Getting Ready for Training

Well today I set up a blog site so I can keep track of this adventure! It is still a ways away. Thank god! I am def. not ready for the torture, I mean challenge yet.

But lets start at the beginning. I suppose I discovered Bikram Yoga by accident. I was missing my occasional weekend drop ins to yoga (yuh know the relaxing kind where mostly what you do is lay on your mat and stretch in a dim lit room while mellow music plays) and was at a craft fair over the summer time. Where else would I be? A little booth caught my eye saying Bikram Yoga. I am always interested in trying new forms of yoga so I bought a week long session not knowing what I was getting into. I had no idea their existed such a challening form of yoga! One that pushes your body/mind/spirit and beyond.

When I walked into my first class the initial heat from the room was intense. When they say heated room they mean hot as hell. Even before the class began I was thinking of ways to get out of there. This was not for me! Just getting through the first class alone not even the postures was the most challenging! I managed to stay in the room for the entire first class! That is the first accomplishment of Bikram Yoga. An hour and a half later I walked out dripping wet as if I took a shower with my clothes on and I actually felt incredible! It was as if I sweat out every negative thought and toxin in my body. It was definately a wonderful high feeling! I suppose that pushed me into going back although the heat frightened me which kept me away a bit longer. Luckily when I hear or try a good thing I am one who loves to selicit and tell everyone I know about it! This is where my dear friend Jessie comes along...

Jess loves trying new things and a challenge! Great friend to have. She tried Bikram and was hooked on it a lot faster than myself. Although hmm I think perhaps she can handle the heat better bcs she is originally from the Dominican Republic. A hot climate year round! Ahhh I have stumbled upon her secret to being able to bear the Bikram Heat. Ha. So Jess went more and more and I would go occasionally when I forgot how intense the heat was...than like magic for me I started being able to bear the heat better (perhaps it was the ton of water and tea I began hydrating myself with daily) and move into the postures deeper. I felt incredible after each class and had a ton more energy! I actually found myself getting up earlier in the morning too.

All of this yoga guru stuff is sort of new to me. I've always been passionate about finding that place or time in the day to unwind and touch base with myself. To let things go and just be at peace. Its important for me to find that down time or I just cant function. The more I did Bikram, I realized that it helped me feel like that longer and more throughout the day, even when it is a busy stressful one! I also noticed some great toning I never seemed to get from running or even kick boxing. I became even more flexible and my knee pain is no longer. It is so mentally challenging on top of it all. I leave each session feeling so clear headed and proud that I have done something great for myself - body and mind.

This type of yoga is addictive! Im telling you. If you like to challenge yourself physically and mentally this is the best thing to get into. Its definately no walk in the park.

So my next step? Work harddd and go to Spring Training in LA ( April 15th - June 16th) to become a Bikram Certified Instructor! I want to make it a part of my life and my regular routine. I want to spread this energy on to other people who have yet to discover how incredible doing these 26 postures in a 100+ degree room can be!