tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80283252832429225362024-03-13T09:05:56.404-07:00Bikram Boot Camp 2009Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-46331872075385887412009-07-05T18:33:00.000-07:002009-07-05T19:25:56.762-07:00Final pics<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFgASlliaI/AAAAAAAAAUA/gxjCTEDYbOE/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+129.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355166990025984418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFgASlliaI/AAAAAAAAAUA/gxjCTEDYbOE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+129.jpg" /></a> Graduation Day<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFdPabs0CI/AAAAAAAAATg/USI-_ko4VkQ/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+130.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355163951295156258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFdPabs0CI/AAAAAAAAATg/USI-_ko4VkQ/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+130.jpg" /></a> Me and Irish Patrick</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFdO94j6dI/AAAAAAAAATY/O9Z9qWWE8SY/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+134.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355163943631579602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFdO94j6dI/AAAAAAAAATY/O9Z9qWWE8SY/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+134.jpg" /></a> Graduation Dinner<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbbPylMjI/AAAAAAAAATQ/a-MeRl7LMRE/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+139.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355161955573510706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbbPylMjI/AAAAAAAAATQ/a-MeRl7LMRE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+139.jpg" /></a> The amazing demonstration </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbav3GZPI/AAAAAAAAATI/pZdDk3ieFWg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+196.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355161947002529010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbav3GZPI/AAAAAAAAATI/pZdDk3ieFWg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+196.jpg" /></a> Lulu after class<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbaXLyFsI/AAAAAAAAATA/tCcYsSZmKis/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+146.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355161940378392258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbaXLyFsI/AAAAAAAAATA/tCcYsSZmKis/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+146.jpg" /></a>An interesting way to spell <em>Hannah</em><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbaGiywrI/AAAAAAAAAS4/6s1k5Wp3zX0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+145.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355161935911502514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbaGiywrI/AAAAAAAAAS4/6s1k5Wp3zX0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+145.jpg" /></a> Me before teaching at Oceanside, San Diego (they have no mic so I had to shout extra loud...which wasn't hard for me!)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbZgYvywI/AAAAAAAAASw/GXfosV9WofA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+150.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355161925668817666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFbZgYvywI/AAAAAAAAASw/GXfosV9WofA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+150.jpg" /></a> Me and Dom<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZpErPRNI/AAAAAAAAASo/A8XmXQp0awE/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+153.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355159994084836562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZpErPRNI/AAAAAAAAASo/A8XmXQp0awE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+153.jpg" /></a> Our certificates!</div><div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZoujzQyI/AAAAAAAAASg/GBFJ-3g_rbg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+157.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355159988148060962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZoujzQyI/AAAAAAAAASg/GBFJ-3g_rbg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+157.jpg" /></a>Liz and Bikram<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZoTLUpvI/AAAAAAAAASY/gCxeIUGQspY/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+158.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355159980797634290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZoTLUpvI/AAAAAAAAASY/gCxeIUGQspY/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+158.jpg" /></a> Lulu waiting to take centre stage!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZoJxKcRI/AAAAAAAAASQ/_4AAjCoSxME/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+163.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355159978271994130" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZoJxKcRI/AAAAAAAAASQ/_4AAjCoSxME/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+163.jpg" /></a> Rach and Simon digging in to the buffet </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZnyI0WEI/AAAAAAAAASI/kV7pt4W3lDk/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+169.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355159971928758338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFZnyI0WEI/AAAAAAAAASI/kV7pt4W3lDk/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+169.jpg" /></a>Liz, Dominic (Anna's boyf) and moi<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXnD8M1rI/AAAAAAAAASA/we7L2LbAESU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+171.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157760504551090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXnD8M1rI/AAAAAAAAASA/we7L2LbAESU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+171.jpg" /></a> Me and lovely Anna from Hawaii<br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXmlPPGTI/AAAAAAAAAR4/W7cGcAQd6I0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+199.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157752262891826" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXmlPPGTI/AAAAAAAAAR4/W7cGcAQd6I0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+199.jpg" /></a> Nelia, Me, Liz and Stan - all trainees (now teachers) from Spring 09<br />at Bikram Yoga, El Cajon<br /></div><div align="center"><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXmffWIRI/AAAAAAAAARw/woJxe4o8KCs/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+201.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157750719848722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXmffWIRI/AAAAAAAAARw/woJxe4o8KCs/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+201.jpg" /></a> Liz having a well earned rest in Balboa Park<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXl1qpAxI/AAAAAAAAARo/dIiLYVqcnhg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+173.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355157739492934418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFXl1qpAxI/AAAAAAAAARo/dIiLYVqcnhg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+173.jpg" /></a> We drove through mountains to get to San Diego...the GPS (SatNav) went crazy! </div><div align="center"><br /><div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFV1KqPhaI/AAAAAAAAARY/GMII0bX8VDU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+182.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355155803803190690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFV1KqPhaI/AAAAAAAAARY/GMII0bX8VDU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+182.jpg" /></a> 5:30am before my first time teaching a proper class!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFV0nnZKoI/AAAAAAAAARQ/aKOlnI8ryLA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+185.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355155794395998850" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFV0nnZKoI/AAAAAAAAARQ/aKOlnI8ryLA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+185.jpg" /></a> Liz before her first class (and lovely Wendy, the studio owner)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFV0ThVEnI/AAAAAAAAARI/0xw0NUdBXF4/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+190.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355155789001855602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFV0ThVEnI/AAAAAAAAARI/0xw0NUdBXF4/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+190.jpg" /></a> Lulu at Bikram Yoga, El Cajon -learning last minute dialogue before her first class there. </div><div><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFVz1vLRYI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ROsxGGjhLOk/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+202.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355155781006869890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SlFVz1vLRYI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/ROsxGGjhLOk/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+202.jpg" /></a> Our bed! We all slept together and it was lovely! No funny business. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-67651175966245069042009-07-05T18:08:00.000-07:002009-07-05T19:40:06.513-07:00Advice for any future teacher trainees<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Georgia', 'serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><strong><span style="font-family:georgia;">For anyone reading this blog who is heading off to TT at the Desert Springs Resort soon...<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></p><ul><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GBfont-family:georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >If possible, take a microwave/blender/rice cooker/bowls/spoons or anything you want to cook with. A knife and chopping board will come in handy too. </span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GBfont-family:georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >Buy a water cooler or water bottle with a large opening (for class) so you can put ice in there. The desert is boiling.</span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GBfont-family:georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >Bring a camping chair or a floor seat, otherwise you’ll be sat on the floor for hours during posture clinic (or get to posture clinic early to get a wall spot!)</span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GBfont-family:georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >Prepare yourself for late nights (up til 5am sometimes watching movies). Sleep deprivation is part of the process. Just accept it and sleep when you can.</span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Georgia', 'serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">The hotel internet is about $12 a day. I used a cheaper alternative for $10 per month. Go to </span><a href="http://www.boingo.com/"><span style="font-family:georgia;">http://www.boingo.com/</span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> and this works in the hotel lobby.</span></span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GBfont-family:georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >There’s a Ralph’s and a Rite Aid opposite. A shuttle will take you to Trader Joes and the laundry mat at the weekend.</span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GBfont-family:georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >Keep hydrated. A pinch of sugar, salt and lemon juice in your water is great for electrolyte balance but Coconut Water and Kombuca are incredible for rehydration. </span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GBfont-family:georgia;" lang="EN-GB" >The hotel has a sushi bar downstairs - the seaweed salad is delish. The spa is also amazing. Save about $100 extra for a full body massage - it's incredible. Starbucks is also in the lobby.</span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Georgia', 'serif';" lang="EN-GB" >LEARN as much dialogue as you can before you go. It’ll make your experience a lot more enjoyable and you’ll get more sleep.