Losing the Ego

Photo via Bikram Yoga Chaswick in London.

I came across an awesome article on Yoga Journal today about important lessons that will transform your yoga practice. It's inspired me to reflect on some of the same topics, especially what the place is for ego in the yoga room -- which is nowhere.


There is no place for the ego in the yoga room. The effort of yoga is to lose the ego, to experience motionless, to embody effortlessness... while exerting maximum effort.

Can you try harder? If you can, you must. Photo via the Bikram Women's Retreat on Facebook.

Once you learn to give up your own ego in the room, on your mat, and at your studio, then your heart opens to what yoga truly is.


Yoga is not about judging. It is about forgiving. And not just others around you, but forgiving yourself. For being imperfect. For sometimes judging yourself based on your ability to execute a posture rather than on your own personal character and true worth.


Yoga is about meeting your edge in class, not comparing yourself to others and risking injury.


Yoga is about taking care of yourself in the room, while also listening to your instructor's words to push, push, push you to do your best.


Yoga is about not being scared to fail and try again. Like if you fall out of a posture, you get right back in. Or if you fall on your face because you tried a ridiculously hard arm balance, you laugh it off and are proud of yourself for giving your best effort.

Photo via Yoga Dudes on Tumblr.

Yoga requires effort. Yes, we relax in savasana and in child's pose or half-tortoise pose, but a majority of our class is spent focusing our energies toward specific muscle groups. Flexing those muscles. Learning what power we have. Finding a perfect marriage of the heart and lungs. Or maybe even having a mini heart attack now, so we won't suffer one later!


If you're not sweating, concentrating hard, and challenging yourself, you're not making the most of your yoga experience. And this goes for both heated and non-heated classes :)

Now that's yoga that requires effort: Balancing Stick pose! Photo via Bikram Yoga Richmond.

In yoga, you learn to let go. Even if you're annoyed by the yogis around you, or the teacher at the podium, or the stuff that happened at work before you came to class.


Unless you allow yourself to clear your mind by engaging your body, your yoga gets you nowhere.

Photo via the Bikram Women's Retreat on Facebook.

Focus Forward Friday: Got Ink?

All photos via Tattoologist.

 

 Focus Forward Friday: 

A weekly ritual for deepening your practice.

Today's focus: inky artfulness. Who's got a tattoo? Any readers out there sporting ink during your yoga classes?

I have a little one on my upper back. The Hubs and I got matching ones of sweet "S" design he drew (for our last name). Do you guys have any? Like em? Hate em?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Bikram dislikes them, along with the color green. Sounds weird but seriously: he won't let people wear the color when they come to Teacher Training. And apparently he has voiced his dislike for body ink (saying it defaces the natural human body). 

But chances are you've seen a lot of people showing off their tats in the Hot Room.  I know I have. I enjoy seeing the artfulness of tattoos on yogis. A lot of beautiful and simple designs out there.

Have you got a tattoo? (PS If you don't yet, but are thinking about it: keep in mind you'll have to take a few days off of your Bikram practice if you get inked. Can't be stretching your skin and sweating a bunch while the tattoo heals!)

From Rich: Thoughts on Warrior Training

Photo via Yoga Dudes on Tumblr.

Thoughts on Warrior Training
by Rich, a sponsored yogi


I am a peaceful warrior.
I journey further down that path every day.

Some days I am frightened.
Some, I am invincible.

I have no particular quarrels with you or anyone else.
My war rages within me.

I prepare not to do battle,
But rather to continue fighting.

Some days it is all I have.
Others, all I want.

My peace comes in moments of control, 
Packaged smaller than the blink of an eye.

I have found myself somewhere I've never been,
Never knew existed.

I put that place in a box for later.
I will  revisit that place when I am better prepared.

For now, I will finish my warrior training
And be on my peaceful way.

Warrior Training

  

All photos via Bikram Yoga Naperville on Facebook. 

  

"This is not baby training. This is warrior training!"

-Stuart Getz, Bikram Yoga Evanston owner, on the practice of Bikram yoga

Couldn't have said it better myself!

Yesterday's class was a tough one for me, both mentally and physically. My body felt broken down, slow, heavy. My mind felt warped by negativity. It made me realize I've been putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself lately.

Time to lighten up: body, mind, heart.

