Wow- three weeks since I last posted!
I returned from LA-more or less in one piece. What a city-a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there (OK-maybe for a year or two!).
I went to a Bryan Kest power yoga class in Santa Monica as I mentioned I was going to do in my last post. It was my first non Bikram yoga class. It was a great experience-I really enjoyed it. Ami introduced me to him after class-he's a really nice, regular guy. I plan on downloading his class onto my ipod so that I can practice while I travel, a flexibility that you can't get with Bikram.
My Bikram practice has been pretty steady, 5-6 times per week (it's amazing what you can do when you have time). I'm experiencing some great improvements (I can actually see my foot over my head in standing bow-something I never thought would happen). Now that school is almost over (two classes left-tonight and next Tues night), I plan on doing a thirty day challenge. The closest I've come in the past is 14 days straight.
Graduation is getting closer-June 8. We just ordered our caps and gowns.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Life in LA
What a city! I love it-except for the bumper to bumper traffic on the freeways, the smog, and the lack of parking!
Great nightlife, great restaurants, friendly people, beaches...I could definitely live here (ok-maybe not-the real estate prices are outrageous).
I've practiced at Bikram's headquarters the last few days- an interesting experience. I started out by standing at the front door on La Cienaga Blvd, reading the sign that said "this isn't the entrance, stupid-go around back" ok, so maybe I'm paraphrasing a bit :). After parking on the street and worrying about a ticket, I discovered the "secret "entrance around the back of the building and down an alley, where the private parking lot is located (for a one dollar fee). It's actually pretty convenient, once you find it (I wish they listed that info on their website though).
Great facilities at the studio-multiple showers in the locker rooms (why was that women in the mens shower area though? not that I'm complaining! ;) ) Free towels (two for class and one for showers) and a free mat all come with the twenty dollar entrance fee for class.
The studio was enormous ( a sign was posted that said that maximum use is 300 students-yikes!) There were about twenty students in each class that I took, which was a surprise-maybe I was at off peak classes. There was the usual heat and sweat, but I didn't really feel the humidity that I feel in other studios-they must have primo de-humidifiers.
I was pretty shocked at an incident that occured in the class this morning. A couple were complaining about the heat (I actually heard them huffing and puffing when they came in the room). The woman stuck a towel in the door to get a cool breeze, which frankly, I didn't like (along with a few other students). When the instructor asked her to remove the towel she refused, saying it was "too hot" in the room. Huh? The instructor explained the problem, but the woman was having none of that. It took the focus away from everyone in the class. I've never seen a more obnoxious display of disrespect. My thought was that she should return to the trailer park she was from (ok-not a zen-like yoga attitude) A really big student explained to the women that if she couldn't take the heat she should get out of the kitchen (since he was about 6'2", 300 pounds she didn't respond to him and left the class soon after-her boyfriend had left a few minutes before that). I've never experienced anything like that in a Bikram class.
I'm meeting up with a friend tomorrow who's going to take me to a power yoga class. She's a Bikram instructor who moved back to LA and also does different types of yoga. I'm looking forward to trying it out since I've never tried any form but Bikram
Ok-what am I doing typing away whle I'm on vacation? See ya!
Great nightlife, great restaurants, friendly people, beaches...I could definitely live here (ok-maybe not-the real estate prices are outrageous).
I've practiced at Bikram's headquarters the last few days- an interesting experience. I started out by standing at the front door on La Cienaga Blvd, reading the sign that said "this isn't the entrance, stupid-go around back" ok, so maybe I'm paraphrasing a bit :). After parking on the street and worrying about a ticket, I discovered the "secret "entrance around the back of the building and down an alley, where the private parking lot is located (for a one dollar fee). It's actually pretty convenient, once you find it (I wish they listed that info on their website though).
Great facilities at the studio-multiple showers in the locker rooms (why was that women in the mens shower area though? not that I'm complaining! ;) ) Free towels (two for class and one for showers) and a free mat all come with the twenty dollar entrance fee for class.
The studio was enormous ( a sign was posted that said that maximum use is 300 students-yikes!) There were about twenty students in each class that I took, which was a surprise-maybe I was at off peak classes. There was the usual heat and sweat, but I didn't really feel the humidity that I feel in other studios-they must have primo de-humidifiers.
I was pretty shocked at an incident that occured in the class this morning. A couple were complaining about the heat (I actually heard them huffing and puffing when they came in the room). The woman stuck a towel in the door to get a cool breeze, which frankly, I didn't like (along with a few other students). When the instructor asked her to remove the towel she refused, saying it was "too hot" in the room. Huh? The instructor explained the problem, but the woman was having none of that. It took the focus away from everyone in the class. I've never seen a more obnoxious display of disrespect. My thought was that she should return to the trailer park she was from (ok-not a zen-like yoga attitude) A really big student explained to the women that if she couldn't take the heat she should get out of the kitchen (since he was about 6'2", 300 pounds she didn't respond to him and left the class soon after-her boyfriend had left a few minutes before that). I've never experienced anything like that in a Bikram class.
