Happy New You, -take your health to new levels.

The new year is a great time to start over, try something new, or intensify what you already do, and take your health to new levels.

When: January 1, 2012
How: Using the power of raw food

Let’s get a few of the basics down......
...before we jump in. Raw plant foods provide a huge amount of nutrition in the form of vitamins, nutrients and chlorophyll (vital green pigment found in most plants). Although the term ‘raw food’ can cover a lot of different foods, the foods to focus on are primarily fresh fruits, leafy greens, all raw veggies, herbs, seaweeds. These are the foods that have the highest water content and therefore hydrate and replenish your cells deeply. –Other options to have occasionally include dried fruits, raw nuts and seeds, sprouted grains, cold processed oils, raw powders and ‘superfoods’, -they should however not feature in your daily diet.

You will discover new ways of eating and will be amazed at what these simple foods can create. Experiment with new foods and get to know your body (find how your body reacts when you cut out processed foods which your body might have been struggling with), eliminate waste toxins and get ready to feel amazing. As you consume more fresh fruits and vegetables and their juices, and the life force energy they are rich in, your health, energy and beauty will blossom.

My experience with raw food gave me brighter white eyes, clear skin, energy, stronger athletic performance, a happy digestive track and fast and effortless weight loss as result already after 1 week.
Imagine what can be achieved in 1, or even better, 2 months! Get excited now!

 **

In addition to tailor made nutritional & exercise plans, ‘Your Health Coach’ also specialises in cleansing/ fasting/ detox methods. www.yourhealthcoach.net.au



The cleansing program:
I am excited to have organised (and partaking in) this cleansing program for which I am keen to invite/ welcome as many participants as possible to kick off January 1.
I’ll be writing a weekly blog for all participants and sending weekly recipes to stay creative with cleansing (mainly raw) brekkies, lunches and dinners.
The program is ongoing for 6 days a week throughout the January and February month(s), having 1 day a week ‘off’ to indulge a little, get social and cravings out of the way. The idea is to share experiences and ‘get in it to win it’ TOGETHER!
To take part I ask $25 for January or $45 for January & February via the PayPal option now live on the right hand site.

Cut the C-R-A-P

Cut the C-R-A-P for 5 days; caffeine, refined sugar, alcohol and processed foods.

I have always been intrigued by detoxing and cleansing methods. -I am trying out the 5-day standard cleanse from Schkinny Maninny which means that for 5 days every morning an esky is waiting on my doorstep with 6 bottles of freshness and goodness. I am not allowed to eat and must drink herbal tea and water in addition to the juices.



Day 1.

I was well prepared; having cleared my schedule from any social events and coffee- or lunch meetings.- I am ready, I am excited.

On my way out the door, to head off to the gym for an early morning run at 6 am, I conveniently greet the delivery man. He presents me my esky with 6 juices/ soups and a little ‘gift bag’ with bath salt, a loofah, detox tea, a fiber supplement, seeds to nibble on and a daily ‘what to expect’ card.
Each morning Schkinny Maninny will send an email to guide, support and motivate you.

This is on the menu for the next 5 days:
➢ Start off with a warm glass of water with fresh lemon
➢ Cup of detox tea with fiber supplement
➢ Juice made of spinach, cucumber, apple, kiwifruit, wheat-grass and parsley
➢ Juice made of ginger and pineapple, apple and carrot.
➢ For lunch a legume and tomato based soup
➢ Watermelon, mint, orange and rockmelon juice
➢ For dinner a soup or salad blended –different kind each evening
➢ Smoothie of almonds, brazil nuts and almond milk (2 hours before bed time)

I feel headachy today, but I am unsure if this is due to the cleanse.

I love love love the Almond milk smoothie! The afternoon Watermelon, mint, orange and rockmelon juice and the morning spinach, cucumber, apple, kiwifruit, wheatgrass and parsley are surprisingly nice and refreshing.
Most importantly is that I have not felt hungry all day and at the end of the day when I have done my hot yoga class I slept like a baby.

Day 2.

I lost 2 kilo’s in 1 day without feeling hungry! Headache is gone! Skin looks bit better.

I am trilled!

Another esky is waiting on my doorstep when I wake up.
Although exercise is not recommended I feel energized and decide to go to the gym again for an early morning run. Late morning I regretted the early morning run. -My body feels tired and somewhat sore. On the 2nd day a sauna is recommended so I went to a hot yoga class in the evening which I want to do every day during the whole cleanse. It felt good; getting rid of toxins and stretching my sore muscles in the heated room.
Again I slept very soundly.

Day 3.

Another 0.5 kilo gone! No headache, I am feeling good!

