Blah, Blah,Blah….Bikram Blog ~ A look “Yinward” for the Holidays!

Bikram Yoga Palm Desert El Paseo is gearing up for the Holidays!!! The holidays to us means a time of Gratitude and Self Reflection.

It’s a time of less complaints and more appreciation. It’s a time for Lovers, Family and Friends to rejoice in their relationships and set new resolutions for the New Year!!

It’s an exciting time, a stressful time and often a confusing time yet we are grateful for another year together sweating it out in our humble abode!

Finding Balance is the key!!

I often discuss with students the symbiotic relationship of Yin and Yang and how these opposites compliment yet oppose each other!!

The Yin and Yang (pronounced Yan) symbol has always been of interest to me. While the swirls are matching halves and fit together perfectly, the coloring denotes their stark difference. SUN/ MOON, MALE / FEMALE, LIGHT/DARK, HOT/COLD.

HOT/COLD ……… Now that’s an interesting one. If cold is Yin and Hot is Yang  then Hot is Yin when Boiling is Yang.

The subject of  Hot vs Cold seems to come up a lot lately in the hot room. If Susan thinks it’s too cold, then Ricky thinks it’s to hot.

Cold, cool, warm, hot, hellish???!!! On any given day in the very same class students can feel a variety of these things especially if they are more focused on Yang.

What is Yang??

Yang is the physical. In Yoga terms we talk about how our physical image looks in the mirror when we are in Asana. We focus on engaging the proper muscles and doing the posture correctly. Is one shoulder higher than the other in Tadasana? Is one knee higher than the other is Padangustasana?   Alignment is key when mastering any given asana.

While alignment IS very important, if one consistently and solely focuses strictly on asana FORM they are missing out on the real essence of yoga.

Long term yoga students are interested in doing the postures correctly for sure but they also tap into their inner experience. They note the rhythm of their breath as they move in and out of asana. They note how a discomfort (not pain) is a segway to growth as they move deeper in a pose.

In the end they take the whole yoga experience — positive along with the negative– and appreciate the counter balance.

Yin and Yang seamlessly entwined together.

As we prepare for this holiday season, I invite you to look “yinward”!

Focus on your breath and FEEL the experience of the hustle and bustle this holiday season! Focus your mind on positive, happy thoughts and less complaints during chaotic times.

You may just find an inner peace and an outward glow that moves you through the holidays somewhat effortlessly.

During the rush  I hope to see you in the hot (or warm or cool) room soon sweating it out and preparing to be the best you can be for this holiday season!!

Merry Christmas!!   Happy Chanukah!!   Happy New Year!!!!

NAMASTE’

*11am Silent classes are OPEN to the PUBLIC but students attending must be consistent practioners. No brand new students please!

Blah, Blah, Blah…… Bikram Blog……..the POWER of the MIND!

Are you a leader or a follower? Are you easily influenced or do you use your own mind? Do you focus on Positive thoughts or Negative ones?

There seems to be a common trend in and out of our sweat box lately. The lack of POSITIVE , INDIVIDUAL thinking.

I sent a GROUP email awhile ago asking a group of friends if they would like to participate in an event that I was organizing. Most people are familiar with having the choice of responding solely to the person who originated the email or clicking “reply all” where everyone gets the response.

The first three return emails were all YES’s. Ironically, they all RSVP’d to me privately and not back to the group as a whole- (one was a couple and the other 2 single peeps – so there were four YES Responses so far.)

The 4th response was a “NO” and it was a from a couple, so it was really 2 “NO’s.” This response was sent to the entire group. The 5th response, again from a couple, was also a “NO,” and also responded to the entire group.

The 6th, 7th and 8th responses from Singles came in simultaneously with 2 YES’s and one NO. The “NO” person responded publicly, the two “YES’s” privately.

The final response came a few days later and was from a couple and they responded with a YES for both and sent it privately to me.

Just when I thought I had the tally complete, one of the couples that originally replied “No” changed their minds and sent a second email. This time they sent it PRIVATELY. The “NO” was public, the “YES” was private.

