Yogi Pride

Struck by the first symptoms of the flu and with only 4hours of sleep after a fun night out and maybe... just maybe..... still a little drunk was my condition this morning.
If there was no challenge I would have stayed in bed, feeling sorry for myself.

But there is a challenge and this is what made me get up, hydrate and bring my ass into the hot room.
And I am SO happy for it. It was hot, humid with a great energy. Within the first 15minutes I sweated out all of last nights toxins (pizza, wine, corona's, cake, maccas, jagerbombs, vodka.....) and for 90minutes I felt good..... no I felt great!!
My body opened up and executed postures really really well. Balance was on and my muscles strong and flexible.

Funny how a hot room can lift the feelin' shitty and flu-ish in a non existent state and make me feel so better instantly. Walking home from class I appreciated the clear blue sky, the result of the class and this long weekend with my happy smiling face.

Fingers crossed for a similar class tomorrow cause I feel like the flu is like a hit man, who is investigating my true identity and is ready to strike any time now... Must not get sick and jeopardize the challenge especially since it's going so well.

I take my electrolytes consistently and enjoy the progress and journey in my every day practice throughout my 101challenge. I am still way not ready for it to be over! I must aim to have a healthier intake. Epic fail on my nutrition lately..... Every day practice makes me hungry...
Tomorrow class 13, almost 2 weeks in the challenge and although there is a long road ahead; time flies!

Things I've learned

*Concentrate, meditate and let’s begin
* No need to move, fidget or adjust costume
* T is for Tom, L is for Linda ~although I prefer T for terrific, L for Love;
* Alignment is more important than depth;
* You have nothing to lose. You had nothing to begin with;
* Tighter is lighter;
* You can mess with the gods but you can’t mess with the knees;
* You will be a Japanese ham sandwich, a flower peddle blooming, a yogi solder, a half moon, a 747 lifting off, a camel, a rabbit, a cobra, a dead body, a bow, a ballerina, a half tortoise and an eagle;
* When finished you are cooked spaghetti or chocolate cake;
* You shouldn’t be a broken umbrella;
* (You can always) Go or look back, fall back, way back more back;
* Lock your knee, lock your knee, lock your knee;
* Your leg must be lamppost, one piece, unbroken ~it feels in fact like you have no knee;
* It's a lifetime practice, and it's a lifestyle;
* Pleasure of the pain;
* Perfection is not the goal. It's not even part of the equation;
* This is our journey and we are so incredibly lucky to have found this path;
* Just get to the room. That is all you have to do. Get to the room;
* You’re here...that's all that matters;
* It’s the action of trying that matters;
* Yoga is the gift that brings us closer to peace;
* People who practice Bikram yoga don’t put up with shit anymore;
* We can't control the events that surround us, but we can control the way we respond;
* Breathe normally and naturally..... don’t forget to breathe;
* Plan ahead;
* Try your best;
* Look at your own two eyes;
* Focus (on yourself);
* Surround yourself by amazing people;
* Your back might hurt like hell, don’t be scared;
* Sometimes you think you can't make it, than realize you just did;
* Don’t compare yourself to others;
* Be on time or you might miss out;
* Where your eyes go, your body will follow;
* It’s okay to cry or laugh. Don’t hold back on emotions;
* Smile..........;
* Coming to class is the best gift you can give yourself;
* Let go of your mind;
* Get back up and try again;
* Follow the dialogue;
* ‘Party time’ means that you can zip your water. Only if you need it;
* Contract your abdominal muscles to protect your lower back;
* Come back up the same way as you went in;
* Look forward;
* Mind over matter;

Sweat till you can't sweat no more.....

Monday... HOT; Tuesday....HOT; Wednesday not so hot....; Thursday....not so hot again.
Is it the room, or is my body done sweating; did I sweat the first 8 days of my challenge so much that I now can't sweat no more.......?
Neh...., I blame the room :-)

Monday and Tuesday classes where awesome, I felt like a true yogi. Total bliss!
I seem to have lost the bliss by Wednesday which was a sad moment. I hate Wednesday's enough as it is. Class was long, I got bored and I was lazy...
Today's class was strong again. Too bad the heat was a bit off, otherwise it would have been a terrific class. Today I whore my short short's (my b-day pressie) for the first time which does indeed -as they say- give better sight on my execution of postures. It also makes me feel like a cow which makes me push harder in class..! A teacher used to say; "contract abdominal muscles and look at your stomach, if you don't like what you see; pull it in even harder". It works, trust me!