</span><span style="font-family:'Georgia', 'serif';"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-family:'Georgia', 'serif';"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Georgia', 'serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">I put on weight – not too sure if it was water retention or muscle mass but I’m slowly shrinking again. A lot of girls put on weight and most men lost weight.</span></span></div></li><li><div style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;font-family:'Georgia', 'serif';" lang="EN-GB" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Most importantly, enjoy it. It’s hard work but so much fun and you will meet some amazing people from all over the world. The friends you make at teacher training are the ones who carry you through til the end. They are the only ones who understand how you are feeling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></li></ul>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-6587919280333560482009-07-05T18:05:00.000-07:002009-07-05T18:24:50.029-07:00Graduation and my first teaching experience<p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I can officially call myself a certified Bikram Yoga teacher! I got my certificate on Saturday 27<sup>th</sup> June (after a very long ceremony). Then me and my closest friends went out for dinner and I was in bed by 10pm. I was absolutely exhausted. The whole 9 weeks was an amazing experience but the lack of sleep finally caught up with me. Next day myself, Liz and Lulu travelled to San Diego. I felt so weak. I must have gone for a wee about 15 times before we left. I couldn’t stop peeing and I felt shaky. Maybe it was all the water retention letting go? However, we made it to our little apartment (one bed, a kitchenette and toilet). We stayed in the centre of San Diego and it was a perfect location for us to get to the 3 studios we were teaching at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:georgia;">My first class was at 6am. I got through it and surprised myself with how much dialogue I knew. It was a bit scary but I didn’t really have time to get anxious as it was so early. I taught 6 classes in 4 days and by my third class I was hooked. The first two classes were ok, but the third one felt amazing and I could see people were starting to respond to what I was asking them to do. This yoga is so powerful and I now know how important it is for the teacher to maintain the energy. It makes people work harder and feel better. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I’m now sat in a hotel room near LAX. I’ve come full circle. I’ve said goodbye to my friends and I’m now waiting for my wonderful boyfriend to get here so we can have a holiday. I think that was the hardest thing to deal with whilst on training – missing people from home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>My final message goes out to my amazing family and friends. Being away from home makes you realise what is important. I can’t wait to come home and settle back in to my lovely life. My only wish is that we can all take class together. That way, we can all live until we’re 120.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="justify"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB" lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Namaste x</span></span></p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-31776299183365782332009-06-27T09:12:00.000-07:002009-06-27T09:15:54.851-07:00Week 9...The Final Mountain<p align="justify">Graduation Day has arrived! <em>Can you believe?</em> </p><p align="justify">Final class with Bikram last night was incredible. There were about 400 of us, including friends and family. I was crying all the way through Kapalbhati Breating - I was okay until that point. Then the relief and sense of achievement hit me. I cannot believe that I have survived 99 classes (one was a makeup class) and 5096 asanas over 9 weeks. For once in my life I was actually proud of myself instead of wanting other people to be proud of me. OK, time to change the subject before another tear falls and I have to blow my nose.</p><p align="justify">Whoever said Week 9 was ‘party week’ LIED! It has been the most exhausting of all. We were kept up til early morning every night. I think Tuesday was the worst...5:30am. On Thursday night Bikram did his final lecture and showed us an incredible breathing exercise. We all did it for about 10 minutes. I had to stop at one point because I got a headache. Bikram said afterwards that it was because I have problems with my brain!! </p><p align="justify">Without actually being here, I don’t think you’ll ever understand how incredible this experience is. All I can say now is that I feel whole. The most important thing I’ve come to realise is that you have to look after yourself first. If you take care of <em>you</em> first (with yoga practise, being good to yourself all the time, taking care of your needs, respecting your body), then you can look after others much more efficiently and not feel any sense of resentment. Ultimately, helping each other is what we’re here for (karma) and what makes us happy. Does that make sense? I hope so. It applies to all aspects of life – work, relationships, friends, family.</p><p align="justify">It’s been a strange week too. The news that Michael Jackson died really shocked me. I’ve been so detached from the outside world for 2 months – I haven’t watched TV or read newspapers so I don’t know what’s been happening. Bikram was a friend of Michael’s. He talked to us about their relationship. Bikram also knew Elvis Presley (yes, I know this all sounds pretty crazy!). Two weeks before Elvis died, Bikram spent a day with him trying to convince him to take his class but he turned it down. Bikram Yoga did help Charlie Sheen with his problems though – he spoke openly about it on TV interview that we saw a few weeks back. Staying with showbiz, Freda Payne came to visit us yesterday. She praised Bikram and then sang for us!!! Please take a look at the video on this blog. She was amazing (excuse my singing at the start).</p><p align="justify">The week ended with a talent show on Friday night. We had pizza and cookies and sat there for 3 hours whilst watching our piers entertain us. They were all so fabulous...singing, belly dancing, poetry, sketches, Bollywood dancing – it was incredible. I am so lucky to be part of the Bikram family! Just got to teach my first class now to complete the first circle. </p><p align="justify">Right, I’m off for a pedicure – then to decide what to wear! </p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-30813621822574086972009-06-27T08:55:00.000-07:002009-06-27T09:30:02.933-07:00The Spring 09 TT Song...rehearsal<p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwdZyftHyzMczQOkyrD9AqeTQryLA5OmyqcwsS9QBDI173v6TrpzEB0ILoBtwYUlqGuhKvDqLf7I0_Q6WMvKA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>The Simon and Hannah show. Week 9 did send us slightly crazy!</p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-58163524035485271172009-06-27T08:48:00.000-07:002009-06-27T09:30:19.984-07:00Band of Gold, Freda Payne<p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4sx4H2NNq60l5FcxzIJS9-yu9Gy1XNcIhMbm0QbAXvb6Rtpdicqnrs0CZqlqh8YpXGrgUBZxhertpNoPp4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>Freda sang this on American Idol a few weeks ago. She was fab - it was so nice to hear music again.</p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-33268586955326890922009-06-27T07:48:00.000-07:002009-07-19T09:09:43.690-07:00Week 9 pics<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY-DQwEqaI/AAAAAAAAAQI/VwJoXuuPiyg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+006.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352033432933542306" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY-DQwEqaI/AAAAAAAAAQI/VwJoXuuPiyg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+006.jpg" /></a> Me and the Boss (at 2:30am)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY-DNjkRpI/AAAAAAAAAQA/mPeWw0SOxCg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352033432075781778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY-DNjkRpI/AAAAAAAAAQA/mPeWw0SOxCg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+012.jpg" /></a> Massage!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352033425095762386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY-CzjZodI/AAAAAAAAAP4/K87Kjy8apH0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+014.jpg" /><br />Awkward Pose competition<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8wjOdhII/AAAAAAAAAPw/WV0mpvwdZ54/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352032011963696258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8wjOdhII/AAAAAAAAAPw/WV0mpvwdZ54/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+020.jpg" /></a> Bikram and Craig Villani<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8wDdBtVI/AAAAAAAAAPo/kfUnpo7N2Ac/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352032003434853714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8wDdBtVI/AAAAAAAAAPo/kfUnpo7N2Ac/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+024.jpg" /></a>Room Service for me and Rachel<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8v_XD3SI/AAAAAAAAAPg/J1OLs0z7nqk/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352032002336087330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8v_XD3SI/AAAAAAAAAPg/J1OLs0z7nqk/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+022.jpg" /></a> Blue Day</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8vSHtuwI/AAAAAAAAAPY/HE8E40x2ERw/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352031990192126722" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8vSHtuwI/AAAAAAAAAPY/HE8E40x2ERw/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+037.jpg" /></a> Advanced Class...these guys are incredible<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8vP9blBI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/xPI7BkQi2C0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+039.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352031989612123154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY8vP9blBI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/xPI7BkQi2C0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+039.jpg" /></a> I love this posture<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6WHLFVmI/AAAAAAAAAPI/tDN1IL9QkR8/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+065.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352029358733481570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6WHLFVmI/AAAAAAAAAPI/tDN1IL9QkR8/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+065.jpg" /></a> Juan and Bikram</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6VxmMRkI/AAAAAAAAAPA/NTeLhEShZeA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+050.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352029352941602370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6VxmMRkI/AAAAAAAAAPA/NTeLhEShZeA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+050.jpg" /></a> The Swastika Pose. You close all the openings to keep all the energy inside...ha!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6Vdt4VCI/AAAAAAAAAO4/O0whUvcdznY/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+035.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352029347605140514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6Vdt4VCI/AAAAAAAAAO4/O0whUvcdznY/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+035.jpg" /></a> The advanced version of Head to Knee. You use your thigh strength to hold your leg up.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6VPUNTsI/AAAAAAAAAOw/uvO8UVW63vQ/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+077.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352029343739367106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6VPUNTsI/AAAAAAAAAOw/uvO8UVW63vQ/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+077.jpg" /></a> Me and Al from Florida<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6U01HWQI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Jm9xEn2tZnA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+097.