I'm meeting up with a friend tomorrow who's going to take me to a power yoga class. She's a Bikram instructor who moved back to LA and also does different types of yoga. I'm looking forward to trying it out since I've never tried any form but Bikram
Ok-what am I doing typing away whle I'm on vacation? See ya!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
California
I'm out in California for a week and a half-life is good!
It's my first time in Monterrey and Carmel, and definitely not my last. It's an incredible area, so much natural beauty. I think I've taken over fifty photos already! It reminds me a bit of a tropical Newport, RI-incredible coastlines and quaint streets.
I practiced at Bikram Yoga Monterey yesterday, and met some great people. I had a great conversation with the owner, Emily and her husband Billy. Emily is originally from Marblehead, Ma and is a diabetic like myself, so we had a lot to talk about. Her husband gave me some great tips about Monterey.
The instructor for my class, Terry, was an amazing woman. I fed off her energy during the class. I needed that energy since I hadn't practiced in over a week (that whole "work" thing got in the way). She told me that she is going to Acapulco to help instruct at Bikram's next Teacher Training session. I'm not surprised, she's that good! A very motivating person with a great personality.
It's pretty amazing that at every studio I visit, people have such a positive attitude and friendly manner-I definitely attribute it to what they're doing with Bikram!
I'll be working the next few days at my conference, but will hopefully still be able to practice there. I had to blow it off tonight since we're having a group dinner in Monterey.
I'm heading to Los Angeles on Sunday, the start of my vacation. I'm going to go to Bikram's headquarters for classes-that should be interesting.
I'll be hanging with my buddy John, who's a doctor of accupuncture in LA. Knowing John, he'll have some fun things set up to do there. We're actually heading out Sunday night when I arrive, so I'll be experiencing the LA nightlife immediately!
It's my first time in Monterrey and Carmel, and definitely not my last. It's an incredible area, so much natural beauty. I think I've taken over fifty photos already! It reminds me a bit of a tropical Newport, RI-incredible coastlines and quaint streets.
I practiced at Bikram Yoga Monterey yesterday, and met some great people. I had a great conversation with the owner, Emily and her husband Billy. Emily is originally from Marblehead, Ma and is a diabetic like myself, so we had a lot to talk about. Her husband gave me some great tips about Monterey.
The instructor for my class, Terry, was an amazing woman. I fed off her energy during the class. I needed that energy since I hadn't practiced in over a week (that whole "work" thing got in the way). She told me that she is going to Acapulco to help instruct at Bikram's next Teacher Training session. I'm not surprised, she's that good! A very motivating person with a great personality.
It's pretty amazing that at every studio I visit, people have such a positive attitude and friendly manner-I definitely attribute it to what they're doing with Bikram!
I'll be working the next few days at my conference, but will hopefully still be able to practice there. I had to blow it off tonight since we're having a group dinner in Monterey.
I'm heading to Los Angeles on Sunday, the start of my vacation. I'm going to go to Bikram's headquarters for classes-that should be interesting.
I'll be hanging with my buddy John, who's a doctor of accupuncture in LA. Knowing John, he'll have some fun things set up to do there. We're actually heading out Sunday night when I arrive, so I'll be experiencing the LA nightlife immediately!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A light at the end of the tunnel!
My thesis has been submitted, three classes left, and I'll have completed the coursework for my masters. To use a very tired cliche, the weight of the world is off my shoulders! It's an incredible feeling! Another great feeling was deleting the software and research sites that I used for my thesis...ahhh, what a great feeling!!
Back to a regular routine for Bikram also. 110 degrees in class the other night, and it felt great. I feel like I've improved greatly in some of the postures, especially standing head to knee-even though I can't get my knee straight or my head to my knee-slowly but surely I'll get there.
I'm heading to Monterrey, California for a conference next week and am definitely going to get to a Bikram studio there-I'll have more time than I did in Seattle last week.
I'm flying down to LA for vacation after the conference and will definitely go to Bikram's headquarters in LA for a few classes-I'm hoping I'll be able to find a class that Bikram is teaching (if he even does that anymore-I'll find out when I'm there, I'm sure). I'm also going to see an old friend from Boston who just moved back to LA and hopefully will be teaching in a studio there-she's a Bikram instructor.
I'm visiting an old roommate/friend that is a doctor of accupuncture in LA. He said he'll try a class with me. Of course, after he introduces me to the wild nightlife in LA, the class could be torture!
I definitely need this vacation!
