"This Yoga Saved My Life"

 Above photo via the Bikram Women's Retreat on Facebook. Photo below via FYeahYoga.

"Yoga saved my life. I now have the flexibility to cope, the calm to breathe, and the strength to hold on."


Have you ever heard a story like this? Or perhaps your yoga journey involves one that's similar?


I recently read a Patch article starring a yogini with a comparable tale. It reads:


"This yoga saved my life," said Curnett, who said she went went from having terrible asthma and allergies, being overweight, and being stressed out to becoming more forgiving, patient and loving. She's also given birth – twice – and returned to her pre-pregnancy weight both times.


I'm constantly astounded by the way a strong yoga practice can change a life so intensely. Yoga opens up so many possibilities, so many opportunities to grow -- both physically and mentally.


I'm taking a Bikram yoga class tonight after having been away from the studio on a slight hiatus. While I'm a little nervous to return to the heat, I can also feel by body longing for the medicine it so needs and has been missing. Then I've got a massage afterward... can't wait!


How has your yoga changed you lately? Do you find that change comes in waves when it comes to your yoga?


Sometimes it seems like what's happening in our lives is mirrored by what's happening in our yoga practice. Our strength on the mat leads to our strength in the world... and that, dear readers, is a wonderful thing.

 Above photo via Clayton Austin Photography. Below photo via Max Wanger.

Parkour: Art in Movement

Parkour Visions: Meditation In Movement from Prana Living on Vimeo.

Yoga is an art of movement. So is parkour. Loving this video from PrAna's blog. So effortless!

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!

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.

Headspin, Tailspin, Plunge: A Holiday Check-In

You can only hide from your own yoga practice for so long. Photo via DearDear.

I have to say, it's been one heck of a holiday season so far! Busy busy busy bees are we, the Hubs and me. We buzz around from work to home, from the Midwest to the Caribbean, from wake to sleep.


All this travel, eating out, and getting caught with a yucky cough has affected my Bikram practice. Tonight I found myself in the Torture Chamber feeling a little chubbier and a lot tanner than usual, hoping that class would go smoother than Sunday's.


I lucked out: my body decided to work together with me, so instead of chasing my breath around the room I was able to connect with it, utilize my nostrils, and complete every posture.

A week away from Bikram and you might start to feel like this. Photo via Etsy's Tumblr.

I felt great, especially considering after the last two classes I seriously thought I'd go a month before completing every asana again. While I've felt incredible and super-energized after classes since I returned from Puerto Rico, I must admit that those 90-minute meditations have been hard. 


I often find myself out of breath, overwhelmed. I set up in the last row by the beginners, wondering where has my Bikram yoga gone?


I think the worst part about playing catch up is that I seem to have lost the Bengal Tiger strength and bulldog determination part of the yoga. I get frustrated by the little things, and quickly. I get distracted easily.


I find my eyes wandering around the room, comparing myself to other yogis. I tell myself I need to push harder, be better, be able to execute the postures like I did a month ago instead of listening to my body today.


I slip and slide, overindulge, feel discouraged.


At work, I let the little mistakes I make get to me, I let them be reasons to dislike my own Self. At home, I can feel distant when I don't communicate about my needs or exhausted when I over-work. Then when I take a day off, I feel guilty.


Welcome to the holidays, right?

Photos via A Desert Fete. 

Do you ever get the sense that this is a time of year where your expectations are highest and your ability to meet them is at an all-time low? I know I'm exaggerating here, but I just want to make the point that despite the eggnog lattes and silver bows, December can be a rough month -- emotionally, financially, physically. For singles and couples, individuals and families. 


We're all trying to do so much, and if we're not practicing our yoga, it's hard to do anything at all.


It's easy to over-eat, over-spend, and over-plan all the wintery celebrations and decorations.


Just think: all those holiday parties with their mini wieners and meatballs, their shrimp dip and crackers, their champagne punch! Speaking from experience here. And it was delicious, let me tell you! :)


Alright, so I do think that celebrating with special food and drink and super awesome company is a must of the holiday season. But if that celebrating really leaves you feeling empty or lonely or overweight, I highly recommend you try to make up for it in the Hot Room.


Eat, drink, be merry, and then do your yoga! Commit to the 90 minutes. Sit down when you need a break.


