Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Spring 2011 Dates Announced!

Yep, that's the Boss and Elvis.

This just in: Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Spring 2011 session dates and location announced!

April 17th to June 18th, 2011

@ the Radisson Hotel in Los Angeles

More info on Bikram's site. Details on what it takes to become a teacher here. 


Are you going?

Get ready for some serious Bikram love.

Put a Little SPA in your Week: A Review of the Best Massage Studios in Evanston

Want to feel like you're here? Try a massage after yoga class!

Busy times call for rest. 100 percent exertion demands 100 percent relaxation. In the hot room, every floor series posture earns you a 20-second savasana. In real life, you have to set time for your own time off.

The best way to relax? A massage, of course!

In the last few months, I've gone for massage therapy at several different places around town, including Flow Body Mind Connection, Egea Spa, and OmaiBodyworks. Each place has its own look and feel, and each offers incredible services.

At Flow, Raegan Ross has set up her own studio with a modern look and feel, and all is quiet and peaceful despite the location right on Dempster Street. I loved her little candles around the room, nurturing demeanor, and capable hands. The sweet, stylish wall dividers in her space also give the place a sense of regeneration and, well, flow :)

Flow is located at 609 Dempster in Evanston.

At Egea, I felt so pampered in their luxurious spot. They give you a little robe to wear, a sea salt soak for your feet that helps you feel calm and centered before the massage, and then an amazingly refreshing steam shower afterward! Heavenly. It was so nice spending the whole morning there, just lazing from one step to the next and not rushing out. A little pricey, but I hope to be back soon!

Egea is located at 1521 Sherman Ave in Evanston.

My favorite spot to get a massage, though, is located right in the heart of the building where my home studio is. My awesome friend Lindsay Paige runs her own fantastic massage business OmaiBodyworks right next door, and there's simply nothing better than a session right after yoga class. As Linds likes to say, you've still got the "yoga daze" and can relax even more fully after your muscles are warmed up. It's absolutely wonderful!

Plus, Lindsay is quite a talented Bikram teacher who I admire incredibly, with one of the strongest dialogues I've heard. She's got powerful spirit, determination and motivation in the heat and really makes class enjoyable. Whether I'm sweating through her class or enjoying great conversation with Lindsay, I absolutely love spending time with her. This weekend we're checking out the Illinois YOGA CHAMPIONSHIPS together at Whole Foods in Lincoln Park, Chicago! Should be fun.

OmaiBodyworks is located at 1840 Oak Ave in Evanston, in the basement.

But anyway, back to Omai. One of the best parts about Lindsay's practice is that she plays upbeat music instead of weird, lame new-age-y rainforest sounds, and I totally dig singing along to Feist or Jose Gonzalez in my head while she's getting all the kinks and crunches out of my neck and shoulders. Lindsay has astonishing strength and she isn't scared to beat you up a little bit, but it's the best! A firm amount of pressure is what helps me feel better the next day, and leaves me with the right kind of soreness that quickly fades to freedom. I love leaving with the feeling that I can move again!

In case you're not yet convinced of why OmaiBodyworks should be your next spot for massage, you can also consider this: Lindsay's trained in a special kind of therapy called Lypossage that helps women with cellulite reform their bodies from the inside out. It's an intensive program where you get special treatment, extra-strong massages in the areas that need attention, and you also supplement with a variety of vitamins/ body wraps/ nutrition, etc. Basically she offers an entire "body contouring" package that's about holistic wellness and transforming your body image all over, not just changing your appearance for the sake of vanity.

It totally fits with the Bikram perspective about leaving your ego at the door and instead working toward making your body healthier and whole, not just beautiful.

"Tell them to come for a firm ass, and in six months, their whole lives have changed!" Now that's one of my favorite Bikram-isms.

I've seen pictures of Lindsay's clients, though, and the results are great! It's surprising how much you can do in the short amount of time the program takes, and from what I hear it really does leave women feeling completely changed, and more confident and excited about their beautiful bodies than before. They bring new enthusiasm and energy to the hot room, too!