Besides, it's my own fault. After my sucky class Wednesday I drank half a bottle of wine, ate a 3/4 pack of oreo's, a few bit of dark chocolate, 2 bowls of risotto and a 3/4 pack of chocolate pack. Yes... You could say I was hungry.

Bikram Bliss

"Bliss can be a state of profound satisfaction, happiness and joy"
"Bliss is a constant state of mind undisturbed by gain or loss".

I am back in Sydney, practicing at my same old studio and I am excited!
Not only to be back in my comfort-zone and practicing with my wonderful teachers again but also to have attended the 'grand' opening of the new and 2nd hot room.
The 2nd room is bigger & better than I could have imagined.
It is fantastic, clean, gorgeous, spacious, spiritual, (still) nice smelling and hot! It can bring 90 people together and brings great energy and inspiration.
I have had 2 amazing classes here which both absolutely stood out from any class I have done in Byron Bay. I do however miss the warm weather and the ocean a lot...

State of play:
I am in total Bikram yoga bliss!
93 classes/days to go and I am going full speed, am not even close to wanting to finish or asking myself what the hell I was thinking, I AM SO READY for this 101-day challenge. I have been having a healthy regime coming back to Sydney which is progressing my practice quickly and making me feel energized and ready for more....!

I feel blessed by the encouragement I am getting from friends and also people I don't know. I love your comments and support so much; blogging and not getting any comments makes me sad, so please feel free to (keep) do(ing) so...!

A quick extra thanks to the sweet b-day gifts: Ilona for the well thought of and much needed Bikram outfit, my lovely sister for the awesome scrub which I'll be in much need of (as well as the chippies to keep my energy level up!), mum and dad for the 2hr massage/facial voucher which I have already booked for when I am halfway through my challenge, Leonie for the book which will guide me through making progress on multiple levels during this challenge, Jacqui for the much needed organic (which makes it all better in my mind...) chocolate, Suus, Rogier and colleagues for the movie (voucher) since I'll be in need of much rest, 'lief' for the water cooler -see photo- which will be my biggest support during this challenge and Marieke and Emiel for the Meyer voucher where I bought a very pretty (size 8!!!!) dress.
~ Love you all ~

With my happy smiling face

With the ocean right in front of me I got my laptop out and am about to enjoy my chai latte accompanied by carrot cake.
Yes, Byron Bay is good!

I have been privileged to experience 4 different teachers in my 4 days in Byron. I kick off every morning with a Bikram class and am therefore able to enjoy the rest of the time doing whatever I feel like. Me and my yogi friend where keen to do some double classes but we are having too much fun on our girls trip and decided that 1 class a day is enough. Especially since I have to do 1 a day for 101 days; it feels very unnecessary to spoil all potential to completing this challenge by doing doubles.

The Bikram studio is located right at the beach. ~A beautiful –white sand/ palm trees/ clear ocean/ picture perfect- beach.~
Immediately after class I went for a swim in the ocean which felt amazing. Bikram yoga followed by a swim in the ocean; I swear they were made for each other. In my mind I sang ‘Bikram and the Ocean, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g.....’, while floating on my back in the clear blue sea. I want to bring this ocean to Sydney and put it right next to my studio (I apologise to Oxford Street).

Although I love practicing in this environment I can’t help to get excited to practice again at my studio in Darlinghurst, Sydney.
I miss the teachers and getting inspired by their knowledge, support and their spiritual and-/or funny stories (mainly during the floor series). I tend to get a little bored during the floor series here at Byron, where they stick to the dialogue.

Other things done here; 7 course degustation dinner,(sucky) psych reading, (attempted to) shop, saw a movie, drank wines and ate at the cutest local cafes-pubs-bistro’s, drove around, had a chat to a security guy late at night after someone tried to break in to our apartment while we were in the apartment, survived a tornado, aroused the guy at the massage studio by asking if my yogi friend and I can have a massage together (what I meant to ask was if we could have one at the same time) and bought a (must needed -potentially addictive) muscle relaxer for my 101 day challenge.
What’s still to come; 1hr full body massage(tomorrow!!!), beach, buying a bikini for the beach, dinners, drinks and girls nights out...!

2 down, 99 to go.

Byron tha bomb!
Gorgeous people, fabulous shops, relaxed ambiance, lovely Bikram studio and awesome plans for the week.