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352029336629631234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY6U01HWQI/AAAAAAAAAOo/Jm9xEn2tZnA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+097.jpg" /></a> Liz giving Dom his thankyou present (Bikram is perched on the orange seat above)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3HMoDMoI/AAAAAAAAAOg/nv-xcbfNn6I/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+068.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352025803964232322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3HMoDMoI/AAAAAAAAAOg/nv-xcbfNn6I/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+068.jpg" /></a> Juan - who has amazing practise</div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3G-5qGqI/AAAAAAAAAOY/0pzAA5YgoOg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+071.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352025800279988898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3G-5qGqI/AAAAAAAAAOY/0pzAA5YgoOg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+071.jpg" /></a>Liz, trying to touch her head to feet<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3Glg3FmI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/uF33qsJWysw/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+072.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352025793465095778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3Glg3FmI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/uF33qsJWysw/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+072.jpg" /></a> The boy yogi's of TT Spring '09<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3GVIZ4TI/AAAAAAAAAOI/mCWm4_WaOyo/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+075.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352025789067551026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3GVIZ4TI/AAAAAAAAAOI/mCWm4_WaOyo/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+075.jpg" /></a> Rach, my practise buddy and fab teacher<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3F0m8ruI/AAAAAAAAAOA/TWq6omPXbsE/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+082.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352025780337290978" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY3F0m8ruI/AAAAAAAAAOA/TWq6omPXbsE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+082.jpg" /></a> Our T Shirts!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY03avAmAI/AAAAAAAAAN4/8MmMr9dqdV8/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+084.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352023333850355714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY03avAmAI/AAAAAAAAAN4/8MmMr9dqdV8/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+084.jpg" /></a> Emmy, Craig and Rajashree<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY02yziFNI/AAAAAAAAANw/4GJZDSjxRXo/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+089.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352023323131909330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY02yziFNI/AAAAAAAAANw/4GJZDSjxRXo/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+089.jpg" /></a> Final Class - I paid homage to Bikram!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY02p6ESaI/AAAAAAAAANo/_-D1yw0bUpU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+086.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352023320743397794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY02p6ESaI/AAAAAAAAANo/_-D1yw0bUpU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+086.jpg" /></a> Me and <em>Perfect Upside Down L Like</em> Linda<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY02dLyAsI/AAAAAAAAANg/dK3ojgkzNuE/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+093.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352023317328036546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY02dLyAsI/AAAAAAAAANg/dK3ojgkzNuE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+093.jpg" /></a> Vivinenne, Simon and Moi</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY01wH-BkI/AAAAAAAAANY/bthXHhLVGrM/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+099.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352023305232451138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkY01wH-BkI/AAAAAAAAANY/bthXHhLVGrM/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+099.jpg" /></a> My yoga body...bigger all over - put on weight whilst here but it's mainly muscle<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYztam4ubI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_zH4H1bNBD4/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+105.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352022062505966002" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYztam4ubI/AAAAAAAAANQ/_zH4H1bNBD4/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+105.jpg" /></a> Caroline, Cathy, Adam, Simon and Me</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzs459ZDI/AAAAAAAAANI/pWjlh2klWs0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+109.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352022053459158066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzs459ZDI/AAAAAAAAANI/pWjlh2klWs0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+109.jpg" /></a> Mark - who's on Staff. We used to live down the road from eachother in Southend! Small world.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzstWUUgI/AAAAAAAAANA/UpT2TdMmKpQ/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+113.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352022050356875778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzstWUUgI/AAAAAAAAANA/UpT2TdMmKpQ/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+113.jpg" /></a>Ballet vs Yoga</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzsWFkCXI/AAAAAAAAAM4/vtUNj_B7LFA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+114.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352022044112587122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzsWFkCXI/AAAAAAAAAM4/vtUNj_B7LFA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+114.jpg" /></a>Liz<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzsLh1gXI/AAAAAAAAAMw/Ah8i01SBIfI/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+2+119.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352022041278382450" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SkYzsLh1gXI/AAAAAAAAAMw/Ah8i01SBIfI/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+2+119.jpg" /></a> Bollywood!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-55745623966974542442009-06-20T11:03:00.000-07:002009-06-27T09:30:39.203-07:00Week 8 pics<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0og_VIVRI/AAAAAAAAAMo/NkJ2RCfe5AI/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+329.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349476479607002386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0og_VIVRI/AAAAAAAAAMo/NkJ2RCfe5AI/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+329.jpg" border="0" /></a> Just kidding!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0ogdNXVeI/AAAAAAAAAMg/3sR9DUyGaRc/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+347.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349476470447625698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0ogdNXVeI/AAAAAAAAAMg/3sR9DUyGaRc/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+347.jpg" border="0" /></a> Kelsey doing the Final Spinal!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0ogBotX8I/AAAAAAAAAMY/EiWfT5h6G7c/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+358.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349476463046123458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0ogBotX8I/AAAAAAAAAMY/EiWfT5h6G7c/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+358.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lynne Whitlow<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0of6EnRII/AAAAAAAAAMQ/ZnSTI2ExsSg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+355.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349476461015680130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0of6EnRII/AAAAAAAAAMQ/ZnSTI2ExsSg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+355.jpg" border="0" /></a>Me, Linda and Anna<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0ofjuFzhI/AAAAAAAAAMI/_UQS_2o1vJM/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+330.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349476455015632402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0ofjuFzhI/AAAAAAAAAMI/_UQS_2o1vJM/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+330.jpg" border="0" /></a> Rachel (from Newcastle!) doing her final posture<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0l0gqnsSI/AAAAAAAAALo/SQTn6OK5DD0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+338.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349473516438139170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0l0gqnsSI/AAAAAAAAALo/SQTn6OK5DD0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+338.jpg" border="0" /></a>There's a lot of these guys around here<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0l0W_ZJkI/AAAAAAAAALg/OOUNiYncEmE/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+315.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349473513840911938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0l0W_ZJkI/AAAAAAAAALg/OOUNiYncEmE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+315.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me on the podium<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0lz6vxW7I/AAAAAAAAALY/DlaFIt-ZExQ/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+353.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349473506259196850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0lz6vxW7I/AAAAAAAAALY/DlaFIt-ZExQ/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+353.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me with the boys...there are lots of girls here too<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0lzc6YK9I/AAAAAAAAALQ/ygbqjz8FHtQ/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+332.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349473498250619858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0lzc6YK9I/AAAAAAAAALQ/ygbqjz8FHtQ/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+332.jpg" border="0" /></a>I was genuinely asleep, cheers Adam!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0lzNmjg8I/AAAAAAAAALI/MDVi-4YIbHg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+328.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349473494140945346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sj0lzNmjg8I/AAAAAAAAALI/MDVi-4YIbHg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+328.jpg" border="0" /></a> Simon had a cunning plan to make it look like he was awake. This has to be the funniest episode of the week. I literally wet myself during the lecture.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-50849760251161454882009-06-20T10:59:00.000-07:002009-06-20T11:00:58.967-07:00Week 8<div align="justify">I really wish I could say I’m feeling great after the penultimate week of training but I don’t. I’m weak and tired. However, I know it’s a phase and it’ll pass. I’m getting my hair done later so that should perk me up. I have to be grateful that we didn’t have to do a back to back class like I predicted last week. I think that would have killed me off!</div><div align="justify"><br />Friday night ended with a talk from our lovely staff teachers - they got up on stage and told us about their first experience of teaching. It was so nice to hear from them all. Manali (Bikram’s niece) did the training last year in Acopulco. It makes me realise that becoming a teacher is a hard, challenging process for anyone – even Bikram’s family. The only way to become a teacher is to go through the 9 weeks of teacher training. There are no short cuts and it’s only now that I understand why. I have learned SO much over the past 2 months – about yoga, the postures, the reasons it works and also about myself as a person. I’ve had to adjust to so much and go beyond my boundaries. I’m quite a particular person and like things a certain way. Being here, sharing a room with someone, being told what to do and having to eat and drink to survive has really challenged me. However getting to the end of week 8 has made it all worth it. I know next week will be fun and I can see the finish line. </div><div align="justify"><br />This week has been exhausting. My practise has been pretty weak. I’ve cried quite a bit but I’ve also laughed so much. Being in the yoga bubble is the most surreal experience – what am I mean’t to do with myself when I graduate? I literally have been doing the same thing every single day. I am excited though.