MARCH MADNESS

Bikram El Cajon Newsletter
 March 2011

Greetings!

  

   Congratulations to all of you that have been challenging yourselves over the last 2 months whether it's been a 60 day, 30 day, 8, 9 or 3 day challenge. As sure

as we all have different bodies, we all have different lives, schedules and struggles. We are not one to say whose challenge is greater or less than another. The thing to remember is to practice with some regularity and consistency in order to see some lasting results. Integrate yoga into your life with consistency and you will really have something valuable that lasts a lifetime. The yoga gets better with each passing year, but I can't say it gets any easier. In many respects it may get a little harder. Maintenance is the hardest thing of all. Stick with it and don't give up. As always, we wish you the best of health and look forward to seeing your warm hearts come through our doors.  

 

Sincerely,

 

Anthony Burkart
Bikram Yoga El Cajon

  

2011 YOGA ASANA CHAMPIONSHIP

March 5th & 6th, 2011 

 

The United States Yoga Federation presents the 8th Annual United States Yoga Asana Championship on March 5th and March 6th, 2011 at the Westin Hotel LAX located at 5400 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90045 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

 

The event is free for members and $10 for one day/$15 for both days. 

 

       2010 Southern California Champs

Kim Tang                   Jeffry Rangel

Yoga Asana

 

Save the Planet! Go Green...

Just Don't Wear Green.

  

We all know that Green is Bikram's least favorite color. Bikram does not allow anyone to wear or bring green into his studio. With that in mind, we are not promoting the color green. We are promoting the "Go Green" concept of saving our planet. 

  
We should all try to do our part to recycle, etc.   Here at Bikram Yoga El Cajon, along with recycling and conserving energy, we have been trying to wean our students off the plastic mats and on to the Breathe Mats. 
  
Breathe Mats  
Breathe mats are durable terry cloth mats that absorb moisture, are machine washable, have brushed bottoms that grip carpeted and rubber floors, have a built in Rabbit Flap for Sasangasana. 
  
The Sweat Mate
Also for sale at the front desk and still in the theme of going green are the Sweat Mates.  The Sweat Mate  is a waterproof stuff sack designed to hold your sweaty workout gear and keep it from invading the rest of your gym bag. 
  
We have various sizes and colors of breathe mats and the sweat mate for sale at the front desk.  Mention the coupon below and receive a 10% discount on your next Breathe mat purchase.
Posture of the Month 

Eagle Pose/Garuasana

 

You have stretched and strengthened and now you compress with Eagle Pose.

  

Develops and improves flexibility, and opens up all major joints of the body: Hips, knees, ankles, scapulae, shoulders, elbows, wrists.

 

Stretches, develops flexibility, and releases tension in neck and shoulders.

Strengthens latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and deltoid muscles.

Firms, tones, and strengthens legs, thighs, hips, and abdomen.

Supplies fresh blood and oxygen to reproductive system and sex organs, plus the kidneys increasing sexual vitality, power, and control. Clears up reproductive problems.

Brings circulation and energy to the body throughout.

Stimulates central nervous system.

Facilitates lymphatic function, improving immune system.

Improves balance and concentration.

Good for varicose veins.

Helps release stress, tension headaches and migraines.

Good for urinary tract system.

Tips:

Even if hands and arms are not right yet, pull downward with the arms as hard as possible until the arms touch the chest.

When wrapping leg behind other do it SLOWLY. Lift leg as HIGH on thigh as possible and then DELIBERATELY wrap it as far around as possible.

After leg is wrapped, sink down deeper and straighten up your spine more while renewing the downward pull of arms. Combine the three movements and try to make it one movement.  

Bring more weight to the heel.

Concentrate one spot in the front mirror or one spot in front of your face.

Squeeze your knees, ankles and thighs.

Keep your stomach sucked in. 

NINE HUNDRED CLASSES LATER

By: CARL TILLANDER  
  
[On February 21, 2011,  Carl Tillander completed his 900th class]
  
ARE YOU CRAZY? 
  
These were the words that come to me as I entered the Bikram Yoga class for the first time 6 1/2 years ago when i took my first class.  I walked in innocent and not knowing what to expect.  I was going to 24 hour fitness at the time and met a lady waiting to take a Yoga class and she told me about the Bikram Yoga; so, i thought I'd give it a try.  I went online and found a place in El Cajon.   I did not read anything about Bikram.  My first class was to say the least very challenging.  I got past the first three postures and after that it was all downhill.  I was only able to do one set of each pose.  I laid down quite a bit and left the room on numerous occasions.  The instructor was the instructor from hell.  She was tough and didn't really care that it was my first class.  I left class feeling tired, exhasuted and disheartened.  I thought this was insane and  would not do it again; however, I knew in my heart that I had to go back. I waited a week before I returned and the second class was not much better than the first class. To make maters worse, I had the same instructor.   After class, I decided that this is what I had  to do to better my health.   I took three classes in a row, took a day off and took four more  in a row.  I was on my way.  
  
During the next  6 1/2 years,  I started taking 3 to 5 classes a week.  I did a 30 day challenge once and took two classes in one day.  When I started, I weighed 260 lbs. After a year, I was down to about 230 and have maintained between 230 and 234.
  
I feel better now than when I was in my 20s.  I am so glad I found Bikram yoga and know I will be doing it for a long long time.  I am almost 69 years old and feel better than ever.
  
Yes,  when I walk into class now I still hear "ARE YOU CRAZY?"  but the voice is not so loud. 
  

 

BYEC BOOK CLUB

 

The book we are all reading is Lucky Everyday by Bapsy Jain.  You can still pick up a copy at the studio, if you don't already have one.  

 

We will meet at the Juice Bar Cafe located at Bikram Yoga El Cajon on

March 20, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. to

discuss the book.

 

Please feel free to join us.  

 

The next book on the list for April is The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo.  You may or may not have already read this book.  If you already read it, read it again.

   

Yoga Etiquette

Keep up the Good Work.

 

We have noticed your efforts in trying to keep up with the yoga etiquette at this studio.  Thank you.

 

Yoga Etiquette Recap

1.  Don't leave the room to take showers during class.
2.  Place your mat on the line so that your mat is in the middle of the line.
3.  Be on time.
4.  If you leave the room, please leave and enter silently.
5.  Keep up the good work.

Save 10%
Save 10% on any Breathe Mat During the Month of March.

*This offer does not apply to any previously purchased Breathe mats. 
Offer Expires: March 31, 2011