No gym this morning; just hot yoga this evening.
The 2nd juice this time had beetroot added to the ginger which made it taste nicer (I am not a fan of ginger..) I feel like a good student and I am drinking lots of water and detox-/green-/ peppermint tea in between juices.
I notice around 2 pm every afternoon that I start to feel a bit chilly.

Day 4.

-/- 0.3 kilo’s.
Still very much enjoying the cleanse.
I woke up feeling fresh and energized. And although no recommended, I went to the gym. Had a great work-out!

It’s nice to have some variety in juices at my door step each morning☺

11 am; I am cold!
1 pm; starting to get tired, yawnnn
1.30pm; Triple yawn….. Am I asleep with my eyes open?
Rest of the day; Exhausted! Decided to throw myself a little pity party and went to bed at 8 pm...I have never slept better then I have all this week!

Day 5.

Last day on da juice; whoop!
-/- 0.6 kilo’s! Very very happy.
I can fit my skinny jeans again without displaying a muffin top.
(Mhmmm muffins..)

Both of today’s morning juices contain ginger. -Ulch Ginger…

1 pm; A colleague walked passed (who was unaware of me doing a diet/detox/cleanse) and said I looked slimmer.
It must be working!

Same soup I had all week for lunch –I am over it! But the afternoon juice is still of my liking. Dinner is a juice with ginger which I despise by now. Had a few sips and threw the rest away. Hooray to the nutty almond milk drink, this I would buy separate if it was sold in stores!
But all in all I am feeling good. I’m not, nor have I have felt hungry doing this cleanse but I am getting excited again for food and latte’s.

9pm: Starting to feel hungry. Maybe just cause the end is nearby? Or because it's Friday night, a night which normally entails some wine and nibbles. But I restrain myself and go to bed at 9.30pm.

Day 6.

Hooray, I have finished!
Total weight loss: -/- 3.6 kilo’s.

I'm feeling hungry waking up, but will mindfully ease into eating.

I enjoyed this cleanse (and results/outcome) and would do it again some time. If I had the money I would do this once a month! It’s been fantastic to reset and clean up my body.
Thank you Schkinny Maninny!

All I want... as the countdown begins

"When you always do the same things, you will always get the same results"

As we are counting down the final days of 2010, I must admit that it feels good. -Real good!

For me 2010 has had its struggles and I am ready for a fresh start.
Now, I know a fresh start is not a 'given' as the new year is.
This is becoming more and more clear as I've been assigned to create my very own bucket list. (By assigned I mean a very drunken evening with friends where I somehow promised to write and present a bucket list on New Years eve)

So, here Iam, with a blank notepad.

I thought this bucket list would be an easy thing to do but why does it appear to be so difficult? Why don't I have answers for what I want before I die? Or would skinny, rich and happy count?....I didn't think so.

Maybe its that this year I found my dream. A purpose, a passion which I also had to let go (all within the same freakin' year) or maybe the things I've always been so sure about suddenly did not seem so sure anymore. And maybe, just maybe, I've seen some real unfair stuff happen to the people I love the most and I wonder if its all worth it to try and control our own happiness.
But I turn 30 next year so its about time I figure this shit out ;-)

I sure as hell believe in living life to the fullest and can only hope for much more before I die, but I cant put a finger on what it is that I want.
I am empty...-for now.

But... I have 4 days to get it together (a good start to a bucket list that is) and pursue towards a new year, a year where I am not afraid to dream again and where I am brave enough to live life! Better go and do some yoga tomorrow to get focused...!
2011 (and beyond);here I come! WOO!

The heat is on… Your Health Coach

My business is officially open and I am inviting anyone and everyone who wants to lose weight.
You gotta be in it to win it, but I promise you that you will loose the weight in a way that works for you.

Just email me for more info: fiona@yourhealthcoach.net.au
www.yourhealthcoach.net.au

Max

3pm, I am at a client conference when my phone rings.
Number is blocked which is usually a call from Holland. I look at my watch while my phone rings a 2nd time. It’s only 6 am in Holland?
I answer the phone and hear my sisters voice.
My beautiful sister who is 7 months pregnant.
I can tell by sound of her voice that something is wrong. She just came back from the hospital where she got told her baby boy is no longer alive.
I am struck by sadness and disbelieve.

There I stand, in shock, 16632.53 kilometres apart from my sister.
I boarded the next available flight to what I can only describe as the saddest 3 weeks of my life.

Max.
I never got to see your eyes,
or hold your hand, or hear your cries.
All I have are dreams of you,
those of which, will never come true.
My heart sank the day that I knew,
I would never get to meet you.



I’ve been back in Sydney now for 2 weeks and slowly starting to feel like 'My Self' again.
All the sadness, grief, anger and worries consumed me and got stuck in me. After the 5th Bikram class yesterday I got some my balance back, my joints opened up and I regained some strength.
I need Bikram yoga now more than ever to heal my mind, body and soul.