I'm hoping to try out one of Lindsay's body wraps in the near future (not the LypoMassage, but just an overall wrap), for the relaxation and therapeutic skin benefits that they offer. 

Bottom line? Lindsay's work + Bikram yoga = pure bliss. 

If you're interested in getting a massage with Lindsay, comment below and I can send you her contact info. She does not currently have a web site but you can check out her LinkedIn profile, or ask any yogi at Bikram Yoga Evanston who's been in her little oasis of a massage studio, and you'll hear about how remarkable she is! :)

Beautiful lady on her graduation day from Bikram Teacher Training in Mexico a couple years back. Lindsay, you are the best!

Oak Park's 105-Yoga Opening Monday!

Chicago yogis: a new Bikram studio is opening on Monday, November 1st in Oak Park!

105 Yoga

105 N Oak Park Ave

Oak Park, IL 60301
Phone: 708-613-6055
info@105-yoga.com

with Nancy Kalinowski, studio director & yogi extraordinaire

Check it out: 105 Yoga in Oak Park is offering an amazing intro special where you can get your first month for only $29 (regularly $150). Sign up now! Offer ends November 30th. 


Tell your friends!


One of my favorite Bikram teachers ever is achieving her dream this week. Nancy, I couldn't be more thrilled for you! It's going to be incredible. Hoping I can stop by for some classes soon and, like Bikram says, continue on my way to "a new body, and a new life!"


May the first few weeks at 105 Yoga, even if they are chaotic, be yet another yogic lesson in your journey about the way no one can steal your peace. If you let someone steal your peace, you lose!


Students, new and veteran: check out the class schedule, add 105 Yoga on Facebook and Twitter (@hotyogaoakpark), and get out your mat! Namaste.

See you soon in Oak Park, Chicago, for some awesome Bikram at 105 Yoga!

Men. Yoga. Yes.

Lithe and strong, like a yogi.

These incredible photos are by a friend of mine from high school, Emily Voigtlander. She's a talented artist with a dashing boyfriend, Jordan, featured above. They are living the dream in San Francisco with their adorable pup named Willow, writing a sweet cooking blog, adventuring in the city, and loving each other well.

I am about to feature a series on men who do yoga here at Alive in the Fire and I'm interested to hear more about your views on masculinity, strength, power, balance and equality. Do you tend to see a lot of women at Bikram classes? Feel outnumbered if you're one of few guys in the room?

Do you notice a difference when men teach in comparison when women do?

How do you witness yoga as a tool to bring together members of a local studio, and of a world community, regardless of gender?

What would you like to see change? Are there ways we can use the yoga to transform our perspective and truly bring an open mind to our life experiences whether we experience inequality or not?

Are you personally willing to practice the genuine concept of "Namaste" in your life?

"The good in me sees and acknowledges the good in you." I am here; you are here with me. 

"I bow to you." I recognize your beauty, presence, power. 

"I honor that place in your where the whole Universe resides. And when I am in that place in me, and you are in that place in you, there is only one of us."

Men, women, yogis. We are one.

Em and Jordan and their pup, Willow! I couldn't resist; I really couldn't. :) 

Such a happy family! Miss you guys and hope all is well.

Those Bikram Boys

What's the guy to girl ratio at your studio like? Do you have a lot of men willing to tough it out in the heat where you practice?

Man, I love those strong, tall guys who practice alongside all the dainty girls in bikini tops and Shakti shorts. My favorite are the 40-somethings at Bikram Yoga Evanston that I think look like firemen. I mean, if they can handle the yoga (with their tight hips and broad shoulders), so can anyone. Not so sure I'm crazy about guys who wear super short shorts, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do to survive the Torture Chamber, eh?


YogaDork recently discovered this awesome NYT article about guys layin' down their mats and kicking some ass. There was also an interesting entry about guys in the Army doing yoga in order to promote strength and stress relief. I love it!


Now if I could only drag the Hubs and my big brother to class... :)


Do you yoga with your guy? Know male friends or teachers at the studio?


