Keep Those Shoulders Down!

It is only October, and already I miss summer. Days filled with humidity and warmth, sundresses and sandals, and my shoulders relaxed carelessly down my back. As the weather turns colder, my shoulders shoot right up to my ears. Walking down the street I constantly remind myself to relax my shoulders — back and down, just like in yoga — but before I take 10 steps, they are hunched and knotted back up at my ears. Is this my body’s way of warming me up, or is simply a rebellion against the discomfort of the cold? Ugh. Either way, my neck is already sore from the misalignment. How will I make it through winter without a full-on crick in my neck?

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Sweating Out The Toxins

October 20, 2015October 15, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Class Experiences, Yoga and Life Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Yoga

It was one of those nights – a little too much to drink, a little too much to eat, and a little too little sleep. A recipe for disaster for Bikram yoga class the next morning. When I woke up, I could barely speak, my body felt weak, and my stomach was in knots. As I lay in bed, trying to muster the courage to begin the day, I wondered if I should go to class or just call in sick. But then I remembered about sweating out the toxins. That was exactly what I needed to do. I dragged myself to class, and I am so glad that I did. But is it really possible to sweat out toxins?

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Have You Tried A Mandala Coloring Book?

October 13, 2015October 12, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Meditation, Self Improvement, Yoga and Life, Yoga Books Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Meditation, Yoga

Do you like to color? I loved it when I was a child, and loved it again when my children were young. Recently, I have rediscovered it. OK – go ahead and laugh, but it is very relaxing and even a “cool” thing to do nowadays. Well, maybe not cool, but acceptable, in the context of meditation and relaxation. A recent walk through Barnes and Noble last weekend revealed a full table (in prime real estate!) filled with adult coloring books, most of them Mandala coloring books. I couldn’t resist. I bought one, and the fancy colored pencil set displayed right next to it too.

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What Is Your Favorite Bikram Yoga Posture?

October 6, 2015October 4, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Class Experiences, Postures, Yoga and Life Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Yoga

Our teacher did a fun thing in class today. We had three students with birthdays in class and she asked each of them to name their favorite posture. One chose Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose, one liked Standing Head to Knee, and the other picked Balancing Stick. None of us knew why the teacher was asking, but we soon found out. A third set of their favorite postures! It was challenging, but fun, and singing through the extra set gave the class a nice boost of energy and playfulness. But it also got me thinking, what is my favorite Bikram Yoga posture?

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Sun Salutations With The Family

September 29, 2015September 22, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Meditation, Yoga and Life Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Meditation, Yoga

Do you make your family do yoga with you? Meditate with you? I try, but it is hard, particularly with my children. But once in a while I get lucky. Like this weekend. I didn’t have time to make it to Bikram Yoga class so I decided to do 20 minutes of Sun Salutations instead. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I set up outside on the patio. Just in case, I brought out some extra mats with me, and lo and behold, a couple of kids showed up. And a husband. I think they even liked it.