Find the community at your studio, too, and enjoy it. Meet people; chat in the locker rooms; get together (for healthy food and drink) after class! When you can truly connect to other dedicated Bikram yogis around you, the experience of the postures becomes different -- fuller, more meaningful, more well-rounded. You find yourself with someone to talk to about the ways the yoga applies to life outside the hot box, and sharing those reflections can change your life (and your practice).

Keep an eye on your yoga, or it might sneak away from you.

Don't get me wrong: I don't want this post to imply that I'm suffering this month, or even this holiday season. I'm simply attuned to those who are, and the moments which sometimes make December and January feel like a mudslide. 

I'm a very happy yogi right now. I've been so, so lucky and incredibly blessed with the stuff I have going on. I could not be more surrounded by loving people, either. 

Even in the Hot Room, a place that's felt distant lately, I have a lot to be grateful for. My Standing Bow has improved a ton, probably in part because I spent all my free moments in Puerto Rico taking photos of that posture on the beach. :) I'm also learning to enjoy the first set of postures, and really treat it like a warm-up instead of a race to the finish line. I'm learning what it means to slow down so that I can keep doing the yoga at a steady pace rather than needing a break and missing out on postures.

I'm realizing more and more that without the yoga, I can't quite handle it all. I'm learning what I need to do to make Bikram a priority, even when the holidays bring madness. And I'm hoping that you're doing the same. 

Here's to keeping Christmas week and New Year's stress-free, yoga-filled, and rich with love, light and happiness!

Find your bliss. And hold on to it with all you've got. 

Namaste,

Rachel

And once you've done your yoga, relax! That's what I plan to do soon as I'm home in CA.

Practicing with Pain

Photo via cognitive.distortion on Flickr.

Recently I received an email from a reader who was wondering about how to do Bikram yoga while dealing with back and neck pain. Since I can totally relate, I thought I'd share a little post about recommendations from some of my teachers, plus a bit from The Boss himself!

Here are some basic tips to keep in mind:

• Always speak with a teacher in person for the best advice. Don't be scared to ask; instructors are there to help! Be specific about your pain and be honest about prior injury, too.
• Only practice with a certified Bikram instructor and always consult your doctor if you are unsure whether you should be practicing.
• Be careful, move slowly, and stop if you experience sharp pain. Don't hurt yourself by going too far just because you see yogis around you advancing in the posture.
• The right way is the hard way!
• Lengthen the spine before bending it.
• Follow the dialogue! Listen for steps and be sure to do them in the right order. For example, in Padahastasana you bring your upper body to the thighs before you lock the knees. In Separate Leg Stretching, you empty the stomach and suck it in before you stretch.

 Photo via Prana.

From Stuart, studio director at Bikram Yoga Evanston:

Try the right way and do the best you can.  It may be uncomfortable and that's OK. 

From Nancy at 105 Yoga in Oak Park, Chicago:

It's hard to assess pain for a person I haven't seen or talked to. Your best bet is to talk to your teacher in person and tell them exactly where you feel pain.

Sometimes you get a stiff neck from sleeping wrong or tweaking it somehow, in which case, Pranayama is awesome.  It will hurt and be uncomfortable but it should feel better after the breathing and definitely after class.  If this is something that is bothering you every time you do Pranayama, you might be doing it wrong.  If you've just started practicing, you might not be used to moving your head and neck that way.  If you've been practicing for a while, you might be doing it wrong. 

With all of the above said, if it's painful, definitely back off a bit.  But I would really encourage you to speak with your teachers about any pain and in order to make sure you're doing postures the right way.

Photo via Good Luck Cleo on Flickr.

From Lindsay at Bikram Yoga Evanston, 

who's also a massage therapist and owner of Omai Bodyworks:

What to do when you're experiencing discomfort depends on the quality of pain, and if you have any previous injuries. If you have some sort of osteo-arthritis or disk degeneration I would say to only go back in backbends and Pranayama to the point of pain (or keep your head upright if you can't move it backwards at all). 

If there's no previous stuff going on, my recommendation would be to try to focus on lengthening up before tilting the head back in Pranayama. A lot of people just drop the head back, which crunches the vertebrae, and it's important to never do that (in any posture). It is all about lengthening first, and then moving. 

Also, make sure the shoulders are relaxed away from the ears, as hunching the shoulders puts a lot of undue stress on the neck/shoulder/upper back region. If you are able to move the head backwards, even a little bit, you should focus on really squeezing the elbows together in front of the body (to increase the space between her shoulderblades on the backside of the body). 