With a final count in place I went about merry way putting the finishing touches on the event. Later I came to find out that a single person that responded “NO” did so because of being influenced by the Public “NO’s” coming through the email. Without being aware of the greater number of private “YES” emails, this person determined that most peeps did not want to attend and therefore was influenced to go that same route.    The “follower” missed out on a fabulous event because of their inability to use their own mind.

Inside the “HOT” room I see a similar trend.  Bikram yoga is “HOT” yoga. The room is heated. The room is hot. The room gets hotter when people sweat. The more people in the room, the more sweating occurs and the humidity rises causing the room to feel even hotter!!! The sweating causes a deep internal detox like no other form of yoga or other exercise can.

The therapy  Bikram Yoga  provides is definitely  FOR  everybody!!!

Bikram Yoga is  not however   FOR   everybody.    It is not for people who are easily influenced or for weak minds.  Bikram Choudhury minces no words when he calls out the weak mind in his classes. He accuses American parents of teaching their children to baby themselves. “Take it easy honey, don’t overdue.” In India, different story. “KILL YOURSELF. It’s better to suffer for 90 minutes than for 90 years of your life.”

As a Bikram Yoga  teacher  I tell my students that the standing series speaks volumes about who we are,      personality and accountability wise.    There are two types of people who take a knee. (I’m talking about consistent practitioners here, not brand new students.)

There are people who take a knee because they are truly   feeling   ill.   Dizzy, dehydrated, hung over, or sleep deprivation can be some of these causes to name a few.    Maybe you came on a full belly because you ate pancakes before class along with Peter Collins.   Any of these reasons could cause one to go down completely or take a knee and  this is totally understandable.

These reasons however, are rarely if ever given much thought.

“My neighbor just went down so it must be too hot in here.”    The “follower” takes a knee.

I’ll never forget when two students told me they took a knee because someone in the class who they highly respected and who has always been considered a “strong student” took a knee.    They both stated that they determined when that student went down it must have been hotter than usual, (ie hotter than it should be) so down they went.

I asked the so called “strong student” why she took a knee. I specifically asked if it was due to the heat. The “strong student” replied that it wasn’t the heat at all. She said she didn’t even think it was that hot. What she did say was: “ I had alcohol last night for the first time in a long time and over did it. I think I completely dehydrated myself and had a slight hangover.     I threw my body out of balance and came to class unprepared.”

Obviously her fellow students comprised what I call a “Wyatt Webb” story regarding said “strong student” that was completely unfounded.    If those two students used their own judgement and were not so easily influenced by others they probably would have experienced a very different class!!!

Are you a leader or a follower? Are you easily influenced or do you use your own mind? Do you focus on Positive thoughts or Negative ones?

Answering these questions honestly, may just help you change your life for the positive and think twice before reacting to a situation you know nothing about because you made up your own “Wyatt Webb” story.

Hope to see you in the hot room soon!! The room will be heated. The room will be hot. The room will feel hot when you enter and feel even hotter as peeps begin to sweat. Whether or not you take a knee will MOST LIKELY depend on your mental strength.

I will see you in the hot room.    If I’m not teaching I’ll be down in the trenches right along side of you.    I’ll be expecting the heat, enjoying the sweat, and making darn sure I don’t go down……..unless of course,     I let Peter talk me into having pancakes before class!  😉

Namaste`

Blah, Blah,Blah BikramBlog……. From MANANA to MAHALO- which began with SAWADEE KA…..Finding the true meaning of FOCUS!!

Bikram Yoga Palm Desert – El Paseo is winding down a fabulous summer!! Our family of Yogis joined together to sweat it out IN and OUT of the hot room all  summer  long!!!

Besides our regular scheduled classes, we joined together for several group events!! We had a fabulous Golf Tourney at PGA West followed by a pool party,   a special Sunday Social Tibetan Bowl Meditation/Anniversary Party    and   a YIN/ZIN yoga/fun night!!

The SPOT LIGHT however, was definitely our FIRST YOGI-CABO RETREAT in Cabo San Lucas Mexico!!! Fifteen Yogis shared a Spectacular FULL WEEK of Yoga and Activities. We left no stone unturned! We started every morning with meditation music and a full Bikram Class amidst waves crashing and ocean breezes.

