Bikram Yoga Nanaimo
Greetings!

The new "Love Yourself" 30 day challenge started Feb 8th.  But don't worry if you didn't sign up.  There is still time!!  This is a 30 or 60 day challenge.  This means, you can start any time in the month of February, and still finish 30 days within the time frame.

 So just do it!   Commit!    You'll be glad you did. 
      
 Tofino Yoga Retreat
Watch for details coming soon for a special yoga retreat at
 Middle Beach Lodge in beautiful Tofino. 
March 6th and 7th
Hosted by:
Bikram Yoga Langford
New Leaf Herbal Healing
On February 11, Bikram Yoga Nanaimo hosted Elizabeth Herman of Newleaf Herbal Healing for a workshop on inflammation and ways to look after it naturally.  We had 6 or 8 people turn out to learn from Elizabeth, and were able to sample many herbal tinctures.  Elizabeth also prepared a special anti-inflammatory muscle rub for us to take home. 
Thanks Elizabeth for taking the time to keep us informed!!


Read the Oprah article here
Paige Williams attempts to change her life with a
 Bikram Yoga 60
day challenge.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries

For a Valentine's Day treat, melt high quality dark chocolate in a double boiler. (Make sure there is lots of space between the water in the pot underneath, and the pot on top, so you don't burn the chocolate)

Holding at the stem, carefully dip clean dry strawberries in the melted chocolate and set on non stick foil until set. 
Enjoy!
 

paige williams
Read part 2 of Paige's 60 day challenge here
How did
Paige Williams
feel after finishing her Bikram Yoga 60 day challenge?
Olympic Spirit. 

Over the next 2 weeks, many of us will be paying much attention to the Olympic Games in Vancouver.  We will be cheering for our Canadian Athletes as they go for gold on home soil.  While we are watching and cheering them on..let's remember the hard work and focus that got them there.  Our athletes have spent countless hours on the hill's, in the rinks, and on the tracks, to become world class athletes.  But they will all tell you that the time they have spent off the ice, or snow, and in their minds...visualizing and focusing on results, has been equally, or even more valuable. 

Every time we enter the hot room, we give ourselves the opportunity to become champions.  We are going inside our bodies and minds and blocking out all the rest of the "stuff" that keeps us away from success.  Every posture we do, we get the chance to go deeper, and work harder.  To focus on improving our bodies, our minds and our spirits.  And we feel that improvement both inside and outside the room.
So, as you are watching and cheering the next few weeks, don't forget to cheer for yourself, and your own journey and the potential you have to become a champion! 

Posture of the Month

Camel

Ustrasana

Benefits

  • Compresses spine, relieving back problems
  • Opens rib cage, lungs and digestive system
  • Stimulates nervous system
  • Great for lungs and many bronchial problems
  • Strengthens back and shoulder muscles
  • Improves flexion of neck
  • Stretches throat
  • Flushes fresh blood through kidneys
  • Helps eliminate toxins

TIP


When entering camel pose, be very conscious of keeping your back supported. IE: as you reach for your right heel, keep your left hand on your left hip, until you have a grip on your right heel. Then bring your left hand down to your left heel.  Reaching down with both hands at a time, can cause you to twist your spine

laura camel
Student of the Month
Laura Mann



My Bikram yoga practice has changed my life.  Ever since my first class in November 2006 I have practiced regularly 2-5 times per week - I have never been so committed to an exercise activity and one I enjoy so thoroughly.  Instead of making excuses not to exercise, I make excuses to come to class.  And while my regular hot yoga practice provides great cardio, strength building, and flexibility exercise, it is so much more. 

 

I love that yoga is a practice - there is no endpoint, no ultimate goal, no final destination, no standard of perfection.  It is about the journey, the process, the moment.  It is about being reflective yet not judgmental.  It is about being observant, patient, and accepting even when the "monkey-mind" seeks to be judgmental or otherwise.

 

And while yoga is not about chalking up a list of accomplishments, these are some of the things I am thankful to have learned on my own journey: that everything is possible; balance is important but so is working at the edge; nothing is permanent (this too shall pass); emotion is energy in motion; falling is okay; the darkest moments are under the brightest lig

hts; I have choice; I am the most important teacher; that the same thing can be so different each time; the importance of breathing; sweating is liberating...

 

I strive to take my yoga practice out of the hot room and am healthy - mentally and physically - as a result.  Instead of seething with frustration about that which is beyond my control I can remember to breathe and even find enjoyment in setbacks, traffic jams, a waking child at 3am.  I also feel empowered about my ability to make change where change is due. 

 

I started practicing hot yoga at a place of transition in my life.  I was a new mom, single, and just starting my education degree.  Over the last 3+ years, thanks, I believe, to my consistent yoga practice, I have been successful in raising a beautiful, confident, kind, and curious boy; I have graduated with my Bachelor of Education as the most outstanding student of my class; and I have become part of a warm, caring, supportive, and fun community in Nanaimo.  The Bikram Yoga studio is part of that community - I love the unconditional acceptance, encouragement, and support I feel from and toward everyone who comes to the exhilarating "torture chamber" that is Bikram Yoga Nanaimo.

 

A favourite quote by Marianne Williamson:

 

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us


. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?"

 

Namaste.

 
Thank you Laura, for sharing your story with us.

Every day, as we enter the hot room for our practise and meditation, we are inspired by our fellow yogis.  Remember that every day you practise, whether you know it or not, you are inspiring someone else.  So look at yourself in the mirror, stay focused there, and know that you ARE ALL brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous.  

See you all soon in the hot room!

Namaste,
Kari Bradley
Bikram Yoga Nanaimo