less makeup. I no longer felt the need to go shopping (retail therapy) quite so often. My life began to flow. I was happier and more serene. Then I realized it was time to leave my job. I felt no fear, just a complete sense of clarity and hope. So I left. It was the best step I’ve ever taken. When I was ready, and before my money ran out, a new job presented itself.

In truth, it’s not just yoga that changed my life. But it helped me get rid of the psychic junk that was blocking me. I have cried in yoga poses (a common occurrence, I am told) as old wounds come up to be healed. As a yoga-instructor girlfriend told me, yoga can heal everything from bad relationships to bad haircuts.

What’s more, yoga has dramatically improved my athletic ability, especially my breathing technique. My anaerobic threshold has increased significantly. When I run, my body can carry itself because so many of my muscles are toned from the inside out. This means less effort for my legs. I really notice the difference when I am not practicing yoga regularly. I get winded more easily. I feel heavier and more plodding. In addition, yoga has made me much more flexible.

Whenever I hear anyone complaining about pain—physical, mental, or emotional—my prescription is always yoga and meditation.

Now that I do yoga regularly, I cannot imagine life without it. As I said, Bikram yoga changed my life.

Different Types of Yoga

There are many different types of yoga. Some of the most popular forms are: Ashtanga: A physically demanding form of yoga and a great workout. In Ashtanga, you work with your breath as you jump through a series of postures. The effect is to produce intense internal heat that causes you to sweat and detoxify muscles and organs. The benefits of Ashtanga, as with all yoga, is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. It also builds strength, stamina, and flexibility. You should already have some yoga experience or at least be somewhat athletic before attempting Ashtanga. (Power yoga derives from Ashtanga.) Ananda: This gentle and somewhat introspective type of yoga uses breathing in various poses to get in touch with the energies believed to reside in the body’s chakras, or energy centers. The goal of Ananda yoga is to harmonize body, mind, and spirit. This style uses silent affirmations. Bikram: Bikram (my personal favorite) is done in a super hot room. You move through a series of 26 postures, each held twice. The benefits: you sweat out toxins, gain flexibility, improve strength, work all your systems from cardio-pulmonary to skeletal. Integral: Integral yoga is relaxing, placing emphasis on breathing and meditation. Iyengar: Iyengar yoga pays copious attention to detail and precise alignment of the postures. Noted yoga teacher B.K.S. Iyengar created this popular yoga style.