As Stu said toward the second half of class, "If you're having a tough class, cut the $hit! Let go. Make the floor series easy."

Amazing what a difference that can make. You just let go and suddenly the world is yours. If you decide to make a posture easy, it becomes easy.

It was also fun to have Rich in class. His first Bikram experience! He gave it two thumbs up, and said it was a great workout, killer on the shoulders. He was doing his warrior thing. Stay tuned; more bio on Rich as a sponsored yogi to come soon.

Hope you're all having a lovely start to the week.

YogaEarth: Supplement Yourself with Balance & Vitality

All photo illustrations via YogaEarth.

I'm in love. YogaEarth, you are awesome. You give me an easy, tasty way to replenish electrolytes before and after class. You are delicious (especially mixed with sparkling water!).


You make me feel balanced, strong, ready.


You're the perfect way to give myself an extra boost before class, especially on those days when it's been a while since I was in the hot room... and I'm a little nervous to go back.


Like today.


See, I didn't mean for there to be a whole week since I last did my Bikram. Really, I didn't! And I promise I put in a few at-home practices since then.


I even taught a workshop! But that wasn't in a room at 105 degrees, 40% humidity. And now my body has to readjust. Again. (Sound familiar?)


Thankfully, there's a supplement to save us all. Try some YogaEarth, yogis. You won't regret it.


PS: YogaEarth is good for you, all the time. Even if you're not yoga-ing! The two awesome flavors help with digestion, provide energy, and eliminate cravings. They pack a five-star punch!

PPS: Sponsored yogis, you'll be getting some samples soon :) Get excited!

Announcing the Sponsored Yogis for 2011!

 

The decision was hard. The applications were incredible. A big thanks to all who entered!

And now, Alive in the Fire would like to introduce the blog's sponsored yogis for this year...

Emily Berna,

Nicole Crist,

and

Hans Park!

along with an extraordinarily awesome guest post team: 

Dana Almdale

Richard Krzyzanowski

Beth Morey

Annie Sullivan

 Emily Taggart

This is me, shouting a much deserved: CONGRAAAAAAATS!

In the weeks and months to come, you'll be hearing from these yogis who are located all around the country and who practice a variety of yoga styles ranging from Bikram to Vinyasa to Anusara and Yin, and more.

They are teachers and students.

Men and women with compassion.

Brilliant writers, designers and thinkers who are ready to share their reflections on life as it's lived both on and off the mat.

I couldn't be more excited to have them on board!

I'd also like to send out a personal thank you to every blog reader who entered the sponsorship program. I hope the application process was fulfilling and helped you learn more about yourself and your yoga practice.


I couldn't be more stoked to share some of your stories in the weeks to come, too. I value and appreciate your feedback and your ideas about the blog.


Thanks to you and your honest input, you can expect to see some exciting changes around here at Alive in the Fire, including:

• new design
• more continuity 
• a new series or two
• some new personal posts
• advice on specific postures, plus a comprehensive guide to every Bikram asana in the 26-posture series
• more info for yogis who don't practice Bikram
• more info for guys who yoga

Thanks to you, the blog is better and it's growing. I hope you'll stay tuned for some lovely input from the sponsored team, starting with their bios next week (plus the cutest bio video ever!).


And once again, a big fat congrats to the sponsored yogis, guest bloggers, and to every applicant who submitted. You are amazing!

A new day, a new dawn (on the blog). Beautiful! Photo via One Love Photography.

Do Your Bikram, And Then Some

Photo source unknown.

Anyone else out there get sick of your own yoga practice sometimes? Lately I've been lacking motivation to hit the hot room (Gasp! Terrible, right? And from a Bikram blogger no less. Well, at least I'm keeping things honest here on Alive in the Fire). 

It's like I need a little something fresh in my routine.

Last night I put in an awesome Kundalini class at home (this DVD with Maya Fiennes, who totally rocks). It felt wonderful to do some different poses and breathing exercises, and it totally woke my spine, mind and overall body up in lovely ways.

Bikram yogis, do you ever get a little sick of the 26 posture series?

Find yourself craving a little Downward Dog, Cat pose, or straight up Child's pose?

I know, I know. Bikram says downward dog is not real yoga. He says it is the "American circus" of yoga. He also says the props used in styles like Iyengar make that style "a Santa Monica sex shop."

