It’s all about the 90 minute cycle… and a snack

At the 80-minute mark in the hot room, I find that the going gets tough. If you can relate, an excerpt from Entrepreneur Magazine’s: The Art of Efficiency,  may put some perspective to the 90-minute time span dedicated to the 26+2.

‘To help achieve maximum productivity for clients such as Google, Facebook, and Green Mountain Coffee, The Energy Project relies on a wealth of physiological data about the basic human need for rest. The Yonkers, N.Y.-based consultancy teaches that the key is biological cadence known as the ultradian rhythm, which commands energy levels to rise and dip roughly every 90 minutes.

“At the 90-minute mark, you have to think about some sort of renewal, to put fuel back in your tank before you start the next cycle,” says senior VP of facilitation and programs Annie Perrin. She recommends encouraging workers to reach for a healthful snack, go for a short walk, listen to music or just push back from their desk, close their eyes, and breathe deeply.

While this principle was discussed in relation to the workplace, it speaks volumes to me about the 1.5 hours spent in the hot room. At the end of the Bikram series, I have that feeling of “enough.” It’s also when nothing seems more satiating than a crisp green apple and a bottle of anything liquid.

Remember this “90-minute” biological fact when you hit the wall in class – just keep going, and make sure to pack that snack for after class.