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Bikram Yoga Nanaimo News
July 2008
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IN MEMORY
Ivan Loran Francoeur
(1961-2008)
I would like to mention some things about a fellow mat mate, yogi, counsellor, friend to many: Ivan Francoeur. Ivan was killed suddenly in a motor vehicle accident on July 12th: a driver, under-the-influence, crossed the highway at Bowser - Ivan was on his motorcycle, doing one of the things he loved.
Ivan started coming to our yoga studio two years ago. He found that Bikram Yoga gave him a lot of strength: spiritually, mentally, and physically. He was a counsellor for drug and alcohol groups, troubled teens, etc. Having suffered from addictions in his younger years made him a sought after counsellor and mentor as he had a natural gift for understanding, communicating, and consoling his clients. He never stopped giving of himself unconditionally.
Many of you would have seen Ivan at the studio as he was there everyday, yes, everyday. He never talked about it, he just came and did it. I looked back on his attendance records: Ivan came every day since Febuary. It became a part of his lifestyle and an important food for his soul, he would say.
He was very active in the community by running and organizing sweat lodges here in Nanaimo. As he contributed meaningfully to the lives of many, so is he missed by many: his playful bear hug, friendly pokes, positive attitude, and the glowing sense of well-being he had after his classes...All this is fuel for me to carry on the path of offering a suitable place to practise this yoga. He is an inspiration, a mat mate extraodinaire.
Two Thumbs up Ivan!!!!
-Doug Carroll |
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Tuladandasana
Kari and Paula on Quadra Island:
Two Dedicated Students Remember Their First Class
and Reflect on the Importance of Yoga in Their Lives
Kari:
"I don't remember a lot about my first Bikram Yoga class. I do know that the class was packed. The busiest excercise class I'd ever been in. (Funny how I thought of it as another excercise class then). I remember thinking I was going to die. That I would never catch my breath. That surely everyone could see my heart pounding through my chest. That I had never sweat so much in my whole life. But I also remember saying to Paula when it was done "I loved it". And aside from the next few days deciding if we could really afford the cost, we really have never looked back. I don't think of it as an excercise class anymore. It's just part of my life. A hobby; something I do for the joy and peace of it. I think one of the most important benefits of this practise is connection with yourself. When you stand in front of a mirror focused on yourself for 90 minutes (wearing next to nothing), you acknowledge what your body looks like, and you become OK with it. Watching it change is just an added bonus. And it will change. 25 lbs later I can tell you that. But there is also the connection with other people. The transfer of energy in the room. Some people you know, some you don't, but you share energy either way. It manifests in the way you feel during a class; often opposite of how you felt going in. Somtimes frustrated, sometimes triumphant. But personally, I strive for contentment. Recognising that it's just how my class is going today, what the energy is like, and being content with whatever I can do this day."
Quieted My Mind - Opened My Heart, Paula Johnson:
My experience at BY has been a spiritual and healing journey. When I heard Doug say for the first time "Mind over Matter" I recalled a dream I had several years before. I knew I was in the right place.
I have always been involved in competitive activities so a paradigm shift for me is entering the studio and looking into the eyes of my own teacher. I have had to look and dig deep. I have learned patience, an appreciation for my body, and have quieted my mind and opened my heart.
(Kari and I laugh because we say, will be here together in our 80s baby!!)
Namasté
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Focus on Tuladandasana (balancing-stick)
Tuladandasana arrives at a point in the series when your heart-rate it elevated and this posture keeps it there. It requires a lot of core strength, determination, and focus. Here are a few things to focus on to improve your posture:
1.) Breathe!
2.) When you take the step, plant your foot firmly, distributing all weight equally.
3.) Lock your knee by contracting your thigh muscle, lifting your knee cap, and pressing your big toe into the ground.
4.) When bringing your body down into the capital "T", engage your core stomach muscles.
5.) Keep your elbows above your ears, squeezing your head.
6.) Imagine your arms as one straight and erect arrow: reach and stretch that arrow up and then towards the mirror. The rest of your body will feel lighter. (I learned this one from one of Jelena's classes and it really does work, but you have to stretch and reach A LOT!)
