Last Monday I completed a 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge.  How and why I decided to take on this challenge is still a bit of mystery to me but somehow my name ended up on the challenge board and then I was too stubborn to quit without getting 30 stickers in a row! 

I spent 5 out of the 30 days at the Bikram yoga studio in Bangkok which was the hottest most humid yoga I have ever endured. My first class I almost had a panic attack from the oppressive heat and had to beg the teacher to bring me more water midway thorough class.  I also watched one girl throw up in class and two others just get up and walk out (a big time no no in Bikram etiquette).  It was seriously intense.  My yoga postures did not really improve during those 5 days but my stamina and heat endurance changed dramatically. Since the "Bangkok 5" I have never felt like the room was too hot and the amount of water I need each class has diminished. 

There were many many times during the challenge when I felt sore, permanently dehydrated and exhausted but in the end I have to say I am pretty happy with the changes I have seen in my flexibility and overall yoga practice. I also noticed an improvement in my cardio stamina and overall muscle tone. 

Another change was that I graduated from wearing a long yoga top to a short yoga top which in the beginning I swore I would never do.  I now understand the purpose of a short top - which is to see your stomach in the mirror to improve alignment in certain postures and overall stomach tone (ie remind yourself to suck it in!). I lost count of the number of times I was reminded by instructors "stomach, stomach, stomach, compression of the abdominal wall, contraction of the abdominal muscles".  My least favorite line in the entire Bikram dialog.  But its all for the overall good of my health and body so I am very happy and proud to have completed 30 days in a row!