I want to hear your story! I am going to feature a story on guys who Bikram in the near future and I'd love for you to be a part of it. I am looking for 3-4 paragraphs about who you know, what their practice is like, their favorite posture, and how Bikram yoga makes them feel like a real man. You can write about someone you know, or have your sexy guy write a little blurb. Feel free to be creative. Have fun. And if you know of anyone, please spread the word!


Comment below your contact info and I will get a hold of you about your story. Photographs highly encouraged, but not required. And if Bikram's not your style, no worries. I'd still love to hear from you.

REAL MEN DO (BIKRAM) YOGA. 

Coming soon to Alive in the Fire!



Check out this ridiculousness. We fist pump in our fancies after the wedding. Hey, if I can make a fool of myself, so can you!

The Yoga Is Supposed To Hurt: An Inspiring Teacher-in-Training

Video interview via Bikram Yoga Manhattan on YouTube.

"The only way out is through."

So says Bikram Yoga Manhattan's Jeanne Heaton, a yogi with an inspiring story that's about to get even more inspiring. And yes, she was talking about the experience of pushing through the pain that Bikram yoga can bring our bodies and minds, and the fact that the only way we can relieve that pain is to undergo it. As my teachers often say during Locust Pose: "Experience pain in the elbows now, so you don't have to outside this room."

It may be surprising at first to discover that sometimes Bikram yoga is supposed to hurt, but it's true. It's not all candles and bubble bath, like some other yoga practices.

Sometimes it hurts, and that hurt makes us stronger, tougher, better.

Anyway, back to a lady I've never met but who I admire already... Jeanne was interviewed during a series done by BYM's studio where they chat with local teachers about their practice, what it's like to the life of a yogi, and the experience of training with Boss himself.

"If it hurts, do it more," she says, smiling and gesturing. "Until it goes away. I didn't believe that was true until I experienced that myself."

What honest, beautiful words. No doubt, this can surely be a challenge, as Jeanne is ready to admit in the video. She talks about the way Western medicine generally prefers that patients who are suffering stop doing whatever it is that's bringing the pain. But in the East, and in our yoga, we learn that in order to get over the hurt, we must endure it first.

During her interview, Jeanne also spoke about her motivation to become a teacher once she received a scholarship for the Fall San Diego Teacher Training session.

"In order to keep what you have, you have to give it away. So that's what I see happening around the studio. In order to stay here and be healthy, I believe that I have to teach it so that I can help others...I totally identify with others' struggles. This yoga is about service."

I couldn't have said it better myself! The yoga inspires us to give, compassionately, and share it with those around us. This is a huge part of why I want to complete the training, too: it's not just about my own practice, but about encouraging passion in others to stick with the yoga.

"Health and love and service. That kind of complete change is what people do in here," as Jeanne said.

Since the beginning of my Bikram experience, I've been amazed at the solid community of practioners that come together. Whether we're chatting or laughing in the studio lobby before and after class, or sweating it out like crazy on our mats, moving as one, we learn and benefit from the presence of each other.

And that "Namaste" that we utter at the end of class truly starts to mean something, to take on true value.

The good in me sees the good in you.

As they say in Avatar, "I see you." I get who you are, where you're coming from, and I wholly accept who you are and what your purpose is in this world. I'm glad for you. That's the real kind of namaste.

Jeanne put it this way: "This is the right place to have community and love." Have you considered the weight of a statement like that lately?

What if you actively pursued community and love at your yoga studio? What if you gave up a little bit of yourself -- your personality, gifts, time -- to benefit those who practice beside you in the Hot Room? What would change?

My guess: your whole life, your whole practice.

I can picture Jeanne here in the Teacher Training tent where she's rockin' out on her mat and learning to deliver the dialogue like a true master. Hope it's going well, Jeanne, and best of luck in your beautiful life! Photo via The Missus on her BKTT blog.

Best Things I’ve Heard in the Hot Box, or Why the Dialogue is Best Taught by Teachers With a Good Sense of Humor

Bikram teachers put up with the silliest moments!

Photo Via DaveAustria on Flickr.

