I went back to do a Bikram class today, because part of me missed it, and I was curious to see how it the class I did for 8 years felt post teacher training.

Well first of all I don't want to diss the whole Bikram scene, I've met incredible teachers, lovely studio owners, and I've done a lot of classes.

But.... I do have some constructive reflections to make because I hope if a Birkram teacher ever reads this, they might decide to add something to their dialogue. And it's when Bikram teachers ad lib that I've really gained and learned from Bikram classes. So thank you (you all know who are are)

But most of all I need to remind myself why after 8 years I needed to move on from Bikram classes.

1. Breathing. Ever heard a Bikram teacher say breathe, or remember to breathe. I sure you have. In fact I've heard the instruction in a rather critical way on many occasions in the past. So here the rub, there is very little dialogue in the entire 90 minutes about breathing. There's a breathing bit at the start and at the end and a few cues about when to inhale. But there is very little about what to do with the breath when holding the postures. Im my experience teachers sometimes tell students to hold the pose, and students then naturally hold their breath. And then later when someones face looks like all the blood vessels in their heads are going to explode, the teacher’s wearily says: remember to breathe!

This time during my Bikram class I introduced what I’d learned about breathing from more flowing classes. I used in breaths when extending and tensing, and exhales to stretch and soften. And it felt so much better. And I also noticed that by breathing in this way I didn’t sweat at all. Normally I leave a massive puddle and my towel is drenched. And now I realise the sweat might not be because it's a great workout, but it's because I'm stressed and breathing poorly. Gosh I must been incredibly stupid to have done that for 8 years. Only myself to blame, I guess!

2. Bikram classes still often make me feel stupid. Good teachers give adjustments, but the main dialogue is quite unforgiving, and I often find some of the postures a little too intense for my liking. Yes even after 8 years of practicing. In this recent class I was told make my front foot exactly parallel to the side of the mat in triangle pose, which I ignored. Only to be told off again by a very irritated teacher. This foot position is not right for me because I have torn cartilage and it's important that my knee tracks in the same direction as my knee, and that direction is at 1 o'clock. I should know, it’s my body! I continued, and got told off again, and I was too scared to argue.

3. There is very little for the upper body. The arms and shoulders get stretched, but there is nothing to strengthen the upper body. I’m sorry but I need the odd Downward Dog!

I'm sure I'll do more Bikram classes, they are familiar and occasionally I like the heat. But I have to finally admit, there is something in the original dialogue that just isn't right for me, and it's important I remember this. Why bang your head against a brick wall, when it feels so great when you stop!

Maybe it's got something to do with the guy that created the original dialogue, but I'm not going to get into Birkram bashing. Maybe, just maybe, Bikram might read this and decide to put more breathing dialogue in his classes, and maybe even update the class from time to time. I’m forever hopeful. xxxxxxxxxx