Hi Yogis,
Hello from Las Vegas! I went to my first class at 4am your time Saturday morning, stiff and barely awake. I got to have a class with Raj, Bikram’s beautiful and inspiring wife. Like she said, it was a “light” class. I felt I could just move my spine again, it took me until rabbit to feel mobile after the plane flight. I spent the rest of the day at the pool. The US is funny, it seems people are really in shape or obese, not so much in between. I think all the really in shape one’s were all the Bikram Yogis there for their teacher training! Bikram has a lot of saving to do if he is going to save this country from fast food and huge portions!
I went back at 5pm for the last class of the teachers trainers. They just finished 98 classes in 9 weeks. There was a lot of anticipation in that room. Yes, it was hot. Picture a huge white tent with over 400 students and studio owners. I didn’t have to be there for that class, but I’ll never miss a chance to practice with my teacher, Bikram. I had a great class. My body finally opened and went to it’s depth of strength and flexibility. I killed myself. It wasn’t the hardest class I have ever had with Bikram, maybe he is softening a bit, but it was the real Bikram, compassionate and funny. I laughed and almost cried, I felt everything, so alive, so hot, so tired, so clean, so good and happy. But it was the end that really got me.
After the class, after all the hooting and clapping, the lights went down. Bikram was up front on his podium, with his thumbs going up, more up, more sound. On the speakers was one of his best songs, an Indian techno song that he sings. The music goes louder, louder…everyone jumps up and starts to dance! My legs could hardly hold me up! 400 sweaty bodies moving and jyrating and Bikram himself up on stage with some fantastic moves. He loves to dance, and sing, and laugh. All the great yoga teachers I have met love to laugh!
This is my teacher, our founder of Bikram Yoga, laughing, dancing, working the crowd like a superstar, talking about love, and the Laker’s game, about opening your heart and helping people, about never giving up, ever, on someone. Here is a man a lot of people talk about, not all good, he doesn’t care, good or bad. He just keeps teaching. He doesn’t turn down the heat, make it easy, give in to out weaknesses. He makes us get stronger. He has a huge heart and never gives up on us. He makes our practice so hard to prove that we can build confidence, we can change the world, we can be successful and compassionate, we can help other people. We can change ourselves and be the person we aspire to be. Never give up.
“Never too sick, never to poor, never too old, to start yoga and begin again.”
I start the advanced training tomorrow. I am a bit scarred and really excited. I have trained for this, given up coffee, sugar and alcohol for a few months now to get my body more supple. I never knew, 12 years ago when I went to my first class that my journey would take me to Queenstown, to a studio, to where I am today.
I give thanks first to myself for staying on this path, I give thanks to my teachers giving me their knowledge, and I give thanks to having a home studio to return to and share what I have learned. I am deeply grateful for being able to help other people find their strength and health. More daily updates coming on facebook. Become a friend and stay tuned…..and practice!
Namaste, Peggy
PS. Huge clothing sale on now! Get in there for the best selection! 1 piece is 10% off, 2 is 20% off, 3 is 30% off, 4 is 40% off and 5 or more is 50% off! Everything on sale, soft hoodies, long and short capris, all hot yoga gear, all clothes!
