I am caught amid Yoga

Non c'è male, huh?

I have been practicing yoga for almost one year since I moved to Kuala Lumpur. I didn’t expect to join the club with the rest of the yoga enthusiasts. To my friends, they show no surprise if I joined the club. They knew me very well. They said I’m a person who doesn’t behave and think like anyone else and always comes out with some bizarre ideas and ventures. They called me, weirdo, and maverick!

In the beginning, I was so doubtful about my ability. Am I able to perform such an aerobic and physical required exercise? Should I think twice before taking this challenge? I even did some research about yoga; I observed more pros than cons. However, for me, the answer is quite subjective. If you follow the yoga instructions correctly, you won’t hurt yourself easily. And, most importantly, you must be able to understand your body as it would definitely help you to perform better. It’s sad to say that most of us never listened to the instructions carefully. Is it the fault of the yoga instructors as they don’t speak clearly? Or, are they trying to slacken off their professionalism? I don’t think so. These are not true. Well, the problem always starts from the root, from us, within ourselves.

After a deep thought all night long, the next day, I had made up my mind and I plucked up the courage to join this wonderful journey to the wellness and longevity. The consultant encouraged me to join the Bikram’s hot yoga since I’m the absolute beginner. Of course, I can also join the other beginner’s classes, such as Gentle yoga, normal hot yoga and Yoga therapy.

Bikram’s hot yoga class runs 90 minutes with a series of poses (26 poses, for example, Pranayama series, Ardha Chandrasana, Utkatasana, Garudasana, Dandayamana, Tuladandasana, Savasana, etc) done in heated room (about 40°C) with a humidity of 40%. At this temperature, it will make our body extremely warm and we will sweat hellishly. With such condition, our body will become more flexible and we are able to perform the poses easily. This yoga is invented by Mr. Bikram Choudhury, the yoga master.

Wow, wow, wow, the first class was tough! You can imagine doing it in the early morning at 6.30am. It’s advisable not to eat half an-hour before the practice as you will not feel much comfortable during the practice (Mamma mia! My stomach was in the middle of igniting the WWIII!) I suppose, nobody will appear in such an early hour! It’s insane, man! I was fine with this time as wise man said, the early bird catches the worm..hehehe..I was so grateful that the instructor was willing to teach even though there were only 2 persons. Was I lucky? Yes, I was, with another 2 beautiful ladies. Ahahahaha… Don’t you feel like to be companied and surrounded by the beauties? For sure, it’s a good boast, don’t you agree? Anyway, it’s just a minor part of the reason to join the club. As a matter of fact, with less number of attendants, the instructor could pay more attention and help to correct our poses. I was the one being called and being corrected all the time during the class. Poor bloke! Ouf ! I didn’t understand why my body was disobedient to the instruction - my body was completely stiff like diamond and I was not able to bend, to pull, to twist, to hold and to turn. All the poses were completely out of order, out of shape (Theoretically, our body won’t be so flexible in the morning after we wake up because our body is completed at rest and it’s not being exercised. Therefore, it’s advisable to warm up your body first before getting into the class). Ouch! The immense pain was spreading over my body and I almost collapsed to the earth, but I didn’t, thanks to my strong determination to hold the poses and I kept telling my inner self that it will soon over. Meanwhile, the instructor always reminded us not to forget to breathe because it would help to ease the pain. Yes, the instructor was right. We all know no pain, no gain, right?

From that day onwards, the practice was going well, once per day, either in the morning or in the evening. The result was remarkable and obvious as well. I built up my stamina and I became stronger and stronger. At the same time I became thinner, my weight dropped from 65kgs to 59kgs, I was under weight 6kgs within a month! Initially, it was OK to me even though I cannot wear most of my pants anymore, especially the office attires. However, what makes me uneasy and annoying being the concerns from my parents and my friends. They were urging me to stop practicing it as for them I looked like the malnourished kid. But, in fact, I consumed more food than before, 2 helpings for the dinner than just 1 helping normally. I consulted the instructor straightaway and he told me that it’s alright at this stage because the unwanted masses and wastes were no longer with you and this is the best time to build up the healthy muscles. It’s quite true his statement. Therefore, I continued to practice it without having any guilt.

After 3 months, I stopped practicing the Bikram’s hot yoga. Why so? Because I continued losing my weight day by day, I broke my confidence and I felt not comfortable at all. The effect was so significant on me, deep inside my soul. For the ladies, I’m sure that they would love to have such result, but for me, it’s just not right. Anyway, I’m still practicing yoga until now (once or twice per day no matter rain or shine) but this time I practice Yoga therapy, Ashtanga yoga, Hatha yoga, Gentle yoga, Ananda yoga, Sun salutations and Power yoga. They are as challenging as Birkram’s hot yoga but they are more diversifying in terms of poses. The good thing is I don't lose weight anymore. Goodness gracious me ! If it just so happens that you drop by at my doorstep or see me on the street, you will be surprised. I’m put on weight to 75kgs as of today!

The yoga’s benefits are precious and endless. I have been trained to be more patient and Zen in dealing matters. With yoga, I’m getting happier, stronger, healthier and fresher even since, that’s all matters to me.