Best Practices-November 7 2012

"As you prepare your body, so you prepare your mind. As you train your body, so you train your mind. Take some time every single day to nourish the temple of your body through vigorous exercise. Get your blood circulating and your body moving. There are 168 hours in a week. At least five of those hours should be invested in some form of physical activity. Health is something most of us take for granted until we lose it. Don't let that happen to you." -Sharma

So true so true. 

November 4th Sunday afternoon

"You become your environment. Become more selective in the news you expose your mind to. Be more deliberate in the way you read your newspaper and in the way you watch your television. Before you start reading the morning paper, have a purpose in mind. Use it as an informative tool to serve you and to make you wiser rather than as an excuse to help you pass time. And resolve to expose yourself to influences that help you become the person you want to be." -Robin Sharma

Jim Kallett Seminar Oct 27th 2012, Saturday

For those of you who may not know of Jim Kallett I will begin by telling you a little bit about who he is and what he does. Jim is one of the original and select few instructors that Bikram hand-picked to represent him to conduct posture clinics and seminars around the world. He has lead seminars in Singapore, India, and throughout Canada & the USA

A senior faculty member of Bikram’s Yoga College of India – International Headquarters in Los Angeles, California, since 1998. Jim Kallett has been International Judge and Coach for the International Yoga Competition from 2003 to present. He is member of the Judges Committee for the USA Yoga Federation. He became a certified teacher during Bikram’s 5th ever teacher training program in 1997! It is clear that Jim’s passion is what he is able to do each and every day of his life and better yet he is able to share his knowledge of Bikram Hot Yoga with everyone around the world. He allows himself to be accessible to us all. Jim is also the owner/Director of Bikram’s Yoga College of India, San Diego. 

I want to start off by saying how informative this seminar was; from the three hour lecture that was held on Friday Oct 26th to the full day seminar Saturday completed with a full classroom, hot and very sweaty class. The energy in the room was endless and all the Bikram Yogi's who managed to make it out from afar was absolutely incredible. 

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to ask questions about my practice and be in the presence of a mentor such as Jim Kallett. 

I will share with you all the information I took from the weekend with Jim and hope for you to find some value in my notes etc. 

Standing Deep Breathing 

The nose and mouth are only a passage way (close valve so its barely open) to control like a valve-feel vibration, hear sounds-inhale should sound like a million grasshoppers in field about to feast, exhale should resemble your car exhaust. 

When we use our regular breath we are only using 20% of the lungs, with breathing exercises in Bikram class we are using 100% of your lung’s capacity.

By sucking in the stomach (abdomen) you are moving the diaphragm out of the way to allow the lower lobes of the lungs to be inflated with fresh oxygen. The more you open the rib cage the more the lungs are able to expand in every direction, also giving the lungs more time to drawn the oxygen from the air you bring into your body. 

6 seconds in is equivalent to 6 pounds of oxygen. You must control breathing especially the last 3 seconds in and 3 seconds out as it is your human nature to want to inhale at the 3 second point but it is your mental and physical strength to control that feeling and continue.

Keep your buttocks tight, and knees locked, make sure your body is aligned absolutely straight.  Make sure your always listening to the dialogue-it will guide you.

When you yawn in standing deep breathing its due to the fact you are waking up the lungs. Do not judge it, only observe it. Keep it simple. 

Self-Realization-realizing the strength you didn't know you had. 

Half Moon Pose with Hands to Feet Pose

In Half Moon Pose it shows everything about the health and state of your spine, it also can potentially show your personality etc of you and your body. Forward bend-suck abdomen in. Hold the breathing-means don't let all the air out, does not mean to stop breathing. The second you stop breathing your body goes into oxygen debt. (80/20 breathing) exhale automatically happens so you do not have to think about this. 10% of the breath will automatically be lost when you bend your body into postures. (Result effect of what is happening, no need to think about this while you are doing it) Legs, hips and back all stretching equally. “Natural Human Traction”. 

Open you shoulders to open your chest and rib cage. Focus on right shoulder forward, left hip toward the mirror. Grip is key.

Backward Bend-opening your heart, fear, opening your spine, the spinal cord is free, relax into this posture, Trust yourself. Elbows locked, breath up, relax your neck and back. Lift the chest in order to help bend the upper spine and by doing so this shall help the arms fall back over time. 

Quivering in the core-is due to the fact that your body is trying to build muscle memory. Nothing wrong with this, natural organic body response. 

The warm up for hands to feet pose is not vital as to which way a person does it-keep it simple do not add or remove anything just move your body to get the snovial fluids moving. Arms are first priority to get them in the right position first, behind the legs then you are able to pull with proper grip. Lastly focus on the straightening of the legs.

“YOU don’t DO Yoga, You TRY Yoga”.-Jim Kallett

Awkward Pose

Stick your butt out and sit down. (2nd part) Use Stomach and core muscles. When coming up in (3rd part) concentrate on squeezing knees together, the tighter you press them together and use abdominal strength you will slowly be able to over time come up-slowly, controlled. 

