I'll get this out of the way first. I signed up for Bikram's Advanced training one night with the encouragement of my husband. It was the time of night that most infomercials are on the TV and they trick you into giving your credit card number and buying a lifetime supply of some make-your-life-better potion.
I was hesitant but my husband was very persistent..... "just do it" - "you keep talking about going, so just sign up and go" - so I did. Then the next day I had "buyer's remorse". I turned into a big chicken and all of those fears and excuses bombarded my brain. You know the kind..... my triangle sucks, I'm not strong enough, what if I die, etc. I've seriously been working myself into a tizzy with all these crazy thoughts for the last couple of months.
Now, I'm here and I have finished Day 1 of Advanced training. AND I'M STILL ALIVE! From about 8:30 until 1:30 we were under Bikram's direction. To be quite honest, the Beginning Series was harder than the Advanced for me today. With 3 sets of triangle and a couple of corrections from Boss himself, it was one of my hardest classes to date. I know I say that a lot but I'm serious this time.
With all of the scary thoughts, and thinking I'm going to die in class.... I really am glad I'm here. Wanna know why???
Reason 1: I can do more than I think I can. Example: just when I was ready to sit down and give up (there were a couple of people down already and I was thinking this was a great idea), Bikram said that anyone who sits down again would be out of Advanced seminar and could not come back. People, I don't know where the strength came from but I was in the 3rd set of triangle like nobody's business. I know he just said this to make us dig deep and keep going - he really wouldn't have kicked anyone out (would he?). I wouldn't have wanted to test it.
Reason 2: Ruth and Paul. I met Ruth in Dallas while she was visiting Dallas and teaching for BYD for a few weeks about 3 years ago. Then I met her again when she came out to support her boyfriend, Paul, who was in my group at Teacher Training. Paul was at Teacher Training because the yoga helped him with his back after a horrific construction accident where he fell 80 feet and broke his back. Well, he has cancer now and is in hospice. Although it was a very sad reunion for me and Ruth, I'm glad we are both here this week.
I'll have more reasons tomorrow...... like seeing some more of my friends from Teacher Training. Stay tuned!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
It's not hot, YOU'RE hot
Surprise! I'm back! I'm continuing my commitment to blog..... boy, it's been a while. It's good to be back, and for those of you who know me well, I have a LOT to say :-)
First of all the yoga - hmmmm..... where to start. Well, many of my classes over the last few months have been "survival" classes. My home studio, Bikram Yoga Dallas, has had a fabulous makeover with a new heating system which apparently includes an evil humidifier. I don't want to make too much out of it because as we say in Bikram Yoga, "It's not hot, YOU"RE hot". There have been days where I simply look at myself in the mirror and try to figure out why I'm there. Then the miracle happens and I'm in final savasana.
My latest class, taught by my walking buddy, Mary Clare (love that name), was simply amazing. Mary Clare teaches from the heart. I love her little reminders that "no one can do this for you" and "you can't get this in a pill". That reminded me that my yoga practice, although extremely difficult at times, is the one choice that I have to make for myself. I always feel great when I'm done, whether it's the sense of accomplishment that I went to yoga on a day that was just not going right and I would have much rather stayed home or the physical benefit of just feeling relaxed.
My last class to teach at my home studio was a couple of weeks ago. It was the most interesting class of all so far. There was a tornado close by and we had to cancel class right before standing bow pulling pose. It was somewhat of a let down, but it also gave me a chance to chat with the ladies in the women's changing room. We were all just waiting for the storm to pass for around 45 minutes.
I'm off to Teacher Training to see if I can recruit some teachers for August as well as have the opportunity to take class with Bikram. I'm also super excited to see my very good friend Colleen. We have some major catching up to do!
The studio that we are building is well on it's way. I mean, we have CONCRETE!!!!!!
First of all the yoga - hmmmm..... where to start. Well, many of my classes over the last few months have been "survival" classes. My home studio, Bikram Yoga Dallas, has had a fabulous makeover with a new heating system which apparently includes an evil humidifier. I don't want to make too much out of it because as we say in Bikram Yoga, "It's not hot, YOU"RE hot". There have been days where I simply look at myself in the mirror and try to figure out why I'm there. Then the miracle happens and I'm in final savasana.
