The longer it takes you, the luckier you are because it lasts forever. - Bikram Choudhury to Jim Kallett (San Diego)

As you can tell, we don't get much free time during the week!  Week 2 was full of interesting interactions with Bikram in the yoga room (colorful language and 2+ min. posture holds); late night class discussions and not to forget, more "up til' 3:30 am Bollywood movies"!  It's borderline hazing and somewhat torturous, but I'm trying to embrace it.  I did break down and buy some junk food this week -- a 12 pack of diet cokes, some chips, microwave popcorn, a chocolate bar and a bag of Reeses -- for upcoming moments of weakness.
2ppl from the studio in Vegas (with wheels), 1 really cool girl from Ann Arbor, MI and I explored Santa Monica and walked the boardwalk of Muscle Beach last Sunday.  We had some amazing vegetarian food for lunch and also did some window-shopping.  I got my hair cut too at a cute barber shop in Venice called Rudy's.  Their slogan was "We Cut People".  Reminded me of home...mmmmm Rudy's...BBQ!  I've never seen so many vegetarian's and healthy people in general, in my life!  I thought Austin had a lot of healthy people, there are some healthy eatin' mo fo beanpoles at this Bikram Teacher Training!
Today I tackled the city bus line and walked around Beverly Hills & Rodeo Dr.  Mikimoto, Maserati, Tiffany's,  BVLGRVU? whatever that store is :)  I had some yummy thin-crust vegetarian pizza for lunch at a sidewalk cafe and a got a wonderful massage from a Therapist named Hercules! Yes, that was his name and he was strong :)  Then I came back to the hotel and squeezed in some studying.  Emilyann, from our studio in Austin, is a great study partner.  She helps me dissect the postures and we have a good time.
So many good yoga classes this week.  Jim Kallett, specifically, who's been teaching for Bikram for 14 years, is an amazing Teacher and human being.  He spoke to us for about 3 hrs. about many topics including Bikram's lineage and how yoga first came to the United States in the 70's at the World Health Organization...and shortly thereafter how interest grew because of the show "That's Incredible".   Funny huh?  I used to love that show and remember the weird yogi contortionist from when I used to watch it as a kid. Interesting story but all in all, Jim seemed so knowledgeable, and  to be a genuine and generous person.  He was very inspiring and actually completely validated my reasons for coming here!  What a great feeling!! 
On to week 3...
Namaste.

Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Spring 2012 - Day 3, 4 & 5

Brazil, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, South Africa, Switzerland, Malaysia, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Pakistan, Amsterdam, Venezuela, Chile, Germany, India, Mexico etc. etc. oh yeah and the U.S. ha! The U.S. it seems, is the most under-represented country here -- which is fine and kinda neat, none-the-less everyone, students from all of the world with a love for Bikram yoga and a passion for teaching, deliver Bikram's dialogue (in English) with some of the most lovely intentions and accents! It's truly amazing how the same words can be said with so much variation & style. We've laughed AT some, and cried WITH others but seeing and hearing hundreds of teacher trainees has made me realize that every one of us (all with the same desire) have something special to offer! Bikram's feedback has been funny at times, complimentary to many, very harsh and out right brutal to a few. All honest and welcome however...he is the guru!
We've done 10 classes our first week and got to experience the notorious Bollywood that is tradition here at training -- a 4 hr. movie/musical, Indian love-story. I'll have to post the title next time because I recommend watching it (over 2 nights though). It was very endearing, PG, and made me miss my hunny quite a bit :) It's like the movie Grease of our time. I think Saylor will also enjoy it a lot --- "the High School Musical" of her time.
More soon...
Namaste~

Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Spring 2012 - Day 2

Last night was our 1st Bikram yoga class from the man himself! Bikram told us to "take it easy hunny" (one of his common sayings) and to "have to a vacation week, because on week 5 we won't know who we are, where we are or where we came from"....Yikes - that scared me! Day 2 - Bikram yoga class #2: Getting my ass kicked doesn't even BEGIN to describe it! I knew exactly where I was, but I wanted out so badly! The class was 2 hours long and it must have been 120 degrees in there! Students were literally dropping like flies and being assisted out of the room. To boot, I ran out of water early on, which I will NEVER make the mistake of doing again!! And when I get home, just ask me about the 8 min. song!!! I did however, manage to stay in the room and not resort to the fetal position which I really wanted to do!!!
Tomorrow will be another tough class from one of Bikram's most senior Teachers, Emmy Cleaves. She Latvian and we've heard she's super tough.
I delivered Half-Moon Pose for Bikram tonight which is a very nerve-racking part of training that all trainees must do for his approval. I was nervous and my hand was shaking the microphone bigtime, but I think Bikram felt I nailed it! He said I did a great job, gave me several compliments and said some other cool things about me teaching and students taking yoga from me etc. It was somewhat of a blur--- I was #97 out of 100 for the day and it was 12:30am.

Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Spring 2012 - Day 1

It was hard saying goodbye to Charles and the kids yesterday!!  Saylor especially had a tough time :(  They mean THE WORLD to me and I will miss them more than words can say!!!  We will do ichat on our macs, facetime on our iphones and frequent texting which will help. 

I passed up a free beer from a gentleman w/extra drink coupons sitting next to me on the plane last night --- I'd say I'm off on the right foot, wouldn't you!?!  Had a great night of 9 hours of sleep now it's almost 10 am on day 1 and no room mate?  Could I be so lucky?

Day 1 Nutrition Log:  Breakfast - Steele cut oatmeal, 1 sugar pack, decaf green tea, 2 handfuls of walnuts
Lunch:  Veggie wrap on whole wheat tortilla, beet/carrot/ginger/celery juice

A whopping 420 Students registered!!!
Let's do this!!!