</div><div align="justify"><br />I have a book full of notes from this week. Had a fab lecture from senior teacher Lynn Whitlow on Friday afternoon. She’s a tough cookie and in the first few weeks I couldn’t really warm to her but now I actually think she’s great and pretty inspirational. She owned 4 Bikram studios in San Franscisco which were extremely successful. Her lecture was about the practicalities of being a teacher – the way we should dress, prepare for class and treat our students. I loved the pieces of advice she gave us. </div><div align="justify"><br />One of the things Lynn addressed was the ‘heat’ issue of the yoga room. She believes that the room should be 105 degrees farenheit and 40 % humidity. Anything hotter is unnecessary – Bikram Yoga is not about who can survive the hottest room. The heat is there so that the body can access the energy and fat stores in the body and use them to re-energise you. If the room is so hot that everyone is sitting out postures then people are losing the benefit of being there. I think there’s a misconceived idea that Bikram Yoga is only for hardcore gym bunnies. Actually, it’s the safest place for anyone to work out as there’s virtually no chance of you injuring yourself because you’re in a warm room.<br /><br />Things from Week 8;</div><div align="justify"><br />Best day: Thursday. Finishing posture clinic after 6 weeks of study and then having a hot tub party.</div><div align="justify"><br />Latest night: Wednesday – got to bed at 4:30am after watching another 4 episodes of the Mahabharat.</div><div align="justify"><br />Realisation of the week: During a sit up, you don’t actually put your palms together when you put your arms over your head and cross your thumbs. You keep the palms flat (basically making a ‘Wackaday sign’). </div><div align="justify"><br />I cried...about 10 times – mostly in Savasana.</div><div align="justify"><br />Can’t wait...to come home.</div><div align="justify"><br />Can’t believe...I’ve been here for 2 whole months.</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-90944887083744648392009-06-13T07:23:00.000-07:002009-06-13T20:28:00.020-07:00Week 7<div align="justify">The week has flown by but it’s also been hard. I think it’s the routine that’s getting to me more than anything. I am still so excited about all the learning and my new found friends but eating the same breakfast and washing the same old yoga clothes is starting to take its toll!</div><div align="justify"><br />Friday was pretty special. We had a lecture from an incredible lady called Anne Marie Bennstrom – who invented the ‘aerobics’ class and founded Sanctuary health spas. She’s 81 years old and looks about 50. She wasn’t there to talk about exercise and beauty, more about her experiences living on her own in the jungle when she was younger (nearly dying of starvation, being bitten by a scorpion and almost being raped by men with machetes). Her main point was that she survived all the struggles she had to face. She believes that as long as we live alongside nature and recognise ourselves as a product of nature we will have a blissful life. She talked a little bit about food and told us to stop counting calories – she said the definition of ‘Calorie’ was the amount of energy it takes to heat 1 gram of water to 1 degree, which has no relation to food. According to Anne, anything that grows in nature that tastes good, looks good and smells good, we should eat. I still think a little chocolate can be added to the mix though!</div><div align="justify"><br />One thing that stuck out again for me was how emotion has such a huge impact on our body and mind. The best example Anne gave was that when you look at a deer, they are all the same – no matter how old or young - they all are beautiful, perfect creatures. With the human body – we all start off looking the same (as babies) but as we grow, we are all so different and almost never perfect (in proportion, spine, knees, feet etc). This is due to the crystallisation of emotion within certain points of our body. This may sound like a cliché but Bikram Yoga helps to rebalance the emotions and the physical body.</div><div align="justify"><br />Oh my God, there’s so much I want to write down but unless you were at the lecture, I think it would just sound baffling. </div><div align="justify"><br />Rajashree (Bikram’s wife) spent lots of time with us this week – going through the benefits of each posture one by one. It was so interesting and will really help when I’m teaching. I think it’s important for students to know why they are doing each posture and what it is particularly beneficial for. Next week, Bikram will go through the exact way to do each posture. We’ve also been told week 8 will be hard (and week 9 will be party week). I’m predicting we’ll have to do a back to back class at some point next week, that’s what happened in Acapulco training last fall during week 8. </div><div align="justify"><br />Looking forward to the weekend. Me and the girls are going to the mall to do some clothes shopping. I have literally been wearing the same clothes for months. Also going out for dinner to my favourite restaurant here - it’s called Babe’s but isn’t a strip joint (think pig instead). I am going to have a huge chunk of barbeque chicken. It’s crazy how excited I get over the most normal activities. I will never take my free time for granted again. I have to do lots of dialogue study too - learning Half Tortoise up to Spine Strengthening for next week. </div><div align="justify"><br />Here’s my highlights;</div><div align="justify"><br />Best meal: Smoked salmon omelette with a toasted bagel for lunch. I’ve not had eggs for weeks and not eaten toasted bread since before training. The ketchup finished it off nicely. Felt so good the whole day after. Dr T is right – eggs are a super food. </div><div align="justify"><br />I’m wondering...what to wear for graduation?!</div><div align="justify"><br />I miss...a washing machine and holding hands.</div><div align="justify"><br />My practise...is getting stronger and more focused. My shoulders feel looser and my Standing Bow is so much better. However my left hamstring is still a bugger.</div><div align="justify"><br />Best class: Friday night with Georgia from New York. She was one of Bikram’s first students (from 1971). She said that the one thing she’ll always remember Bikram telling her is that the way to be happy yourself is to make other people happy. I like that.</div><div align="justify"><br />I love...every single person on the training, especially my group. We laugh so much during posture clinic about the most stupid things and are so supportive of each other. I know everyone is going to be an incredible teacher.</div><div align="justify"><br />Quote of the week : Nelson Mandella (read by Rajashree)</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that frightens us. We ask ourselves, <em>who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous</em>? Actually who are you not to be? You are a child of God.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Namaste x </div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-31450423444617093512009-06-13T06:58:00.000-07:002009-06-13T07:03:38.633-07:00The Happy Birthday Triangle<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwEoGO-K4TAJnK9jSIIsSSAmrUdFZRJHx7jr6GJdtAEQQV90HHGE32K51KaCpGw5RCoWsDVkxNpWagY-LrXTA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>Ever tried singing happy birthday whilst doing Triangle? Here's how!</p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-60717889507252523642009-06-12T19:34:00.000-07:002009-06-13T07:28:50.002-07:00Week 7 pictures<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOyoYmq58I/AAAAAAAAALA/EfavAb351Kk/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+232.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346813589488068546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOyoYmq58I/AAAAAAAAALA/EfavAb351Kk/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+232.jpg" border="0" /></a> Saturday night jam round the pool. </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOyoBE_7gI/AAAAAAAAAK4/O4kLuB39ktI/s1600-h/4573_88848876311_539366311_1961968_5162543_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346813583172824578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOyoBE_7gI/AAAAAAAAAK4/O4kLuB39ktI/s320/4573_88848876311_539366311_1961968_5162543_n.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me (trying not to show my triangle)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOynz8ZAJI/AAAAAAAAAKw/6_2JSzMACvM/s1600-h/4471_533381573837_194603119_31555112_2185095_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346813579647058066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOynz8ZAJI/AAAAAAAAAKw/6_2JSzMACvM/s320/4471_533381573837_194603119_31555112_2185095_n.jpg" border="0" /></a>The official Group 12 photo...yes, I have a towel round my head.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOynx9p9bI/AAAAAAAAAKo/J903NpZ3CzU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+307.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346813579115492786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjOynx9p9bI/AAAAAAAAAKo/J903NpZ3CzU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+307.jpg" border="0" /></a> Little Jon's practise is coming on nicely<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjNQ5GHjEKI/AAAAAAAAAKg/FdRM2kAGv6M/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+305.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346706124443947170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjNQ5GHjEKI/AAAAAAAAAKg/FdRM2kAGv6M/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+305.jpg" border="0" /></a> Georgia from NYC<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjNQ45Re_yI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Ij9J6uvOT_Q/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+304.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346706120995962658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjNQ45Re_yI/AAAAAAAAAKY/Ij9J6uvOT_Q/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+304.jpg" border="0" /></a> The lovely Anne Marie Bennstrom (aged 81)</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMbR7WcsHI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/Yptz6lk8sxc/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+290.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346647177422483570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMbR7WcsHI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/Yptz6lk8sxc/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+290.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dominic and his shiny shorts</div><div><br /><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUHqEzm3I/AAAAAAAAAKA/nZqbp3gJSHo/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+289.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346639304404999026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUHqEzm3I/AAAAAAAAAKA/nZqbp3gJSHo/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+289.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bendy Hillary<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUHVuYziI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/CYAY-Vg_1MA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+261.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346639298942258722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUHVuYziI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/CYAY-Vg_1MA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+261.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lecture on yoga benefits<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUHJLXLyI/AAAAAAAAAJw/bxdT5oNzIwI/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+298.