Back to a regular routine for Bikram also. 110 degrees in class the other night, and it felt great. I feel like I've improved greatly in some of the postures, especially standing head to knee-even though I can't get my knee straight or my head to my knee-slowly but surely I'll get there.
I'm heading to Monterrey, California for a conference next week and am definitely going to get to a Bikram studio there-I'll have more time than I did in Seattle last week.
I'm flying down to LA for vacation after the conference and will definitely go to Bikram's headquarters in LA for a few classes-I'm hoping I'll be able to find a class that Bikram is teaching (if he even does that anymore-I'll find out when I'm there, I'm sure). I'm also going to see an old friend from Boston who just moved back to LA and hopefully will be teaching in a studio there-she's a Bikram instructor.
I'm visiting an old roommate/friend that is a doctor of accupuncture in LA. He said he'll try a class with me. Of course, after he introduces me to the wild nightlife in LA, the class could be torture!
I definitely need this vacation!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A great week
Back on the blog after a week away.
Seattle was pretty nice for a work trip. Great restaurants for business dinners, which meant I couldn't get to Bikram. We were tied up in meetings all day, also.
But I got my thesis finished!!!! (thank god for cross-country flights) It's been approved and is now sitting in an envelope, waiting to be given to the professor on Monday night. It's been a long year! But, actually fun also.......I can't believe I just typed that!
I'm off to Bikram tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time, if you know what I mean.
And I got an A for this blog!
Great week!
Seattle was pretty nice for a work trip. Great restaurants for business dinners, which meant I couldn't get to Bikram. We were tied up in meetings all day, also.
But I got my thesis finished!!!! (thank god for cross-country flights) It's been approved and is now sitting in an envelope, waiting to be given to the professor on Monday night. It's been a long year! But, actually fun also.......I can't believe I just typed that!
I'm off to Bikram tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time, if you know what I mean.
And I got an A for this blog!
Great week!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Off to Seattle
I just finished packing, and here I am, home on a Saturday night! I'm leaving early (7am flight) tomorrow on a business trip to Seattle, which is cross country for me (I'm in Boston). Hopefully I can get some sleep.
I've already scouted out two Bikram studios near my hotel. I'm looking forward to trying another studio-I've never tried one out of the state of Massachusetts. Of course, there shouldn't be any difference-the dialogue is the same worldwide.
I still haven't gotten a grade for my blog, but hopefully that will appear soon.
I've already scouted out two Bikram studios near my hotel. I'm looking forward to trying another studio-I've never tried one out of the state of Massachusetts. Of course, there shouldn't be any difference-the dialogue is the same worldwide.
I still haven't gotten a grade for my blog, but hopefully that will appear soon.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Back Again
Back to the blog after a week's absence. My Information Research and Technology course ended last week, but I've decided to continue the blog (at least until I finish my thesis).
I just got back from a great Bikram class-the room was packed and I enjoyed the extra humidity (boy-I can't believe I just typed that!). I spent the day at a seminar that ended ended early, so I was able to go to the 4:30 class. I like the instructor for that class, Marina. She's got an incredibly soothing voice that really helps you flow through the class.
I brought my brother to class with me a couple of days ago. He's done yoga for years-in fact he's tried to get me to go to class with him for years. This is the first time he tried Bikram, and he really liked it. With his yoga experience, he had the postures down pretty well-he just had to get acclimated to the heat. He said he liked it and will be back.
I've got two business trips lined up this month-one to Seattle and one to Monterrey, California. I've already scouted out the Bikram studios near my hotels and am hoping that my practice can continue out on the west coast. I'll keep you posted on the studios out there.
I'm still working on my business plan for a Bikram studio and am actually psyched for the long plane rides to the west coast so I can finish up the paper on the plane.
Well, enough typing. Time to start back on the paper.
I just got back from a great Bikram class-the room was packed and I enjoyed the extra humidity (boy-I can't believe I just typed that!). I spent the day at a seminar that ended ended early, so I was able to go to the 4:30 class. I like the instructor for that class, Marina. She's got an incredibly soothing voice that really helps you flow through the class.
I brought my brother to class with me a couple of days ago. He's done yoga for years-in fact he's tried to get me to go to class with him for years. This is the first time he tried Bikram, and he really liked it. With his yoga experience, he had the postures down pretty well-he just had to get acclimated to the heat. He said he liked it and will be back.
I've got two business trips lined up this month-one to Seattle and one to Monterrey, California. I've already scouted out the Bikram studios near my hotels and am hoping that my practice can continue out on the west coast. I'll keep you posted on the studios out there.
I'm still working on my business plan for a Bikram studio and am actually psyched for the long plane rides to the west coast so I can finish up the paper on the plane.
Well, enough typing. Time to start back on the paper.
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