I have done my 1st class out of my 101 challenge yesterday evening, and my 2nd class this morning: 99 to go........!

The studio is cozy, clean and owned by a true yogi.
Classes are hot and humid!! Improvement is on it's way as I have been given good feedback already.
I'll tell you though; Bikram yoga aint easy here in beautiful Byron. There's no slacking, pausing or taking it easy. It's not even allowed to wear too much. 'Dress less to impress' seems to be the way to go here with short shorts and tops -bikini style-. I guess I am down for that if they keep the hot guys coming ;-)

Glad that we completed a class and we can now enjoy ourselves. Plans for the week (besides the daily Bikram dose): Cinema, fancy dinner(s), massage(s), shopping(..ssss!?), psych reading, writing blogs meanwhile overlooking the ocean and exploring Byron and surroundings.

June 1.

Footsteps and voices are surrounding me while I wait anxiously for time to pass. Why I am always way too early...?

Sydney airport is where I am, gate 33. I have 1 hour to kill before I board my plane to Ballina -destination Byron Bay-!

Today is the beginning of my Bikram 101-day challenge.
My yogi friend will pick me up in less than 3 hours at Ballina airport to drive me to our fabulous penthouse apartment in Byron bay. ~ I am prepared as I wear no make-up and all my yoga stuff is packed conveniently in my suitcase. First thing to do this afternoon: A Bikram class. Let’s tick that ’1st class done box’ with a 100 classes left in the challenge after that one.

I am very keen to practice at this new studio in Byron Bay; a new teacher, new surroundings, where I won’t be able to depend on expectations, compliments, familiarity and comfort. I feel this will benefit my practice and I am sure it will be a great start to my challenge.

Happy birthday to me........It will be a great holiday and the best thing I can give myself; -my body, mind & soul.
Disclaimer 1: Okay... the holiday will include some indulgence. I do get hungry from doing lots of yoga and haven’t scientists proven that wine is healthy...?
Disclaimer 2: Maybe there will be more than ‘some’ indulgence, but it is a holiday. Holidays must include enjoyment of all kinds... right?
Disclaimer 3: Yes, right! Ultimately I will bring so much goodness to myself by doing this challenge. It’s all about balance between goodness & indulgence.

In all honesty, it’s hard to break old habits.... Throughout this last month I have absolutely used and abused my body. Coming out of the 30-day challenge I poisoned myself with too much (bad) food and wine. I gained 6 kilo’s, I am tired and feel and see the immediate result of not taking care of myself properly. I am ready to feel awesome again!

Byron Bay Bikram Baby!

Birthday pressie from me, to me: Byron Bay!
This is where I will kick of my Bikram101 challenge next week, June 1!

I will leave right after my birthday which I'll celebrate in Sydney with a sensational dinner and lot's of wine.
Tuesday I am off to Byron Bay where my fellow yogi friend will pick me up. She has booked an amazing apartment and there's a Bikram studio nearby. It will be a week of Bikram, Bikram, Bikram, Bikram, Bikram, Bikram, Bikram, Bikram but also beach, relaxing, exploring the area, going out, massages, wining & dining!

What better way to start my challenge?
I am so excited, I can't wait!

It's good to focus on Byron Bay, rather than the challenge I am about to enter.
I am reading blogs of yogi's who are doing teacher training as we speak. The blogs are freakin' me out a tiny bit.
Teacher training is 99 classes in 3 months. I however do 101 classes in a 101 days so it's a bit different and I don't have to do double classes (but I probably will). Some yogi's in teacher training are seriously injured, their hair is falling out, skin is falling off, rashes, acne, meltdowns... Oh lordy...Note to myself: Must take good care of myself!!

But hey, the 30-day challenge I can do (did it twice), I am sure I could do the 60-day challenge so why not skip that and go for the ultimate challenge..... right?
~ I might look like hell and be an emotional wreck but at least I will have a yoga bum by the end of it ;-)

Bikram101 -Challenge accepted

I am taking a new challenge upon myself!
I know, I know; I just completed the 30-day Bikram challenge last month, but I want more....!

So what is this new challenge?

'Bikram 101' is the answer. 101 consecutive days practicing Bikram yoga.
** Almost a third of a year -- 9090 minutes of bikram yoga **

I came up with this in my Monday class. I had a 100 day challenge in mind but the next day when I told a fellow yogi about this idea I found out it seems to already excist.
Google 'Bikram 101' and it has many many many results!

