30 Day Challenge? Yeah, I did that! (And more...) | |
There's nothing easy about the 30 or 60 Day Challenge. 30 hot and sweaty 90 minute classes in 30 days is tough (we don't call it a challenge for nothing)! At the end of it though, you have to admit it; it is worth it. Just ask any of these yogis who recently finished their challenges!
30 Day
Jan Appel
Jennifer Bartley
Tyson Vickers
Theresa Clemmons
60 Day
Emily Chamberlain
Fantastic effort yogis!
If you are interested in a Challenge, just see the front desk for details! |
The Man Himself
Bikram Comes to Phoenix!  We are very excited to announce that Bikram Choudhury himself will be in Phoenix on October 29, 2011! Bikram will give a 3 hour lecture followed by a book signing. The lecture will last from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Tickets are $55 in advance and $65 the day off the event. You can read about the event and purchase tickets online here. This event is going to sell out! Secure your ticket today! |
| 2011 Women's Retreat |  |
Take advantage of a rare opportunity to join women from all over the country to learn about and discuss women's issues from a yogic and holistic perspective. The 2011 Women's Retreat will be held November 11-13 at the Solana Marriott in Westlake, Texas. The retreat will be led by two of the most adored and inspiring women in the Bikram Yoga community: Rajashree Choudhury and Emmy Cleaves. For more details, please visit their site. You will find details about the schedule and pricing information there.
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First Fridays
On the first Friday of each month, firefighters, police, and paramedics are welcome to join us at BYT for free! | |
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Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of this, all pink BYT tees are $5 OFF through 10/31/11.
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Wellspring Holistic Health Center
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Wellspring, a beautiful wellness center created by Dr. Benjamin Zorensky NMD, is located at the northeast corner of Kyrene and Warner at 430 W Warner Rd. Ste 104. The center hosts the following practitioners:
Anna Lunaria
Licensed Massage Therepist and yoga teacher
John Schultz
Reflexology, Reiki, Energy Healing, Spiritual Life Coaching, Metaphysical Consultation and Therapeutic Prayer
Karla Kay
Gabi Garrisi
MBS Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork; Certified Bikram Yoga Teacher
Two rooms are currently available for lease to health and wellness practitioners. For inquiries, email drzorensky@gmail.com
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Start Now!
Newsletter | September 2011 |
Greetings!
I wonder if procrastination is a matter of nature or nurture? I suspect the answer is, "both." What matters is that it seems to be a pervasive trait. I often find myself setting goals and then thinking, "When should I start?" I usually decide that the beginning of a week is preferable to the middle of a week and while I am at the business of scheduling, I may as well make it the beginning of next month because this one is more than half way done. My guess is that the thought process sounds familiar; we all do it. But why not now? Nothing makes tomorrow a better day to start than today. In fact, today is the best day to begin because, after all, life is just a series of todays.
This time of year we often look at our lives and realize that the year has rushed by and left our goals and good intentions in the dust. There is no better time to recommit to those goals, whatever they are. Bikram Yoga can help you do that in so many ways, providing a place to practice skills that help you to stay on track and to overcome whatever obstacles you encounter. Bikram Yoga keeps you physically, mentally and emotionally balanced so that you can enjoy life and continue to progress towards your goals.
Tricia & The Teachers and Staff of Bikram Yoga Tempe |
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Posture of the Month
Ardha Chandrasana | Half Moon Pose
Half Moon may look simple...until you actually give it a try. There is a lot going on in this posture and getting it right is essential to setting up your whole practice. Here is some information and a few tips to help you through Half Moon.
The question I always find myself asking during first set of Half Moon is.... Why? The Benefits... -Opens up whole skeletal and circulatory systems -Opens up shoulder joints, improving frozen shoulder -Increases flexibility in spine, reducing lower back pain -Strengthens every muscle in the central part of the body -Increases strength and flexibility of the rectus abdominus, latissimus dorsi, oblique, deltoid and trapezius muscles -Promotes good kidney function -Helps cure enlargement of liver and spleen, dyspepsia and constipation -Reduces sciatica -Trims waistline, hips, abdomen, buttocks and thighs -Alleviates anxiety and reduces mental stress So clearly, the benefits are worth the effort...but there is so much going on that the next question is... How? Posture Tips... Don't lose the grip! Keeping your palms together (no gap) will help you with the next part... Lock your elbows! This hurts if you have tight shoulders, but keep them locked as much as possible even if your arms go numb and your shoulders burn Chin UP. Often it feels like a choice between locked elbows and chin up; just keep trying to get your chin at least three inches off your chest. It helps to look in the mirror. STRETCH! It takes tremendous strength to stretch the spine; don't skip the initial stretch up towards the ceiling to create length in the spine Form before Depth. Move slowly into the posture and make sure to keep that good form. The moment your elbows bend or your legs go soft, lock them and hold it there in stillness. Often beginners bend too far to the side allowing the elbows and knees to bend, the chest to collapse toward the floor, the chin to tuck and the hips to twist. There is no need to go so far! Come down slowly, remember to breathe and relax your face. |
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Bikram Yoga Transformations
Donna Bonn | In Her Own Words
"I took 3 Bikram Yoga classes in 2008 and it was so hard I didn't think I could do it. I quit....Then in 2009 I had a ton on my plate. I started up a new business while still working my full time job, had a husband who was unemployed, and 2 kids to raise. There was so much to do and all I was doing was worrying daily. I needed something. In addition to major anxiety, I also had issues with my knee from an old soccer injury and pain in my hips and shoulders. I saw Jenny McCarthy on the cover of In Shape magazine looking amazing and she said that all she did for exercise was practice Bikram yoga. I knew yoga could help me with my mind and if I could look as good as Jenny McCarthy, maybe I could do this yoga. I am athlete after all, so I should be tough enough to do it.
