WELCOME COACHELLA AND STAGE COACH FESTERS!!!!! $10 Drop in rate for class when you show your wristband!!!

Its that time of year again when our valley is inundated  with Coachella and Stage Coach Festival peeps!!  Come get your sweat on for a reduced rate with your wrist band and enjoy a class for just $10!!!!

Blah, Blah, Blah….Celebrating Others Life’s Accomplishments

WHAT IS YOGA??

Bikram Choudhury often asked this question during our nine week teacher training. The answer to this question was very simple. YOGA is EVERYTHING!!! He would then add over and over again, ad nauseam…… and “having isn’t anything unless you know how to use it!” You can have that fancy car but if you don’t have the key that fits in the ignition…………..

Yoga is not just putting your body in a certain posture or mastering the ability to stand on one leg in stillness, its so much more than any given asana. At Bikram Yoga Palm Desert El Paseo, we often use the phrase: “ That’s your yoga for today!” This phrase is universal for a lot of our students questions as well as their statements. A frustrated student walks into the studio stating that a traffic jam made them miss an appointment earlier that day, while another talks about all the amazing gifts their coworkers gave them for their birthday. A third student complains that the person in yoga class was coughing the entire class disrupting peace, while a fourth boasts about their new fabulous outfit they purchased on sale. The response for all of these: “That’s your yoga for today!”

How we deal with our day to day disturbances or celebrations in and out of the hot room is YOGA. How we eat, how we deal in our interpersonal relationships, how we adjust our minds as we move through our daily functions is all yoga on some level. Practicing yoga postures in our yoga classes take us beyond performing the perfect asana but rather creates a unique relationship with ourselves, as well as a bond that allows our vulnerabilities to melt with others. All body types, personalities, ages, and sexes come together to navigate the unchartered waters of life ahead. An amalgamation of all of this and more is YOGA.

Amidst all the trials, tribulations and challenges that I face as a Bikram studio owner, the greatest gift is continuing to learn more about my self as well as to get to know my fellow Yogis on a personal level. Sharing in on their heartaches as well as their  accomplishments has been most rewarding and humbling. Sometimes I feel like Frances, the protagonist in “Under the Tuscan sun.” I never had children of my own but sometimes I sure feel like a proud ‘mama’ in my yoga family. I’ve come slowly and surely to a realization that what I thought I wanted wasn’t necessary for inner peace and fulfillment. There is a plan for us and sometimes its right in front of us and we still cant see it.

How blessed am I that I can continue to learn and benefit from the incredible yogis that pass through the hot room doors!  Sharing their life’s experiences,  their talents and their loving hearts have enriched my own life tenfold. This past week has been truly a gift and is the inspiration of this blog!   In just one week I immersed myself in a piece of the lives of two of our students.    With the first I traveled the globe through the eyes and experiences of Grandmothers.  Along with other Yogis from our studio,   I viewed a very moving documentary, “The Wisdom of Grandmothers.” The documentary took us from Alaska to Russia.  The journey showcased the Navajo who lived off the land to the African American that battled slavery and abuse, as well as a host of others and their life experiences.

Later in the week I got the opportunity to share a slice of life with the second student. This journey actually took me on a  little road trip  to experience the gift of amazing physical mastery and talent.  I would like to place the spotlight on these two very special students!!

Patricia Richards has been a powerful force in our Yoga community for years. At 71 years young, she never seises to amaze me. I’ve equally marveled at her form, strength and balancing ability in Tuladandasana as I have in her uncanny perceptions and spiritual guidance of her healing nature.  Patricia was one of the chosen “Grandmothers” in the documentary.  Her beauty as she moved through an open field with the wind gently pushing back her striking dark black mane revealed her powerful presence on this earth.  Her gift of wisdom regarding how not to let fear block us from asserting ourselves or in reaching our goals and dreams is so simple and  yet a powerful truth that sets us free.

In a discussion following the documentary,  Patricia made yet another powerful statement. “WE ARE ALL GRANDMOTHERS.” My first thought on that could be questioning how I can be a grandmother when I’m not even a mother.

Patricia explained that the word ‘Grandmother’ is really indicative of someone with valuable life experiences that they can share for the good of society. This type of knowledge affords one to open up their hearts in sharing information that helps others grow and learn to become productive members of society.  Thank you Patricia Richards!!   Thanks for being a valuable member of our Yoga family and a giving, loving member of our greater community. We appreciate you and we love you!!

Just down the winding roads of highway 74 through the majestic mountains that lead us to vineyards and wineries emerges the quaint town of Temecula and to their local Old Town Theatre.   Student Jonathan Sharp was performing in the ballet piece of Rogers and Hammerstein’s musical “CAROUSEL.”

What makes this performance so extraordinary is that Jon played in that VERY ROLE twenty (20) years ago. The current cast now at least 20 years his junior, Jon got the call to reprise this role. His partner Rick laughed as he told me that Jon’s reaction was, ‘don’t you know how old I am?’ (Ironically, one of the grandmothers spoke of age being unimportant with what one can accomplish. This is no truer of a statement than in the case of Jonathan Sharp!)