Eagle Pose 

Stretching opening 14 major joints in the body simultaneously. For home practice you can easily sit in your living room at home watching television and with legs parallel to the floor and get your legs into eagle position hold this for 5 mins at a time and then relax. By doing this it will help your legs get use to latching in this way. 

Quite often when people have injuries or issues with their knees, the factor really lies behind the hips. 

Good for the reproductive system. Fully Flushing the body with freshly oxygenated blood.

PARTY TIME!!

Standing Head to Knee Pose 

Under ground foundation is the most important-When you observe the structure of a house the foundation is the most vital part. Without foundation is does not matter how the house is built (how the posture is) it is all in the set up. Lock the knee (knee cap comes up and upper thigh flexed). Must follow steps through-Lock your knee, kick out your leg,  Both knees locked, elbows down, Hold still and bring head down. Don’t get stuck where its comfortable, but at the same time do not move forward unless your body is ready. 

Sarah (personal feedback)-Focus on kicking out my leg more, keep BOTH knees locked and bring elbows into my calf. I am physically ready to do this posture I need to think less, and do. Just focus and DO NOT think about falling out, and when I am able to hold it just observe do not think about how I haven't fallen out. It is ok. HOLD it and when I can I will hold it for as long as I want, and nothing will be able to steal my peace. 

Morgan (personal feedback)-Focus on lock the knee, lock the knee, lock the knee (Mantra) and keep the weight in the foot equal all over. He is able to kick out because he is able to just observe the pain in the back of his thigh and accept that its there. It has no effect on the posture itself. He can do it. 

Standing Head to Knee-Is strictly MIND strength-also called RAJA YOGA.

Interesting fact!:

*Harvard Medical School is going to do a scientific study on Bikram Yoga and how it effects the neurons and body. 

Make sure your hand grip in this posture is right below the toes to help stretch back the Achilles tendon.

Standing Bow Pulling Pose 

Have to come down, 50/50 stretching and balance you will never fall out. Teetering happening-if your kicking this wont happen. Solution to any problem in this posture is to kick harder, kick harder, kick harder! Raja yoga is this yoga. MIND yoga. “Its not what your doing its what your thinking”-Jim Kallett 

Kick Back and relax the shoulder. MANTRA Kick back!

Is also a back bend so feeling compression in the lower back of the spine that is normal. Do NOT ever think about the hips-that is not the intention of this posture and you should not concentrate on that whatsoever. Stretch the shoulder forward.

Balancing Stick Pose

High speed blood to the brain. Blood pressure builds up so much when your holding balancing stick, reaction pressure expands the arteries, flushes through, clears out the blockages in the arteries and veins and goes straight to your brain. In this posture you are strengthening the heart muscle. Have to you use 110% of your strength all at once to ream the benefits. Every muscle tensed. 

Standing Separate Leg Stretching 

Middle upper spine stretching, whole body stretching 360 degree angle. Keep a good good grip and pull down, chin up and focus on touching your forehead to the floor. By pulling you are elongating your spine. In this posture you are fully stretching your sciatica, so if you suffer from sciatic pain you should go to where you can without intense pain and then hold it. When you experience sciatic pain, you should ice it and then use heat compress to treat it. Massage-roll on a ball. 

“Never modify a posture-just back off and do less if you must, but never change the posture”. -Jim Kallett

Triangle Posture

Must sit down low enough, femur bone must be parallel. The technique is what is important in this posture especially, it does not matter what others look like in it as everyone’s genetic make up is different, we will all look slightly different and be in different parts of practice. Opposite stretching between both arms shoulders. Twist your spine and lift your head and turn it all the way until it hurts to avoid degenerative spinal diseases in the future. Push the knee back with the arm and eventually there shall be space between this area. 

Be aware that your not over compensating the rotation in the hips. 

Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee 

Activate the immune system, balance the internal glands inside the body. Never compromise the forehead to the knee as this is the most vital part of this posture. 

It is normal to fall out because this is a balancing posture. All of these postures are balance postures so this is common. Press your fingertips into the floor above the toes. Point the fingers into the ground. When coming up and switching sides pick up the toes and rotate the feet-by doing so you will ensure the space between your feet is consistently the same amount of space. Look at the stomach and suck the abdomen in. 

Tree Pose

Little by little this posture takes time to develop your self awareness and understand how and where to push. 

Don’t sink or collapse, stretch your spine up, bring your hips down to the heel without putting any pressure on the heel. Natural Human Traction Toe Stand and Tree Pose must keep the hip down. 

Savasana is completed 26 times in the floor series alone. Biochemical benefits of the postures happen here, Nutrition & Relaxation. 