There are different "challenge lengths" in Bikram yoga. Here is a break out of how each one helps and heals your body:

* 30-Days: A readjustment period... You're getting your body primed for an on-going practice. Just getting through a 30 consecutive day challenge is a difficult for most people. Bikram will become a habit.
~Ticked that box (twice!)
* 60-Days: In the 60-day challenge, the second 30 days are where you get to the "emotional stuff." While you experience the mental exhaustion "here and there" in the first set of 30 days, you experience it far more frequently in the second set. Anger. Tears. Hysterical laughter. It all comes out here... Both in and out of class.
~Oh..oh...!
* 90-Days: This is when your body suddenly (or so people claim) changes shape. You will notice in the 30 and 60-day challenges that muscles and body parts tighten up. But the third set of 30 is when you start to see the yoga practice pay off physically in your body. You've been feeling it up until this point... But now you can actually see it. You can see your "yoga bum" starting to take shape.
~Bring it on :-)
* 100-Days: Ten extra days, just to make things a nice big number...
* 101-Days: Because you just have to show up for one extra day.

I will start June 1, as a happy birthday gift to myself.
I'll journal my progress throughout this challenge.

I am a nike girl, 'I can do it'! At least, I hope I can do it... EEK.....!

Past - Present -Future

I have a chronicle condition. There....I have said it.
This has always been my big secret, I felt ashamed for it.

Symptoms started when I was a teenager. I have seen it happen to my mother and I felt it happening to myself. I just refused to believe it and act on it.
It actually took me more than 10 years to go to the hospital (4 years ago), get tested and get the result; 'Fibromyalgia' -a rheumatic condition.

Although I was quite sure I had it and I only got tested to get medicine (or shall I say painkillers) it was devastating to hear.
I did get the medicine together with folders for support groups for me and my partner. 'To learn how to cope with this future'. I threw these folders in the bin immediately. I remember clearly that I went to see my regular masseuse that week to relieve me from inflamed joints and tense muscles. Her response was that she was not surprised by the given result and asked me if my (newly wed) husband was still with me. --She has seen it happen many times, that the partner doesn't choose 'that' life. She gave me a clear picture of what my life could be like -and it wasn't pretty. Thankfully, my dear readers, my husband choose me and the future that might come with that;-) And I never went back to the masseuse and her positive state of mind.

Worst thing about this condition is it will never get better, it will only get worse, hence the word 'chronic' before 'condition'.
It hit me hard and I self pitied myself for a quite some time which led to stress which led to more pain. I had days where I couldn't lift my arms anymore and days where I was unable to walk. It felt like my body gave up on my instantly. I took multiple pills every day and avoided social occasions and cried A LOT. Most of all I feared my future.

2 Years ago I experienced the benefits of taking good care of myself.
I moved to a country which offers me more relaxation and, very important, a warm climate; I lost weight; got a job which didn't make me unhappy or stressed; pursued Bikram yoga and learned to enjoy a healthy diet.
The future still scares me sometimes and so do a few random bad days where reality hits me and pain strikes. But in 13 years time, I have never felt better or stronger. Heck.. often I feel like a healthy 28-year-old-yogi!
I thank myself for my new life style and I thank Bikram yoga for making my body stronger, more resistant and a clean- mean fighting machine.

Bikram and me

I lay on the floor in savasana and stare at the ceiling.

My thoughts wonder off to what's been said in a recent class, how every individual will expose their personality and characteristics though their Bikram yoga practice.

A couple examples where given, such as:
When your postures look different as to other postures in the room you are probably not the best listener; when you sit down a lot during classes there is a fair chance that you give up easily in life; if you always start late in postures and finish early you could be kind of a loner; if you never give your all it would probably mean you are somewhat lazy; if you skip a specific posture continuously because you don't like it you avoid confrontation in unpleasant situations etc etc..

I found this quite interesting and observed my practice carefully with this in mind.

About a year ago I always skipped camel & triangle posture. I hated these postures cause it made my heart beat like crazy, it was quite the task on my poor muscles, it made me nauseous & dizzy and on a bad day also quite emotional. Just thinking about executing these postures actually made me feel unwell already so I almost always just didn't do them at all just to avoid the 'pain' and awkwardness.
True story is that this was reflecting on how I would react on random 'real life' negativity. I would always avoid awkwardness and confrontations.

