A War Between Equals

I don't really understand the contentious nature that exists between Bikram students and Hot Yoga students and to be honest, the more I learn the sadder I get. I understand why exists between Bikram, himself and those teachers that have chosen to go their own way. I understand why they would have hard feelings.  But for it to have carried over to so many others...to have such tension exist because of politics that basically boil down to money and control is so disheartening.

Since I'm still a relative "newbie" to all of this I've been reading books, researching online, visiting studios when I travel...all things I was to continue forever, but, probably not with the same enthusiastic zeal...i.e. staying up till 4am reading a bikram forum. Lol! I've embraced the community with which I practice with and the greater yoga community as a whole and in turn I've been embraced. Which I guess makes my heartache even more for this divide...I can see what the "Bikram community" was like before "the great divide". What are your thoughts?

Day 1 Continued!

I was thinking about the changes that I see in my practice since my 3 week "break". It's interesting because some of my bad habits are simply gone. Such as:

• Wiping Sweat
• Obsession over water 
• Wiping my hands on my shorts

I'm glad they slipped away!

Day 1's practice was once again a good session. I love practicing with the group that was invited to the private (Thanks again John!). They are all dedicated and the energy is one of pure commitment, determination and so supportive. I'm going to this morning's 9:30 and then hopefully the private tonight again. I'm going to try to keep an extra practice stored up for when I need it! 

I'm headed out to ski after this morning's session. We have a ton of tourists still in town from the holidays. On New Year's Eve there were a record breaking 17,000 skiers/boarders at Beaver Creek (CO). It was pure madness I tell ya! I can't wait for our quiet mountains to return to the normal serene state. 

Day 1!

I'm back...after a bout of strep throat, then pneumonia, my grandfather passing away, finding out I've been a victim of identity theft (what a mess!) and general Christmas/Holiday craziness, I FINALLY found my way back to the studio after 3 weeks off! I missed my yoga friends, the yoga high and the calmness I feel after practicing. Perhaps, it was a good thing though, in a way, to make me see what a gift to myself it truly is...they say that "absence makes the heart grow fonder".

My first day back was Sunday (27th) and it was not as tough as I thought it might be after such a long absence. The studio was definitely not hot enough...which was probably a blessing for my first day back! :D

Then I practiced with a teacher that I heard about from "everyone", Marcy, who no longer lives in our area, but still teaches when she's in town on holiday. Marcy was everything that I had heard. She's calm, yet energetic...changes the dialogue a bit (gasp!), which helped me immensely and was a just a joy to practice with!

Then I learned that there was only one class on New Year's Eve (9:30am) which I couldn't make and NONE on New Year's Day. I was so disappointed! I convinced myself that it was okay...there was nothing I could do about it as there are no other studios within 120 miles of where I live. Then I got a phone call from my studio inviting me to a "private" class on both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!!! I was such a happy gal! It turned out a student that typically does private sessions was opening up his privates to a few people to join him for the holidays. What a nice guy, huh?! Thanks John!

So last night I went to the "private" and had breakthrough after breakthrough! It was nice and hot just like I like it.

Just for the record here's the changes I saw/felt:

• Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana--I felt something change in my hip alignment here. My balance was rock solid after this happened. 
• Janushirashana--My legs finally locked out and head was firmly down on my thigh. 
• Garudasana--My right leg is solidly curved around and foot is sliding down towards ankle. 
• Poorna Salabhasana--I feel like I'm getting stronger in this pose and that I'm moving in the right direction. 

I'm off to do my measurements and weight so I can track any changes. I know I should have done them yesterday...but, between skiing, yoga and the then our New Year's Even snowshoeing I was beat! I'm SO looking forward to practice tonight!