Wind Removing Pose

After your food has been digested it works its way through your digestive system and the ascending colon, descending colon and transverse colon, promote gastronomical diseases such as  chrohn’s disease, colon cancer, ulcers, by moving everything and cleaning out the pipes of your colon. 

We tend to produce excess acid when we are stressed, which can cause many problems, when doing wind removing you are preventing your digestive system from overproducing hydro chloric acid. 

Eventually you should be able to grab your both legs without having to bring up your head and shoulders. Exhale a bit to help bring your legs closer into your chest.

Back flat and pull as hard as you can.

Interesting Fact!:

44 pounds of fecal matter was found in John Wayne upon death when an autopsy was done. Regular American male’s have average 22 pounds of fecal matter inside the bowels while they are living.  

Cobra

Hand placement is key, as there is only one right way to have your hands in the right position, elbows at a 90 degree angle and using all your spine strength to life your body off the ground.

When certain vibration bone density increases. You’re Type 2A muscles contract when doing Cobra pose, by doing so they increase bone density in the body. ex. Eagle Pose-increases density in the bones. 

It takes more than just taking Calcium to improve bone loss when your body has no idea what to do with it. 

Locust Pose

Access, unleash and realize that unused unknown power that you have. Must push through and not wait until the 10th second to drop, keep pushing. Push your hands down lower to help get the weight more into your shoulders. Kick up and back. This posture uses strength. Ultimately you should not be focused on the hips coming up but try your hardest to keep lifting whilst keeping the knee locked. 

So this is about where my laptop started to die...I hope you all found my notes to be helpful in some way and maybe you had just needed a friendly reminder of what had been said in class. I loved this seminar, and I think I learned a lot about myself and my practice in the short time Jim was here. I was actually slightly shocked by how much we as humans on a regular basis under estimate our true potential, our strength and our mind’s power. I know now that as much as I pick apart my practice and sometimes am a little hard on myself I must always come back and realize that I don’t DO yoga, but I practice yoga, and just as in life, yoga is an ongoing never ending practice that will continue to change. I feel more drawn towards focusing on my Raja yoga aspect of practice and really want to try and be more simple. As Jim said a number of times-just keep it simple. Do not think, but follow the dialogue and it will guide you. It will. I felt my emotions pour out of my body during the seminar on saturday when put up in front of the class to do my standing head to knee and voice my concerns about how I was not progressing and how I was unable to keep my head to my knee, but you know what, now I know what I was doing wrong all this time. I was not keeping it simple. I was over thinking it and by doing so I got caught up in my head. This seminar was absolutely incredible and I am overjoyed to see new and even senior people to this practice all getting up in front of the class and being supportive of our inquiries. I think this is just amazing and all the love and support is a community of its own. Namaste friends and let’s keep it simple!

“Natural surroundings serve to stifle the endless chatter that fills our minds so that our true brilliance can be liberated. While you spend time enjoying nature observe your surroundings with deep concentration. Study the complexity of a flower or the way the current moves in the sparkling stream. Take your shoes off and feel the grass under your feet. Give silent thanks that you have the privilege of enjoying these special gifts of nature. Life’s simplest pleasures are life's best ones.” -Robin Sharma “Daily Inspiration From the Monk who Sold his Ferrari 

October 15th 2012 "Achievement"

"There is a difference between simply existing and truly living. There is a distinction between simply surviving and really thriving. The sad thing is that most people have lost sight of the human gifts that lie within them and have resigned themselves to spending the best years of their lives watching television in a subdivision. Too many people spend more time focusing on their weaknesses than developing their strengths. By concentrating on what they don't have, they neglect the talents they do have. The greatest people who have gone before us all had a simple strategy that ensured their success: they knew themselves. They made the time to reflect on their core abilities -those special qualities that made them unique-and spent the rest of their lives refining and expanding them."-Robin Sharma 

My Horoscope today in FFWD newspaper: You've been pretty patient, so you'll be pleased to find out at the start of the week that it's finally finished. Sure, it's time to celebrate, but don't forget that now you gotta figure out how you're gonna make the next one even better...

Fitting, I'd say for this amazing Monday! Successfully recited my Half Moon Pose with Hands to Feet Pose in front of studio owner and other Teacher Training aspiring yogi's! Was a little nerve racking yes, but I feel I did the best I could do and now the tweaking begins. I must use emphasis on particular "pushing" words and also add my confidence and viola in no time I will be able to carefully and precisely take people in and out of Half Moon! 
Was definitely cool to focus on looking at your subjects bodies rather than having to make eye contact as you would in normal public speaking situations. I look forward to the upcoming course Phillip and I will take in the new year regarding public speaking! I think this will be hugely valuable when it comes to teaching classes. 
Remember to be able to laugh at yourself, and find the things in life that you are thankful for... until next time friends... Namaste

October 13 2012 Saturday

"Act as if failure is impossible, and your success will be assured. Wipe out every thought of not achieving your objectives, whether they are material or spiritual." -Robin Sharma  

Good evening friends and viewers, hope you are enjoying my blog. Nervousness setting in-as on Monday Oct 15th I will have to recite what I have memorized for Half Moon Pose with Hands to Feet Pose in front of my mentor, Guru, and Bikram studio owner Hannah Parks. Funny how this conveniently happens to be the inspirational quote of the day...I believe I will have to do just this and focus on how I will succeed and deliver the scripting verbatim in my own personal quirky style. Please wish me luck! 
Missing my handsome man already as he is away in Edmonton teaching a class tomorrow that he himself has designed and put together to share his passion of hair with others. I know he will do great. Love you P and love to all of you who are weary of failure. Remember...it does not exist! You really truly can do anything you set your mind to. 
Namaste friends.