7.) Point your toes of the extended foot and stretch it in the opposite direction of your "arrow" arms.
8.) Once you have mastered the capital "T" as in Tom, Thailand, or Doug's favourite, Tequila, square your hips by dropping the hip that is lifting the leg so your two hips are in one line. This is the final step towards your "unbroken umbrella"!
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August Long Weekend: Schedule Change 
Friday, August 1:
6 PM class is cancelled
Saturday, August 2:
4 PM class is cancelled
Sunday, August 3:
4 PM class is cancelled
Monday, August 4:
4 PM and 6 PM classes are cancelled
Enjoy your weekend!
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Bikram's Advanced Seminar
Acalpulco, MexicoSeptember 7 - 14, 2008
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the summer
months. As you may know the confirmed dates and location for
Bikram's Advanced Seminar 2008 are September 7th-14th.
It will be held at the beautiful Fairmont Princess Acapulco
Hotel, Mexico, the new home of our Teacher Training. I'm
sure that all who visited during the spring '08 TT will
agree it is a wonderful resort and the facilities really
are 5 star.
The Seminar will begin on Sunday 7th September. Your rooms
will be available for check-in at 4pm. Orientation will
take place that evening at 6pm in the Atlantis Room.
Check-out is Sunday 14th September at noon.
Beginning on Monday 8th for the entire week, the day will
start with beginner's yoga class that Bikram or
Rajashree will teach. After a short break, there will be
advanced class, where Bikram will lead you through the
series of 84 postures, taking time with each one, including
demonstrations, personal corrections and answering
questions. In the evenings we will have use of the
Atlantis auditorium for Bikram's lectures and movie
nights..!!
The hotel rooms are double occupancy and we can accommodate
you with whom you chose if you are coming with friends. A
buffet lunch is included, with a wide variety of foods. A
few steps from the spacious yoga room you will find a
beautiful beach and inviting ocean.
The cost of the seminar: two classes a day, 7 night's
accommodation and lunch is $1,500. If you chose to be in a
single room it will be $2,200. To attend the seminar
without accommodation and lunch included the cost is $750.
If you would like to arrive earlier than the 7th September,
or stay a few nights longer to enjoy the first week of fall
2008 teacher training, rooms will be available at $170 per
night for double or single occupants including lunch
(usually $25). A special rate made available to
Bikram's Yoga guests. (We will do our best to
accommodate all those without roommates in shared
accommodation if required, before and after the seminar
dates. This cannot be guaranteed.)
Please visit www.bikramyoga.com , download the reservations
form (also attached), send it to Headquarters to my
attention at your earliest convenience, all rooms are
subject to availability. If you would like to re-certify at
this seminar please send all the necessary paperwork, also
available on the website, to HQ attention Ainslie Faust by
Sept 21st. There will be no additional charge for
re-certification.
Please let your students know of this upcoming event as
beginners are also welcome
Please send your registration to HQ by July 31st, even if
accommodations are not required.
The Fairmont Acapulco Hotel is a great location and
facility in which to learn the advanced series from Bikram
himself, an opportunity that comes but once a year, and
also a chance to relax and unwind in one of Mexico's
finest resorts.
Do not hesitate to contact me with any further questions
you may have.
See you in Acapulco!!
While all are welcome to the seminar and no previous
experience is necessary, we do expect participants to
assume full responsibility for their practice.
For more information, talk to Doug, or check out www.bikramyoga.com
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Quote of the month
"Remember to surface; endeavour to dive."
-Veda Hille |
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Lemon Meringue Mousse
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2 small avocados, pitted and scooped out of the skin
4 fresh dates (or dried dates soaked)
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/2 lemon with peel
2 tbsp chopped nuts of your choice
In a food processor, blend all ingredients thoroughly, except the nuts, until smooth. Garnish with a thin half slice of lemon and a sprinkling of nuts.
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From Raw Food Life Force Energy, by Natalia Rose
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