Honey, I'm Home!

2 weeks later...and I am over my little ‘affair’ with Power yoga.

It seems like all things new are indeed exciting and whilst I enjoyed the flirt, I am so happy to be practising Bikram yoga again.

I think the 101-day challenge made me in need of a Bikram break, something else, and that something else was Power yoga.
The first class was new and refreshing. If I may ad, this was a class taught by a instructor whose roots lie in Bikram Yoga. Then the rest of the classes where unfulfilling because it was not (very well) heated and I missed the heart pumping, sweating and feeling out of breath dimension to it.

When returning ‘home’ to my first Bikram class sweat started to poor down my back in the first set of pranayama breathing.

“Joy”, I thought! Let the torture begin!

Oh boy, and torture it was. I felt worse than my first ever class. I was huffing and puffing, nearly fainting, nauseous and incredibly weak.

But it feels so great again to feel my heart pumping and sweat (a lot) and in each class I am improving; getting back to where I left off.
Maybe I find enough courage to return to an advanced class again in a month or so... EEP!

Seduced by power

I love Bikram yoga.
Convinced of the many benefits I recommend it to anyone and everyone. -If you haven’t tried it; you must-!

Then along came Power yoga……

After 2 years of being a profound Bikram lover, doing two 30-days challenges and a 101-day challenge I found myself losing my bliss. Using the same muscles and doing the same postures in every class kind of got me to notice this other yoga which rocked my little world after my 2nd class. The teacher, the variety and flow in postures/ movement, the dimmed lighting, the music, the muscle ache post-class, the heated room (my kind of yoga must include heat!)… it was fantastic!

Now I wonder; do I like Power because it’s new? All things new are exciting.....

I am keen to explore Power some more while still keep practising Bikram as well. I am able to share my love for both… right?
- If only there was a studio which offers both Bikram & Power… now that would just be perfect….

In the mean time I am enjoying my sore triceps, bring on summer -I am almost ready!

Bikram 101 - Mission completed!

Here I am -I did it; I completed the 101 day Bikram Yoga challenge with a 105 classes!

I am yogi!



I started at the 1st day of winter and now its spring. I have transformed as did the season and I am no longer the same person. I am not at the ‘butterfly’ stage yet. I am evolving, shaping and developing, nearly ready to be unfolded and grow.

This challenge gave me so much.

Thanks for letting me share my Bikram fascination, fixation, passion and for your comments, support and encouragement!
‘The more you give, the more you receive. -As it turns out, this is how the world works’.

It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good

Bikram's Advanced Series

I have been invited by the owner of my studio, aka champion yogi and awesome teacher to the advanced class.
Now, I have heard of the advanced series, but didn’t know too much about it. I said ‘yes’ immediately when I got the invite and went on Google to do some 'investigationing' to find out what awaits me and this is what I found:

Instead of 26 postures in 90 minutes, it's 84 postures in about 90 - 120 minutes.
Advanced practice is very different from the beginners class, and one of the biggest differences is the pace. The pace is fast. It's not like beginners class, where you get to do each pose twice and don't get to take savasana after every pose.

It’s also a led class; the teacher does the postures instead of teaching by dialogue.

All the postures in the beginning series come from the advanced series, which is the original set of postures that Bikram studied and practiced in India with Bishnu Ghosh so in the advanced series it's the 26 postures you know from the beginners series, plus 58 really scary and tough postures.

I went on YouTube to watch a demonstration.
For the first minute or so watching this demo I thought “I can do this, it looks kinda the same, just heaps quicker”.
Then….my jaw dropped and my heart started to beat quick and strong.
……………. Oh my………………….
I can’t do this…? I nearly threw up a little…..



But, I did it; I went.
First I needed to do a beginners class followed by the advanced class.

There I was, with 4 amazing teachers and 2 rock star yogi students.
It was scary, I felt humbled.
It was incredibly tough and even after trying a 2nd advanced class a few days later I am unsure if my body will ever allow itself to fold into these postures. I mean; head stands, finger stands and then so many more crazy fold ups, twists and muscle contractions…

A few hours post class it felt like I have been in a car accident or as if someone put me in a tumble dryer for 2 hours. Sore all over.
But hey, I gave it my all and I am happy that I have tried it.

Day 97

Day 97,

And I feel amazing and utterly grateful for where this journey has brought me.

Prior to the challenge i was in the mids of a minor -and very early- midlife crisis. Searching for meaning in my life and questioning the many paths I've taken so far.

Now, nearly towards the end, reaching my 101 day Thursday, I feel renewed. I have found what I was looking for.

In Bikram yoga you have to push to get comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. It seems that when you do this consistently you not only get stronger in your practice but also in other parts of your life where you might have given up.
Change only happens when you step outside your comfort zone. And... Oh boy, did I do that in this challenge!

