Here I am, only 8 classes away from 100 classes in 100 days. I stopped blogging about my experience for such a long time because it was counterproductive to what I was trying to do in each class -- not hold on to things. When the standing series is over, let the standing series go. When the spine-strengthening series is over, let the spine-strengthening series go. And let the whole class go and truly relax in final savasana. Let everything go -- all the expectations, the judgments, the responsibilities, the insecurities ... everything. One of the teachers at my studio says, "Right to relax" when we change from a posture to savasana. I know she means "go straight to relaxation," but I like to imagine that she means we have earned the "right" to relax, as if it is a privilege we attain after giving so much effort.
If you happen upon this blog and are in the beginning, middle, or end of a challenge or if you are thinking about embarking on a yoga challenge, be careful about reflecting too much on your classes as they happen. Bikram yoga is all about the cumulative effects of the postures and of the classes. Each posture builds on the previous posture, just as each class builds on the previous class. This is true even if our bodies are different every day. The change is happening at a cellular level -- inside out, bones to skin, fingertips to toes. To dissect it too soon would be disruptive to that process. That said, I plan on posting a long reflection of this experience once my 100 days is over.
