Day 41 Baby Got Back(bone)

From the start, one of the most difficult parts of the Bikram yoga workout for me was the spine-strengthening series. Four exercises done in a prone (stomach-down) position: Cobra, Locust arms-down, Full-Locust and Bow. All involve backward bending, lifting the body up using back strength, lifting the legs up using back strength or (yes it gets better) lifting both body and legs up, using back strength.

Full Locust Pose

These are rough for me. I’m a slumper, a huncher, a natural slouch. Back strength? I have plenty, for lifting and general grunt work. But for standing up straight? Holding my head up and looking people in the eye? Not so much.

“Lift your arms and legs together, like a 747 taking off,” urges the instructor. “Only your hip bones on the ground. Higher! Higher! Eyes on the ceiling!”

I look into the mirror, happy to meet my own eyes. Forget about the ceiling.

“Squeeze your hips, thighs and buttocks! Keep your feet, knees and heels together! Arms up, chest up, chin up.”

Seriously? I’d love to bring my feet, knees and heels together, but my hips, thighs and buttocks are in the way. My arms shake, my chest sinks, my chin quivers.

My 747 is crashing.

Because this one is really hard for me, I know it’s addressing an area of weakness. My spine needs strengthening, literally and metaphorically.

I’ll do it. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.