Jon’s perfectly chiseled pecs and flat abs certainly don’t reveal the physique of a man pushing 50 nor the stamina that was required in this most exquisite ballet piece with his young strong ballerina.  The flow and beauty of their duet brought tears to my eyes.  I was mesmerized by Jon’s movements and I can’t even begin to explain the incredible sensation that enveloped my body with emotion during his performance!!

If one’s body is one’s temple then Jon’s commitment to excellence and being the best he can be regardless of age is a true testament to how one contributes greatness at every age.   A consistent Bikram Yoga practitioner, Jon sure has mastered the ‘having it AND knowing how to use it,’ part.  His tremendous discipline, hard work and commitment shined through in this most highly respected accomplishment!!

All the amazing Yogis I come into contact with each day fill my world with love and awe and make me grow richer in spirit!!  I Can’t wait to experience what is lying ahead or around the next corner!! Until then, I’ll see you in the hot room, sweatin it out and learning life’s lessons!!

Namaste!`

Blah, Blah Blah…..Bikram blog …… Let no MAN STEAL YOUR PEACE!!!

A lot of peeps are weighing in these days about the recent legal developments of Bikram Choudhury, creator of Bikram Yoga ~ The original 26/2 hot yoga that took not only this country by storm but spread like wildfire internationally.

As a studio owner, I’m in the eye of the storm. With the Chaos swirling around me, “I’m keeping calm and Carrying OHM.”

Just today  I had one student with discuss ask me my thoughts about Bikram Choudhury. He felt “dirty” practicing the Bikram series.  Ironically about 10 minutes later a second student approached me about doing a group road trip to TAKE  Bikram Choudhury’s Saturday class at Headquarters in LA.   YES, she actually wanted to be in a room with him.   A third student overheard her request and chimed in , “Can’t you get Bikram to come HERE and teach a class, how awesome would that be.”

Opposite opinions working out together in the hot room.

I remember my first teacher saying that being in a Bikram Class levels out the playing field. It doesn’t matter how rich you are, what car you drive or where you live. Gender, Age and Physical stature are unimportant. Opinions / Judgements are all non existent . When you are all down in the trenches sweating it out together you are equal.

Bikram Choudhury singled out 26 highly therapeutic postures within the greater 84 yoga asanas to give the practitioner the greatest medicinal benefits . He then placed these asanas in a specific order so one leads into the next and systematically compresses and releases muscles, organs and glands so they are renewed at a cellular,molecular level. This method coupled with the heat element allows for a complete flushing of toxins as well.

Personally,  the series healed my spine and gave me my life back after  suffering  for a full year in extreme pain.  I’m healthier and in better shape now than I was in my late 30’s.   I began Bikram Yoga after exhausting every other non invasive natural healing method.

After a MRI disclosed a herniated disc, I was told I would most likely need surgery but cortisone would temporarily stave off the pain.

I never had surgery. I never had a single cortisone injection. I never needed any invasive medical treatments due to a particular healing yoga formally named BIKRAM YOGA!

So here’s my opinion for what its worth:

I would be foolish to cut off my nose and spite my face by stopping the therapy that not only saved my spine and gave me my life back, but also delivered numerous other health benefits. The list is endless, but to name a few biggies: Weight control, Clear skin and Non existent menopausal symptoms.

I wont stop PRACTICING the TRUE Bikram Yoga series EVER. I definitely wont stop teaching or spreading the word of the pure Bikram Series tremendous benefits any time soon. The watered down versions are individual and non standardized and lose the true prescription.

Should I change our studio Signage and remove the Bikram Name?

The signs could read Ann Marie Yoga!  Maybe Palma Yoga……..does that sound better??    Haute Hatha??   Namaste` Yoga??   B Hot yoga (If I keep the B maybe peeps will know it’s  REALLY Bikram Yoga.)

What do you think??  I think that at the end of the day,  you can’t rewrite history. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. Bikram Choudhury created Bikram Yoga.

There are so many studios altering the Bikram Method that a day doesn’t go by with diehards calling me to make sure if they come to our school they will be getting the  full  90 min original class.

Should we practice the Bikram series because it works but call it something else to appease the peeps that have attached themselves to the chaos and feel “dirty?”

Should we pretend that someone else invented it so we feel politically correct practicing it?

Should we live our lives under the guise that Bikram Choudhury’s fall from grace has anything to do with the pure Bikram Yoga method that he created before fortune and fame?

Bikram Choudhury is responsible for Bikram Choudhury. Only Bikram himself knows the truths from the lies.  He and He alone needs to be accountable and responsible for any wrong doing.  Any copy cat versions of lawsuits will have to be scrutinized individually.

Regardless the multitude of controversy that swirls around HIM, I refuse to get caught up in the storm. This is HIS issue, HIS concern, HIS shit. (Sorry, can I say that word in my blog???)

