September 12th, Come celebrate Back to school season with Bikram Yoga Nanaimo's Open House Saturday.

 

 

Everybody's favorite noon classes are coming back every Tuesday and Thursday!

 

Eager for a Bikram Yoga lesson during lunch break to energize your afternoon? Then mark your calendar for our new schedule!

 

 

 

Sun        Mon        Tue        Wed        Thurs        Fri         Sat 
             6:00am                    6:00am                      6:00am   
                                                                                             8:00am
             9:30am    9:30am     9:30am     9:30am     9:30am  

10:00am            
                            12:00pm                   12:00pm     
4:00pm  4:00pm                   4:00pm                      4:00pm   4:00pm 
                             5:00pm                     5:00pm    
              6:00pm                   6:00pm                      6:00pm   
                              7:00pm                    7:00pm     
  
              
 

 

 

Yoga was introduced to me in 2001 by a teacher who loved to blend different styles of yoga in her classes. At the time, I was looking at all aspects of self-improvement and really connected with the all round benefits of yoga: body, mind, and spirit.
When a job opportunity came up in 2003, I moved to Nanaimo and was disappointed that there was not a regular yoga class, which worked with my schedule. So, yoga was put on the back burner until December 2007 when I checked out, what my friend Jim called his "fountain of youth"; Bikram Yoga!
The commitment was 2 classes in 5 days and despite feelings of nausea, dizziness and inadequacy, (How the hell do you expect me to do an "L" like Linda when I can barely balance on one leg!!!) I felt if I keep coming back it'll/I'll get better.
The teachers were all friendly, knowledgeable and encouraging and I liked that it was OK to go at your own rate, that as awkward as I may be in any posture, that's OK, that's my posture for the day.
Quite quickly I noticed some changes in my life: more freedom of movement, much more flexibility, more energy and better sleeping. That all came to a screaming halt (literally) when in March '08 I fell off a ladder and received a bruised rib and collapsed lung! One of the first questions I asked the Dr. was how soon could I resume Bikram yoga, as I believed this would greatly assist my recovery. Six to eight weeks was not the answer I had hoped for, however, once back in the hot room, my Dr. was quite impressed at how rapidly and fully I was recovering from the trauma.
For the newcomer I encourage you to hang in there, go at your own rate and keep coming back. The results will amaze you!
Special thanks to Doug for his commitment to creating a quality studio, the teachers for their commitment to encourage and instruct and to all the students for " the shared energy" as well as a reminder of "how far I've come and where I want to go"
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sasangasana, the rabbit pose, is the most radical forward-bending and spinal compression pose in the sequence of Bikram Yoga. The objective of this pose is to stretch out the spine slowly. Imagine the vertebrae were pearl necklace on an elastic string while you stretch, and then when the tension is slowly released, all the pearls come back together and the integrity of the spine is restored.

 

Benefits of the pose:

The secret is in the arms: you must pull with all your strength on the heels of both feet to perform the posture fully, and to keep your weight where it belongs.

 

If you can't touch your forehead to the knees, walk the kees up, one by one. to the forehead. don't relax the grip or your arms.

 

Note: never move your head while in the completed posture, to prevent injury to your cervical spine and neck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your yoga class is a precious oasis of calm in a busy life - don't waste it. Pay attention to these 10 tips, then you can make the most out of your Bikram Yoga sessions. 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Don't dash in at the last moment. Arrive with five to 10 minutes to spare so you can greet the teacher and your friends before settling down.

 

2. You may like to spend a few moments doing some warm-up stretches. Alternatively, sit or lie quietly, focusing on your breath.

 

3. With every exhalation breathe out the pressures of the day, emptying your mind of the past and future, concentrating on the here and now. Try visualising each as a room which you are now leaving, closing the door firmly behind you.

 

4. Listen to the instructors. What your fellow pupils are doing is of no importance - yoga is not competitive. So concentrate on what each pose requires and how you can best achieve it.

 

5. Remember your breathing. It's all too easy to focus on the movements and forget how important breath is, whether reaching into a pose or simply settling, relaxing and seeing whether you can stretch that little bit further with every exhalation.

 

6. Listen to your body. There comes a point when you can stretch no further, and then a point when holding the pose is too much of a strain. Come out of it genttly. Then, if you feel you need to do a counter-pose or to rest, do it.

 

7. Make sure you are warm enough for your final relaxation.

 

8. Now, once more clear your mind, realx each part of your body, concentrate on your breath, music (if your teacher uses it) or visualise yourself going somewhere you can relax.

 

9. Don't leap into action immediately relaxation is over. Breathe deeply, run each thumb across the tips of of your fingers, stretch and then, if you are lying down, roll on to your right side.

 

10. Open your eyes and stay there for a few breaths before coming upright. 
 

 

Here are a couple recipes for all you self-indulging and health conscience yogi.

 

6 Servings

6 large field mushrooms, peeled and trimmed

2 garlic cloves, crushed

100ml/3 1/2 fl oz olive oil

6 slices brioche

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

For the rarebit

225g/8oz mature Cheddar or Gruyere cheese, grated 1tbs wholegrain mustard

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 egg, beaten

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Put the mushrooms in a baking dish and season. Sprinkle with garlic and cover with olive oil. Cook in the oven for 10-12 minutes until softened slightly.

2. Meanwhile, toast the brioche and make the rarebit by combining all the ingredients in a bowl.When the mushrooms come out of the oven spoon some of the rarebit mix onto one of them, pressing it well in.Then place under a hot grill until the cheese bubbles, melts and browns.

3. Serve one large mushroom on top of toasted brioche.
 

300g/10 1/2oz dried spaghetti

100ml/3 1/2fl oz olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed 8 tomatoes, finely chopped

1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cumin Pinch of turmeric

100g/3 1/2oz toasted, flaked almonds

100g/3 1/2oz cooked chick peas, drained and rinsed if tinned

Bunch each of fresh parsley and coriander leaves, finely chopped

Handful of freshly chopped mint leaves

Salt and freshly ground pepper

 

Steps
1. Cook the spaghetti in boiling salted water until al dente

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the onion and garlic until soft

3. Add the tomatoes, cinnamon, cumin and turmeric and cook over a medium heat for about 20 minutes until the tomatoes break down.

4. Season the sauce and then add the almonds and chickpeas
5. Drain the pasta and divide between four plates. Fold the herbs into the sauce and mix it with the pasta.

Thank you for reading this month's newsletter! Namaste.

 

 

 

The Lone Bat

 

A group of bats, hanging at the ceiling of a cave discovers a single bat STANDING upright underneath on the floor of the cave. Surprised by this unusual behavior, they ask this fellow: "What's wrong with you? What are you doing down there?" And the fellow shouts back: "Yoga!"