October 12 2012

Encourage yourself to do more and to experience more. Harness your energy to start expanding your dreams. Yes, expand your dreams. Don't accept a life of mediocrity when you hold such infinite potential within the fortress of your mind. Dare to tap into your greatness. This is your birthright. - Robin Sharma

Oct 11 2012 First Snowfall

Good Morning!
This morning I stepped outside to a new world. Before my very eyes was a blanket of fresh white snow that was delicately placed on top of tree branches, grass, roofs, cars and sidewalks. The sky is grey and when I exhale my breath is visible like magic. It is a new day, a new chapter, new season and time to look forward to the hot room. I have recently taken on a couple new challenges/goals of which I am really excited about and looking forward to. I will now be training for the Asana Yoga Championships that will take place in Feb 2013, and also be preparing for Teacher Training in the Spring 2013. Keeping my practice consistent and taking the time to invest in my health, mentally and physically will be top priority. I have a huge amount of support from my instructors and the studio owner of BYML (Bikram Yoga MardaLoop) and every step of this journey has been absolutely life altering for me. I have never felt so alive, so healthy and confident in myself. Each yoga class is a different one, regardless of the fact that we practice the same 26 Bikram postures, my body is constantly changing and some days your mind is more heavy than others. Getting myself to the studio is 99% of the practice the utter determination and self-discipline it takes to do that some days can be surprising but so true. Once you make it to the studio there is no turning back you are there, you are present and you came for one reason. 
I have never been happier in my personal life/love life. I feel open, honest, loved, and cared for more than ever and I feel so confident that I have found my soul mate. Each day I spend with this truly amazing man is the best day of my life. He is a huge supportive net in my life and reminds me every day of my worthiness to be me, to follow my dreams and it is a blessing to have that. I feel so thankful for the fact that we happened to cross paths and become something so beautiful together. I love you Phillip.
To finish this entry I will say to you all "Be Vulnerable. Let your true Self show." 
Namaste.

October 10 2012

"Without self-discipline, you will not set clear goals, manage your time effectively, treat people well, persist through the tough times, care for your health or think positive thoughts." -Sharma

Stay tuned for the Jim Kallet seminar I will be surely posting all that I lean! Thank you for supporting love xx

Practice of the quiet mind

Do not let anyone anything steal your peace!

October 6 2012 extraordinary achievement

When you devote yourself to excellence in everything you do, you begin to feel a greater sense of positive pride about the way you are conducting your days. This in turn increases self respect and confidence, which in turn, release greater energy and passion. You begin to feel good about yourself. People who feel good about themselves do great work and create remarkable things. And this, in turn, just makes them raise their standards of excellence even higher. It's an upward spiral that takes people to ever increasing places of joy, meaning Nd internal peace. ( nicely said Robin )

October 5th 2012 extraordinary achievement

Never forget that time spent enriching your non-work hours is never a waste. It makes you tremendously efficient during your working hours. Our biggest ideas often come during our most relaxed times. -Robin Sharma

Craig Villani's Seminar (Bikram Edmonton) 07/14/12

CRAIG VILLANI SEMINAR 

I have to begin by saying this seminar was absolutely incredible. Craig was full of energy for the entire day, sharing his most memorable experiences from his career, having had the opportunity to work alongside Bikram Choudury himself, Bikram’s wife Rajashree and another influential role model in his life Emmy. His sense of humor never fell short for a second and the energy in the room was cohesively entertained. 

Craig began by sharing his own yoga journey experience that lead him to where he is today. Afterwards, he continued on to explain each posture in depth but in a different way then we are used to our instructors in class breaking down the Asanas. He taught us the therapeutic benefits, key importance of executing the set-up, then he would show us, have us ask questions and even sometimes have someone demonstrate from the class. I found this tactic of teaching to be extremely beneficial as not everyone consumes information in the same way. As a group the class would perform the posture once Craig had showed us the proper form. 

Four major key points Craig stressed to the class were:

• Maintain a connection to awareness
• Create greater understanding and connection to your breath
• Move fluidly and gracefully
• Be mindful and present

We began with Pranyama breathing together as a united group. I will share my notes on each posture as I go along. 