My latest class, taught by my walking buddy, Mary Clare (love that name), was simply amazing. Mary Clare teaches from the heart. I love her little reminders that "no one can do this for you" and "you can't get this in a pill". That reminded me that my yoga practice, although extremely difficult at times, is the one choice that I have to make for myself. I always feel great when I'm done, whether it's the sense of accomplishment that I went to yoga on a day that was just not going right and I would have much rather stayed home or the physical benefit of just feeling relaxed.
My last class to teach at my home studio was a couple of weeks ago. It was the most interesting class of all so far. There was a tornado close by and we had to cancel class right before standing bow pulling pose. It was somewhat of a let down, but it also gave me a chance to chat with the ladies in the women's changing room. We were all just waiting for the storm to pass for around 45 minutes.
I'm off to Teacher Training to see if I can recruit some teachers for August as well as have the opportunity to take class with Bikram. I'm also super excited to see my very good friend Colleen. We have some major catching up to do!
The studio that we are building is well on it's way. I mean, we have CONCRETE!!!!!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
less than six months!
The date of the studio opening is August 1, 2011. In my mind that seems SO far away. I was talking to my dad on the phone and he reminded me "Rach, ya know it's less than six months away, dont-cha?" Then the panic, fear, excitement, mind-racing thoughts flew in and out of my head. What to do, when to do it, who to call first...... heating guy, web designer, what about washer and dryer for the studio? What about towels!? Mats!? WHAT IF NO ONE SHOWS UP!!!!!! Then....... deep breath, talk self off ledge, another deep breath. First things first. Write it down, have it on paper, start making phone calls and sending emails. Everything will work out. People WILL show up.
I have not been the most consistent in practicing the yoga. Um, that needs to change, otherwise I'll be a wreck. I'm still faithfully putting stickers on my pretty little calendar at the studio so I do feel a sense of accomplishment there.
My friend, Allison, took my class yesterday - she did a double!!! I'm very impressed! I bet she slept like a baby. I'm sort of jealous and kicking myself because I could have taken a class and just didn't . I'm consumed with the Sailor being home for only about 3 and a half days. He leaves again tomorrow. That's no excuse for me not going to yoga, though. Tomorrow for sure! Probably. :-)
I have not been the most consistent in practicing the yoga. Um, that needs to change, otherwise I'll be a wreck. I'm still faithfully putting stickers on my pretty little calendar at the studio so I do feel a sense of accomplishment there.
My friend, Allison, took my class yesterday - she did a double!!! I'm very impressed! I bet she slept like a baby. I'm sort of jealous and kicking myself because I could have taken a class and just didn't . I'm consumed with the Sailor being home for only about 3 and a half days. He leaves again tomorrow. That's no excuse for me not going to yoga, though. Tomorrow for sure! Probably. :-)
Saturday, January 29, 2011
serendipity
The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.
Let's just say that this week has been full of surprises. Ups, downs, knowing what to do and finally doing the right thing. I won't get into too many details, but this has been a breakthrough week. Not really in yoga but because of the yoga (and through lots of prayer). Funny how life works.
My challenge has suffered somewhat because of glitches in my personal schedule and I've missed a handful of days at my challenge. Will I make them up? Do a week's worth of doubles? Um, probably not - (well, maybe) but my NEW goal on this 60 day challenge is to keep going no matter what the setbacks may have in store for me. Yes, I still have my calendar on the wall with happy face stickers, and it will be filled up with stickers in probably under 70 days. Maybe less.
I thought about just abandoning the challenge altogether but that's no fun and I've already done one challenge that I got to 56 days and said "forget it" - I was just too burned out. Hey, it happens. But, this was a good decision for me to just keep going no matter what.
Having some time off from the yoga - 3 days in a row- during my challenge was like starting all over, though. I had made progress in my most difficult postures up to that point and now I'm back to square one. Square one dealing with the heat, making up my mind to go to class, and feeling like a beginner once again. I'll get it back, though - new challenges arise daily. For those who care, my Triangle pose still sucks.