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346639295574126370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUHJLXLyI/AAAAAAAAAJw/bxdT5oNzIwI/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+298.jpg" border="0" /></a> Miss Kelsey<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUGk9xYmI/AAAAAAAAAJo/UQq_WEQfEaY/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+251.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346639285853446754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUGk9xYmI/AAAAAAAAAJo/UQq_WEQfEaY/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+251.jpg" border="0" /></a>Posture clinic or Post coital?</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUGfa3icI/AAAAAAAAAJg/QHvExF6L0qw/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+266.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346639284364872130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMUGfa3icI/AAAAAAAAAJg/QHvExF6L0qw/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+266.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me, beautiful Vivienne and her yoga husband Simon<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTC-u21MI/AAAAAAAAAJY/8BH2fKRPZbk/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+263.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346638124539106498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTC-u21MI/AAAAAAAAAJY/8BH2fKRPZbk/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+263.jpg" border="0" /></a> We're not looking bad considering it's week 7<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTCuRHgZI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/AzJuFz4CMuU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+255.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346638120119402898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTCuRHgZI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/AzJuFz4CMuU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+255.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dr Choudary (no relation to Bikram) - during gynaecology lecture. Yes, he is pointing to the Vagina.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTCUExJbI/AAAAAAAAAJI/a69dU_paV00/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+244.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346638113088284082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTCUExJbI/AAAAAAAAAJI/a69dU_paV00/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+244.jpg" border="0" /></a>Visiting teachers...including Paul Gerrard (white tank) who trained with Rachel is fall '06 and was recommended for training by Libby. He sends his love.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTCM8_UkI/AAAAAAAAAJA/C2Zf1AgJ2N0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+241.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346638111176610370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTCM8_UkI/AAAAAAAAAJA/C2Zf1AgJ2N0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+241.jpg" border="0" /></a> Liz, Lulu and moi. We're all off to San Diego in a couple of weeks to teach our first class...and celebrate Independence Day.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTBwdKtgI/AAAAAAAAAI4/2umI4aH4Azw/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+284.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346638103526946306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMTBwdKtgI/AAAAAAAAAI4/2umI4aH4Azw/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+284.jpg" border="0" /></a> How to do the perfect Triangle<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346636089202655122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMRMgg1P5I/AAAAAAAAAIo/mSI35NwC32o/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+291.jpg" border="0" /> </div><div>Week 7 back bend<br /></div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMRMfhLJEI/AAAAAAAAAIg/BT4FPcoR258/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+295.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346636088935654466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMRMfhLJEI/AAAAAAAAAIg/BT4FPcoR258/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+295.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bow</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346636082063502098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMRMF6uaxI/AAAAAAAAAIY/vP_QaRjZnNE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+294.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346636096045409138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMRM6ARY3I/AAAAAAAAAIw/w-kvsAYbRq0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+277.jpg" border="0" />Our goal!<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMRL5uSjKI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/zzXSbvj3kd8/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+297.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346636078790118562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SjMRL5uSjKI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/zzXSbvj3kd8/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+297.jpg" border="0" /></a> No lying down in posture clinic!!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-37712662423916991832009-06-06T00:23:00.000-07:002009-06-06T00:25:56.143-07:00Week 6<div align="justify">Advice for anyone wanting to do teacher training....LEARN AS MUCH OF THE DIALOGUE before you get here. This week has been pretty demanding in terms of learning the postures word by word and saying them in posture clinic. I got so stuck in Wind Removing (no pun intended), that I actually cried. I suppose I’m just used to being more prepared and when my mind went blank, I felt like I’d let myself down. This week has been up and down for me emotionally, I don’t really want to focus on it too much though in this blog. Maybe I’ll talk about it later.</div><div align="justify"><br />The plus side is that I have some teaching shifts booked already, the week after I finish training! I’ll be doing the rounds in a few studios in San Diego. I’m nervous and excited all at the same time. This really adds pressure though. I have to study harder.</div><div align="justify"><br />Time is so limited here. Breaks are so minimal and usually taken up by eating. I seriously feel like fasting after I finish training. I know my body needs food right now but I have to constantly eat when I can so I have enough fuel for class. I’m not eating for pleasure, it’s for energy. If I eat another fig roll I think I may turn into one. I miss hot food. Usually it’s hoummus and carrot sticks, sushi and cereal. Another hint if you do teacher training, bring a microwave with you. Seriously.</div><div align="justify"><br />Okay, so although emotionally it’s been tough, Week 6 has been another huge learning curve. Dr Das, who is Rajashree’s (Bikram’s wife) Guru, gave a lecture about how yoga can help with different types of illness and disease. He also spoke about general health and happiness and the strong connection yoga has to both. I was blown away. Dr Das says that there are 3 laws we need to abide by for a healthy, happy life. </div><div align="justify"><br />1. Exercise (Body)<br />2. Stress Management (Mind)<br />3. Food Assessment (Nutrition)</div><div align="justify"><br />As long as we cover these 3 factors, we will be fabulous! I’m quickly learning that the most important thing to take care of is your mind. This is because it controls everything...your thoughts, your emotions, your motivation to exercise and your will power to eat well. This is why it is so important that everyone, no matter how old, young or able they are should do Bikram Yoga. The whole class teaches you to control your mind. Sometimes we think we have food under control with dieting etc but that’s your thoughts rather than your mind. Your mind will teach you to be good to your body without being extreme.</div><div align="justify"><br />Yet again, I’m getting ‘passionate’ about my teachings but one final thing -there is an extremely effective way to help prevent and control Parkinsons Disease (PD). It’s so simple. Don’t think about what I’m about to tell you too much, just try it. There is a strong link between PD and stress (Dopamine hormones get released during prolonged periods of stress, this hormone can trigger tremors within the body). This can be stemmed by relaxation exercises and deep breathing. All you have to do is mediatate for 15-20 minutes a day. This means lying on your back, in a comfortable place in total silence. Busy people will say that they have no time to be able to do this but that is exactly why they are busy and stressed. Just try it.</div><div align="justify"><br />In a nutshell.</div><div align="justify"><br />Word of the week: Verbatum</div><div align="justify"><br />Best dinner of the week: Room Service on Wednesday night...pasta. So nice.</div><div align="justify"><br />Posture update: Standing Head to Knee is stronger, Triangle - I can almost touch in between my toes, Standing Bow - worse!, loving the back bending, still hating Floor Bow and Locust.</div><div align="justify"><br />I’m missing...my Harry, my house and my sonic toothbrush.</div><div align="justify"><br />I’m not missing...washing up and TV.</div><div align="justify"><br />Strangest Savasana – all 325 of us sweaty yogis had to laugh out loud for 2 minutes. Wish I’d filmed it. Hilarious.</div><div align="justify"><br />Life saver: started putting a pinch of salt and sugar and lemon in my water during class. It is an instant electrolyte boost. </div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-30812182928621788392009-06-05T23:57:00.000-07:002009-06-06T00:23:02.747-07:00Week 6 pics<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX-9NaNoI/AAAAAAAAAII/UlAG30OC2dg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+195.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344110278178649730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX-9NaNoI/AAAAAAAAAII/UlAG30OC2dg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+195.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bikram meat market</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX-oeB85I/AAAAAAAAAIA/8YC0sSkmMA4/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+198.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344110272611218322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX-oeB85I/AAAAAAAAAIA/8YC0sSkmMA4/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+198.jpg" border="0" /></a>The man himself<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX-Zr9Z6I/AAAAAAAAAH4/LkN9Hrf9JVM/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+211.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344110268643108770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX-Zr9Z6I/AAAAAAAAAH4/LkN9Hrf9JVM/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+211.jpg" border="0" /></a> The calm after the storm!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX94qq-yI/AAAAAAAAAHw/SnjlgacFU8c/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+176.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344110259779336994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioX94qq-yI/AAAAAAAAAHw/SnjlgacFU8c/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+176.jpg" border="0" /></a>Simon, showing off again<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV3l84IfI/AAAAAAAAAHo/venOOjlrq2g/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+201.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344107952652952050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV3l84IfI/AAAAAAAAAHo/venOOjlrq2g/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+201.jpg" border="0" /></a> View from my balcony<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV3W0yvcI/AAAAAAAAAHg/9ZjW3321Uxs/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+164.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344107948592512450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV3W0yvcI/AAAAAAAAAHg/9ZjW3321Uxs/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+164.