Well, I say there's a reason certain that Hatha yoga classes have been practicing sun salutations for centuries. And why there's more to Hatha yoga than the 26 postures you find in a Bikram class.

We need them too! We need a mix of standing balancing postures, and spine strengtheners, but we could also benefit greatly from a little Wheel, Crane, and Pigeon here and there.

Photo via Sarah Rhoads.

Maybe it's a silly analogy, but it's a little like my morning breakfast routine. I love cereal. Lately I eat it pretty much every day. But I can't subsist on just Raisin Bran, or only Honey Bunches of Oats. I need some Cinnamon Life every now and then. And on some days: Cinnamon Toast Crunch.


Occasionally we need those postures that make us feel good -- like the days we need sweet kiddy cereal in the morning to kick-start our day. Sometimes we need a super challenge, like Headstand or Scorpion.


Sure, we need our solid foundation -- our Bikram classes, and our consistent practice in the Hot Room. In the mornings, we need a mix of nutrients in our cereal, and it makes breakfast more enjoyable if we can try new tastes now and then too.


We need breaks from our own routine. To try a class that's not heated, or go for some postures we've never attempted before.


How will we improve if we don't challenge ourselves?


I can't not mention the Advanced Bikram series here, because I know that class involves a lot of the more difficult Hatha postures, and it really does work your body in completely new ways and expands greatly on the Beginner's class. But bottom line -- Bikram yogis who aren't teachers (and never want to be teachers) should have access to more yoga than just the Bikram series.


So if you're feeling like you're in a bit of a rut and you've got to keep on keepin' on with your yoga... try something new. (And if you can, go for Teacher Training! Take the advanced class. By all means, it's an amazing way to step up your Bikram.)


Or, buy a single class at a new studio or a new DVD from Amazon. Check out a yoga book you've been eyeing at the library for a while now. Take a Zumba class with your friend at the gym!


Choose to see your yoga differently, or yourself differently for a bit. It might just make you realize: you are not a Bikram-only yogi. You've just been a yogi all along.

Sometimes taking a closer look can show you something new. A bride is not only a bride; she's also just a thirsty lady having the best day of her life.

Photo via W. Scott Chester Photography.

PS On a related "expand your practice; it's good for you" note -- I'll be teaching a little yoga workshop tomorrow night! I can't wait :)

PPS I absolutely love Bikram yoga. It is my foundation. I need more of it, just like I need more variety. At the workshop, I'll be teaching Bikram postures (not to the exacts dialogue, but I know some tidbits will work their way in... "lean back, fall back, way back..." Haha. How could they not, after hearing those words so many times?!). 

Anyway, I hope this post gets you thinking. Bottom line, in case you were wondering: Bikram is my core yoga, but I also love being open to other styles. I'm also curious: what styles do you practice? Do you Bikram, and then some? I'd love your feedback in the comments below. And here's to a yoga-filled weekend!

Run, Yoga, Run: The Bikram Athlete

Photo illustration via Blow Up Studios and their ad campaign for Pure Yoga. 

Hey yogis. How is your week going? Are you busy shoveling snow?


Perhaps you've had to mix up your workout this week because of inclement weather. Just this morning the Hubs and I helped push a neighbor's car over a pile of snow, and it got me thinking about those muscles we don't usually use in the Bikram room. By engaging in other core-building or stamina-enhancing exercise, we can improve our yoga practice. 


Sometimes we need to mix it up in order to improve not only our physical health, but our mental health, too. The repetitive nature of Bikram yoga (as a result of the dialogue and our familiarity with the 26-posture sequence) makes it tempting to zone out during class -- to disengage, stop listening, and go with what we know.


At those moments, we risk injury.


Often it can be great to mix up your work out routine by adding different styles of yoga or different cardio activities to your schedule.


Do any of you readers do Bikram on the side? Maybe you are into cross training, running, swimming, or biking -- but you find yoga to be a great complement to your other athletic endeavors.


No matter what your first fitness love is, Bikram can help you build the strength and flexibility you need to perform at your best, and live your healthiest life.

Photo illustration via Blow Up Studios.

One reader of the blog recently contacted me about her work as a personal trainer. Jeozette of MVP Personal Fitness Consulting recommends that athletes balance their cardio with Bikram, as the two can inform each other and provide awesome balance. The rest of this post is adapted from Joezette's article here.