Pranyama; meaning potential energy. Pranyama should energize you for the rest of your practice. Remember to relax your shoulders by tightening your hips and stomach. The stronger your base the easier it will be to relax the upper portion of your body. Craig used the analogy of a huge oak tree in the wind, visualizing the trunk and deep root system holding the tree strong and firm this way the branches can move freely and blow but will never move from the base. In doing so your lungs will open more freely.

Craig tends to do this thing where he will have someone demonstrate the posture and then while they are in it he is energetically asking questions about body placement, breath, distribution of weight, head placement, why you do the things you do etc. It is quite amusing to watch.

Yoga Jujitsu: Focus your mind on different areas of your body to direct tension and movement in your body. Where your eyes go your mind goes. Trust that your eyes will take you where you want to go.

INHALE- imagine saying: “SO” EXHALE- Imagine saying: “HA”

When you have reached your maximum whilst inhaling during pranyama deep breathing “HOLD IT” actually serves as the purpose to create hydraulic pressure by simultaneously sucking in even more. Continuos breath like a vacuum never stopping while pranyama

*Keep fingers connected at all times and the thumb on the outside slightly touching your throat. 

Half Moon; In Half Moon it is truly all about the set up. Planting your feet firmly and slightly pushing the hips forward you want to be as strong as a tree trunk to simultaneously support your upper body. Always use the furthest point from your body to guide you (ex: in half moon your fingertips should guide you along the ceiling)

Your breath (your life force) allows you to be present (remember time does not exist in yoga you are living in the present) 

Do nothing with your shoulders in half moon. Never create un-needed tension on the body by pressing shoulders down or up.

Biceps must touch ears and you will be linear. Do not have arms behind the ears, this is wrong. It is much easier to go from strength to flexibility rather than flexibility to strength

Backward Bend; Focus on where you want to generate compression by setting a point in the back of the spine and breathing up and creating the arch to follow. Do not just fall into the posture, this requires no strength and the muscle memory will never gain the strength to actually engage and hold the muscles.

Forward Bend; Stretching your upper body (ribs) over your femurs in set up will create more flexibility and enable your spine to have an example of which to keep the spine straighter. Remember to pull your heels when forward bending, pulling equals stretching and if you are simply hanging out in this posture you will never improve it. 

Awkward/Eagle Pose; Counter balance hips and fingertips whilst doing awkward pose. Furthest point is the fingertips-if you execute stretching the fingertips to their furthest point there will be no need to adjust the shoulders. 

(Now that I have been practicing this way-keeping the spherical compression in mind and in check, I seriously never need to adjust my arms any more. Simply stretch out as far as you can and meet your hands in the middle. It works every single time)

Creating one big thigh and one big knee while maintaining control will ultimately be what dictates your strength coming down and back up in the posture. (Knees together heels elevated slightly) 

Craig says: “YOGA is all about identifying your edge and exploring it.”

Standing Head to Knee; Tighten the thigh as hard as you can. Once the knee is locked you support the bones and cartilage between the knee bones (3 important bones) by slightly separating the bone. Ankle knee and hip all aligned evenly distribute weight

FOCUS ON KEEPING WRISTS STRAIGHT. Having the thumb included in the grip is not detrimental. While kicking the foot out, as it is the furthest point from the body at this point try to find peace in stretching the toes toward you as this will stretch the Achilles Tendon thus making your elbows much easier to reach below the calf muscles “Falling forward”-Finding your “Edge.” Do not be afraid to fall out of this posture regardless of how long you have been practicing for, you will never improve your practice if you never take chances and push yourself to the next level. Try kicking your balancing leg out more, if you have never tried touching your forehead to your knee TRY! It is only yoga. 

Standing Bow; Focusing on keeping the body down enables the most therapeutic qualities of the posture to take place. Steel tiger palm-was a trick Craig showed us to make a clenched grip with your hand including the thumb in your hand grip to ensure you will be able to kick out as much as you can without losing your contact with the ankle. Circulatory irrigation is the most important therapeutic quality.

Kick first to charge the bow. The bow is traced from the foot to the hand.

The only way out is through-exploring your edge is teaching you balance and allowing you to find out how far you can go.

Balancing Stick; (spherical compression) -reaching your furthest point out

hinging on the hips only. Do not worry too much about the hip alignment until second after becoming straight to floor. Eyes direct movement of the spine(use your eyes in this posture without moving your head)

Balancing stick focuses mainly on the central nervous system.

Breathing is the most important thing about maintaining the posture. Once you stop breathing the brain goes into red alert-muscles will cramp more easily and you will be unable to withstand the time in this posture if you are not sustaining your life force.

Separate Leg Standing Stretch; See your ankles roughly lining up with your wrists.

Step gently, arms move immediately (FLUID MOVEMENT) stretch out (spherical compression) the more you stretch the lighter your arms will sustain.

Bring the chin up to help keep the spine straight. Try to touch the hairline of the forehead to the floor.

