“Faith is not simply a patience that passively suffers until the storm is past. Rather, it is a spirit that bears things – with resignations, yes, but above all, with blazing, serene hope.” -Corazon Aquino Patience is defined as, “quiet, steady perseverance; even-tempered care; diligence” and, “as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like.” Bikram Yoga is always trying. It pushes [...]
Entries Tagged as 'The Yoga Diaries'
Finding Home
October 23rd, 2011 · No Comments · The Yoga Diaries, Uncategorized
We’ve all heard the adage, “home is where the heart is.” But I’ve found that home is actually in the heart. I’ve moved around a lot — I’ve lived in nearly 20 different houses in 25 years — and when people ask me where home is, I tend to hesitate slightly. I grew up mostly in [...]
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The Invitation
October 23rd, 2011 · No Comments · Inspired, The Yoga Diaries
In the last class she taught before leaving for India, Rajashree read to us (during final savasana) a beautiful poem by Oriah Mountain Dreamer that illustrates the importance of shedding the false identity we develop throughout our lives in the interest of getting in touch with the true Self, as well as living each moment fully [...]
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Just Eat the Grass
October 23rd, 2011 · No Comments · The Yoga Diaries
I had a personal victory this morning in the AM class, and I feel like it’s given me new life. I’ve been fighting off a cold or flu for the past few days and it’s made getting through an already extremely difficult class feel nearly impossible. I’ve had a pounding headache, chills, and a major [...]
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You Can’t Always Get What You Want…
October 23rd, 2011 · No Comments · The Yoga Diaries
…But if you try sometimes, you just might find you get what you need! Last spring (2011) I made the decision to go to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training (BYTT) in LA. I was beyond excited to embark on my journey, pursuing a career that I had only ever dreamed about but never thought could become [...]
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As I Lay Dying
October 23rd, 2011 · No Comments · Inspired, The Yoga Diaries
I’m dying. I must be dying, because my life is flashing before my eyes. Well, “flashing” is not totally accurate: my life is floating before my eyes, the landscape of my memory refusing to fade, not forgetting any line or curve, nor any corner or edge. Scenes linger for longer than is comfortable, rebirthed and [...]
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Lay it Down
July 3rd, 2011 · No Comments · Arts and Culture, The Yoga Diaries
Not so, not so, no load of woe need bring despairing frown; for while we bear it, we can bear it. Past that, we lay it down. ~Sarah Williams My mother passed on to me some wonderful qualities, and others…well, I wish they would have sunk to the bottom of the gene pool. One of the less [...]
Tags: letting go
Take Off Your Cool
March 6th, 2011 · 2 Comments · The Yoga Diaries
I’ve been told by more than one person that I’ve got a “too cool for school” kind of ‘tude. Thankfully, it’s been a while since anyone has said this to me, and it isn’t simply a coincidence. For years, I spent a lot of time putting up walls around myself and would never leave the [...]
Tags: acceptance·Bikram yoga·confidence·self love·vulnerability
Bikram Yoga Tips for Beginners
January 17th, 2011 · 4 Comments · The Yoga Diaries
105 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 40 degrees Celsius for my fellow Canadians), 40-60% humidity, 90 minutes, no escape. On top of that, you’ll sweat profusely, likely become nauseated/dizzy/disoriented or all of the above, and you’ll be half-naked and surrounded by mirrors to boot. Sounds fun, right? Bikram yoga is confronting and intense, and it’s definitely not for the faint [...]
Tags: Bikram yoga·Bikram yoga tips
Struggle Harder
December 30th, 2010 · 1 Comment · The Yoga Diaries
I have to admit, I’ve been a rather fair-weather friend of Bikram yoga over the last few years. This particular form of yoga is a significant investment (primarily of time, but also energy), and it isn’t difficult or uncommon for life to get in the way of regular practice. Throughout busy periods at work, times of high [...]
Tags: Bikram yoga·GI problems and yoga·yoga for stress relief