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sunday night hot tub!<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV1W7OP2I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Md7QWTO4Pmg/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+192.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344107914259742562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV1W7OP2I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Md7QWTO4Pmg/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+192.jpg" border="0" /></a> Manali's birthday</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV0xacrmI/AAAAAAAAAHI/DilIJunzfMI/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+166.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344107904190164578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioV0xacrmI/AAAAAAAAAHI/DilIJunzfMI/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+166.jpg" border="0" /></a> Rajashree and Dr Das<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioURgX4s8I/AAAAAAAAAHA/o-7XpV4Jj9Y/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+220.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344106198808966082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioURgX4s8I/AAAAAAAAAHA/o-7XpV4Jj9Y/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+220.jpg" border="0" /></a> Back bend in Week 6<br /></div><div align="center"><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioURdttUdI/AAAAAAAAAG4/Tpva78nqnFA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+165.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344106198095188434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioURdttUdI/AAAAAAAAAG4/Tpva78nqnFA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+165.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our group photo</div><div>(although this was an outtake..I am there hiding behind Jill with red bandana)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioURA_XfaI/AAAAAAAAAGw/iOz2RK41M9I/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+183.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344106190384627106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioURA_XfaI/AAAAAAAAAGw/iOz2RK41M9I/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+183.jpg" border="0" /></a>" Triangle Pose, Trikanasa"<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioUQ6HIrmI/AAAAAAAAAGo/XLr3xlUP7Ng/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+186.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344106188538162786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioUQ6HIrmI/AAAAAAAAAGo/XLr3xlUP7Ng/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+186.jpg" border="0" /></a>Me trying to be serious whilst getting feedback<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioUQtiK1xI/AAAAAAAAAGg/gvjAIw53Q3A/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+226.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344106185161889554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SioUQtiK1xI/AAAAAAAAAGg/gvjAIw53Q3A/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+226.jpg" border="0" /></a> Friday night doughnuts and candles<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-19546372146660934202009-06-05T23:49:00.000-07:002009-06-06T10:27:28.154-07:00Birthday Doughnuts (in J-Dawgs room)<p><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzJTMpgIdWYF8JAJyP_Y29UMTInX3EsYTyWuq_XL57s1oAFq5UHAoUPUOYWhMmO__uAoflPwnnkqICoKBvS0g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p>Here's some of our group (12) enjoying a birthday doughnut before Posture Clinic. I love the way I forget I'm still filming at the end and just keep harping on about bridesmaid dresses.</p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-1160612112043819262009-05-30T12:47:00.000-07:002009-05-30T12:56:55.947-07:00Week 5 and I'm alive!<div align="justify">I’m still surviving and I passed my anatomy exam! It’s Saturday morning and I’m finally feeling hungry. This week I’ve struggled to get excited about food. I think that’s why I caught a cold– just haven’t taken in enough nutrients. However I am ADDICTED to cartons of Coconut Water (not milk or juice). It is fantastic for replenishing electrolytes. At first I thought it tasted like mouldy water but now I can’t get enough. It’s so good for you. I recommend anyone to try it, especially if you practise a lot. Just make sure it’s cold when you drink it.</div><div align="justify"><br />This week has been so much fun. I’m really starting to enjoy everything. I have moments of feeling tired and lonely and irritated but they pass. The energy is incredible and everyday it feels more like were becoming a family here. </div><p align="justify">Wednesday night was another late one. We started off with a great lecture from Bikram (although I felt really sick for some reason). He says that only 5% of life should be about making money, the other 95% should be about learning to become a better human being – and this can be done by practising all forms of yoga. The postures (asanas) are only a fraction of yoga. Other things like karma yoga (being good to others without expecting anything in return) and raja yoga are also ways to help you live longer and have a good life. Bikram’s orange book explains them all brilliantly. I’m beginning to realise that it doesn’t mean we should all drop everything and emigrate to India, it’s more about being aware of ourselves and instead of doubting ourselves, use the tools to make us strong. </p><p align="justify">After the lecture, we had a movie until 4am. This time we were made to stay awake, we couldn’t lie down and if you fell asleep one of the staff woke you up. All part of the process apparently.</p><p align="justify">Thursday night was very different. We had a lecture from Jon Burras (<a href="http://www.jonburras.com/">http://www.jonburras.com/</a>). He’s a yoga therapist. He first talked about the body and why we can sculpt it into any shape we want. I’d love to be able to explain his theories as well as he can but here are a few points. </p><p align="justify">We aren’t held up by our skeletal system, it’s our connecting tissue (fascia) that gives us movement. Energy flows through fascia, but if we get an injury, the fascia can build up and harden and it blocks the energy flow. Hence the pain and tightness. </p><p align="justify">Emotions determine who we are as a person. These emotions can also block energy flow. Someone who holds emotion inside (and doesn’t let it out) is more likely to suffer from disease or illness because the energy builds up inside. If you think of a child who has a tantrum, they are a mass of energy. After the child has calmed down, they’re fine again. If you keep holding the emotion in, you hold energy in. Yoga is a great way to help you release this energy (whether it be emotional or physical). That’s why you can cry during class for ‘no reason’. It also explains why you can go through pain whilst practising – the layers of energy are beginning to be released around old injuries.<br /><br />Back to me;<br /><br /><strong>Best yoga moment of the week:</strong> Getting on stage with the Madonna mike (see pics) to recite Separate Leg Stretching pose (even though I called it Standing Head To Knee apparently).</p><p align="justify"><strong>Light bulb moment:</strong> When I was shown exactly how to do Cobra pose – can’t believe I’ve been doing it wrong for 4 years! My advice is to ask your teacher to check yours; it’s the most important posture for the spine.</p><p align="justify"><strong>My favourite place:</strong> Bed. I rarely get the chance so I try to slip in for the odd 10 minutes here and there. Never take having an early night for granted.</p><p align="justify"><strong>Best advice given:</strong> To have a natural birth (!)</p><p align="justify"><strong>Best song I’ve heard this week:</strong> After class this morning, they played “Don’t worry, About A Thing” during savasana and everyone sung. Made me smile. </p><p align="justify"><strong>‘I wish I’d waxed’ moment:</strong> Demonstrating Triangle posture on stage for Emmy with very skimpy shorts on. She announced to everyone, “Don’t worry, we can’t see IT”.</p><p align="justify"><strong>The thing that made me wet my pants:</strong> The Mexican wave (see video). It started with just five of us and suddenly all 325 of us were doing it. Then Bikram walked in.<br /><br /></p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-21403649516036739262009-05-30T12:36:00.000-07:002009-05-30T12:44:43.813-07:00Bikrams Big Entrance...<p><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxkXLjKSUZI6ae7cq6AjZ1ZJNg7T7v5j8d8kC5NX0dcE0x5caWs9aYNekmP7Ks3je_wXse5q-hrdWQhWe6GiQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p>After 20 minutes of waiting for the Boss, the yogi's got a bit excited. Excuse the bad language, it's all in jest.</p>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-63328584578514056942009-05-30T11:04:00.000-07:002009-05-30T12:36:15.505-07:00Week 5 Pics<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiGI9FuPyvI/AAAAAAAAAGY/LWsQzSK4arM/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+122.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341701216127666930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiGI9FuPyvI/AAAAAAAAAGY/LWsQzSK4arM/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+122.jpg" border="0" /></a> Jon Burras, very interesting man</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiGI8xobvXI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/1BLXW_gZgg4/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+145.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341701210734574962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiGI8xobvXI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/1BLXW_gZgg4/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+145.jpg" border="0" /></a> Group 12! We scrub up well sometimes<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3kBzMRkI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_hmJP8tYlRI/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+121.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341682093880264258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3kBzMRkI/AAAAAAAAAGI/_hmJP8tYlRI/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+121.jpg" border="0" /></a> A teacher with style!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3ji09SKI/AAAAAAAAAGA/AEjQdCJ2cTA/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+117.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341682085566171298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3ji09SKI/AAAAAAAAAGA/AEjQdCJ2cTA/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+117.jpg" border="0" /></a>My lovely friends Mikey, Simon, Linda (pink), Stephanie and Lulu<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3jXjbChI/AAAAAAAAAF4/wrdFljnIN40/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+112.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341682082539833874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3jXjbChI/AAAAAAAAAF4/wrdFljnIN40/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+112.jpg" border="0" /></a> Tiger pants, just for you Joey </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3jONihoI/AAAAAAAAAFw/oDJDotM9VsI/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+113.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341682080032130690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3jONihoI/AAAAAAAAAFw/oDJDotM9VsI/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+113.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me, Simon (or Simone depending who's calling the register) and Lulu<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3ik_FWsI/AAAAAAAAAFo/Xh5oUPkDqzU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+104.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341682068965644994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF3ik_FWsI/AAAAAAAAAFo/Xh5oUPkDqzU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+104.jpg" border="0" /></a>How to do a good Triangle</div><div>(Surprisingly I'm not on this picture!) </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2hTTnzMI/AAAAAAAAAFg/PFiIcTeIMEM/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+142.