The idea that you can actually change your 'not too fantastic' characteristics by changing how you practice Bikram Yoga sounds magical to me, also because I've seen it work for me. - Nowadays I don't skip postures anymore and neither do I avoid confrontations in life.
In all honestly, I still don't love confrontations and won't go look for them, but it's been a big improvement for me.
My new goal now is giving at least a 100% in the full length of all postures. Yes.... I am somewhat lazy.... but this might change soon..!?

I went through today's practice in my 70% mode. Not a great start to my new found goal... SIGH..
I hoped the teacher wouldn't notice my slacking and I therefore displayed (acted) a great bit of exhaustion. I was excited for every posture to be over an done with and the word 'change!' has never sounded better.
Then, all of a sudden, during the floor bow pose the teacher (and also founder of the school and 5x Bikram champion legend) said out loud "beautiful Fiona, you must demonstrate this for everyone".
For a second I thought I'd fallen asleep and dreamed this but..no,.... noop...everyone is looking at me...
Humbled and completely confused I looked at him and hoped for a way out but there definitely was no way out on this one. I have seen it happen before, to word 'no' is non-existent..

With a 120 eyes on me I performed floor bow pose.

I want to say that I felt embarrassed but the embarrassment was kind of overruled by the fact that I was actually flattered.
He praised my practice and mentioned that 'young miss Fi' has not been practicing for too long (he asked me how long and I gave an overwhelmed '1.5 year' as my answer. He continued that I had improved so very much in a short time and that many people in the room will probably think I am a legend.. >> Yes... really.. he said that. And no... really... I am not at all.
A few people kept glancing at me during the rest of class so I definitely finished strong.
Gosh, I love this teacher now... That's all it takes; a couple of awesome compliments and your loved in my life :-)

Live Life

I want to live my life right.....
I want to find purpose, accomplish things, be proud and most of all; enjoy it!

I don’t find it easy though.

I have not found purpose in life (....yet).
I wonder who I’ll be years from now and I wonder who I would have become had I lived a different life so far. I wonder what kind of person I would be if I could just delete all the shitty stuff which has dominated the most important years of my life; the years where I became me. I know it doesn’t help to think about this but is it true what they say; "what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger"? Or does it just make me less of the person I could have been. And from here on out, do I break through old bricks or do I ignore and move on?
~I have met people who lived an easy, loving life. A life without worries, headaches and sorrows. How do I not envy this?

Is it just me or do you as well always want different things? Things you can’t have or simply things that isn’t you? Does the grass always look greener on the other side or is it really actually greener?

I wish I could live my life peaceful, uncontrolled, free, and unwritten. Kind of like a ‘summer breeze’ with no regrets.
But instead I am controlling, organized, I over think things, have regrets and evaluate every move.

All in all, I’m happy. I am happy with the changes I have made and the person I am becoming. I am happy with new dreams even though some don’t last.
If only I could take a sneak peek into the future though... just to see if I am heading the right way......

Post-challenge

Whilst I imagined myself today face down in the toilet I take great proud in saying that I feel great and it's been such a lovely Saturday morning!

Yesterday was my post challenge & Dutch Queens-day celebration.
It actually felt like it was my birthday as chocolates where waiting on my desk at work -given by colleague- and everyone was congratulating me on completing the challenge and the ability to eat and drink again freely.

And eating and drinking I did.... Chocolates for breakfast with my first cup of coffee in 32 days. A cheesymite scroll for lunch followed by deep fried shenanigans and Heineken all throughout Friday night. To top this of we visited our good friend Jack; also known as Hungry Jacks for a midnight snack.

I woke up early this morning -if I might ad without a hangover- and went for an early morning run. First run again since like...well...I can't even seem to remember. It went really well and I enjoyed this so much that I am considering running the 2010 City2Surf. On my way back home found a cute boulangerie where I bought really dark rye bread. This is very uncommon in Australia to find so this was a joyful moment. Got home, took a shower, did some shopping, had lunch and will be going out for dinner tonight which should be lovely.

Bikram must have made my body strong as I seem resistant to the damage done last night! I'll be back in the hot room tomorrow.


I'll start a new blog soon (must keep writing to practice for my one day to be published bestselling book ;-) which will entail random topics and my opinions, thoughts, reflections, hopes, dreams, feelings. All that and more so stay tuned...!

The heat is off.

Gotta love the finish line!

It’s been 31 days of hard physical labour but now the challenge is completed!
I was so over it by class number 34 but ended my challenge yesterday with an awesome class ‘number 35’ in front row!
I feel I have improved my practice and I feel great.

