How to Follow PBY on Twitter 

Get the latest news, discounts and announcements via SMS (text message) by texting:

to 40404 (as recipient, I know it is a strange recipient, but it works!)

 

It's no wonder, what with all these other bodies staring at themselves in mirrors, posturing on mats and towels, and being told not to look at the next person.
That's Bikram yoga.
Bentley added Bikram to his regimen seven years ago when Seahawks conditioning coach Mike Clark introduced it to him.
"Kevin's real meticulous in taking care of his body," Texans linebacker Brian Cushing said. "He's real careful, and he's real thorough in everything he does. I think that's the reason he's going in, what, his ninth year and still playing the way he is."
Up for a starting spot, Bentley is known to frequent Bikram rooms three times a week. Although the Northwestern grad can't give you detailed directions to the gym, he's donned his tights since he arrived in Houston in March 2008.
Bikram is his means for body balancing, better breathing, long-term protection and staying under control in sticky situations.
"In nine years, the worst I've done is broke my hand my rookie year," he said. "They say I can go all day. That's a testament to my regimen. It's never gonna be physical for me. As long as my mental state is in a happy place ..."
Is it?
"Yeah, it is."
Attribute that to Bikram, a yoga yielding mental bliss.
"It's not a quick fix," said Emily Johnston, a Bikram yoga instructor in Pearland, Texas. "This is creating balance in the body. It's for longevity."
 

 

 

Some are incredibly lucky and this posture is easy for them.  For the rest of us with tight backs and shoulders bending backwards is a challenge.  This posture can seem scary as it is sometimes painful and you may feel like you could lose your balance.  The keys: remember to breathe, push your pelvis forward and keep your knees locked.  First, think of dropping the back of your head to the back of your neck.  This will stretch your neck out completely first before bending backwards.  In your mind, envision your back arching down backwards towards the floor behind your heels.   Try to keep your arms with your ears,  Again, this will improve over time if you find tightness in the shoulder area. 

 

The warm up for this posture is a good time to stretch.  Place your palms on the ground with your legs together all the way down, including knees and heels. Bend your knees alternatingly so that each heel comes up - first right, then left.  While one heel is up, the other heel is down.  Maybe stretch all the way down until you are almost squatting with legs together. 

 

Then move into position.  With straight or bent legs depending on your level of strength and flexibility, bend over from the waist.  Wrap your forearms around your calves.  Place all of your fingers under your heels from the back of your feet. Your fingers and toes should be pointing the same direction.  Press your face, chest and stomach into your hips, thighs and shins tightly.  The top of your head can rest on your feet if you are very flexible.  Always breathe.  Then in time, do all of those things while straightening your legs.  It takes time.  When you release out of the posture, use your core muscles to bring your body erect and standing.  Again you can use bent or straight legs depending on your strength and flexibility. Keep your arms with your ears until your straight index fingers are pointing at the ceiling.  Then release your arms slowly down by your side.  Be still.  Do not move, wiggle, drink, adjust your clothes or wipe your sweat.  Breathe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Power of Acceptance

Sometimes the best way to free yourself from a burden is to accept it. Much of the destructive essence of any burdensome situation comes from fighting against it. Once you stop fighting, you can start progressing.

Certainly if there is a threat you protect yourself against it. But there is no point in fighting against what already is. When you accept the situation, that is the starting point at which you begin to make the most of it. When you can go beyond acceptance into sincere gratitude, you take on a powerful positive momentum. 

In short, accept what is, then find something positive about it. Even the most desperate situation has its  positive aspects and possibilities. You'll uncover them only after you've accepted that the situation exists. Acceptance is not surrender. it is the recognition of reality. By clearly seeing what it, by acknowledging and even being grateful, you can move things forward toward the what you would like them to be.