Greetings!
We hope that you enjoy this month's newsletter. It is meaty so take some time with it. Next month's newsletter will be very brief as we are expecting a baby, and will not have much time to work on the newsletter. Thanks for understanding.
See you in the hot room!
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 Student of the Month
Krishna
It was May 2010 when I decided to make a career change and along with that I felt that it was also necessary to make an equally dramatic change in my lifestyle. I had been a vegetarian for 12 years and had always been physically active on a regular basis. I had also participated in the MS150 (a two day bike ride from Houston to Austin to raise funds to find the cure for Multiple Sclerosis) in 2008 and 2009 with my wife, Mila and daughter, Natasha. I had been practicing Sri Sri Yoga as an active member and volunteer of the Art of Living Foundation, a humanitarian organization founded by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. There were times when I would do yoga for nearly 2 hours which included several asanas and several rounds of sun salutations. So eating healthy and working out was something that I had already been doing for many years. This in itself did not satisfy me as a dramatic enough change. In pursuit of a change, I decided that I would resume going to Bally's which I had not done for several months. So on a comfortable Saturday morning towards the end of May 2010, I was getting ready to go to Bally's to embark on a renewed regimen when I suddenly remembered a recommendation that my niece, Nisha, had made because she knew that I liked yoga. She had mentioned Bikram Yoga and the 26 postures that were done over a period of an hour and a half in a heated room. She had told me about this about 2 years prior!! I decided I would give this a try instead of Bally's. I searched for the closest studio near my house and found Pearland Bikram Yoga. I rushed out and made it there on time!! The first experience upon entering the Studio was an extremely pleasant one! It does not matter whether it is Taz, Carolyn, or Cindy or any one else, the PBY staff makes you feel like you are the greatest person that ever entered the Studio!! Was it just the friendly staff by whom I was completely flattered that made me stick to this new regimen? I don't know, but if it were the only reason it would be a real good one because even after 14 months of coming to PBY, the staff makes me feel the same way as I did when I first entered the Studio. Simply put, I absolutely love everyone behind the welcome desk at Pearland Bikram Yoga.
Off to the first class! As I was walking toward the hot room, my mind was saying, "It is just yoga and I have been doing it for years. It may be hot, but only 26 postures, no problem!! I have done more than that in one session." Then I entered the hot room and three words came roaring to the forefront of my mind, "What the HELL!!" I settled down with a small water bottle to my left. The class was half full with about 15-20 students. My eyes scanned the room in confusion. Some students were lying down and others were stretching and warming up for the class. I started to sweat and within the first 5 minutes, I had to peel the T-shirt off of my body. The instructor arrived shortly thereafter. It was Taz. I could not ever imagine that such majestic energy could come from someone so little. Taz introduced us to the first breathing exercise, and the class began. The breathing exercise made me comfortable, but I was still hot. I reached for my water bottle and Miss Eagle Eye from the instructor's podium lovingly said, "Not yet hun! Not yet! We are warming up the body and you don't want to drink water. It defeats the purpose of the warm up!" My mind was saying, "Yes, but I am thirsty now." I literally dragged my feet throughout the entire standing series waiting for the hell to end! As we finished the standing series, I felt relieved that the class was about to end. Then Taz casually pointed out during our 2 minute rest period that the standing series was just the warm-up!! Again three words came roaring to the forefront of my mind, "What the HELL!!" I wanted to get out of the room as quick as I could, but I would not dare do that in front of Taz because just moments prior I heard her lecture another student who attempted to leave the room. "What are you doing hun?", she said to this other student. The student said, "I am hot so I am going outside to lie down, and I will be back." Taz said, "You can't leave the room, hun. Just take a knee or lie down. You are much bigger than this!" There is so much wisdom in those words. One can only realize that by experiencing this Yoga and the heat over a period of time. The hot room that is also referred to as the "Bikram's Torture Chamber", really helps you overcome the barriers and limitations that our minds create. I made it through without having to leave the hot room and also received applause at the end of the class for that accomplishment. My mind was saying, "Ya whatever! I am not coming back here ever again!" I rushed out of the class as soon as it ended and lied down on a bench outside the room under the air conditioning! What a relief!! After a few minutes I went into the locker room, showered and pondered if this was indeed the change that I had been looking for. It was difficult for me to fathom that I, who thought of myself as physically fit, had had such a hard time in the class. Nevertheless, after I exited the locker room I found myself purchasing a 10 day package with an introductory class for my wife, daughter and son!!
Click here to read more on Krishna!
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Want to Keep the New Class Times?
September is the Last Trial Month
We added the Monday/Wednesday 6am and the Sunday 7am classes contingent upon their popularity. They have not proven to be necessary based on attendance. So if you want to keep those class times, attend them this month or they will be removed from our regular PBY schedule.
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 Posture Clinic at PBY
Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
This Posture Clinic will be hosted by all PBY instructors. Each posture in the standing series will be done individually so that students make ask questions and teachers can offer students personalized suggestions on improving each posture.
Dress is the same as for a normal class, just not quite as hot. Please bring water, a mat and a towel. The class is limited to 20 people, and the cost is $20.00. It is offered on a first come, first served basis. Sign up at the Studio.
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 New MindBody Consumer Mode due out September 7th
Hit your PBY and Facebook Accounts in one place
Did you know that you can access your PBY account from home? This allows you to sign up for classes and other events at PBY (like the posture clinic), purchase merchandise and check your account from your computer?
