Bikram Hot Yoga Houston Blog

I've received a number of emails these past couple of days from students who have the flu, wondering if they should come in and take class. Bikram Yoga is famous for it's healing powers and many folks have a couple of B Y miracles under their belts, so this is a very natural question to ask. 

It's important to understand that the flu or a really bad cold or respiratory infection is not like high blood pressure or heart disease. Unlike heart disease, things like the flu are highly contagious and put others at risk. So, a good rule of thumb is, if you are sneezing, hacking, blowing or wheezing, please stay home. Wait for the infectious stage of the illness to pass. Rest, soak in a hot bath, drink hot herbal tea, eat chicken soup, sleep. Then, when you're no longer infectious, return to class.

And if you've managed to avoid catching the flu thus far, there are several things you can do to keep it that way. Take class often, wash your hands regularly, increase your daily dose of vitamin C, use your neti pot morning and evening, be sure to get enough rest. At times like this, even the strongest immune systems can use this kind of additional support.

I love this time of year. Not the cold part of things :-/  but the freshness, excitement and possibilities that unfold at this time of year. As many of you know, we installed our new flooring on New Year's Eve at our Fountain View location. We are getting rave reviews and we are so happy you are all enjoying it!

Today we're installing a new, industrial humidification system at South Blvd which we're very excited about. We jump through hoops to create and keep the Bikram Yoga formula consistent in our classrooms - 105' heat / 40% humidity. We believe this new humidification system will provide great humidity and at the same time be more energy efficient.

We've also added the 5:30am class on Friday at our Fountain View location so it's available now M - F. Nothing like having your yoga done before the workday begins :-) Of course that's not always possible, and many office warriors can take class only after the work day is done. For you folks we offer the 8:30pm class M - Th at both schools. We offer 79 classes each week in support of your New Year's resolution.... you can do it, and we can help!

2010 has such a great ring to it, doesn't it?

2009 was a powerful year, but for many, a difficult one. It seemed to insist that we confront the things we were trying to hide or ignore, and change ourselves, improve ourselves, become more conscious, better people. We saw this theme played out in the lives of public figures as well as our own. The economy also forced many of us to confront the lives we were living and make powerful changes. In some instances this forced us to look at the fact that we did not love the work we'd been doing. Many people used unemployment as a springboard for changing their careers. The economy insisted we become more conscious of how we live, how we spend, what we value. All in all these are good things, but not easy things and almost everyone I spoke to was happy to see 2009 come to a close.

2010 already feels lighter, a lot more fun. It feels like the cycle of birth, creation and manifestation is beginning after the hard work of unearthing, confronting and destruction we've just been through. It reminds me of how I feel when we reach the first long savasana in class. I know we're only half way through, but the most difficult work is behind me. I love the feeling of absolute stillness and peace before embarking on the next phase, and when that sit up comes? I am ready for it!

So here's wishing us all a happy 2010. May it be filled with blessings, rewards and great joy.