“Meditate on your breath-only think Inhale and exhale. If you can master this for an entire 90 minutes you are advanced and that is exactly where you want to be.”

Triangle; Be sure to come out of the posture systematically. Both hips forward in set up, once you touch the toes remember to keep hip forward. Keep stretching up continuously. Actively stretch. Hips need to be low enough.

(Mat is roughly 2.5 feet -just to use as a guideline)

“It is normal to be more balanced on one side then the other, the key is to practice your weaker side on your own time to strengthen it.”

“Ask yourself questions during your practice about where your body is in comparison to where it is suppose to be”. “Be Fearless, never Reckless.”

“When you feel that you will pass out or you begin to get dizzy, stop and take 3 DEEP BREATHS and SLOW your breath. Try not to bend over or lean forward as this will only make it harder for your heart to regulate the blood moving throughout your body. Take a knee on the mat and just focus on calming your breath.”

Rabbit; The only key thing to focus on here is sucking in belly button to spine forehead to belly button. Only look at your belly button while curling your back and your chin to your neck. Rabbit Spine is what you want to create!

Stay accountable and honorable to yourself in your practice. When it comes down to it, no one is you, no one is standing on that mat you are on looking in the mirror at you, no one wants your problems as you wouldn't want anyone else's. If you need to stop and take care of yourself that is your decision and you should never feel bad or guilty for that. You are the only one who knows how you feel. 

Another interesting take on the practice that Craig likes to do is imagine himself breathing in a beautiful place with the wind blowing in his hair to focus on maintaining that breath especially during balancing stick. Do what you must but remember remember to always breathe. Your breath is your life force as it is the roots/trunk of the tree, if you are unable to consistently breathe normal and slow flow blow in and out you will not be able to sustain the posture you are in, period. 

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to be at this seminar and explore another perspective on my practice and on my own awareness. If anyone is thinking of taking that next step to improve their practice, or wants to try Bikram Hot Yoga for the first time, I eagerly and strongly recommend you do. It could be one of the best, life changing decisions you have ever made for yourself. Namaste. 

Break down of the seminar:

10:00am-1:50pm-Classroom seminar  1:50pm-2:35pm-break   2:35pm-5:15pm-Classroom Seminar  5:25pm-7:45pm-Hot Class

Craig Villani Seminar BY Edmonton

Tomorrow morning 10:00pm I will be attending Craig Villani's BY Seminar! Such an exciting day ahead. I drove into Edmonton today after work and made it here around 9:30pm just in time to check into my hotel-Days Inn Downtown and grab a bedtime snack at Kyoto sushi restaurant-delectable btw. I shall get to sleep and rest my pretty little head before the big day ahead! So much to learn and so much to take in from this amazing opportunity-Be sure to keep in touch as I plan to give you all a breakdown of what happens tomorrow! Goodnight friends x

Taking down the wall...

Hello friends, it has been a very long while since my last post. I do apologize as life seems to take over when you least expect it to. I have stayed true to my yoga practice since the beginning of this blog-mid February of this year, and keeping strong as my changes in work schedule and me time have drastically changed. I won't let anything get in the way of my goals and dreams. You have to do what you must in order to make your dreams a reality, and I strongly believe that anyone can achieve something they wish to if they believe they can. Aside from my practice, my life has had some major make-overs as well. For example, my mood/spirit has definitely been much more positive and it's visible to friends and family surrounding me. They notice my happy go lucky attitude when I have a kick jump in my step and I am smiling like its nobody's business! I feel good about myself, my skin is soft, my body is toned I feel like a strong being who could take on anything that is thrown my way. Another unexpected side effect I have recently observed is my intuition and ability to understand situations more as a bystander rather than a victim. I feel a deeper understanding for the world around me and I take things more to heart. There seems to be a connection between people, situations, dreams, pictures etc and it helps later on in some way or another. Kind of like déjà vu. One night about a week ago I had a very vivid memorable dream about my real dad. Which was unexpected as I have not seen, spoken, or had any sort of relationship with him since I was a young child. I woke up with a sense of realization that all this time I have wasted my happiness holding a grudge for the most useless reasons that serve no one. Not even myself. I decided that day I would reach out and open the door I had kept closed and locked up with plywood and nails for years and years. I contacted my real dad based on the true fact that you should let go of anything that does not serve you and based upon the sign I had received in my dream. He replied back by the next morning and I feel now a huge sense of relief and comfort in knowing that I will have the chance to get to know my dad before the end of this lifetime. I strongly encourage you all to forgive and forget daily. To accept the fact that people make mistakes and we are not perfect and that is completely OK. I am learning a lot about myself and I will continue to share it with anyone who is interested to listen. Thank you for being you and remember to share your love with someone who might just need it. Namaste friends, namaste.