During training he taught me a valuable inner strength:

He guaranteed us that coming out of Teacher Training we would be bullet proof……that no one could steal our peace!

Well guess what? Amidst all his Shenanigans and legal woes,  even he cannot steal my peace. My focus is strictly on the integrity of the Bikram Yoga Series of therapeutic asanas.

The hot room is my sanctuary, my therapy, my life, and while I am saddened by the ongoing legal saga of Bikram Choudhury’s personal life, I am grateful for the invention of the series during more innocent times.

I do not support “the brand,” financially.  Bikram Choudhury’s attorneys failed to legally organize a franchise, so there are no branding fee’s affiliated with ANY  Bikram School. We pay no royalties of any kind.  Students practicing at our studio, Bikram Yoga Palm Desert- EL Paseo are not supporting Bikram Choudhury they are supporting our studio and our yoga community!

There are some people that didn’t even know Bikram Yoga was named after a real person, they thought it was a generic term like Vinyasa.

“Eventually, in the future”….. when the dust settles and it will  Bikram Yoga will probably be just that: A generic term to indicate a  SPECIFIC  hot yoga series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises.

In the meantime I’ll be in the hot room finishing my 30 day challenge, feeling stronger and healthier than ever and keeping calm while I carry OHM!!!!

NAMASTE`

Blah, Blah, Blah Bikram Blog….. A New Year with Intention

Bikram Yoga Palm Desert – El Paseo is ready for 2016!!!

We welcome the new year with open arms and a renewed gratitude for our favorite yoga and friendships.

As a teacher you become more connected with the students individually but feel a greater sense of community / family as a whole.   This amazing group energy and camaraderie prompted me to widen my teaching repertoire .

Two years ago I brought a Sack filled with Intention Stones and a Tibetan Bowl to the Podium.   I wanted to unify our CommUNITY further with a group intention!

Every time I teach I select a student to choose an intention stone out of this sack. This becomes our group focus. The students may also choose a second individual intention privately as well.

Additionally, since the Bikram Series is highly therapeutic in nature I brought in the Tibetan Bowl due to its amazing healing sound waves.  I lightly play the bowl during our two minute Savasana that separates the standing and floor series and once again during our final Savasana at the close of our practice.

One of our newest teachers, Billy Cordell who has an amazing talent in Sound Bath Healing also shares the gift of sound with a vast collection of Tibetan Bowls! Treat yourself to one of our Sound Bath Healing Meditation Events. They are the last Sunday of every month!!!

The group intention stones and the Tibetan bowls collectively bring out harmony and love within our moving meditation.

Recently, I have experienced heart felt student participation. It’s really neat for me when a student brings me an intention stone.

Student, Jimmy Palmer was the first to gift an Intention stone to our Community. Jimmy identified the powerful UNITY in our CommUNITY!    His hand made stone of intention rests in our outside Zen Buddah Garden.

Two more students followed  in suit!   Thank you Joe Abercrombie for the thoughtful gift of our “Healing” intention stone!   Thank you Melanie Sanchez for the precious gift of our “Friends” intention stone!    Together they add a beautiful addition to our group focus inside the hot room!

I never really knew if anyone took the group intention to heart.

The other day student Thalia Hayden shared that she had a breakthrough in Standing Head to Knee pose.   She commented that the instruction that I gave her on form brought her the closest that she had ever been to the final expression of that pose.   Additionally she stated that she really focused on the group intention stone that was picked that day…… “BELIEVE”.

Today,   Thalia was back in the hot room.  Our group intention, “FRIENDS! ” Amongst “Friends” Thalia reached full expression of Standing Head to Knee and held it for a good length of time!!!!

We were all so excited for her!! Celebrating our “friends” accomplishments is what it’s all about!!!

Here at Bikram Yoga Palm Desert – El Paseo we are serious about our yoga but make no mistake about the immense humor and laughter that resonates throughout the studio on a daily basis.

One day I had a couple of students focusing on the heat while the rest were seamlessly moving through their asanas. There was an exaggerated huffing, puffing, sighing, and heavy mouth breathing. I joked that I need an intention stone that reads, “No Drama”!

Teacher Joe Cuccaro , feeling my pain, promptly supplied me with his very own “home made” stone of intention that read, “No Drama”.  Our “NO DRAMA” stone is the largest stone in the sack and really weighs it down.

How appropriate is that???     Doesn’t drama usually weigh us down????

Happy NEW YOU Bikram Yoga El Paseo!!!    Lose the drama, celebrate your accomplishments amongst your friends,  share the special gifts that make you YOU, and NEVER STOP BELIEVING IN YOURSELF!!!

Oh, and challenge yourself this year!!     30 days, 26 postures, 2 breathing exercises and a happy healthier YOU in 2016!!

THIRTY DAY CHALLENGE STARTS JANUARY 10TH!!!!! (Grace period through the 17th) Hope to see you in the hot room soon and on that challenge board along side with me because I’ll be down in the trenches with you!!!

Namaste`

“OHM for the Holidays!!” Come sweat with Us!!