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341680947528453314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2hTTnzMI/AAAAAAAAAFg/PFiIcTeIMEM/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+142.jpg" border="0" /></a> Mikey with the mike!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2g13rpFI/AAAAAAAAAFY/M1DgIw6U5Ks/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+115.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341680939626636370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2g13rpFI/AAAAAAAAAFY/M1DgIw6U5Ks/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+115.jpg" border="0" /></a> Orange!</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2gqkeAjI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/CkjpRb5Ss-Q/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+150.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341680936593261106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2gqkeAjI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/CkjpRb5Ss-Q/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+150.jpg" border="0" /></a> "Come on girls, </div><div>Do you believe in love,</div><div>Coz I've got something to say about it,</div><div>And it goes something like this!"</div><div>(Me on the mike)<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2gdDvItI/AAAAAAAAAFI/lvTybv1ZQv0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+111.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341680932966310610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2gdDvItI/AAAAAAAAAFI/lvTybv1ZQv0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+111.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bikram TV<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2f7zsVEI/AAAAAAAAAFA/a5Yg9vpWxqU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+099.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341680924040647746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SiF2f7zsVEI/AAAAAAAAAFA/a5Yg9vpWxqU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+099.jpg" border="0" /></a> A fraction of Group 12!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-79365104712789087272009-05-23T10:50:00.000-07:002009-05-23T10:54:59.519-07:00Week 4<div align="justify">Almost half way through! Monday was hell. Apart from that, this week has been incredible. I am surrounded by so many wonderful people from all over the world and we’re all here to do the same thing – to teach Bikram Yoga and ultimately make people feel good. I don’t mean that in an egotistical way at all. The more I understand the scientific reasons why the postures are so beneficial to the body, the more I want to teach people. It’s fascinating. </div><div align="justify"><br />Anyway, back to me! I’m surprisingly good. We have teachers from all over the world visiting us who say that their training was a lot tougher in terms of the humidity and the living conditions. I have to say, the hotel is beautiful and I think the way things are organised has kept sickness and insanity to a minimum so far. It is extremely hard work though. Bikram has kept us up every night until at least 2.30am watching Bollywood movies. He says we should learn about spiritualism from India (and finance from America). Tuesday night, I didn’t get to bed until 4.30am. The birds were singing as I walked to my room. </div><div align="justify"><br />My yoga practise has been fab and my back is still hanging in there. Friday night class, instead of final savasana we all got up and danced to Bikrams disco track. It was like being in Ibiza. So you could say that my spirits are high at the mo. </div><div align="justify"><br />I’m getting a massage today at the Spa. Thank the lord Bikram Students get a discount. The prices are extortionate but my hamstrings are in bits. Posture clinics don’t help because you have to stand up and be a demonstrator for people as they recite their dialogue. I was in Standing Head to Knee for about 20 minutes on Wednesday night. </div><br /><strong>Highlights of the week...</strong><br /><br /><strong>Best class:</strong> Friday night with Lisa from Texas. We all had to say ‘ye-ha’ during the situps and had to do a speeded up Triangle, then got to dance like clowns at the end. Hilarious.<br /><br /><strong>Best food:</strong> The heap of Green and Blacks mint chocolate sent to me by my lovely teacher Rachel. I am eating so much.<br /><br /><strong>Best posture:</strong> This week my Triangle feels strong. It’s a great posture to help you breathe (as long as you stretch your arm and body up).<br /><br /><strong>Most achy body part:</strong> Left hip and hamstrings. PAIN.<br /><br /><strong>Best Bikram quote:</strong> Before the movie, “No lying down, no sleeping and definitely no silent-but -deadlies.”<br /><br /><strong>The defining moment:</strong> When a teacher suggested that maybe the human journey should just be a celebration of life instead of a mission to make your mark in the world. So true.Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-55975814416706034442009-05-23T10:17:00.000-07:002009-05-23T10:36:55.326-07:00Week 4 Pics<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxxX8el6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/BGos_Hogdrk/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+075.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339072082558752674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxxX8el6I/AAAAAAAAAE4/BGos_Hogdrk/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+075.jpg" border="0" /></a> My lovely room mate Shirlyn, who is famous in Singapore - check out her amazing song <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f59ATP8-jNc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f59ATP8-jNc</a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxxJTb2dI/AAAAAAAAAEw/Qrr_gKww9x0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+067.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339072078628510162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxxJTb2dI/AAAAAAAAAEw/Qrr_gKww9x0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+067.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Boss during lectures</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxwgFvT4I/AAAAAAAAAEo/4t-5_sl_EdU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339072067565211522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxwgFvT4I/AAAAAAAAAEo/4t-5_sl_EdU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+065.jpg" border="0" /></a>12.15am - Bedding down before our movie<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxCqeqSvI/AAAAAAAAAEg/K-8NSsk8NLc/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339071280080112370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxCqeqSvI/AAAAAAAAAEg/K-8NSsk8NLc/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+074.jpg" border="0" /></a> This was about 3am in the morning during the movie, let's just pretend we're meditating<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxCUab13I/AAAAAAAAAEY/QSfuktc-2NE/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+063.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339071274156808050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxCUab13I/AAAAAAAAAEY/QSfuktc-2NE/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+063.jpg" border="0" /></a>Class<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxCM6knGI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/xc2_4Bx8M3s/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+083.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339071272144116834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxCM6knGI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/xc2_4Bx8M3s/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+083.jpg" border="0" /></a> We're happy because we are near the door, there's a lovely draft<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxB3M7C6I/AAAAAAAAAEI/DD6G1CZntyU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339071266315504546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxB3M7C6I/AAAAAAAAAEI/DD6G1CZntyU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+087.jpg" border="0" /></a> It was still a hot class!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxBli6L5I/AAAAAAAAAEA/s6hNC0VJz-Y/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+093.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339071261575884690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/ShgxBli6L5I/AAAAAAAAAEA/s6hNC0VJz-Y/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+093.jpg" border="0" /></a> Posture Clinic<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-66368484330181045952009-05-16T11:08:00.000-07:002009-05-16T11:31:40.794-07:00More pics<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8EPsLlZZI/AAAAAAAAAD4/THaEDNG4pHQ/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336488751061624210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8EPsLlZZI/AAAAAAAAAD4/THaEDNG4pHQ/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+055.jpg" border="0" /></a> Posture Clinic. I'm in group 12. We can't clap because of other hotel guests so after someones done their posture we do jazz hands. I laugh every time.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8EPXSptSI/AAAAAAAAADw/i03KmjaH70I/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336488745454122274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8EPXSptSI/AAAAAAAAADw/i03KmjaH70I/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+053.jpg" border="0" /></a> My lovely American friends Wendy and Katrina.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8EPLLjfiI/AAAAAAAAADo/XuEK0TS9N-I/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336488742203129378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8EPLLjfiI/AAAAAAAAADo/XuEK0TS9N-I/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+054.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dr Trapani (Dr T) and Sonia his wife<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-5K-r1I/AAAAAAAAADg/hqWaUqFYioY/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336486263467716434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-5K-r1I/AAAAAAAAADg/hqWaUqFYioY/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+048.jpg" border="0" /></a> Warming up before class with Michael and Simon.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-gMXMkI/AAAAAAAAADY/yWZy5Pr5snc/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336486256762630722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-gMXMkI/AAAAAAAAADY/yWZy5Pr5snc/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+050.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me and fello Brit Catherine. Yes, I understand how attractive I look on this picture.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-ZM2TPI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Mkk_OEtjo4w/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336486254885620978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-ZM2TPI/AAAAAAAAADQ/Mkk_OEtjo4w/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+052.jpg" border="0" /></a> I don't always look so happy...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-chNBfI/AAAAAAAAADI/ekfajC4Ct04/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336486255776302578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-chNBfI/AAAAAAAAADI/ekfajC4Ct04/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+043.jpg" border="0" /></a>But he does! Simon is from Australia and keeps me going every day. He's the funniest person at training and I can't believe he's 40 this year!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-JCUmFI/AAAAAAAAADA/606qeH63jeQ/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336486250546501714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/Sg8B-JCUmFI/AAAAAAAAADA/606qeH63jeQ/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+035.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bob Ellis?!