February 14 2012

Understand the anatomy of fear. It is your own creation. Most of the things we are afraid of never even happen. So why let your fears own your life? -Sharma 

February 13 2012

Fear is a conditioned response, a life-draining habit that can easily consume your energy, creativity and spirit if you are not careful. When fear rears its ugly head, beat it down quickly. The best way to that is to do the thing you fear. Fast. -Robin Sharma

February 12 2012

"Zen tradition speaks of a beginner's mind: those who keep their minds open to new concepts-those whose cups are always empty-will always move to higher levels of achievement and fulfilment. Never be reluctant to ask even the most basic of questions." -Robin Sharma-Daily Inspiration from the Monk who sold his Ferrari.

February 11 2012

In our society, we all too often label the ignorant as weak. However, those who express their lack of knowledge and then seek instruction find the path to wisdom before anyone else.-Sharma


Knowledge is power my friends. Knowledge concurs fear. This is true.

February 10 2012

If you really want to improve your outer world, whether this means your career, your relationships or your finances you must first improve your innder world. The most effective way to do this is through the practice of continuous self-improvement. Self-mastery is the DNA of life mastery. Greatness is an inside game.-Robin Sharma

February 9 2012

"As your awareness expands, you will become aware of things you previously could neither see nor understand. We don't know what we don't know---until we start looking within. All is good here. All that has unfolded for you is leading you to a fantastic place." -Robin Sharma


When I tried hot yoga the first couple times, I did not have a true understanding of it. I had no idea of all the benefits it had, and how in depth you could possibly get with all the poses. I had no idea that yoga could lead me into a new direction of life that I  didn't know because I didn't know... 

February 8 2012

"Feelings are the doorways into your soul, and they must be acknowledged and then felt to completion. Feelings carry important information and serve to foster your self-relationship if explored fully."-Sharma

February 7 2012

So many of us have shifted our focus from a quest for the external to a voyage into the internal. For many, the human journey has become an inner journey. We have realized that the gateway to lasting success does not swing outward, it opens inward. The greatest treasures are the treasures that lie within. We, as a global community, are now beginning to think far more about the needs of our souls and devoting more time to activities like personal growth, being more loving and compassionate and leaving a legacy. Success is important but significance is even better. -Robin Sharma 

February 6 2012

When you run inspiring, imaginative pictures through the movie screen of your mind, wonderful things start to happen in your life. Einstein said that "imagination is more important than knowledge." Spend some time every day, even if it is just a few minutes, in the practice of creative envisioning. All extraordinary acts begin with a dream. -Sharma

February 5 2012

The best possible use of your time, bar none, lies in cultivating your mind, heart, body and spirit so that you can bring more brilliance to this world. Awakening these four dimensions of your inner world is the best move you can make. Outer greatness is preceded by internal excellence. Your external life can never be larger than what exists within. -Sharma 


"You have nothing to lose. You had nothing to begin with."- Bikram 


Happy Sunday friends 

February 4 2012

"Awareness precedes change. Before you can change something in your life, you must first become aware of it and being to really pay attention to it. You must build some awareness around it. You will never be able to eliminate a weakness you don't even know about." -Robin Sharma's personal greatness

Today is day 10 in a row that I have been attending the Bikram yoga studio in Mardaloop. I have never felt more positive about myself. My allergic reactions in class have nearly diminished completely and I am no longer getting hive breakouts at home, at all! Its so amazing to me that on my first, second, and third classes the skin all over my face would get blotchy and red all over, itching when I got home, and now my skin just sweats like crazy but no botchiness anymore. I beleive it was my body detoxifying. In my opinion, with all the medication I had been taking and the lack of physical activity in my life, my body was most likely very toxic. Another great thing about hot yoga is the fact that you consume so much more water, and water is vital for human existance. Water not only cleanses the inside of your body and replenishes you, but eventually begins to be sweated out of your body and thus creates more soft, clearer skin, and less salt sweated out through your pores. Guys and Gals I cannot even begin to tell you how much yoga has transformed my life in 10 days. Now imagine a person keeps this up their entire lifetime? COME ON there is NO way this can be bad. Once again, happy Saturday! Spread positive thoughts and smile at a stranger today. You never know whose day you might make just by being happy:)

Love

February 3 2012

You truly cannot afford the luxury of even one negative thought. A worrisome thought is like an embryo: it starts off small but grows and grows. Soon it takes on a life of its own. Stop feeding what doesn't serve you. -Sharma

February 2 2012

"Thoughts are vital, living things, little bundles of energy, if you will. Most people don't stop to consider the nature of their thoughts and yet the quality of your thinking determines the quality of your life. Your thoughts form your world. And what you focus on shapes your destiny." -Robin Sharma

Great quote to sit on for a Thursday. I really beleive this is true and I think many of you out there could agree. Last night at yoga I spent some time after class with one of the teachers-Aly and talked about all of the paths that yoga could take me if only I gave my self the strength to. Aly gave me some vital advice and answered all the questions I had regarding how I would be able to begin teacher training. Im feeling really good about Bikram, and so far my allergy symptoms have diminished so much that I no longer get hive breakouts around 10pm like I normally do when I am off the 'Steriod' medication. I think if I keep up with this I will be in tip top shape and medication free for life perhaps? Imagine how good that will feel.