It was -and still is- a path to self realization and couldn't be more thrilled and excited for the results is has brought me.

So close

So close I can taste it…


I feel; tired, happy, good, emotional, proud, strong, evolved, alive, excited, confident, free, absorbed, eager, inspired, aching, tortured, encouraged, serene and challenged.


Frequently asked questions:
- Will you continue every day yoga after the challenge?

No! It’s a 101-day challenge, not a lifelong challenge. I will however continue practice for an average of 4 - 5 times a week.

- Do you still like yoga?

Yes, I do. No hesitation. I love the many benefits; physically, emotionally & mentally. I love my life with Bikram yoga in it.


I want to finish strong, and so, to finish off my 101-day challenge I will push for double classes and eat extremely healthy.

My practice is going well. I feel comfortable pushing my body to new limits. I trust upon advice and feedback that I receive because after nearly 2 years of practicing Bikram yoga there is still much to learn and so many improvements to make.

My studio has 2 advanced classes each week for teachers and I have been invited to the advanced class this week. EEK…… I am a bit nervous, feel honored and am also greatly excited about this. Stay tuned…!


Gosh… next week I am done, -NEXT WEEK!

10!

10 days before I complete the 101-day challenge… BRING ON NEXT WEEK!
-Unfortunately this is all I had time for today, I’ll blog again tomorrow…!-

'Sigh'

Sunday morning.
I feel tired an have given myself permission (as advised by my 'guru') to take it easy in class today.
I struggle but maintain during the standing series.
Halfway during the floor series a little voice pops up. It's me; 3-years old and the voice says "i...don't wanna...anymore...I can't....do...this.." and just about when a tear nearly rolled out of my right eye another voice appeared. "Don't be ridiculous, the hard part is done, only 17 classes left in your 101-day challenge. -Besides, in approximately 15 minutes you'll be walking home with a delish skinny latte and are able to relax the rest of your Sunday".

It helped; I stopped feeling sorry for myself and stopped negotiating the remains of the hard psychical labor.
I was able to stay strong, enjoy Sydney's best latte and am now enjoying a picture perfect day in the park with sunshine, cookies and my iPad :-)

Truth be told though, this is where the challenge gets tough.
I know there is not long to go, but I am getting small injuries and I am absolutely exhausted.
I sleep well; I sleep enough but it seems that in my sleep my body is working so hard to recover that it doesn't really rest which makes me tired ALL the time.

The final week will be extra tough as I will put myself through a detox.
No alcohol, no meat, no caffeine, no snacks. My nutrition will be beneficial only to my body, so lot's of fruit, veggies, fiber, fish.
Unprocessed, natural; healthy.
I might keep like a little diary to post as blog....?
I'll probably have myself a weeks long pity party but I am sure I'll feel amazing at the finish!

20!

Exactly 3 weeks left in my 101-day challenge and I am slowly falling apart…
I look like crap, have mood swings and I am tired.

The ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ is September 9.
I have a massage booked, getting my nails done, die my hair, get my tattoo, go out on a fancy dinner to celebrate and rest & recover!

Now, I just need to stay focused and not get caught up in the swirl of emotions and exhaustion. I take it day by day; do my best in each class.

Yesterday I had the hottest class ever. My skin felt like it was on fire, bread that I ate earlier that day started to rise again in my stomach and sprinkle salt on me and call me popcorn but this must be what hell feels like.

3 more weeks, 3 more weeks, 3 more weeks…..!

Sharing is caring...?

My yogi friend was telling me about a blog where the author (AKA yogi) saw a fellow yogi bring her partner to Bikram yoga. She described how this yogi really wanted to show the poor guy how it was done, when to do what which way and by the end she told him that he did 'okay' but there was lots of practice needed.
He was silent –not pleased.



It got me thinking......
......After my discovery and many many many many many hours of talking about it my husband wanted to give it a try.

“Neh, I said, that’s not for you; you would not like it”.

But apparently due to my many many many many many hours of talking about it, he was keen to give it a try anyway.

And so he did.

I wonder now; how did I look and sound.....?
.....I can only hope I wasn’t all like, well… you know… female and stuff and basically I did not want to have been the topic of someone's blog and I aim to be a nice wife.

But wait…. Oh, My….

I remember that all throughout class I kept my eye on him and I even gave him some pointers after class (to help him.. of course…)
He went back though (on his own initiative if I may ad). But I noticed though that he stood far far away that 2nd time in the hot room to probably not get anymore feedback.


These days he comes along no more than twice a year which I think is best.
His presence is not helping my practice and it’s also not progressing our marriage. People never look good during a Bikram yoga class; folded in random positions, weird/ strained faces and sweating, A LOT of sweating.
I refuse to believe that you can ever feel attracted to anyone in the hot room.