There is a new feature too, which is pretty cool. Once you log into your account you will see the Facebook "F", and you can post something directly to your Facebook Wall. So if you want your friends to know you will be taking class at 6:30pm after you sign in, just hit the Facebook "F" and let them all know in one easy location!
Here's How: - Click on this link (you can bookmark it or add it to your favorites)
- In the upper- right hand create or log in to your account
- Click the "My Info" Tab, then "My Schedule."
- Scroll to any service on the schedule and click the small Facebook logo.
- Enter the email address and password registered with your Facebook account; click "Log In."
- Enter a custom message and click "Share."
That's an easy way to commit to your Practice and bring your Friends with you! If you get 5 or more referrals, get a free class!
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No dogs allowed is probably an obvious one
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Yoga EtiquetteGood Things to Remember
These are wonderful little pointers whether you are new to Bikram or have been practicing for a long time. Take a moment to refresh yourself on the things that will enrich your Practice and those around you as well!
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Breathe! Breathe In and out from the nose slowly and quietly. This calm manner relaxes the mind and body during your 90-minute meditation.
- Practice stillness between the postures and during Savasana.
- Listen to and follow the dialog to get the maximum benefit from the posture and keep group energy strong. Doing your own thing in class is an unnecessary distraction.
- Break for water after the warm-up and only in between postures.
- Honor the silence in the yoga room before and after class.
- Change negative thoughts and words to positive ~ "Try" instead of "Can't."
- Respect the teacher, the Yoga, and the tradition. Listen to the dialogue. As long as you try the right way, you will receive 100% benefit of the posture.
- Stay in the yoga room. If a true emergency requires you to leave, please leave and re-enter between postures.
- Focus on yourself in the mirror.
- Enjoy the peace and energy you've created for yourself.
- No wiping. The sweat is cooling your body. Wiping takes energy away from your practice.
- Out of respect for your fellow students no talking or even whispering in the yoga room.
- Be mindful your neighbor's space and visibility in the mirror. (Do not set up directly in front or behind another student.)
- Practice your Yoga with positive energy.
- Stay until the end of class. It is important for your health and the energy of the group.
- Be a good role model. Practice stillness and discipline between the poses. Notice if you are in front of a beginner. They will follow you. If you set your mat up in the front please be a good example by working hard and staying focused. If you are a newer to the practice, tend to lay down a lot or are having a day where you don't feel like giving 100%, please set up towards the back of the room.
- Your energy affects all of those around you so. Only the most disciplined and focused students in the front.
- No pouring water over your head or on your towel
- Enjoy yourself. This is a life-changing practice. It is challenging, important and serious, but is also a lot of fun!
Thank you for your commitment to your Yoga and PBY
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Every day I look around at all that we have to be thankful for. I am learning that gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace to today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
I continue to marvel at all that our students bring to us and help us to form a strong bond of good energy in the Studio.
Many Blessings,
Taz |
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Labor Day Schedule
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Friday, 9/2 thru Monday, 9/2
9am and Noon Classes Only
No Meditation offered this weekend
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Meditation at PBY | | Please note that our wonderful meditation teacher, Prince, will be leaving Houston. The last meditation offered at PBY for now will be on September 10th. Please join us at 2pm to bid Prince farewell and to enjoy his guided meditation one last time!
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Zen Corner
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"The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you."
~ John E. Southard
"Our achievements of today are but the sum total of our thoughts of yesterday. You are today where the thoughts of yesterday have brought you and you will be tomorrow where the thoughts of today take you."
~ Blaise Pascal
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Good Luck!!! | |
Good Luck to our to wonderfully dedicated PBY Yoginis who are going to Bikram Teacher Training this September. We will think about you daily, and cannot wait to hear about how it is going. Keep us posted on Facebook!
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New Hot Room Water Policy
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Only water is allowed in the hot room....no juice, vitamin water, Zico, etc. Too many drinks spilled (and stained) our new carpet, so just water in room please. Thanks for understanding!!!
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Trinity - 86 of 90 days prior to leaving the country (not pictured)
 | Felipe - 10 days
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 | | Mary - 30 days |
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Congratulations to Bikram Challengers!
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Whether you do a 10 day, 30 day, 90 day or 101 day challenge, dedicating yourself to a Bikram Challenge is absolutely life-changing. We salute you, wayshowers!!
Felipe shares:
The challenge was a fantastic experience that pushed all of my limits. I had been doing Bikram Yoga for only one month at the time I started my Challenge. My wife and I started five days in a row. After that I felt like the mental barrier was passing. The next five days seemed to help me so much more. My flexibility has improved so much, as well as my cardiovascular endurance. In the past two years I have had a major knee surgery and also a pinched nerve in my back. Bikram Yoga has been such a great therapy for all of my "old man pains". Since starting I have lost over 15 pounds,dropped my cholesterol 20 points,cut over a minute/mile on my running time and dropped out of diabetes risk. My doctor told me to keep on doing whatever I was doing. My plans are to continue and improve my Bikram practice. With proper nutrition and the support of my family I am looking forward to being a healthier and YOUNGER Felipe.
I am confident of reaching my next goal to lose 15 more pounds in 3 months. My wife and I have a December Cruise that motivates me too. She already has plans to shop for her "new man". Taz and the whole Staff have been just great to me and my family. We all are regulars and enjoying the benefits. I strongly urge anybody and everybody to give Bikram Yoga a try. In just 5 sessions you will notice a healthier you - mentally, emotionally and physically. |
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