Week 5 – Blood and sweat

Ok I’m at the half way mark. Yes! I have noticed some more slimming. I’m only down maybe 2-3 lbs since I started but I feel taller. I always lose weight in places I don’t really care about, like my neck—hello, sexy pencil neck. Or my back which is already pretty skinny. I’m starting to feel more of a stretch along the stomach which is a good thing; maybe I really am getting taller.

I’m starting to feel *lighter* while I’m doing the poses. One of the teachers made a comment during fixed firm pose that eventually doing this will feel just as easy as having a cup of tea. I’m starting to get that concept. I’m developing calluses on my knees from the friction of the towels. I have the knobby knees of a child right now.

I’m not as tired this week, maybe the Liver/Spleen Rasayanna is helping me with that too. These products are my crack now. I have to watch not over-doing fruit juices and caffeinated beverages on those days when I do feel tired. A little bit of juice consumed before seems to help.

One of my friends describes Bikram as being “multi-layered” and it really is. It makes you more patient, intelligent and creative. I think after the challenge I will still go as much as I can—maybe 4-5 x a week, a minimum of 3. Bikram says that after the challenge you should go at least 10x a month, that’s totally doable. What makes Bikram yoga work is the concept of a turnequate effect, while doing the poses you shut off the blood supply to let’s say the liver, kidneys, etc. when you release the pose, a fresh blood supply rushes to the organs. I feel that is happening with my creativity too. I haven’t had time to paint but when I get into the studio I will have that fresh blood supply to that part of my life too.

I did manage to make time to see my movie boyfriend, Viggo Mortensen in Eastern Promises. Very physical movie. Viggo would probably love Bikram. I've always admired Viggo's integrity. As one of my fav Bikram teachers says, “Don’t be perfect, be excellent.” Viggo is certainly excellent—actor, painter, photographer, writer, jazz musician and he loves Halloween or so I have read. I could never date someone who didn’t love Halloween. I love to work hard but I can also appreciate everyday life and holidays.

I’m wrapping up the challenge just in time for Halloween and also right before I get to see Diamonda Gallais at the MCA. She canceled her Chicago concert at Park West years ago so I’m excited to see her in person for the first time. I have many of her CDs including the one with the fantastic bloody cover. Her style is amazing. There’s a part of me that would like to go wild like that or have a bunch of tattoos. I admire them on other people especially in Bikram. I will probably get one sometime in my lifetime. When you are an artist symbols are so important to you, it’s hard to pick something and stick with it the rest of your life. I was considering the lower back “tramp stamp” of one of my bleeding heart designs done in Sailor Jerry style. Or maybe start with something small, maybe to cover up that scar on my ankle. I recently went to Celtic Fest and bought a necklace with Seahorse Twins. I was researching the symbolism on line and a lot of it was right on. The Seahorse represents patience, friendliness, inflexibility, persistence and generosity. The Seahorse also represents stubbornness, as the animal has hardly changed through evolution. They are content to be who they are. The seahorse wraps its tail around the nearest object in order to anchor itself in turbulent waters. They are delicate yet their exteriors are like armor. Often when the seahorse comes to us it is a sign that we either need protection from our external circumstances, or we are building walls that aren’t needed. I think for me it's usually the latter.