I started out doing 2 classes a week for the first 6 weeks. Then I dove right in and did a 30 day challenge. I didn't miss one day for 30 days. I have never done anything that hard in my life. But every day I got mentally stronger and I felt a transformation happening slowly everyday. I started improving in the practice and my anxiety was vanishing. I began to long for my daily yoga and couldn't wait for class each day, even though it was still extremely challenging each and every time. After the Challenge I continued practicing about 5 days a week. I decided last minute to do the 60 day challenge starting Feb. 1, 2010. Finishing the 60 day challenge was an enormous accomplishment for me because it is 90 hours of yoga to fit into a very hectic schedule. I often had to hire a babysitter at night and take the 8:00pm class while my kids were sleeping. I was not going to quit the challenge. I finished that challenge in the best shape of my life and with the mindset that I am much more capable than I ever gave myself credit for. If I can do Bikram yoga for 60 days straight, I can get through any situation. It was one pose at a time, one day at a time. This is the way I lead my life now.
The positive effects for me of Bikram yoga is that my hips and shoulders no longer hurt me. I sleep better with no issues from aches and pains. My knee is better and my muscles that support my knee are developed now. Physically, I have never looked better. How many people can say that the best they have ever looked is at the age of 39? Forget high school skinny! Mentally, I feel stronger and more confident than ever. I have very little anxiety and I live for now instead of getting overwhelmed by the future. I have a yoga family now that loves and supports me. I feel 100% positive that Bikram yoga has changed and transformed my life. I refer anyone I know to Bikram yoga that is searching for something to help them in their life whether it be mental or physical. The instructors say "this yoga will give you what you need." And the least important but definitely a plus, Bikram yoga has transformed my golf game! I am a scratch golfer and didn't think there was much room for improvement but now I am absolutely crushing my golf balls. Not only am I hitting the ball a lot further but I am playing the mental part of the game very well (unlike before).
I really cannot say enough. I am committed to practicing Bikram yoga for the rest of my life. Thank you and all of the instructors at BYT for the profound impact they have had on my life.
With Deep Respect and Appreciation,
Donna Bonn
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BYT Teachers Practice the Pregnancy Series!
You may have seen a pregnant woman or two practicing next to you in the hot room. Practicing yoga in the heat is safe, as long as she has the green light from her physician, and the yoga can be very beneficial her. The series she is doing, however, is not the 26 and 2, but a separate series of postures put together with consideration for a pregnant woman's body.
Last Sunday, BYT teachers and Alison Tavares got together to refresh our knowledge of the pregnancy series, complete with fake pillow bellies. Fortunately, Elaina was there to show us how it was really done! Alison's information from Rajashree Choudhury's Pregnancy Seminar in Massachusetts was very helpful.
If you are pregnant, please be sure to tell your yoga teacher! The body starts to undergo structural and hormonal changes immediately. You should start the pregnancy series as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Check out the rest of the pictures on facebook! If you are currently pregnant, have attended at least 5 Bikram Yoga classes in the past, and are interested in attending a pregnancy modification class, please contact elaina@bikramyogatempe.com.
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Lynn Sankey Photography
Crash Course | For Beginning and Intermediate Photographers
Learn how to control the outcome of your photographs!
Whether you are photographing your child's first steps, a varsity soccer game, family portraits, or a beautiful landscape, at this workshop you will learn how to achieve this perfect shot!
This course is open to all point 'n shoot and DSLR users When: October 13th or 27th, 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM Where: NE Corner of Warner and Kyrene WellSpring Holistic Health 430 W Warner Rd Tempe, AZ 85284 About the Course Topics: Aperture, Shutter Speed, Composition, Light, Tricks of the Trade All attendees receive a copy of The Arizona Highways Photography Guide and 2 hours of intense instruction. Cost: $60.00  How to Sign up: For questions email Lynn: meritsmisty@cox.net To sign up, go to www.lynnsankeyphotography.com and click on the Crash Course Photography Class. To learn more about Lynn Sankey, visit her website at www.lynnsankeyphotography.com. See Lynn's art displayed here at Bikram Yoga Tempe! |
Whatever your aspirations and goals, there is no better time than right now to start heading towards them. That is the beauty of life; no matter what happened yesterday, today is a new day, right now is a new moment, and you get to choose what to do with it. Hope to see you at the BYT soon!
Sincerely, The Teachers and Staff of Bikram Yoga Tempe 1825 E Guadalupe Rd #103 Tempe, AZ 85283 www.bikramyogatempe.com 480-777-0939 |
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