Standing Bow Pulling Pose got a TOTALLY new meaning yesterday in class thanks to Nita - a wonderful teacher and friend. Something strange going on with my hips - I must have had that frustrating look all over my face after the correction when she said "Welcome to my world". Thanks, Nita - I no longer feel alone. :-)
My husband, the Sailor, has been regularly taking classes at Bikram Hot Yoga Mobile and is making progress of his own. I never thought I'd hear this from him, but he actually looks forward to going to yoga. He drives 40 minutes to get there. What a trooper!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Inspired
Had a wonderful class last night. I have gotten into the habit of taking the 8:15 pm class lately and I'm digging it. I get all my stuff done during the day then.... off to yoga! What a great end to the day. Once my eating and hydration is in order, I'm pretty set. I've actually met some people that I have never seen before at the studio just because I switched up my class time. I'm also inspired by these people, who, after a long day at work and taking care of their families actually come into the room for the late class.
I almost didn't go to class last night - some old aches and pains have reappeared - but after just a few postures, my body was smiling and so happy to be in the hot, humid, achy-free room. I got to burn all the aches and pains out and leave them on my sweat drenched towel. I'm also glad I made it to class because I reconnected with a student that I hadn't seen in a while. We ended up practicing next to each other and chatting after class. There are no coincidences.
When I got home, there was an update to a blog I subscribe to
www.ombyoga.com
I read an amazing entry and it almost brought me to tears and reminded me of why I love being a yoga teacher. Here's the entry: http://ombyoga.com/2011/01/20/an-open-letter-to-a-new-student-on-their-first-class/
It's so worth the read.
In class last night I had a tiny, tiny, tiny breakthrough in Triangle posture. I really "pushed my knee back with the help of my elbow" and it helped so much. If you don't know my struggle with Triangle pose, I'll just say that we go way back. A strained relationship, really. It has been the most frustrating part of my yoga class in, well, since I've been practicing yoga. Maybe I've gotten the help that I need by "trying it the right way". Updates later.
I almost didn't go to class last night - some old aches and pains have reappeared - but after just a few postures, my body was smiling and so happy to be in the hot, humid, achy-free room. I got to burn all the aches and pains out and leave them on my sweat drenched towel. I'm also glad I made it to class because I reconnected with a student that I hadn't seen in a while. We ended up practicing next to each other and chatting after class. There are no coincidences.
When I got home, there was an update to a blog I subscribe to
www.ombyoga.com
I read an amazing entry and it almost brought me to tears and reminded me of why I love being a yoga teacher. Here's the entry: http://ombyoga.com/2011/01/20/an-open-letter-to-a-new-student-on-their-first-class/
It's so worth the read.
In class last night I had a tiny, tiny, tiny breakthrough in Triangle posture. I really "pushed my knee back with the help of my elbow" and it helped so much. If you don't know my struggle with Triangle pose, I'll just say that we go way back. A strained relationship, really. It has been the most frustrating part of my yoga class in, well, since I've been practicing yoga. Maybe I've gotten the help that I need by "trying it the right way". Updates later.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Concrete!
On day 22 today - haven't gone to class yet. Feeling pretty good, a little sore, but classes have been fun. Exhausting, but fun. Back bends are coming along, too. I did 10 more back bends last night, which put me up to 60. I'm certainly feeling it in my upper back. Wow!
I also had the opportunity to read an interesting article from Details Magazine. Interesting is the only word I can use to describe it. Check it out for yourself.
http://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201102/yoga-guru-bikram-choudhury
I don't agree with the article or the title: The Overheated, Oversexed Cult of Bikram Choudhury. I have to just laugh because when I was in teacher training, I either didn't catch on to the shenanagans or was too tired to notice any outrageous behavior. But.... people have to sell magazines and Bikram is a character. I guess he's an easy target. The article didn't really say anything about the benefits of Bikram Yoga either. I guess I'm a little protective of Bikram yoga. I teach it, I live it, I see people's lives changed.
In the beginning of my teacher training, the very first lecture given by Bikram, he told us to "ignore the bad, and embrace the good". I knew he was going to say a few things that I didn't agree with and were, at some times, shocking. I would just laugh at his comments, and, well.... focus on the good.
