Merry Christmas!! We are open all weekend!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! WE ARE OPEN!! Come “OHM” for the Holidays!!!

Holiday Schedule this Week! Please see full schedule! Come Celebrate Christmas with Your Yoga Family!!

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!