Bikram yoga is my thing; the thing where I need no one and I love it.

30!

Only 30 days left in my challenge!

Can’t believe I have completed 71 days already. This challenge turned out (so far that is) to be easier than expected. It’s a lifestyle, a habit that is without question a part of my everyday life now.

“Yoga is a journey, not a destination.”
And in this journey I do alter between feeling absolute yoga bliss and yoga feeling dreadful,-daunting even. Yoga felt beautiful last week but it has not felt good this week. There is no bliss, -just getting through class.
But I keep going back. I can’t imagine the last time in my life I kept going back to something that felt dreadful –daunting.
Twisted, right?
But I know that someday –hopefully tonight- I’ll get my bliss back and will be head over heels in love again.

While still in the midst of this challenge, still absolutely sold on Bikram yoga and the anatomical, neurological, physiological and psychological effects it has on the human body, I am starting to fantasise about my life after this 101-day challenge. All that time off… what to do when I get my life back?
EASY! -More Bikram yoga; 4 a 5 days a week and I am keen to start running again. Besides the yoga and running I’ll be sure to enjoy spring and summer ;-) BRING ON SEPTEMBER!

September 9 will be the last day of my challenge.
September 10 I’ll get my tattoo which will forbid me from doing bikram yoga for approx 2 weeks…. EEK!
My spine will not be happy and neither will my skinny jeans….

A confession is needed though; here it goes.........
-I cheated on Bikram yoga with Power yoga.
I was curious to find out the difference. Power yoga being ‘warm yoga’ sounded quite similar; however, it wasn’t similar at all in my opinion.
It was interesting to try it one time and while I enjoyed the potential gain of arms and abdominal muscles, it was the standing on my head, loud breathing, lack of mirrors, precision in alignment (-vs. benefits) and the humming meditation that is just not for me.


Last Saturday I attended Rajashree’s seminar. -Rajashree is Bikram’s wife-. She is gorgeous, graceful and full of knowledge! I can honestly say that this was the 1st seminar/ workshop ever attended that I liked, or do I dare to say it; LOVED! Captured by her presence and excited about the day we enjoyed so much, me and my yogi friend even climbed on stage to ask for a photo....!

Rumour is that Bikram himself is coming to Sydney next year…. *excitement*!

My resume.

Age 29, a (typical) Gemini, Dutch, living in gorgeous Sydney.

Fulltime wife; yogini and commercial manager.

Moving to Sydney - 2008- changed her in so many ways (personality, desires, hopes & dreams, taste, look & feel) and she’s grateful for it.

She’s a dreamer of life.

Loves to try new (exciting) things.

Doesn’t want to have kids although she would love to see Steve be a dad. Enjoys being an auntie though!

Wishes she could speak Spanish and be a writer.

Very very bad memory...

Passionate about Bikram yoga

It takes a while before she discloses ‘the real her' to people.

Terrified of getting old, losing those close to her and never being happy.

Competitive.

Has a chronic condition which sometimes makes her sad and fear the future.

Likes to flirt ;-)

Loves to laugh.

Her peaceful place is the beach.

A clear blue sky can put her frown up site down.

Believes in karma.

Enjoys new followers and comments @ her blog ;-)

She is determined, pushes herself.

Loves to dance - home alone; while walking with my iPod (have to restrain myself); quietly at work (corner desk); absolutely when going out.

Doesn’t waste energy or time on insignificant things, can be lazy.

Wishes she was less organized/ structured/ controlling.

Adores summer and dislikes winter.

Loves food & wine.

Doesn’t give up easily.

Impulsive and curious.

Likes being an educator.

Believes that happy girls are the prettiest girls.

Talks only to chosen few on the phone, preferring text or email for communication.

Changes into sweats or comfy clothing immediately upon returning home.

Sometimes on top of the world, sometimes worried and in search for more; usually somewhere in the middle.

Loves to go to bed early, occasionally sleep talker/ sleep walker.

Believes that tomorrow is another day.

Wishes she could travel more.

Likes to be surprised.

Excited to find out what the future holds for her although she’s aware that everyone creates their own future.

40

Yes -That's right, 60 days are completed.


Today, 11am I will only have 40 days left!

My studio started an official 31-day challenge for the month of August.
This is always a great time at the studio with great energy and familiar faces returning every day!

I'll write more on my 'state of play' next week coz I have to run off now to do an early Sunday morning class!

‘Bikram Amusement Park’

It seems I got myself a ticket to the ‘Bikram Amusement Park’ and I am stuck in the rollercoaster.

I’ve heard people talk about it, -and I read a lot about it in other blogs, but holy crapballs you have no idea what it all means till you’ve been there. Well…… I know now; this rollercoaster swings me from high’s to low’s.

