Logo          Challenge Yourself, Improve Your Health, Enhance Your Life!

 
December 2008/January 2009
Seasons Greetings!
 
With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time of year for family, friends, and celebration -- all of which are better enjoyed when one is healthy, happy, and stress free.  Why wait until the New Year to make a resolution towards your health and well being? 
 
Practiced regularly, Bikram Yoga rapidly develops strength, flexibility and balance.  It greatly increases one's sense of health, well being, mental clarity, and peace of mind.  It is an excellent way to relieve stress and achieve and maintain proper body weight -- two especially relevant benefits during the holiday season!  
  
Wishing you and your loved ones peace, tranquility, and prosperity throughout the holiday season and the new year! 
 

 
lights

 

Holiday Season Schedule

The studio will be closed for the holiday season on:   

Dec 24th, 25th, 26th and Jan 1st

 We will be offering 2 classes on December 31st
 
9:15 AM and 5:30 PM 
 
 

Holiday Special

 
Purchase any membership or class pass until Jan 4th and receive 2 complimentary class passes to give to your friends and family or use for yourself.
 
Free Yoga Weekend
 
'Free Yoga' for You and Your Friends or Relatives!
 
During the weekend of January 3rd and 4th, Bikram Yoga West Edmonton is happy to announce that we're going to give you a chance to bring your friends and family into our studio for a class or to tour our open house - for free.
 
We assume that those around you have been wondering what you've been doing with yourself, how you've transformed yourself, or what this Hot Bikram Yoga is all about. Feel free to show them first hand. We'll be happy to pay their way (and yours) - we're always looking for more people to introduce to and to enjoy the Bikram experience. And, you will finally have the opportunity to show off your passion!
 
These free classes are for everyone so we expect the classes to be quite full. Doors, as always, will open 30 minutes prior to class. We will not be able to reserve any spots for you, but will open the classes to our full capacity. We are offering an additional class on Sunday, at 11:15 am, to give you more options to practice Bikram Yoga.
 
The Open House will be all afternoon each day. Join in for the fun and share the vibrant energy of our growing yoga community.
 
 
Sad News for Bikram Yoga West Edmonton 
 
Earls Tin Place just couldn't manage without Nikki, so they've persuaded her to come back and work as a full time manager starting in January. Nikki has been an integral part of launching Bikram Yoga West Edmonton and will be extremely missed. Although Nikki will no longer be teaching full time, she will still be teaching the 7:30 evening class on Wednesdays and leading the 4 week Kids classes in January. We suspect that you'll see her practicing on the mat beside you regularly. We wish you all the best Nikki!
 
BYWE's New Instructor -Damian Kosabeck
 
DamianBikram Yoga West Edmonton is pleased to introduce Damian Kosabeck, the newest addition to our fabulous teaching staff. He recently graduated from the fall session of Bikram Yoga Teacher Training, which was held in Acapulco, Mexico. Damian looks forward to guiding you through your practice with his calm focused energy. Welcome Damian! 
 
 
 
 
Kids Classes
 
Starting January 10th until January 31st, we will be hosting kids classes for 4 weeks. Every Saturday from 1:15pm to 2:15pm, kids between the ages of 8 and 14 can experience an hour of Bikram Yoga. The fee is $7/class including a mat rental. The room will be warm but not hot. If you would like to register your young yogi, please email their name, age, and dates that they will be attending, to julie@bikramyogawestedmonton.ca. Please arrive 15 mins prior to class to complete the parental consent form. Don't forget a bottle of water! 
  
30 Day Challenge Results
 
The first 30 Day Challenge was a huge success! Almost every challenger completed the full 30 days. All of those that attempted this demanding month of yoga should be extremely proud. The enthusiasm and camaraderie was great. It was awesome witnessing the transformation of so many students; one student lost 16 inches off their body and another gained 6 inches of flexibility in the "Head to Knee" stretching pose. Consider getting in on the fun next time and witness 'first hand' your own transformation.   
 Students
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE NEXT 30 DAY CHALLENGE - JANUARY 15TH TO FEBRUARY 13TH
 
Cost: $99 + GST
 
Start the New Year right!  Take Bikram Yoga West Edmonton's 30 Day Challenge, January 15 - February 13, 2009 and  experience for yourself the amazing physical, mental and spiritual benefits of a daily Bikram Yoga practice. Doing Bikram Yoga everyday will test you, heal you, and challenge you! 
Note: We are happy to put your class packages on hold during the Challenge
 
Sierra Rose Donation
 
Every Friday in the month of November, Bikram Yoga West Edmonton collected and donated all proceeds from the classes to Sierra Rose - a small 2-year-old  friend from Australia who has severe Cerebral Palsy. A total of $612 was raised and sent to Sierra Rose. With the overwhelming generosity of the wider Bikram Community, the goal of $10,000 will be easily reached. Once Sierra Rose completes her therapy overseas, we will arrange to have some pictures posted with an update on her progress. Thank you everyone who kindly donated to this cause.   
 
Feature Posture - Ardha Chandrasana: with Pada Hastasana


 
 
What does mean?

In Sanskrit, it means Half Moon Pose with Hands to Feet Pose. 

When is it done?
 
It's done second, right after Pranayama breathing. Half Moon Pose and Hands to Feet Pose are the first two of Bikram's 26 postures in his Beginning Yoga Class. The spine is bent from side to side and backwards in Half Moon, and then bent forward in Pada-Hasthasana. Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class was designed so that each posture prepares you for the next. At this stage Pranayama has fueled the body for class, and this next grouping of postures continues to bring the body out of cold storage and stimulate the nervous system. 

What is it good for?
 
Ardha-Chandrasana (includes a backward bend)
  • Begins to open up the whole skeletal system, especially the spine, neck, ribs and scapulae.
  • One side of the body is under compression, which momentarily stops blood flow to the area. Simultaneously, the other side of the body is in extension, which provides stretching and traction helping to increase blood flow to the area.
  • Increases circulation to spine as well as surrounding nerves, muscles, joints, organs, and connective tissue.
  • Gives quick energy and heats up body.
  • Trims stomach, buttocks, hips, thighs.
  • Backward bending especially helps to open up the chest to create more room for the lungs and heart.
  • Backward bending is a very important ingredient in healing back pain and restoring functional balance to spine - if you don't use it, you lose it!

Pada-Hasthasana

  • Increases synovial fluid to the joints of the spine, hips, knees and ankles.
    helps to lengthen the spine, stretch the hamstrings, and increase blood flow to the brain.
  • Strengthens the upper body and back.
  • Forward bending stimulates the pituitary gland also known as "the master gland" that governs the rest of the endocrine system, therefore helping to balance the body's biochemistry.
  • Compression of upper body to lower body ensures safe stretching of hamstrings and spine, thus providing a 360 degree stretch.