Not that you'd expect it, but hot yoga can be a pretty funny experience sometimes. You get silly sounds coming from super-sweaty yogis, odd characters running in and out of the room, and general chaos and mayhem on those crowded days.

Here are a few of my favorite moments from the Hot Box that I'd like to share. What memories do you cherish from Bikram's Torture Chamber?

• “Wow, whose red panties are these?” (*Teacher holds up pair of red hot, lacy underwear in front of class with wide-eyed look on his face.) “Alright, well I guess I’ll keep them up here on the podium. I feel like they’re a little Christmas present that someone’s left for me. I guess it’s Christmas in July!”

• “You’re not babies; you’re warriors. So don’t act like a baby in here. Next set!”

• “Hey, Steve! I have an idea…how about you wait ‘til after class to take a shower? Yeah, I saw that, the water bottle action. You thought you could sneak it by me, but you forget: I see all in here…”

• “Have you noticed you’re twitching your fingers during triangle pose? I mean, it’s kind of cute, but it has to stop. We can’t have that in here.”

• “Is that a purse? Is that your purse, miss? Is there a cell phone in that purse?” *Yogi nods her head, blushing a bit. “OK, well no worries, but just remember next time to leave it outside the room. Alright, let’s start pranayama…” *Pause. “You know what? As it turns out, I can’t have a phone in here. It’s just wrong. Here, I’m just going to set it outside at the front desk…” *Teacher starts dialogue as he walks out the door...

• "Face to the legs, upper body to the thighs, like a grilled cheese sandwich..." (Why would you want to eat a Japanese ham sandwich anyway?! Grilled cheese all the way. :)
  

• "Close your mouth. Close your mouth. Close your mouth." *Yogi still exhales loudly through an open mouth. "Man, people need to work on their manners in this class!"

Yogis is crazy, man.
Photo Via NerdVin on Flickr.

Yogi Characters Continued

PhotoVia SunSinger's Flickr Photostream.

A little while ago, I featured a post on some inspiring local yogis at my home studio, and our need for compassion in the hot room. Here are a few more characters I've come across, followed by a few who I'm keeping my eye out for.

Locals I Love:

• Yoga Mom Extraordinaire: you've got sweet tats, a solid practice, and super-cool mom skills for bringing your daughter to Bikram before she's even old enough to be allowed in for the standing series.
• Slick Italian Gentleman: I'm pretty sure you're a dancer in real life, what with that slicked-back hair, graceful form, and seriously-athletic focus. Your headband and strong-looking hands make me think of only the word "Om" filling up the room.
• Fire Engine Man: your body looks like a brick and you've got to be at least 40, and yet you keep coming back for more heat and humidity. I like to imagine you're the captain of a local firestation and your Bikram practice is just another way to get used to being surrounded by fire.
• Miss Firecracker (aka my favorite teacher): your spunk, liveliness and kick-ass dialogue rock my world. With your leadership and encouraging spirit, class always seems to fly by and I feel stronger and more empowered than ever. Who knew such vigor could come in such a small package?

Are You Out There?

• Pregnant Moms Who Still Practice: If I ever encounter you, I will immediately offer you an extremely enthusiastic high-five and begin asking you a bunch of questions of how you survive the hot room.
• Yogis Wearing Leopard-Print Anything: Straight-up Bikram style! I have yet to earn these stripes.
  
• Scorpion-Doers: Seriously, how do people pull that pose off?! I've never actually seen it in person, so I'm pretty sure I will oogle and drool over whoever I first discover chilling out as a poisonous desert bug.
• The Emotion-Weary Yogi: OK, so this may sound a bit strange but lately I've been hearing and reading so much about yogis who suddenly start all-out sobbing in the middle of Bikram class. I am completely intrigued and curious about this phenomenon. And not that it's not an emotional experience every time we practice, but it might be sort of interesting to experience the teary meltdown in the middle of class...just to see what it would bring up, and be able to say you survived it. Plus I generally tend to have have salt water in my eyes, anyway, from all the sweat drips...What do you think? Have you ever survived the yoga-mat tearfest?