I don’t like rollercoaster’s much; I get nauseous… but since there’s no way that I know of to get off this ride I better sit tight and let it rock my little world.

Tough week....

My mantra: How come it’s only Monday, how come it’s only still Tuesday..? I need July to be over already…….. Heck I need August to be over already. Wish it was spring already. Get me near the end of the challenge, give me my life back and ‘ouch’ I am sore. How come every day yoga isn’t making me skinny? My hands look ugly and I have got ‘Bikram Stigmata’ on my knees.
And then that yoga truck. That's the truck that hits you...then just when you think you are gonna get up and recover, you hear the "beep, beep, beep...' as it backs up and runs you over again.

But then.......out of the blue something hilarious happens (which I think can only ever be funny when exhaustion strikes and you are on the so-called ‘Bikram rollercoaster’) and I laughed harder since...well…a long time -during class! It was the unstoppable laugh; the one that’s too loud, embarrassing, hard to stop and makes your face bright red and has tears running down your face.

Anyways, back to my mantra. It’s only Wednesday today…? I need July to be over already…….. Heck I need August to be over already. Get me near the end of the challenge, give me my life back and ‘ouch’ I am sore…….
Ulch....

And so the story continues

With 46 days left in the challenge, this was how last week went down:

Monday:
Sore left foot, right knee, right hip but surprisingly a good class. 90-Minutes flew by, no improvements or setbacks; just a whole lot of sweating.

Tuesday:
Did 2 (back2back) classes. Great new teacher. In the 2nd class my mind was set on giving up but I did not give up coz of my yogi friend. Thinking if she was still standing and working it, so can I! Gosh… I worked hard this Tuesday evening.
In between classes I was curious if I’ve gotten more flexible halfway through my 101-day challenge and I tried to do the split; with success!

Wednesday:
I was limping due to Tuesday’s classes. Was not excited at all for class but after the first 10 min I zoned in and the teacher motivated me. I had great class. Prayer position in toe stand (I found out that the trick is extensive concentration combined with extensive contraction of abdominal muscles)!

Thursday:
Boring class, tired body, strained a muscle in my neck during class.

Friday:
Slow class, early morning class which I never find easy. Very stiff. Post class I felt very energised though for the rest of the day!

Saturday:
Great class; hot – humid! I find the backward bending quite scary because it always feels like my back is about to break but somehow it opened up this morning and bended further backwards which was even complimented on by the teacher.

Sunday:
Hung-over…
But thank gawd for coconut water and my yogi friend next to me. It turned out to be a good class. Balance was a little off but I recovered from the hangover within 5 minutes and felt amazing.


This week I have decided on the ultimate gift for me – from me upon completion of the 101 day challenge. Remember my 'totattooornottotattoo' blog…? The answer is 'totattoo'; I am getting one when I finish the 101-day challenge mid September!


The challenge has become a journey resulting in intense growth. Bikram yoga has the ability to peel back the layers to really expose what's going on in your mind and heart, whether you like what you see or not.

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work." For some time now my dreams and fantasies have been far more exciting than my realities. What I've come to realize, is that I can make all of my dreams come true through sweat (literally), determination and hard work. I firmly believe that as I'm on this journey to self-realization many new doors will open for me and my dreams will become my real life.

50

Drunk on positivism

Gosh, I am positive lately…!

It’s (pleasantly) weird because my glass was always half empty and never half full. ~It’s like I am drunk on positivism!

Negativity was always a great protector. ‘It could only turn out better than my expectations!’ Nowadays I don’t seem to need that anymore because even if I am referring to something I dislike, I still end it on a positive note.

Could it be happiness? –Yes I am happy!
I sure hope the positive mind-set is a keeper and with a bright future ahead I am quite confident that it is!

Expectations

Lights are off and it’s silent. I lie on my belly with 4 hours to go in this room. I am glancing around and preparing mentally. It almost feels like lights will go on soon, music will start and a show is about to begin.

But a show is not what’s going down this eve.
It is Tuesday and me and my yogi friend have dedicated ourselves to do another double class. It’s her 1-year Bikram Yoga anniversary; now that’s passion -she actually remembered the date that she started- and I love the teacher who teaches the late class on Tuesdays and would love a day off in return for this double! Tit for tat ;-)

The 1st class went alright. It was humid, I gave it my all. My skin felt hot, I was out of breath and my heart was beating hard. I love to feel this way; it gives me a sense of accomplishment. It’s this feeling that makes me feel more and more in love with Bikram Yoga. It’s a complete work-out like no other!

