Dwelling, dreaming, and concentrating…

(I had the opportunity to guest blog for the official Bikram 101 blog site today and this was it! You can find the main blog site at bikram101.blogspot.com)



“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” --- Buddha

The individual journey that we all experience together in the Bikram Yoga room are each very unique, changing, and challenging and follow us outside the yoga studio, whether we like it or not. When we are in the hot room, we are to use our body over mind; to listen only to the teacher’s words and to allow our bodies to do as they say. It must be a tremendous thing as a Bikram Yoga teacher to watch so many people all in the same room all going through very different things at the same time and to have such influence on those experiences, encouraging patience, progress, and change.

The quote that I am sharing today is one we should all try and remember each and every time we set foot into the yoga studio (and every other place, for that matter.) When we are struggling through balancing postures, do not dwell in the past and give that second set all you’ve got. When we are feeling overheated and lightheaded, do not dream of the future posture coming up (in my case Camel!) We must remember to concentrate our minds on the present moment of where we are in each and every posture, whether we are able to fully balance in standing forehead to knee or not; in each and every way with our co-workers or family members, we must remember our breath and our yoga. Whether our forehead is touching the floor in separate leg stretching (or not), or whether we can or cannot “lock the knee” or are still working on that solid lamppost base, we must remain in the present.

What we must remember and be mindful of is that each and every day, whether it is a “good” or “bad” day, we are on this spectacular journey through our bodies and minds and are learning so much from our instructors, each other, and ourselves through each and every breath we take. This is our journey and we are so incredibly lucky to have found this path and to be able to experience its wonders together. Happy Bikram 101 yoga-ing!

Heidi, a Community Banker by day, lives in Portland, OR and practices at the SE Moreland Bikram Yoga studio. This is her fourth year at this studio and had practiced several years prior to finding her “yoga home.” This is Heidi’s first challenge and she hopes to one day attend teacher training and open her own Bikram Yoga studio to continue sharing her passion for this wonderful practice. She is inspired daily by all those that practice alongside her and loves discussing love, food, and life!

Awesome Quote

"The miracle is not to fly in the air, or to walk on the water, but to walk on the earth." -Chinese Proverb.

So true. Just had to share.

Friendship Divorce

You know, it never ceases to amaze me how when I am going through something in particular that different sources of wisdom seem to come my way to help guide me through my particular dilemma.

A couple of weeks ago it was an article in a banking newsletter about communication. This time, it’s via Gwyneth Paltrow’s offering called GOOP and it’s about, yup, you guessed it, Friendship Divorce.

World, you are amazing and thank you for such wonderful and sage advice! I thought I would share with everyone and hopefully you will be helped by this article as I was. I just finished reading it and it made me feel SO much better and helped me realize what steps I need to take and gave me some good, new perspectives surrounding friendship and what that means to others and to me. Enjoy!

http://goop.com/newsletter/71/en/

Class #34 - Worst Class Ever! (Or Best?)

A few of my Bikram teachers have emphasized how this yoga is so wonderful in so many ways and that is why we love it. I agree. They talk about how you can come into the room one day, or for many days in a row, and just rock it and have a great practice and the next day just have the worst practice of your life. I agree. This yoga is a very humbling yoga which I really appreciate and boy did I appreciate it for class #34.

I don't know if it was because I did a double on Saturday or what the deal was but Erica's Sunday morning class was the worst class I have had in quite some time. Like full body cramp, every tiny muscle in my body was just aching and I was sweating big-time buckets. It was crazy, I barely made it through class and I most definitely got hit by the Bikram yoga truck. I needed that. I needed to work through all of that and I am glad I made it through. I'm going back tonight for more but have fueled up on electrolytes, coconut water, and lots of water, so no more yoga truck for me I hope!!

Class #12, 8th in a row...

Yesterday, motivationally, was the hardest so far. I did not want to go to class. I was tired, it has been a long week, and all I wanted to do was go home and go to sleep and cuddle with my kitty cat, Ahab.

Well, I made it to class. I was parking and saw that one of my yoga buddies was parking too. I started feeling better and more optimistic. Then another yoga buddy walked up while we were waiting to go inside. Oh, thank you God for sending these people to class with me to help me make it through. I was still feeling tired but had higher hopes for a good class as I knew I would have good energy around me. Another mental obstacle I was facing was that a new-to-me teacher was teaching this particular class. I have never taken the Thursday night 7:00pm class before and although I always look forward to new styles and guidance I was worried about a new teacher on a night when I was already struggling.

So, it turns out I had one of my best classes ever. Go figure, right? Having my two yoga buddies next to and behind me REALLY helped but half the battle is just making it to class and I made it and made it through. Looking forward to class tonight and then to bed most likely! Happy Yoga everyone!

Day 9 for me...

I still need to do 2 days of doubles to catch back up with the rest of the Bikram 101 group since I found out about this challenge a little late but I am on day 9 total, tonight will be my 6th day in a row. I'm feeling a bit tired but still fine. Sunday, January 10th was by far my hardest day so far as the day prior was my book club's meeting and we all know that means wine! :)

Still feeling extremely motivated and wonderfully hydrated and healthy! I am loving this so far and can't wait to do a double this weekend and get closer to being caught up! Go Bikram Yoga-ites!!

Bikram 101

So, I had heard something the other day about a 101 day Bikram Challenge and after a bit of investigating, found out that it started January 1, 2010 (which I am choosing to pronounce two thousand ten, if anyone cares). I have only missed one day (Saturday, January 2nd) so I could technically join this challenge but wow, what do I do about all of the after work commitments I have already made and how.....well, why don't I just stop asking how and just start doing? That might be the best solution. I'm feeling really motivated right now to do this especially since I am already 4/5 classes into it and think it would be an amazing and eye-opening experience amongst so many other things.

It is a new year and I am feeling very hopeful and positive, so there. :o) I am going to post the "Bikram 101" badge on here with the intention of doing the challenge but if it doesn't happen, then it doesn't happen and I promise to myself not to be disappointed. Life happens and I wasn't truly prepared to do anything like this so we will just have to wait and see. I feel so inspired though from reading all of the posts from others that have been talking about and preparing for this challenge since mid-November 2009. Cheers to those that are doing it and here goes everything I've got! Happy New Year everyone!!