Although I knew Tristan Choa (who founded the first Bikram yoga center in Manila) from when we were students at the Ateneo, and even went on a dive trip with him in Sipadan right before he and Pye Trinidad left for Canada where they did their Bikram teacher training, I have never gone to any of his Bikram centers in Manila.
Since Pye Trinidad is one of my best friends' sister, I had my first two Bikram sessions with her back in 2008. I liked Pye's Bikram because her set-up was similar to Bela's, which was at home so it was cozy (well, as cozy as a 40-degree room can be) and intimate. And because the classes were small, she could keep an eye on everyone, and she was firm but not intimidating.
I wanted to continue but both Tristan and Pye's locations weren't convenient for me. (Note: Pye has since moved to Shanghai.) So I ended up at the studio in Greenhills, which was a bit of a culture shock for me. Having had practiced mostly in people's homes, being in a full-on yoga gym with fluorescent lights, mirrored walls, and slick bathrooms, stripped Bikram down to what it was, a fully commercial enterprise offering a mainly physical exercise.
One of the best instructors was the gorgeous and multi-tattooed, Sherri Dyer. She was a bit of a yoga nazi, in terms of correcting postures, but, in between poses, she'd chat with some of the other instructors in her class and talk about their weekend or gossip a bit, something that never would have happened in Bela's class. I enjoyed the informality, although it was distracting - which isn't always a bad thing when you think you are dying in a sweltering room.
When I had to take up Bikram again last May, in preparation for the Clayton Horton yoga retreat, much as I really liked the instructors in Greenhills (Sherri, I heard, had gone back to the States), I decided to give the one in Eastwood a try, since it's the closest studio to where I stay when I am in Manila.
First thing I noticed was that the studio needs a bit of a face-lift. It's dark and a bit sinister. Plus beware of the toilets! (Make sure the lid is down before you flush unless you don't mind your legs being sprayed with toilet water.) There are definitely plumbing issues, which I hear is common in Eastwood. And while the instructors are okay in addressing the physical aspect of Bikram, they don't seem to care too much about addressing the mental aspect of dealing with the heat.
Because, while Bikram is most definitely a physical challenge, it is also a mental one. One that the student has to constantly work on. Which brings us to what I think is the cardinal rule of Bikram: Make peace with the heat.
Everyone who goes into a Bikram class knows what they are in for. It's going to be HOT. Rooms are, normally, heated to 40-degrees but most studios in Manila will only have the temperature at 37 or 38 degrees, given the heat we already have outside. Many instructors will also, occasionally, open a door, to let some fresh air in, or turn on a blast of cool air. But you shouldn't really be counting on that. It is going to be hot. And you are going to sweat.
So knowing this:
1. Hydrate as much as possible BEFORE the class. Enough to keep you hydrated DURING class. There are only two "officially sanctioned water breaks" in Bikram but I think they're there just to relieve the mental stress on students but, otherwise, you should have hydrated before the class and not during. Make sure to empty your bladder before class though.
2. Knowing that you are going to be sweaty, make sure you aren't smelly. Use an anti-perspirant or deodorant but nothing stronger as other students might be sensitive to strong scents. Make sure you apply the anti-perspirant/deodorant IMMEDIATELY AFTER you bathe. I've seen people put a deodorant to their armpits after they've been sweating. That is just gross. And a bit too late.
3. Come in as less clothes as possible. Keep them light, cool and comfortable. Shorts (not too loose that others can see through when you raise your legs) and a tank top are fine. The last thing you want is to be completely covered up. Then again, you don't want to be in clothes that are too loose and shift constantly either, as you will be wasting precious energy worrying about it and adjusting your clothes.
If you have long hair, make sure it is tied back SECURELY. This girl once came into class with her long hair undone. She claimed that she had done Bikram before. (Why then didn't she have a hair tie, is what I wanted to know.) During the entire class, all she did was try to tie her hair back in a knot. Of course, it always came loose, then she'd be at it again. If I were the teacher, I would have asked her to leave. Or cut off her hair. This is one of the many reasons why I am not a yoga instructor.
4. Arrive at least 15 minutes early so that you can find a spot and set up your mat. Bring a large towel (preferably those non-slip towels that cover the mat completely) and arrange it on top of your mat before class starts. Arriving late can cause unnecessary stress for you and distract others.
5. Choose a different spot every time you come to class. Most students will come in early so that they can save the spot by the door or under an air vent or away from the heaters. While that is fine once in a while, especially on days when you're feeling off, you don't want to be "attached" to a spot as you will probably stress out if, one day, you don't get it or are asked to move.
6. Once the class has begun, accept it that you are going to sweat. In buckets. As soon as the breathing exercises begin. Even worse, it is going to roll into your eyes and into your nostrils when you're head is bent down against your knees. ACCEPT THIS. Stop wiping off the sweat. It's only going to come back. And for god's sake, stop fidgeting! With your hair, your clothes, your mat or your towel. Still your mind. And, in between poses, still your body.
Remember that everyone in the class is facing the mirror. When you fidget, everyone else can see it and it can be distracting. It can also distract YOU from your own practice and is a waste of energy so concentrate on your breathing and calm your mind and your body.
I like what one of the teachers at Eastwood says: "My mind, your body." Empty your mind so that all you hear are the instructor's words. Concentrate on them and do as you are told, striving harder and harder everyday to go deeper into the poses.
Other things to remember:
- When I do Bikram, I try to go first thing in the morning so that my stomach is empty. If a morning class is not an option, choose one that is scheduled at least three hours after your last meal. You don't want to be upchucking all over yourself when you do any of the bends.
- Most studios will not allow bags in the yoga room but, if they do, make sure your mobile phone is set to silent and doesn't vibrate either.
- Observe stillness. Resist the urge to talk in class and to move unnecessarily. All forms of hatha yoga, including Bikram, are supposed to be moving meditations. Honor the practice, yourself and others by observing silence and stillness. Even when a teacher is demonstrating a pose, do not use this as an excuse to change your posture. Stand straight, at attention, and watch. If you become dizzy and need a break, sit Japanese-style on your mat, hands on your knees, and concentrate on your breathing.
- Don't give up. Of course it's difficult. But keep trying. When you fall out of a posture, get right back into it. Your only competition is with yourself so keep trying.
If you are serious about getting into Bikram, go back to class the very next day. Don't give yourself a day to recover. Because then you'll give yourself two. Then you'll keep finding reasons not to go. Go everyday, if you can. First thing in the morning, if you can. As I said in a previous entry, sometimes you just have to put one foot in front of the other to get through it. Then you'll be surprised that you did it.
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Bikram Checklist
- Yoga outfit - Bikini top, sports bra, or tank top and shorts for ladies. Shorts for men, T-shirt not necessary.
- Thick hair band and hair tie - For those with long hair.
- Yoga mat
- Yoga mat towel - An inexpensive option is AquaZorb's yoga towel, the one with sticky things on the reverse side that will adhere to your mat (P1000). The ones without the sticky things (P500) will only stick to YOU.
- Filled-up water bottle
- Small towel, optional - To wipe yourself off AFTER class.
- Change of clothes, bath towel, bathroom slippers, toiletries, optional - If showering after class.
- Jacket, optional - If you are leaving without showering.
Hi Gai, lets do yoga when im back! :-)
Posted by: Mia | 25 October 2012 at 11:05 AM
When are you coming back??? Will you be here for Christmas?
Posted by: Gai | 25 October 2012 at 11:25 AM