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-77429829398184163452009-05-16T10:54:00.000-07:002009-05-16T11:06:20.359-07:00Week 3<div align="justify">TFI Saturday! Another week done. Back is feeling fab. My body is tired. This week has felt like my first proper week of training. We’ve started posture clinics, where we take one posture at a time and we have to say the dialogue from start to finish. We have to memorise the script for it before hand, word for word. I did eagle last night. The feedback is generally the same – I need to stop using my hands so much when I talk! I feel for some people though as they get so nervous standing up in front of people. I’m so grateful my presenting work has prepared me for me this. Some people cry and one guy even got angry last night. I think the cracks are starting to show. </div><div align="justify"><br />So the yoga is tough but good. Wednesday night was my best class yet. I’d never been so hot in my life but I had my new found friends around me and I was determined to not give up. A lot of the training is teaching you to be in control of your mind and not the other way round. By ignoring the niggling thoughts in your head telling you to get the hell out of the room, you can cope and as long as your conscious of breathing, you can carry on until the end and do every posture. It’s not easy and this week I’ve struggled but I am determined to master it. I love full locust when we’re all helping eachother lift our arms up. Usually I’d avoid touching other sweaty bodies but here it keeps the energy going.</div><div align="justify"><br />The person who teaches the class makes a huge difference. Some are absolutely inspirational and can make me laugh and cry. Others are slightly irritating, especially when their stories go on for ages in between savasana. I understand they have a lot of passion and advice for us but when you’re struggling to just stay in the room, you just want them to get on with it! Dealing with this is yet another test for me though.</div><div align="justify"><br />One last thing. Dr T. He’s teaching us anatomy and nutrition. He knows everything about keeping healthy – the secret is your diet. Food is a hugely important part of how you feel. He has so many interesting stories and he really knows what he’s talking about. He says Vitamin C is the most important thing for strong immunity. Sugar is the worst thing for immunity. If you have kids please read this. Glucose challenges phagocytes (which are our body’s defense against infection). By feeding infants glucose it severley hinders their immunity. This is why children get so many colds/ear and throat infections. Even apple juice can have a negative effect. Caffeine also works in the same way. Sorry for the lecture but I found this so interesting. I have so much information is spilling over onto this blog!!<br /><br />OK – summary.<br /><br />Things I <strong>love</strong>...parcels, letters and emails from back home. It is the most joyeous thing in the world.</div><div align="justify"><br />Things that<strong> irritate</strong> me...people drinking in between postures. It’s rude and I hate the noise of ice cubes rattling in water. Not sure why.</div><div align="justify"><br />Best pictu<strong>re painting in a posture</strong>...John Salvadore who says to imagine you’re a giant piss dispenser when you’re exhaling during pranayama breathing.</div><div align="justify"><br />Best explanation of how to get a <strong>mind body connection</strong>. Jim. The only way is through the spine (CNS). This is why it’s so important to do yoga. </div><div align="justify"><br />Food I’m <strong>craving</strong>...salt and vinegar anything. Dark chocolate. Pizza Express pizza and oranges.</div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Phrases</strong> that don’t make sense. English Bulldog determination (it’s BRITISH!), whole spine stretching like a pearls necklace (it’s not plural!). </div><div align="justify"><br /><strong>Final special message</strong>: Happy 27th Birthday to my Harry. Love you, miss you, slf xxx</div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-78513712965148819342009-05-09T20:00:00.000-07:002009-05-23T11:00:46.391-07:00The first two weeks<div align="justify">Finally I get to write something! My first challenge has been to live without my computer for the last couple of weeks. Long story. Week 1 came and went. It was tiring, my back was sore and I was totally homesick but it seemed to glide by. The one thing I’m trying to deal with is the heat. It’s roasting from 7am until evening lectures. It’s unbearable sometimes and seems so cruel that we then have to go in to an even hotter yoga studio. Really struggle with the humidity some days. I haven’t walked out yet but I’ve wanted to so many times. A few people have fainted but the real drama will come in week 4...I had inside information that it will get extremely hot from then.<br /><br />On the plus side, my practise is really good, especially the evening classes. My back really is sorting itself out and I have yoga to thank for that. I’m learning so much and understanding how yoga is essential for wellbeing. The spine controls everything – physical, mental, emotional. Yoga strenthens and realigns the spine hence less physical and mental problems. No other exercise does that. And it doesn’t matter how old or fit you are. The only thing that is important is that you go regularly.<br /><br />Bikram took some time to get used to but he is amazing. He has so much energy and I love his classes. He sings, he dances and he calls people ‘chicken s**t’. But he’ll only say it if you’re doing the posture wrong or being lazy and I’m quickly learning that it’s for your own good because precision is everything. He does keep us up until 4am in the morning though. That’s the hardest part because it’s so tiring. Sleep deprivation is part of the process I’m told.<br /><br />The whole ‘American’ way took some time to get used to. Everyone claps after everything. The classes, the lectures, the announcements, the toilet being flushed. It's a good way to keep energy up though.<br /><br />In terms of how my body is coping, I’m getting pretty chunky– eating slightly more but most of it is water retention or something?! I constantly feel bloated, not too sure whether it’s too much salt, sugar or yoga! Any comments/suggestions on how to cure this would be appreciated. I don’t exactly want to go to the nurse with this problem.<br />Just want to stress again how incredible Bikram Yoga is. I’m learning why and although in time I will explain everything (in small stages), you just have to trust that it works. It strengthens your body and helps you to control your mind and they are the only two things that will bring you peace. I thought the hardest part of this would be the yoga but that’s the thing I look forward to the most and lifts my spirit. It makes me laugh and cry but when it’s over, I feel balanced again.<br /><br />Quote that I heard today; It's not about finding yourself, it's about creating yourself. That's what yoga does - sculpts your body and brings your mind into the present moment so that you can do anything (just keep listening to the dialogue!).<br /> </div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-16218055355034742472009-05-09T19:04:00.000-07:002009-05-09T20:00:13.031-07:00Pics<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZC_gkz6PI/AAAAAAAAAC4/qgFlzu1hm_0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334024467510454514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZC_gkz6PI/AAAAAAAAAC4/qgFlzu1hm_0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+014.jpg" border="0" /></a> The sweat pit before class</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZCEMiKJKI/AAAAAAAAACw/yAYnl0S04HM/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334023448518337698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZCEMiKJKI/AAAAAAAAACw/yAYnl0S04HM/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> Glorious Palm Desert. The mountains are so beautiful, this is what we can see from the studio window... </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZCD2NT_UI/AAAAAAAAACo/-CSVPUIneO0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334023442525322562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZCD2NT_UI/AAAAAAAAACo/-CSVPUIneO0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bikram and Emmy Cleaves - she's in her 80's still practises<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZCDmIjI_I/AAAAAAAAACg/AxOjeTdiy08/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334023438210376690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgZCDmIjI_I/AAAAAAAAACg/AxOjeTdiy08/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> My sanctuary!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_Ng8j5XI/AAAAAAAAACY/1SMONKT3Yvw/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334020310081725810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_Ng8j5XI/AAAAAAAAACY/1SMONKT3Yvw/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> A handful of new friends<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_NeKybmI/AAAAAAAAACQ/6YMMWZeTqeU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334020309336092258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_NeKybmI/AAAAAAAAACQ/6YMMWZeTqeU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+031.jpg" border="0" /></a> Make up class (the aftermath)...we'd all been naughty and forgot to sign in so this was our second class of the morning. It went surprisingly well.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_MyivhtI/AAAAAAAAACI/1E7-_L9aNAI/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334020297625405138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_MyivhtI/AAAAAAAAACI/1E7-_L9aNAI/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+021.jpg" border="0" /></a>Me and my lovely roomie, Shirlyn from Singapore - who is actually 33!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_MnoSYBI/AAAAAAAAACA/TGhk4T1sPzM/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334020294695870482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY_MnoSYBI/AAAAAAAAACA/TGhk4T1sPzM/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+008.jpg" border="0" /></a> Rajashree, Bikram's wife<br /><br /><div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY9J-5bG_I/AAAAAAAAABo/mByOhPnU3M0/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334018050378898418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY9J-5bG_I/AAAAAAAAABo/mByOhPnU3M0/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+016.jpg" border="0" /></a> Bikram having a stretch<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY9JoQ0RuI/AAAAAAAAABg/1sCtLjx5nxc/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334018044303001314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY9JoQ0RuI/AAAAAAAAABg/1sCtLjx5nxc/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+009.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Boss<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY9JQjBN7I/AAAAAAAAABY/xLdWFMu1VFU/s1600-h/Bikram+TT+2009+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334018037936895922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_32_EcNAltag/SgY9JQjBN7I/AAAAAAAAABY/xLdWFMu1VFU/s320/Bikram+TT+2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> My temporary home<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028325283242922536.post-4078626777074419752009-04-25T06:35:00.001-07:002009-04-25T06:47:34.752-07:00I'm here!<span >Arrived yesterday in LA. Kinda scared but I think that's just because America is such a big place. Everything looks huge and I feel like one of The Borrowers. I'm really glad the journey has finally begun though. I start teacher training tomorrow so I'm travelling to Palm Springs later in preparation.<br /><br />I've actually not been able to practise yoga for 2 weeks now. Something went wrong in my lower back and I've had to rest. My chiropractor sorted me out (never thought I'd need one of those to be honest). I'm a little apprehensive about going into the yoga room...what with not being for a while. But I've been told it's a marathon not a sprint so I'm going to pace myself (if Bikram lets me).<br /><br />Right, off for a Big American Breakfast!<br /><br />x</span>Hannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147700244364132533noreply@blogger.com1