Photo Via SpectreMan's Flickr PhotoStream.

Mr. Bald Yoga Guru Guy's Handstands After Class: Intimidated Much?

Photo Via Mark Ray

You know the feeling: complete overwhelm. Maybe it's the heat; maybe it's the sweat. The simple thought of being locked in the torture chamber for 90 minutes. Increased heart rate? Labored breathing?

Oh, wait. Maybe the reason you're feeling a bit stunned and terrified has to do with none of the above.

Maybe it's your hot neighbor. Or better yet: the teacher standing up on the podium there. Or the day when you unexpectedly find yourself side-by-side with that well-built, well-practiced Bikram instructor, their lovely muscles shiny with sweat and oh-so-close to your very own mat.

Throughout pranayama breathing, you find yourself sporadically glancing their way. Your eyes meet for a moment in the mirror, as a rush of embarrassment floods your cheeks. Great: now your face is red from the heat and the shame of revealing your interest in the other yogi's currently seriously-flexible shoulders and audible throat-like-a-valve inhales.

Let's be honest: we've all experienced intimidation in the hot room. There are those days where we wish the notion of competition didn't get in the way of a posture's integrity, and we push past our edge for the wrong reasons.

Or, in my case, I look around the room after class to discover a teacher who I find rather intimidating executing beautiful, bold, sturdy handstands. I mean, we're talking muscular strength in all its glory. Balance and grace and tenacity all rolled into one vigorous posture. And this is after class, people! Most everyone else in the room is half-asleep, doggedly making their way to the door, or oogling in his direction.

Don't get me wrong, but I felt a tinge of jealousy as I watched him fling his legs skyward with athletic control and freeze in the statuesque spot. Jeez, I thought to myself. I wonder if I could ever do that?

It was a momentary blend of feeling like a miserably-inexperienced yogi with little potential, but then simultaneously realizing how long it must have taken to develop such a skill. It was inspiring.

In the same way that I've been intrigued by the teacher since my first class with him -- the calm, smooth tone of his voice as he delivers the dialogue, his fierce demands of yogis during class (especially his strictness when it comes to unifying the class), and (perhaps most of all), his bald, lovely, perfectly rounded head. His physique looks a bit like a statue itself, I've sometimes thought. And combined with his stern expression and posture, he seems a bit like an ancient Egyptian or some expert yoga guru or something.

A couple of days ago I experienced a breakthrough about this guy, though. For all of his outwardly exotic allure, his severity while leading class, and his mastery as a practicing yogi, I could make an equally compelling case for his normalcy.

He might sit behind the studio desk looking mysterious in his head wrap, but I'm pretty sure he doesn't mean intimidation by it.

And hey, when it comes to the yoga, we're all getting the same benefits, as long as we're working at our maximum.

It's just as Bikram reminds us: we should bring no expectations to the hot room. It should be a place where we go to lose, not boost, our own egos.

Truly falling in love with Bikram means bringing humility to our mat every time we practice -- and using that lack of pretentiousness to build a strong collective energy, an inspiring sense of grace, comfort, and love in the room. We use our humble hearts to welcome others -- no matter their level of flexibility or strength -- to the power and beauty of yoga.

The other night as I was leaving the studio after an energetic class with Mr. Bald Yoga Guru Guy, I made my way quietly to the door, ready to slip out unnoticed and into the post-Bikram bliss of the rest of my evening. Much to my surprise, he turned to me with a sheepish grin, a cheerful wave of his hand, and joyfully exclaimed, "Nice job tonight!"

I felt a little burst of butterflies in my stomach, the excitement of being recognized filling my core. In that little moment, I was so proud, so thankful for the practice. Grateful for the guidance of exceptional teachers, and for their mystique as a tool for bringing me to my knees and boosting me up at the same time.

Who knows: maybe someday we'll be doing those handstands side by side in the sultry mist of the Bikram studio, Mr. Bald Yoga Guru Guy. You just never know.

Photo Via Maui Yoga.