You Gotta Have: Total-Body Conditioning 
(not simply strong quads) 

Consistent running can lead to a lot of tightness and strain in the spine, shoulders, hamstrings, and hips. This is why it is so important to condition and stretch those areas to develop more strength and movement to your body.


Try the following cross-training exercise to build arm strength and flexibility.


EXERCISE: Push-up; one of the best exercise for muscles of the chest (pectorals), arms (bicep and triceps) and core development.


Start face down on the floor with your feet together curled slightly so you rise on the ball of your feet. Place you hands close together so your thumbs and index fingers form a triangle on the floor. Keep your stomach contracted.
Inhale as you raise your body up till your arms are straight. Keep your head and neck level with your body and back straight. Exhale out as you lower your body back to the ground.

Photo via mewall82 on Flickr.

You Gotta Be: Pain Free!

Bikram Yoga will put an end to the tightness that leads to pain by opening up your joints and stretching all your ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Remember that running doesn't use ALL your muscles. You need a pose that will utilize your whole body.


Try the following Bikram Yoga pose to help straighten rounded spines and relieve backaches. This pose will also increase circulation to the spine and strengthen the abs, arms, thighs, and hips.It will improve the flexibility of the scapula, deltoids, and traps.


POSE: Bow Pose; Start lying on your stomach, bend your knees and bring your feet down towards your glutes. Reach back with your arms, take hold of each foot from the outside, grasping about two inches below the toes. Keep your feet and knees six inches apart throughout the pose. Take a deep breathe, look up towards the ceiling and lift thighs and upper body off the floor. Kick back lifting legs higher off the floor. The main goal is to balance on your abdomen. Hold pose for 20 seconds while breathing in and out through the nose.

Photo via creativENERGYoga on Flickr.

You Gotta Have: Agility, Coordination, and Balance

Agility, coordination, and balance are also important factors in day-to-day activities, such as standing and walking or (running). Try the following Cross-training exercise to improve these basic functions.


EXERCISE: Jump Rope; Holding the jump rope handles, one in each hand, the rope should be resting on the ground directly behind your feet. Your head should be up, eyes looking forward, not down at your feet. Your elbows should be positioned in close to your body. During the jump, your body should be erect. A basic jump is straight up and down and about 1 inch high. The rope gets its momentum with a basic swing of the wrist and forearms. The knees should flex and extend slightly with each jump. As you jump, try to develop a rhythm (the speed at which the rope turns).

Photo via kait.rich on Flickr.

Bottom line? Mix up your work out and balance it out with some hot yoga! You'll be happy you did when the winter storm hits and you don't have to pull any muscles while shoveling snow. 

Have any other advice on how to adapt to Bikram as an athlete? I'd love to hear from you, runners, swimmers, bikers, and tri-athletes! Leave a comment below.

Photo illustration via Blow Up Studios.

Gratefulness for Yoga, Massage & Good Friendship

I had to share this note from ThxThxThx today. Leah honestly has the best notes and such an awesome sense of humor, don't you think? I love the combo of comedy and gratitude :)

I also want to send a big thank you out to my friend Lindsay Paige of Omai Bodyworks for the best massage ever yesterday. I was only in there for 30 minutes, but Lindsay managed to work out all of my knots and kinks in my neck and shoulders. No more pain! I am so, so grateful. :)

For those of you in Evanston who need a good massage, Lindsay is your girl. She's got a ton of experience, a wonderfully chill style and comfortable studio, and some of the strongest biceps you'll find. If you'd like to contact her about her massage services, let me know and I'll put you in touch. She's located in the basement of Bikram Yoga Evanston and has super flexible hours.

Finally, I hope all of you Chicago readers are all ready for this big blizzard! Stay warm and be safe. I know I'll be drinking some extra hot chocolate and apple cider in the next few days...

SNOWPOCALYPSE, a photo via Northwestern University's Twitter account.

Nap

Photo of an eggy breakfast, source unknown.

Today certainly has been a Monday! 

I am looking forward to an afternoon nap after work, another bite of the delicious quiche I made for dinner last night, a short massage to hopefully work out these crazy knots in my neck and shoulder, and getting my Bikram fix at the late class.

