Bikram Hot Yoga Houston Blog

I want to congratulate and offer support to all of you who started your 60 Day Challenge this week. Every year we begin our school wide BY Challenge this week as a way of honoring Bikram's birthday. I love looking at everyone's charts on the wall filling up with stickers. Who would ever believe that putting a star / sticker on a piece of paper could be so exciting! Keep up the good work; that 60 Day Challenge T-shirt is going to look FABULOUS on you :-)

I know how disappointing it can be to rush to class only to find the doors locked, or to have the desk person turn you away. And sometimes it feels like the only way to make it to class is to rush; but of course that's not true.

What if you slowed down instead? What if you planned ahead, leaving enough time for traffic and to change into your yoga clothes without rushing? What if you slowed down and made it into the yoga room well before the teacher? Imagine how different the beginning of class would be? You could lie still for a few precious moments and let the thoughts and energies of the day release. You could arrive (body, mind and soul), center your self, and begin class completely present....

What if you eliminated rushing from your life entirely? Imagine how different your entire life would be?

Balance the energies of effort and rest. This is always a challenge in a Bikram Hot Yoga class, because we strive to push ourselves beyond all of our limitations. For maximum benefit, push to your personal edge, then back off very slightly so you can maintain the pose. Hold steady in that ultimate expression, and then relax, let go, ahhhh.... Enjoy the sweet result of your effort; stillness and peace!