Happy Thursday all, share love, and remember that your thoughts create your destiny. xx

February 1 2012

Saying that you dont have time to improve your thoughts and your life is like saying you dont have time to stop for gas because you are too busy driving. Eventually it will catch up with you.

Its a new month, a new day and I feel vibrant and healthy today. Still have not missed a yoga practice since the first thursday that I started. I that everyone out there tries hot yoga atleast once in their lifetime. Just to be able to make a fair judgment on wether or not it was really for them. Happy day all! Spread your love around like butter xo

January 31 2012

Courage is not the absence of fear but the willingness to walk through your fear in the pursuit of a goal that is important to you. You are among the living dead when you live in a safe harbor and cling to the known. You come back to life and your heart starts to beat again when you venture into the unknown and explore the foreign places of your life. The adventure and thrill of living returns. Remember, on the other side of your fears you will discover your fortune. -Robin Sharma

January 30 2012

Clinging to safe shores in your life is nothing more than making a choice to remain imprisoned by your fears. And it's impossible to discover new oceans without letting go  of the shore. -Sharma


Good morning friends! It's Monday morning again, a fresh start to the new week. I will be headed to yoga 5:30pm today straight from work, and I look forward to the new day. If you have read this quote from Robin Sharma's book "Daily Inspiration from the monk who sold his ferrari" then you too shall try and face any fears you may have about something in your life that maybe you are afraid to try, or do and try and come beyond your own personal prison and try that something. You are the only one holding youself back from what you are capable of achieving in your lifetime. "You think you'll never get it right, You SHOULD TRY"!- Coldplay ;) Have an incredible day.

January 29 2012

Most people spend the best years of their lives in the place of the known. They lack the courage to venture out into foreign territory and are frightened to leave the crowd. They want to fit in and are afraid to stand out. They dress like everyone else, think like everyone else ad behave like everyone else, even if doing so doesn't feel right to them. They are reluctant to listen to the call of their hearts and try new things, refusing to leave that shore of safety. They do what everybody else does. In so doing, their once-shining souls begin to darken. Success lies in being true to yourself-and living life on your own terms.-Robin Sharma


Day four today at Bikram Yoga Studio! And today is even more special than the last three because my lovely Phillip Elliott will be joining me in class this morning at 10am. Today my personal goal will be to concentrate purely and souley on my own practise, and catch my mind when thoughts begin to start rolling. Because Phillip will be there this challenge will be harder than I might think, but that is why I wish to really attempt this goal today. Wish me luck! Namaste

January 28 2012

"Luck is nothing more than the remarkable marriage of relentless preparation with well-presented opportunity." -Robin Sharma

So today was day three of practicing Bikram at the Mardaloop location. I must say that day one felt incredible, day two was definitley tough, and day three...well I feel good. My body has its sore spots but overall Im feeling good. 
I will explain the layout of a Bikram class for those who have never tried before. The studio is heated to 105 degrees F (40 C) and your practice is composed of 26 postures, beginning and ending with two different breathing exercises. The heated room allows your muscles to warm up much faster and enable you to push further and deeper during your stretches. You are garaunteed to sweat, and sweat some more... and because of this you will release toxins and cleanse your body during the entire process. 


. . . learn to do your practice alone . . . do not look at others in the room to compare . . . keep your gaze inward on your own capacity . . .consciously breathe . . . match your movements with your breath . . 


I look forward to continuing my practice, and strengthening my mind, body, and spirit in the process. I completely understand how easy it can be for your mind to try and overcome you, but I remind myself that I am doing this for me. 

January 27 2012

The best antidote for fear is knowledge. - Robin Sharma 

Jan 26 2012

Woke up today with an unbelievable positive attitude toward the day. I was overwhelmed with happiness and felt full of energy. Tonight at 7:30pm I am going to try out a yoga studio I have never been to before. It's called Bikram Yoga Studio in Mardaloop. It's going to be an experience in itself as I am going alone, and venturing into the unknown. I have no idea what to expect, but I will be sure to share the experience on here when I get the chance. Good luck to me!

January 26 2012

The people who get on in life are those who dream big dreams and then take whatever risks are necessary to bring their vision to life. They face their fears directly, get into the game and live their days with courage. They break through their fear doors, no matter how scared they feel. It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your life. - Robin Sharma

Daily Inspiration from the monk who sold his ferrari-Robin Sharma...

"The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If you have become a negative thinker, this is because you have not cared for your mind and taken the time to train it to focus on the good. Remember, we become what we think about all day long." -Robin Sharma "Daily Inspiration from the monk who sold his ferrari" 


This is the beginning of a new journey.