Now... The good news....
Concrete is being poured, retaining wall is being built, and this is SO exciting!!!!!
And a little peek at the new Brookshire's Fresh grocery store
I also had the opportunity to read an interesting article from Details Magazine. Interesting is the only word I can use to describe it. Check it out for yourself.
http://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201102/yoga-guru-bikram-choudhury
I don't agree with the article or the title: The Overheated, Oversexed Cult of Bikram Choudhury. I have to just laugh because when I was in teacher training, I either didn't catch on to the shenanagans or was too tired to notice any outrageous behavior. But.... people have to sell magazines and Bikram is a character. I guess he's an easy target. The article didn't really say anything about the benefits of Bikram Yoga either. I guess I'm a little protective of Bikram yoga. I teach it, I live it, I see people's lives changed.
In the beginning of my teacher training, the very first lecture given by Bikram, he told us to "ignore the bad, and embrace the good". I knew he was going to say a few things that I didn't agree with and were, at some times, shocking. I would just laugh at his comments, and, well.... focus on the good.
Now... The good news....
Concrete is being poured, retaining wall is being built, and this is SO exciting!!!!!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Day 19 - MUCH better
Had a great class today @ the 12 noon. My favorite time to take class so I was happy going in, happy in class, happy in my backbends, and happy on the way out the door. This was the first class in a l-o-n-g time that I haven't felt like I wanted to run out of the room. No need to dwell on the past - nothing we can do about it. What I WILL do is celebrate my wonderful class I had today.
Okay, I was a little stiff, sore, my Head to Knee all the way through Tree Pose was a little dodgy but I was just happy to be standing up the whole standing series. Maybe my "yoga slump" is over. (?) I added 10 more backbends to the end of class today. That makes 40 throughout the whole challenge. My goal is to make it to 500 by the end of the challenge. Someone asked me today "why" I was doing backbends after every class. I didn't really have an answer but now that I think about it, I want to see what it will do for my body. Will I be stronger? How will it help my regular Bikram yoga practice? Will I get to 500 at the end of 60 days? Could I do more?
I found this picture of the "evolution of a backbend" on the web - pretty cool and VERY inspiring.
It was also great to see so many new faces in the yoga room. I only personally knew a handful of people. Can't wait to meet more of the new folks. :-)
The Sailor has regularly kept up his yoga practice at Bikram Hot Yoga Mobile in Alabama. He has been pretty consistent for a while now - only a few days off here and there but really likes the yoga, the studio, and the new friends he has made in just about a week. Hopefully, I'll be out there in a couple of months to see the place, practice with my hubby, and actually meet Lucille, the owner, in person. We have met over the phone and through good old Facebook.
Going to hit the road to Tyler in a few days to do more business stuff and check out the yoga studio progress. Hopefully, I'll have some pics of the progress on the studio.
Okay, I was a little stiff, sore, my Head to Knee all the way through Tree Pose was a little dodgy but I was just happy to be standing up the whole standing series. Maybe my "yoga slump" is over. (?) I added 10 more backbends to the end of class today. That makes 40 throughout the whole challenge. My goal is to make it to 500 by the end of the challenge. Someone asked me today "why" I was doing backbends after every class. I didn't really have an answer but now that I think about it, I want to see what it will do for my body. Will I be stronger? How will it help my regular Bikram yoga practice? Will I get to 500 at the end of 60 days? Could I do more?
I found this picture of the "evolution of a backbend" on the web - pretty cool and VERY inspiring.
It was also great to see so many new faces in the yoga room. I only personally knew a handful of people. Can't wait to meet more of the new folks. :-)
The Sailor has regularly kept up his yoga practice at Bikram Hot Yoga Mobile in Alabama. He has been pretty consistent for a while now - only a few days off here and there but really likes the yoga, the studio, and the new friends he has made in just about a week. Hopefully, I'll be out there in a couple of months to see the place, practice with my hubby, and actually meet Lucille, the owner, in person. We have met over the phone and through good old Facebook.
Going to hit the road to Tyler in a few days to do more business stuff and check out the yoga studio progress. Hopefully, I'll have some pics of the progress on the studio.
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