Focus Forward Friday: Don't Be Scared of the Bikram Backbends. Back's Meant to Hurt!

Focus Forward Friday: A weekly ritual for deepening your Bikram practice.

Today's focus: you can do more than you think you can. Yesterday in class I was holding back during the backbends. Not being fully present in the moment, with the words, in the dialogue. I realized this when my (amazing) instructor said calmly, during the first backbend of Half-Moon, "Hips forward, Rachel! Don't be scared to let go." And then, as I slowly pushed forward and tightened my lower half, I was so deep into the posture! It felt great.

And I realized what I am truly capable of... once I can manage to out of my own head. That's the key. In the moment, in the words, not focused on my own fears.

Same basic scenario, toward the end of class: camel pose. During the savasana right before, I decided I couldn't handle doing this intense backbend. Too tired, too dizzy. So I came up and sat on my heels in Japanese sitting posture as everyone else prepped for the asana.

A second later I hear my teacher, as she compassionately inquires, "Hey, do you think you can come up on your knees? Just let your head fall back. See what you can do." I smiled, realized I could. I set up. Leaned back. And then, big surprise, there I was in camel!

Second set I rocked it. And again, I felt great.

It just goes to show: you don't need to be scared in the backbends. Your body will guide you! And if you can ignore your mind and connect with your body, chances are it will show you that you're able to do more than you ever imagined.