Life // Prana

En route to Bikram Yoga class tonight, a friend of mine commented that she rarely sees me breathing in class. She asked, "Are you getting any cardio benefits from the yoga?" To which I responded, "In my humble opinion, if the postures are done correctly, you shouldn't be out of breath."

Hence, my status updates on JFM Presents Facebook and JFM Presents Twitter about the guy who was breathing like a Sleestak during class; it's totally unproductive to the practice of yoga. Don't get me wrong, of the 26 postures within 90 minutes, there are a few postures, which definitely get my heart beating. But if you find yourself breathing heavily throughout class, it is time to "slow your prana" and focus on your breathing :)

I do not profess to be an expert. This September, I celebrate the 10th year of practicing Bikram Yoga, and every day is an opportunity to manifest change. There are so many lessons to learn about the connections between mind, body and spirit. I think of prana as the Ultimate Connector.

Namaste!

Lisa Bautista
Day 15
2011 Bikram Yoga Challenge

Late-night musings

"The intellectual is constantly betrayed by his vanity. Godlike he blandly assumes that he can express everything in words; whereas the things one loves, lives, and dies for are not, in the last analysis completely expressible in words." ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Through many years of studying Buddhism, practicing Bikram Yoga and meditating, one of the most important things I learned was "resting in the space between thoughts." Some days are easier than others, especially when monkey mind is in full effect. Connections. I love it when I think of one thing, and it leads me automatically to another, as if by magic.

Thank you to yoga teacher Kendra, who shared this with me during one of my first Bikram classes in 2001:

"The tongue is the hardest sense instrument to tame. Our need to comment is obsessive and compulsive. Chasing after taste bud pleasure is slavery. Witness your inner silence and be free."