Once I began practicing, I did have to make adjustments to my schedule. All of which I was more willing and much more easily able to do than I first thought possible.
First, I found I didn't need 10-12 hours of sleep anymore. 8 or 9, with an occasional 10 hours was fine- and much closer to what I've heard is a normal amount of sleep. Second, I stopped watching as much t.v. (I was addicted to HGTV and the History Channel). Now I only watch a couple of shows I really like- and I can watch them on Hulu so I don't have to think about scheduling around them. Third, I let some things go- I don't clean my house quite as often (I am fortunate to have a helpful husband and I still manage to do my part- just not on a schedule), I only check my email once a night. I was concerned that my work might suffer, but that I actually have more time for because I have the energy to invest. So trading some time for energy and giving up certain not-good-for-me-anyway activities, has made it possible to make that 3-hour time commitment.
I practice 4-5 times/ wk, but the days and times I go fluctuate a lot. My guidelines for myself are that I do three days in a row as often as I can and that I don't go for more than two days without a practice- and I try not to have too many two-day breaks too often. This gives me flexibility in my schedule so that if I have a meeting that goes late or an evening commitment, I can relax (at least about getting to yoga) knowing that I have tomorrow to go. Having my guidelines keeps me on track though, as I could otherwise spend a lot of energy deciding whether or not to go to a class, coming up with excuses, feeling guilty about not going- and then regretful that I didn't go.
I have never regretted going to a class- even the ones that were hardest for me- but each class I have opted out of "just because" I really have regretted missing. It felt like a great opportunity lost.
My responsibilities are not the same as the next person's and my solutions for managing the time commitment won't necessarily work for anybody else. But one concept Bikram addresses and demonstrates consistently is becoming flexible in your thought as well as in your body. It asks you to move out of your comfort zone, try things that are uncomfortable or hard for you, redefine what is possible for yourself. If something is stopping you from beginning a practice- or doing anything you want to in life- ask yourself what it is and then just begin to look at it differently- like "This is something I can change" instead of "This is just the way it is. I can't change it." There's a line I use as positive self-talk "What if we just acted like everything was easy?" For me this line helps me shift my thought- it's subtle, but effective- to a more positive, lighter point of view. I have spent a lot of time and energy thinking about how hard everything is- this line gives me permission to let go of that perspective. This line doesn't make it harder by demanding that I look at things differently; it just supposes "what if?" And it doesn't say "you can make everything easy;" it just says "what if we tried acting like it's easy." I've read that smiling when you're sad can physiologically improve your mood; I think this is the same thing.
Responsibilities present real challenges that can't be simply mantra-ed away, certainly- at least not right away. I don't have children of my own but I know women with children who struggle to find the time for Bikram (or any time for themselves.) I would just urge you to keep looking for solutions- a babysitter, a neighbor- if your children are old enough, take them with you. Start by setting your intention to look at what might be holding you back. One thing to consider: It's doesn't have to be selfish to make the time for Bikram- you could think about it this way- you take care of yourself, so that you can take care of the others in your life. You become a positive role model in yet one more way to your children, showing them the importance of taking care of your body and mind, taking responsibility for yourself and empowering yourself.
Bikram practice has been a big time investment for me, but the yields have been and continue to be tremendous.
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