It's Sunday morning and there's a Bikram class at 10 AM. I can think of ten billion reasons not to go. I haven't quite recovered from Friday night, and am in a foggy haze from two sleeping pills that I had to take to finally get some sleep. I also have a headache but I don't know if that is from the pills or from the nasty, nasty pain in my teeth. Ugh.
Oh, I forgot to mention that I have braces. I got them last March 17. I always thought my teeth looked horrible and have always wanted to get them fixed. Now that I have braces, I find it odd that most of my friends are puzzled as to why I got them. (Do they not see me???) Anyway, I had them adjusted yesterday and my mouth is now Pain Central.
I think all those reasons should put anyone off doing yoga in a 40-degree room. But I know that if I don't go to this class, then I'll come up with reasons not to go to tomorrow's class and then the class after that and the next... And I find that, to get through Bikram - even on an ordinary, reason-free day - you can't put too much thought into it. You just put one foot in front of the other, get to class, and, even when you're there, go through the motions as instructed. If you think, "Shit, I still have an hour-and-a-half of this to go", you'll never make it.
So far, I still have an hour and a half to put one foot in front of the other and get to class. <groan> Okay. Shower, change, find mat, find towel, fill up water bottle, get taxi. Simple enough. I think I'll lie down first...
Hi! Could you share a little advice on having braces and doing Bikram? I've been practicing for almost a year. I'm getting my braces done in two months, and I was wondering if there are things I should watch for. Should I stop Bikram for the initial period after the braces are in etc? What about for poses like locust pose? I've read that the teeth would feel loose for a while so i'm kind of nervous about it. Would appreciate your advice or tips. thanks!
Posted by: Sara | 18 October 2012 at 03:50 AM
Hi Sara! I don't recall the braces affecting my practice. I think there is some concern about bleeding after they pull out the teeth they have to pull out, but that's only for a day or so. Best to ask your orthodontist. Good luck with it! I wish I could say "Grin and bear it" but I didn't smile in all my pictures for more than a year! I'm so glad they're off now...
Posted by: Gai | 20 October 2012 at 05:28 PM
Btw, I totally recommend the Damon system. It took only 1.5 years. My teeth still aren't perfect but I couldn't bear to have them on any longer. I like them imperfect though. At least they still look real. :-)
Posted by: Gai | 23 October 2012 at 06:48 PM