We swam with the Dolphins, relaxed at the Spa, and danced the night away during our Salsa n Salsa Event!    We ate a home cooked meal at Italian night, went swimming , boating, shopping and sight seeing!!! Yes, we covered it all!!!

(Thats Yogini Jacqulyn  Rockin it out with Belle!!!)

(“One, Two, Three………Five, Six, Seven…….. what happened to Four??…….. JUST BREATH!! – Notice the Yoga mat in the background… Yoga by day, Salsa by night)

(ITALIAN NIGHT!!  Accolades to Chef  Francene and helper Greg!!  Oh, and  Yes that’s me in the back,  I’m  the  Italian girl doing  VINOASANA!!   It’s my signature pose!  ? )

For some of us the summer travel did not end there (or start there for that matter!) Following Cabo, we did a group road trip to Vegas where we booked special tickets to see one of our favorite Certified Bikram Yoga Guest teachers in his “JERSEY BOYS” acting role.  Changing hats, he taught at the local Bikram Studio the next day – and was fabulous in both roles!!!

I personally was very blessed this summer with the gift of travel like I’ve never experienced before!!!!  Prior to the above mentioned group trips, I had the amazing opportunity to visit one of my students at Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Thailand.  It proved to be a great week of Yoga and reconnecting with the source!!

It was in Phuket, Thailand that I met the most cheerful, giving people. I was greeted by the quaint “sawadee ka” and received their generous gifts of spirit on a daily basis. Here I saw firsthand the life of truly selfless people. Most are Buddhists and one could take note of their relaxed , unhurried way of life!

It was in Cabo that I experienced an amazing level of camaraderie and closeness. My feelings weren’t individual. The group agrees that the connection and closeness that us yogis experienced as the week progressed was truly unique. Additionally, the weather cooperated and all yoga and activities went off without a hitch. We found that we traveled well together and looked forward to our yoga classes and group activities equally. It was an extraordinary balance!! So much so that this may turn out to be truly the trip of a lifetime on sooooo many levels.

(One for All and All for one!!  An Amazing Yogi Group Camaraderie!!!)

My final summer travels took me to Kauai…..my only non-yoga related trip………or was it??? Known as the most pristine and beautiful of the all the Hawaiian Islands, this slow paced “Garden Isle” revealed to me the TRUE MEANING OF FOCUS!!

I’m always telling my students that the meditative aspect of Bikram Yoga is the true HIDDEN  gem. I find that too often their energy is totally on the physical aspect of the asana when they look at themselves in the mirror. They allow their physical struggles to get in the way. Another common trait is those that focus on what others are doing instead of looking inward.    When a student tells me that “so in so was distracting because……..” I know that the real issue is within them and it is THEIR lack of focus that is the impeding factor.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Yin Yoga master Bernie Clark , “ The real Yoga is what you CAN’T see.”

Since Kauai attracts a lot of honeymoon couples, it wasn’t hard to identify the slew that I came across that week. One couple in particular really stood out!!!

While on a boat tour along the Napali Coast along with several honeymoon couples, one particular couple were mesmerizing. There were about 20 of us on that Yacht that evening but I’m sure they only saw each other.    While the rest of the honeymooners and us non-honeymooners roamed the decks   these two did not budge. Nestled in the corner on one of the couches on the top deck behind the Captain,  they only had their eyes on each other. Complete, deep focus like I’ve never quite witnessed before.

They barely moved for the 4 1/2 hour trip. They had matching Hawaiian Leis wrapped around their necks and she a matching flower in her hair.   They were totally attentive to each other. Since the ship mates served us our dinner and drinks  they didn’t necessarily have to move. I’m not even sure how much of the dramatic sea side shearing cliffs off the magnificent Napali Coast they actually viewed.  I’m not sure they could take their eyes off each other long enough!!

(Captain Andy’s Napali Coast dinner cruise is a must if you are visiting the Island of Kauai!!!)

Everybody should witness such a  deep level of concentration   then take it back into the hot room and let all the miscellaneous thoughts dissipate, clear out the distractions, and just focus!!!