You?

PS If you have recommendations for getting rid of neck pain, I'm all ears. Tonight's regimen for healing will be: Tiger's Balm, meditation before I nap (to stay relaxed and away from any tense dreams), massage, Bikram, and maybe a bath. Other thoughts?

Simplify

Photo via Lululemon. This is one of their talented ambassadors, Meghan.

Hey yogis! How was your weekend? I hope you are back at work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I am!


I had a lovely weekend with a nice mix of productivity and relaxation. I've got some other creative projects in the works besides the blog, so I decided to a take a couple days off to put some energy toward those. Plus there is nothing like a Sunday at home doing some cooking for the week and having a little candlelit dinner with friends. (I made quiche! Mmmm.) 


The Hubs and I also had a little adventure at the local laundromat, plus a delicious sushi lunch across the street at Evanston's Seafood Ranch. We highly recommend it! You can buy fresh sushi and soups, or shop in their little two-aisle Asian grocery. They carry green tea icecream (my fave!), any sauce you can imagine for Asian cuisine, plus sashimi-grade fish for making your own sushi. I'll be back very soon to try that.


Anyway, I hope you had fun and maybe took a little time for yourself this weekend, too. It can be so worth it to have a break -- whether it's from work, or just your computer screen at home. Sometimes a few days off from the Hot Room can do wonders for your practice, too.


Sometime's it's just better to simplify. Do a little less. You may find yourself appreciating that task you chose to take out of your busy schedule, even yoga.


I know I am excited to get back to my mat tonight!


I'm also stoked to spend this week immersed in all of the Yogi Sponsorship 2011 applications. Thanks to all of you who have sent in your apps. We have some very strong candidates!


To those of you who have the app but haven't returned it yet, please do so soon. The deadline is coming up. I'm happy to give you a bit of extra time if you need it, but be sure to communicate before the deadline rather than later.


The choice will be tough. I can't wait to post the news! Stay tuned.

Photo via Lululemon. This is one of their talented ambassadors, Meghan.

Focus Forward Friday: Get Sponsored to Do Yoga

Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

Focus Forward Friday: 
A weekly ritual for deepening your practice.

Today's focus: the blog sponsorship. Did you read my recent post on how you can get free classes, sweet yoga wear, green products, and a whole bunch of awesome custom yoga advice and motivation from yours truly?

If you missed out, here are the details again.

Who: any yogi, male or female, any age, any location, who practices any style of yoga (not just Bikram!).

When: apps due by the end of January (I can extend the deadline by a few days if you need a bit of extra time). Winners will be announced in early February.

Sponsorship may also induce happiness, relaxation and mind-body connection. 

Photos via Coffee and Yoga.

What: if you are chosen, you'll get a bunch of sweet perks. Free yoga classes (details to be determined). Lots of loot (yoga wear, cool products, treats from me and other blog partners). Excellent advice from an advanced Bikram student who's practiced a variety of styles and who's passionate about sharing yoga with others (and teaching one day!). Ongoing communication. The chance to write for the blog, promote it to your yoga community, and watch it grow. And much, much more! 

How: email me at aliveinthefire at gmail dot com for an application. Then I'll send you the form to fill out with more info on your background, your yoga practice, and what you plan to bring to the blog space and community if you are chosen. Note: you'll want to be sure to read the fine print and sign digitally before you send back. Photos welcome, too! I like being able to put names to faces, and if you've got a shot of yourself doing your favorite posture, that's perfect.


A quick note: only dedicated yogis need apply. I plan to choose someone as my go-to person for discussing yoga-related topics and creative ideas for the blog. I expect to find someone who's creative, fun, laid-back, punctual, hardworking, and kind. I want someone with extreme enthusiasm for their yoga, for the blog, and for making positive changes in their life. If you're not ready to make the commitment, please don't ask for an application.


Along the same lines: please feel free to use your creativity here! You'll need to fill out the application, but if you are so inclined to add to it, share the blog with your friends, increase the followers and invite people to check out the Twitter, by all means -- go for it! Going above and beyond won't hurt your chances :)


Are you ready to take your yoga practice to the next level? 


Contact me today. (aliveinthefire at gmail dot com)

This is not the end; there is no end in yoga. Photo via Coffee and Yoga.