Especially when you first start doing the yoga, the body hurts as it is opening and adjusting to the postures. The body will follow the path of least resistance, and a lot of these movements are completely foreign to a lot of people, so it can be painful in the beginning... The body will fight initially. But the right way is the hard way :)

Photo via Prana.

From Bikram Choudhury and the Bikram Yoga site:

Beginning with Half Moon, my series of exercises is designed to make your shocked and shriveled spine work to both sides, to the back, and then to the front. Only by exercising in all directions can your spine be healthy; and only with a healthy spine can you have a healthy nervous system.

If your chronic problem is something such as sciatic pain, lumbago, sore back muscles, whiplash, vertebrae out of line, shoulder trouble, radiating pains down the arms, tension headaches, swayback, spinal curvature, pinched nerves, or "something not quite right that the doctor said I ought to watch," stop watching. Act! Get to work on these exercises. Even those who have had spinal surgery should get to work--with their doctor's okay and a qualified teacher who can lead them in my particular series of exercises.

People with slipped disc are often in such pain that Yoga seems further torture. However, in numerous slipped disc cases, determined yoga can save the day. So endure the pain. But please note that those with slipped disc should also work under the supervision of a qualified instructor using my exact series of exercises and the safety rules laid down in the dialogue, in my book, and on my website.

Photo via Thanaruth Phomveha on Flickr.

Please follow the instructions carefully when you are doing forward bends. For example, in the half moon (Padahastasana series), the instructions are to bring your torso on your thighs, chest to the knees, no light space anywhere between the torso and the thighs. If you try to straighten your legs without having this first part accomplished, you can create pain in your lower back. Also keep in mind the instruction "360 degrees stretching." What that means is to make the stretch even throughout the whole back side of the body.

You also want to follow these guidelines in separate leg stretching. Bikram says, "Suck in your stomach and bend your upper body down from your lower spine  towards the floor." It is difficult to suck in your stomach unless you exhale, so make sure to exhale as you fold forward. When you suck in your stomach, it supports the whole pelvis to roll forwards with the rest of your spine--this eliminates strain in the lower back.

Working carefully, mindfully, allowing your breath to flow with your movement will help you to gradually deepen your experience of the postures.

Photo by Alice Beasley via A Cup of Jo.

If you have more questions or comments, please include them below. Namaste!

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.

Hardcore Supplements for the Extreme Yogi

Photo by my talented husband from our trip to San Fran last spring.

Are you one of those crazy Bikram yogis who practices five or more times a week? Do you run before class? Do you regularly do doubles?

Are you currently participating in a 30- or 60-day challenge?

I've got some hardcore supplements you should try. They will make you feel strong, hydrated, and pumped, like this:

Yup, that's me, workin' out for my sister who needed photos as part of her personal training certification.

Plus, they taste great, can be added to a variety of smoothie or drink mix recipes, and allow you to fuel your body for optimum performance.

The first is a line made by Hammer Nutrition, which I've mentioned before on Alive in the Fire. I placed an order with Hammer to try their endurolyte pills (electrolyte replenishers) and they sent me a whole package of goodies, including gel, whey mix, chocolate Recoverite drink mix, and some awesome information on all their products and the athletes who use them.

Hydration is a beautiful thing.

Hammer's got quite a variety of flavors available -- everything from your standard chocolate to espresso and apple cinnamon and Montana huckleberry. I believe they mainly target marathon runners and bikers, but their products are great for any endurance athletes. I probably wouldn't use their stuff everyday unless I was at Teacher Training or doing a challenge, but the endurolyte pills and any of the endurance products would make a double class (or triple, or whatever) a lot easier to survive.

Check out their site for more ideas on how to improve your endurance and athletic performance, the deals and programs they have going on right now, or place a quick order. Their customer service is great and you'll be set to go crazy in the heat!

I also highly recommend CeraSport which carries a line of rice-based electrolyte hydration drinks. Their powder mixes are probably my favorite, ranking up there with Ultima Replenisher and emergenC. The pomegranate acai flavor is fantastic! 

These flavors beat all the other ones I've tried so far.

Their shipment also included some detailed info on the science behind hydration. I decided to try the CeraSport with some frozen coconut water icecubes and a chunk of dark chocolate. What a tasty mid-afternoon treat! It felt tropical, too :)

Fancy and tasty. You can't go wrong there!

If you need more advice on where to shop for kick-ass supplements, I'm your girl. Hope all you Fall 2010 teacher trainees are enjoying your last few weeks of madness!


Enjoy your week and namaste.