Greetings!
This month I would like to give thanks to my Studio Manager and daughter, Kristie Abbott. It is because of her insistance, nine years ago that I took my first Bikram Yoga class with her. As you can see, that one class that I took with Kristie has not only changed the course of my life but that of many of our students. It took me from the "Corporate World" to being an owner of a Bikram Yoga Studio. It is a blessing to be able to do something that you love as your way of making a living. But the most important thing in teaching this Yoga is to see how it changes the lives of so many. Thank you to the Universe and to Kristie for directing me to Bikram Yoga. I am most blessed.
Namaste, Taz |
Prince Harry's Found a New Love: Bikram Yoga
 What do a James Bond villain and a Prince have in common? Bikram Yoga apparently.
Britian's Prince Harry has recently been turned on to Bikram Yoga by his friend DJ Goldie. Goldie portrayed a villain in the popular James Bond film The World is Not Enough. He is also a popular musician specializing in DJing. Goldie recently met Harry and the two have become close friends.
Goldie's love of Bikram Yoga persuaded Harry to give it a shot and apparently he's been hooked ever since.
Click to read entire story
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Posture of the Month:
Things to Remember
Just checking in here. There are a few things that have been observed in the hot room. We thought we would address it here that way many of you can benefit from these posture reminders.
Listen to the teacher: As a rule there are far too many people coming out of posture at their discretion, sometimes the majority of the class! For example, in half moon, wait until the teacher says, "Come up". Don't come up because you know it is next. Wait for instruction. Also in sit ups, wait until the teacher says "Arms overhead". Don't go through the movements without being present. That is the gift of the Yoga - learning to be present here, now.
Pranayama Deep Breathing: When you are exhaling and you begin to drop your head down you are to bring your head down in a count of 6. Do not first drop your head as fast as possible so that your arms have to "catch up" to your head down (eyes forward).
No Moving/Fidgeting: Understandably everyone cannot do all of the postures all of the time. It is a tough class, however, Yogis should practice diligently those things that they are able to exercise such as stillness. There is no reason to wipe, fidget, move around or drink while others are trying to focus. This is a group sport, so please, be a good sportsperson.
Standing Head to Knee Pose: Under no circumstances is it ever acceptable to kick out if your standing leg is bent. Period.
Cobra Pose: Do not use your arms to push your body up. Pretend you don't have arms. Then lift your upper body up.
There are so many more, and we can cover those in future newsletters. For now, take these to heart, and see if you can practice these every class.
There are no shortcuts to things that matter.
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Student of the Month: Kristie
It is a little awkward to be the person writing the newsletter and also the Student of the Month. However, I will just be grateful for both opportunities. I am Kristie, Taz's elder daughter. I started doing Bikram in February of 2002. So this month is my official 10-year anniversary. So I want to be honest and say that I haven't practiced consistently all those 10 years. I have been an off and on student. I lived in LA when I began practicing. Living in LA was expensive enough. Adding Bikram into the equation was sometimes hard. I did as much as I could as often as I could. I have had the great fortune to practice at many, many studios in many cities from lots of teachers that run the gamut from Nazi-like to way laid back. I have also been able to watch as the Yoga instruction has morphed as I guess Bikram morphs and enjoy all of the stages thus. I can tell long-time practitioners as they have habits in practice that aren't really taught any longer. It feels neat to be part of something meaningful for a long time. A friend introduced me. From the first class I have always been left wanting more. Literally each time I leave class I want more. The more I practice, the more I want to practice. Some people call that an addiction, but it is something else. Addiction is something negative devoid of love and light. This is quite the opposite. I don't know the word to use. I had never done anything like yoga before, not remotely. I have spent most of my life in the saddle riding horses. I have been bucked off, fallen off, kicked, stepped on and have had numerous concussions. I rode hunters and jumpers, and as the name implies we were jumping over "fences" most of the time. Having a body absorb that kind of shock throughout a lifetime will leave its mark, so to speak. I cannot imagine how my body would be now if I had never begun to practice this cure-all Yoga, something of an old bent tree I am imagining. I still do struggle with back pain and skeletal issues. During my first pregnancy I had a slipped disc. Recovering from that, a c-section, a new baby and a move cross country to live here in Houston was rough. I didn't begin practicing again until about 6 months after my first child. I found out after having had my second child recently and a c-section that beginning yoga sooner is/was better. I was unable to practice during both pregnancies because I had skeletal and ligament issues that prevented me from it. Having a 3-month old baby now, I still feel the effects of that, but Bikram is helping me to strengthen, break down scar tissue, lose weight and detoxify this body and mind. This Yoga is something more than a workout or a meditation. It is a centuries old portal really. It allows one to reach a new apex in Life with a capital "L", a clarity of Self that was before veiled. I believe that I will practice until I die. It means the world to me to be able to have a personal communion that is both of this world and not, with benefits on both sides. I hope that you allow yourself to receive as much from it. It is available to all without judgment or prejudice. It also teaches not to have judgment or prejudice. Many blessing of Light to you on your path, Namaste. |
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Now Selling Shakti!
PBY is super excited to be a retailer of Shakti Active Wear. If you have never worn it you will be really surprised at how good the materials and cut of each of their pieces of clothing feels. They feel great and last forever!
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Extensions/Exceptions to Yoga Packages
PBY will now offer the possibility of having class packages extended. Requirement: a doctor's note indicating that practicing Bikram Yoga at the time that the package was in effect was not possible.
We also now offer, by request only, 'Class Buyback' for students whose 'life got in the way'. If you have expired classes, you can reinstate them with a purchase of equal or greater value. Only valid on last package purchased.
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Zen Corner The lowdown on 2012:
Lots of people are worried about the ominous 2012. No need. Here is a very brief and high level explanation. Every 5,125 years the earth, sun and solar system align. Every 26,000 years the earth, sun, solar system and milky way align. Many ancient and indigenous cultures including the Mayans, Aztecs and Hopi Indians have recorded this date as the end of a world age. Now science can verify the accuracy of the alignments.
Rest assured that this is not the end of the world. This is the end of a world age. Our intentions, thoughts and energies are as responsible for our future as anything. It's called free will.
So think and believe good things!
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5 Easy Steps to Kick Up Your Yoga Now
1. Come to Class
2. Bring a Buddy to Practice With
3. Practice 4 to 7 Times a Week
4. Change Your Spot Everytime You Practice
5. Keep it Simple
Yes, it is really that easy. Just setting the intention will keep your practice easy and light. When on your mat and experiencing your practice just allow yourself to breathe easy. Then as you move through the postures you will feel a sense of calmness and peace begin to engulf your practice and your life. This new feeling of ease will help you with everything from managing stress to skiing down the mountain. If you let yourself be in your practice, your practice will be in you. At that point we can throw our resolutions away and just live a wonderful life now.
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