The 2nd class I wasn’t feeling all that awesome anymore. I was tired, psychically drained, in other words exhausted.
Such a waste because I love the teacher and it was definitely not her fault. A lot of people where struggling in this class so there was not much energy to steal.
I am happy to have done it though. That extra class is ‘in my pocket’; calories are burned and I felt proud and wonderful after!
Besides; I can’t have great classes every time and I just have to see what each class will bring me.

In general, expectations bring me excitement or disappointment. Most of the time there is not much in between.
I find it hard to live in the here & now without any prospective, - exciting plans for the near future. I plan and plan and plan, and with that come expectations. I wish I could independently control the outcome (noop, I am not controlling at all… well… maybe just a little) cause I’ll take excitement as a result any day –as you ‘my lovely 18 followers’ would probably as well ;-)

Expectations are a waste in practice. You can come to class thinking it will be a great one but instead of greatness you’ll have a yoga truck running you over or you’ll come to class feeling ‘bleh’ and praying for it to be over but it turns out to be a super duper class.


Anyways:
I have completed 56 days/ classes in my Bikram 101 challenge!
The 45 classes I’ve had so far have brought me strength, determination, improvements, setbacks, pride, bliss, energy, discovery, health, tired- (sometimes sore) muscles, soul searching (-and finding!), healthy nutrition, positive mind set, an ongoing & growing love for my practise and best of all; ‘prospective’…….

***

“Thank you ‘envy’. Although they say you are a sin and are often labelled as negative you open my eyes to new opportunities, want more,-strive for more and coz of the feeling you give me I believe that anything is possible”.

‘Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable’

In our Western society we don’t cope well with being-/ feeling uncomfortable.
As soon as we get uncomfortable our minds tells us to give up. The mind is strong and extremely hard to ignore.

Practicing Bikram yoga has taught me to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

It’s no picnic; the 90 minutes in the hot room. But by repeatable practice, mind over matter and with commitment and determination you can put the mind on ‘mute’, overcome giving up and be a stronger person for it eventually.

After consistent Bikram Yoga practice over the last year and a half I am absolutely convinced that nowadays I can deal with ‘uncomfortable’ in life as suppose to back in the day when I was quite the quitter whenever things got tough….!

Hot Damn!

Yesterday I’ve done a double class and I am now back on track in my 101-day challenge! Great teachers, hot - humid classes and full commitment.

It felt great doing the double and with this euphoric feeling of pride and fulfilment it even crossed my mind to make this a standard on Tuesdays.
BUT… then throughout last night my body started to ache… Yes…I am incredibly sore…and trying to avoid too much movement today (until my Bikram class later today that is). Could someone fill up my water bottles today… -Jennie..?

Now that I’ve passed the 1st month I am curious to the effects this challenge will bring me. Yesterday it felt like I was on drugs (which….. really I am not). During my nearly 4 hours in the hot room I found a whole lot of not too funny stuff really funny and it made me laugh –a lot..! I believe it’s because I feel happy; great and exciting things are heading my way…! > More on this later ;-)

This week’s thank-you-note:
“Dear photo of me folded in a yoga posture captured in someone’s iphone: Thank you for being fun to look at. This ‘delightful mid-night graphic’ reminds of a fun night with a few too many drinks than ever allowed in a yoga studio as I don’t recall any photo’s where taken….”

Hot, Hotter, Hottest...

Practicing Bikram yoga forces me to focus and concentrate. ~ During those 90-minutes my mind is calm and eliminates all that is going on in my life. It’s such a peaceful 90-minutes although it’s such hard physical labour and as a result I get new perspectives in life. ~ Perspectives for present time and (near) future; my hopes and dreams and it has never felt more important to me to act on these hopes and dreams. It’s scary, frustrating, exciting and takes some creativity and soul searching but I am getting there... and I am ready to welcome ‘it’!

- - -

State of play:
Wednesday I completed the 1st month in my 101-day challenge with today only 70 days left!
Time flies and when you have a 101 day challenge insight instead of a 30-day challenge; I can tell you those 30 days where easy this time.
No emotional rollercoaster, no exhaustion… ready for more!
The hotter the room (42 + degrees) the better I ‘perform’. It’s easy to get very flexible in the hot classes and go deeper into postures. I love the hot classes because this is when I am able to take postures to a new level.
When classes are not too hot (-/- 39.5 degrees) my muscles feel sore, short/ tight and tired.

This week a dedicated ‘thank you note’:
“To my ‘Ultra Muscleze’: Although you taste foul I’d like to shout out a big thanks to your high dose of magnesium with a comprehensive range of cofactors which really fix up my muscles each night”.

A day without Bikram yoga......

.....is the day I got really sick.

Today is a sad day.
I am STILL sick and it seems to be getting worse instead of better.

No way I can do yoga today; I can't breath through my nose, I keep sneezing, coughing and blowing my nose, since yesterday I've got tonsillitis and with that I have a fever. I hoped that continuing my Bikram practice would make me recover quicker but it now seems to be the opposite....

