Week Two

Well, Week 2 is done and I can definitely say I'm not sad to see it pass. We've had some pretty brutal tests of mental and physical strengths this week and everyone is getting challenged in their own ways. My challenge is dealing the the sleep deprivation. When I don't sleep I become EXTREMELY irritable and those of you who know me also know that being around me when I'm irritable isn't very fun. Add to this four hours of yoga, 300+ people, a sweltering hot lecture tent (during the day) for 3 hours, a freezing lecture tent (how did they do that?) in the evening for God knows how many hours and tack on sleeping on a concrete floor while a Hindi movie that is supposed to be changing my life is BLARING in my ears and you get one irritated little Yogini. What is crazy about this is that I knew about the movies and the late nights and all the yoga, but nothing prepares you for it when you are smack dab in the middle of it. Nothing. Even though you know that it's a test of your will, that you will survive it and that there has to be a point to it, in the moment you can't for the life of you think of what that point might be. It's tough. Thankfully, Bikram left this week and won't be back until the 18th, so we're movie-free for a week and a half or so- YAY!

We've also finished with Half Moon and start breaking into our Posture Clinic Groups on Monday. We also start Anatomy/Physiology on Monday, so things may start getting kind of crazy around here pretty soon. I'm so happy that I pretty much have up to Triangle right now and I can just brush up on those while we're also doing the Anatomy stuff. Phew! I'm also hoping some of my anatomy that I learned in massage school (many moons ago) might return to my brain? It could happen.

We've had some great lectures this week from Emmy, Bikram and Jim Kallett. Our staff is pretty amazing as well. A lot of drama has been going down in the yoga room this week and they are really on top of making sure that the people who really need help get it and that the people who need to just get through it get through it. The arid desert air is making it so that not as many people are throwing up as Acapulco. They keep telling us how lucky we are!

I'm so TIRED, but we have CPR training today (Saturday) for two hours. It's now required of all BYTT'ers to be certified at training, and it's an additional expense ($40). That didn't go over so well with everyone, but Bikram explained that it's a condition of the new Franchise agreement that we must all be and maintain CPR certification. I was certified when I went to massage school, but that was a really long time ago. Anyway, it's a good thing to know- how to save people's lives.


Jim Kallett shared an amazing quote that he transcribed from a Shiva temple that he visited in India. He had written it down in haste and was amazed when he took the time to really let the words sink in later on:

"When one has become successful in asana, then pranayama (the regulation of inhalation and exhalation) is perfected, the veil that hides illumination is lifted and the mind becomes fit for meditation, then the senses come under your control"

In other words, don't worry about your Kundalini, don't worry about Nirvana...just LOCK YOUR KNEE and breathe :)