TRULY FOCUS…..on their own breath, on their own third eye point and how they feel internally as they move in and out of Asana!!

Hope to see you you in the hot room soon!!! I’ll be there,  feeling blessed for my extraordinary gift of travel this summer,   grateful for my daily practice, grateful to share the world of Bikram Yoga with others and extremely grateful for all the wonderful Yogis in my life!!!!

Namaste`

BLAH, BLAH, BLAH………BIKRAM BLOG, “Phoenix rising” this from “Miss Ann Marie!”

Here at Bikram Yoga Palm Desert – El Paseo excitement is mounting!!!  Our first Yoga Retreat is almost one week away and I’m thrilled to share my home away from home ~Cabo San Lucas, Mexico~  with my  “OHMies”!!!

I love the Mexican people!   I have been traveling to Mexico for over 20 years now and I haven’t had one  bad trip!  Most of my travels have been to my home resort in Cabo San Lucas, but I’ve visited  Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Mazatlan, Puerta Vallarta, Cancun, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.

Regardless my destination my experience was consistent.   The Mexican people are friendly and appreciative.  They are hard working and very service oriented!

Where else would I  choose  to spend a week long yoga retreat with some of my favorite Yogis???!!!

As I continue to put the finishing touches on our first Yogi Cabo Retreat,  I find myself once again reveling at the extent of their hospitality.

I have been networking to set up fun activities for my students during our stay.  I have had communications with company managers as well as the local folks. My emails and calls are returned promptly and I’ve even had peeps whose specialty is in one area helping me network to find peeps in areas out of their expertise!

The one constant throughout the years is how they address me.  I’m  “Miss Ann Marie!”

In Mexico they do not use one’s surname but rather they use one’s  given name.   This immediately draws one in making you feel more like an amigo than a customer.  They formalize it by adding a title on to your given name. This formality always makes me chuckle and  brings a smile to face.

But this year my smile is BIGGER,  my smile is  BRIGHTER,  my smile is GRANDER!!   (no, not because I’m a Dental Hygienist and have access to teeth whitening gel!)

A year ago I went to my home away from home with a different agenda!  I was scoping out the best spots for a  Yoga  Retreat!   After a week of vacationing and planning,  I left September 10, 2014,   the  VERY  day Hurricane Odile rolled in and devoured the airport.   My flight was the last to leave before they closed the airport.  By the time my airplane landed in LAX,  early devastation was already being reported.

My hopes of a Cabo retreat seemed to go up in flames  even before my airplane touched ground back on American soil.   Just one  week after I returned,  reports  were stating that it  would take Cabo  “YEARS TO REBUILD! ”

Today,  just one year later,  CABO is rebuilt and better than ever  and our  BIKRAM YOGIS ARE GOING TO CABO FOR OUR FIRST YOGA RETREAT!!!

On the eve of our Bikram School’s   THIRD YEAR ANNIVERSARY  the rebuilding of CABO is as significant to us as the Rebirth of our school three years ago!!

THREE YEARS AGO – UNITED WE STOOD  and  TOGETHER  WE  SURVIVED!!  How appropriate for us to kick off our third year with a group retreat in a place that mirrored our resolve  and  refused  to perish!

Bikram Yoga Palm Desert – El Paseo and Cabo San Lucas Mexico are like the Phoenix rising!!

The only flames now are  the ones on our matching shirts signifying our “HOT”  yoga passion!!

Two weeks from now Medano beach goers will be watching a group of Yogis moving together in Half Moon Pose and  Standing Bow.    This same group will be meditating together, dining together,  laughing  and dancing together.

Our energy and passion will be infectious and I’m sure we’ll  be  WELCOMING vacationing peeps into our Bikram Classes along the way.  We will introduce them, educate them, and encourage them about the wonderful world of BIKRAM YOGA!!

If you are not able to attend our Yogi Retreat this year, put it on your calendar for next and  “Miss Ann Marie”  will keep a spot open for you!!

Until then,  hope to see you in the hot room,  livin the life , taking care of your mind and body,  and being good to yourself!!

Namaste