A sad day it is in my 101-challenge...... but I can still make it better by doing a double(; if I feel better again tomorrow..?)

Anyways, I am almost 1 month in my challenge (which I can hopefully still resume and eventually complete).
I am breathing controlled and calm which gives me strength and determination, I am able to move deeper into postures and still keep alignment, I find it easy and enjoyable to go every single day (sick days excluded!)
My muscles are getting tired (mainly hamstrings and shoulders) and therefore balance ain't always easy to master. Exhaustion does not equal strength obviously which is much needed in balancing postures.
I am taking my muscleeze (electrolytes with a high high high dose of magnesium to quickly recover muscles) every night and even took a double dose yesterday.
I am far off from welcoming the yoga bum, however I do see that my legs are changing in shape. My new abdominal muscles seem quite shy still but they peak through the layer of cookies and chocolate most days so I hope they will come out soon.

Very very very excited I am for Rajashree; Bikram's wife who is coming to Australia: http://www.bikram.com.au/rajashree.pdf
I am attending the full day seminar August 7 which will include 2 posture clinics (!!!!!) a Bikram yoga class and meditation. I am sure I'll gain so much from her knowledge, can't wait!


On a final note,
I read the delightful ThxThxThx blog, “a daily exercise in gratitude” where Leah Dietrich writes a daily thank-you note to something in her life. Here's mine for today;
" Thank you flu, for making me go to the pharmacy feeling my absolute worst and on my way passing the most gorgeous shoes which I am now the happy owner of. They made me feel better instantly"

In sickness and in health

Fever, headache, body aches, sore throat, runny nose...... Yes I've got the flu......
With the flu in early stages Bikram was my medicine. I felt amazing during the daily 90-minutes in the hot room and for a couple of hours after class.
Yesterday I wasn't this fortunate. Lacking sleep and feeling my absolute worst I went to a 10am class hoping that this class would make me feel better. It didn't, it nearly killed me instead....
I sat down, feeling miserable, for the entire class with a few minor attempts to get up and try a posture without passing out. Thankfully it was a 43-degree class which made me feel incredibly sweaty and almost like I actually had a great workout ;-)
I felt bad for my 'neighbor' yogi's since I must have given off such bad energy. - A special note of apology to my Polish yogi friend.... Maybe you will excuse me if I advertise your fabulous blog: www.notthedestination.com -

Today; a brand new day; I still feel like crap but my class went quite alright.
I am 3 weeks in my 101-day challenge. My body is getting a little tired but I am sure it will regain strength soon. Would help if this freakin' flu would f#%,k off already. "Echinacea, why won't you make me feel better...?"
Overall State of Play: I enjoy my new daily routine ;-) I am ready for more!

They try to make me go to rehab......

Some people come to practice for the physical benefits, for weight loss or body toning and some practice for deeper benefits on an emotional level. 'Some people even become addicted'.

Even though I was unable to see my teacher due to the posture I was in, I knew she referred to me and I felt her eyes on me.
The fact that she approached me before saying "Fiona, have you gotten addicted" might be the why I felt like the addict.
People don't get why on earth I want to 'torture' myself with a consecutive 101-day Bikram challenge and yet it doesn't seem like a big deal to me. It's the best habit I've ever created for myself and the benefits are enormous. Of course there are days I'd rather spend my time some place else but after each class I feel amazing and so glad that I went again (and again, and again, and-.........)

So, without having to give it much thought, yes I might just be addicted to Bikram yoga. There...... I have said it!













I talk about it (a lot...), I blog about it, recruit new yogi's.
It eases my mind, makes me happy, enlightens my soul and strengthens my body. Bikram is my religion and I am grateful to have discovered it's magic!

The pursuit of happiness

"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..."
~Thoreau~

I have so much to be happy and grateful for and yet I am always searching for more.
This doesn't make me unhappy and yet always in search for happiness.

For a moment, just a little while, I'd like to stand still and appreciate the beauty of all I have. Some how it seems like an impossible task cause all that I have never seems enough.

Is this just me, is it build in my character or is this a human normality?
Normal being natural or normal being what might be meant by the claim that a person has become.
The pursuit of happiness; isn't this want anyone wants?
Even if you don't want to increase your happiness you probably want to maintain what happiness you already have.
Bikram teaches us to look forward, 'there is nothing for you on the floor'.

There are little goals in my life, such as my Bikram 101 challenge.
Medium goals such as starting a new life in Australia and getting my permanent residency (almost there.....!)
I also have life altering goals such as finding my purpose in life; finding what I would love to do and be proud of. This last one is the one I am struggling with. I wish I knew what would combine my passion, skills and fits in my bigger picture. Tips anyone....?