“Don’t you get bored practicing the same 26 postures in Bikram Yoga?”
This has got to be in the top three questions asked by yogis from other faiths. In the early stages of my practice I thought it may be possible but as time went on and I became more focused on posture, breath, and little else.
Then while climbing the 2.9 km hike up the “Grouse (Mountain) Grind”, with Ryan, an Australian, sorry Tasmanian mate and his friend Chrissy, a Canadian fitness trainer and yogi, the question popped up again.
Of course I dismissed Chrissy’s question on the spot, backing up my answer with favourites like: “You can find variation in your practice… , “each class is different on many levels…” and “If you’re focussed on what you’re doing then…” blah blah
Well who could have guessed in class the very next day, I found myself.. oh no could I really be… bored?! It wasn’t the teacher, the studio or my day. I was simply, bored shitless.
As I floating in a pool of my sweaty savasana, tendrils of thought severed my mind-body connection so completely that 4 days later, I find myself still adrift. But why? Why am I bored? Is it my lacklustre practice, loss of mental commitment or just that I’ve been at it for too long?
Hmm, time to spice things up! Hopefully a 26 cent copy of “The Law of Success” by Paramahansa Yogananda, purchased earlier today from a second hand shop will do the trick. One quick paragraph before I go in to the 6pm class!
Keep it up bro! I follow your adventures every week. Nice to see you in Canada! (I’m from Toronto)
Remember, you are the Dynamo of Volition!
“Remember, you are the Dynamo of Volition!” Thanks for your comment Chris. You’re right on the money and it’s particularly appropriate for me right now.. funny how you receive the messages when you need them most. Cheers mate!
So, are you still bored? I’ve just started bikram yoga and have wondered the same thing!
Hi Jo-Anne, I am working beyond this feeling now. Doing so much yoga and not having a permanent base/always on the move can become a real challenge.
I went through physical toll on my body where I was always exhausted then it became a mental challenge because I felt my practice wasn’t going anywhere and I didn’t know how to get over this hump.
Some people have said to me that the next challenge I’ll have will be emotional.. not looking forward to that one!
Summing up though, there are so many factors involved that can change the way you feel in all these areas but it’s these challenges you go through that, if you sit down and ask yourself why, help you understand more about yourself and what makes you tick. It just goes to show how the yoga can help on so many levels.
I think some people may have got the impression I was bored in Vancouver. That’s so not the case, I was bored with my practice, that’s all. Happy bending!