Today, welcome joy back in my life!
Thanks ya’ll for your support; I enjoyed writing this blog and loved your responses! I'll start a new blog soon....

I have a dream...........

My new dream: I'd love to have my own studio some day....!
Now, to make this happen I just need to win the lottery first, do teacher training in Las Vegas and then I am good to go ;-)
But it's good to dream, right?

It has happened, due to this challenge 'Bikram yoga has become a habit'. And a great habit it is to have.
I hope it sticks with me because I have to admit; I easily get bored of things. The benefits are huge though so it does stand a chance.

Since I have started practicing Bikram yoga I have experienced the following benefits:
* Weight loss;
* Body toning;
* Clearer skin;
* Calmer mind;
* Lesser inflammations in joints;
* Stronger stomach/ bowel;
* Better control in breathing/ bigger intake of oxygen in lungs;
* Improved metabolism;

Only 4 days/ 5 classes left in my journey. Excitement galore!

Friday I'll be celebrating 'Dutch Queens-day'. This includes deep fried Dutch food and Heineken. -I'll probably be drunk of my face after my 2nd Heineken so no Bikram on Saturday.

Hella nr.30!

I have done it; I have completed class number 30 today with still 6 days left in the challenge!!
- Photo: The 30-day/30-classes challenge board. See the smiley face... that's me!

Friday’s class was good. I practically danced gracefully though all postures with a smile on my face. Loved the teacher, loved that it was nice and hot and loved my concentration and commitment.
I rewarded myself with a banquet and yummy spreads for dinner. I have so much love for bread, crazy really. I could eat bread all day long....every day.... In fact, I would.... Ooh –lost my train of thought, where was I..? Oh yes, my practice.

I started yesterday morning with, well let’s say, not my favorite teacher -see previous blog. You can imagine that I wasn’t too excited but I went anyway cause the other option was to get up at 6 am for a different class which honestly really wasn’t an option at all for me ;-) Besides, this was a perfect opportunity for me to see if my anger was really meant for the teacher or if it was just the challenge kicking in. Conclusion; although her dialogue is alright, it was cold again (so much even that people got up and closed the window which she had just opened) and again she expected us yogi’s to speak up in the silent room. Yep... I am sure, I really don’t like her classes. But I pulled through and did well.
I took another class that afternoon which was class number 30; hot room, better teacher, good result and kudos for completing the challenge early!

Now, having done 30, I might just want to aim for 40 classes in the 30 days..? Could I, would I, should I...? We will see my friends!

Final week!

1 more week...... 1 more week!

I did a double class yesterday, 3.5 hours in the hot room.
1st Class was good. My favourite teacher, good balance and strong class. My new yoga outfit is treating me well.
2nd Class was horrific. New teacher, cold class and I just got really angry -almost aggressive.

During many classes teachers have told me that different emotions can come up, especially when doing a challenge like the one I am doing this month.
I thought I always understood what they meant with that but yesterday gave me a whole new understanding. I felt calm, peaceful and happy all day yesterday until my 2nd class. The teacher wasn't too nice to my friend -I tell you, don't mess with my friends- so that set my mood for the rest of class. She wanted everyone to respond to her 'good evening' and later on repeat a stupid joke she made. It's a silent room, -please shut up is what I was thinking (with a few extra words/ expressions). She kept opening both doors and it was actually really cold. Cold... I tell you... in the hot room!
She must have seen that I got a little angry because she said "you know, it takes 43 muscles to frown, and only 3 muscles to smile". -I wondered how many muscles it would take me to punch her in the face and leave the room.
Unsure if this was just the emotional state of the challenge erupting or if I really was not a fan of the new (temporary!) teacher.
When walking home with my friend after our double, the experience somehow seemed all too funny all of a sudden and I could not stop laughing. Such a random mood swing. Felt like a crazy person.

Anyways, 1 more week to go! Hurrah!

“Success is the sweet reward for turning believing into achieving. Unique to each individuals dream, accomplishment is universal in the thrill of a job well done.
Set your goals high and pursue them with passion. Success is not measured in the size of the outcome, but the depth of the effort”.

2250 minutes of Bikram Yoga

Got my 25th class coming up tonight (AKA 2250 minutes of Bikram yoga completed) with tomorrow only 1 week away from the finish line!

State of play:
Feeling tired, hungry, bored, healthy, proud, and strong.
-I still totally love practise.

Spotted:
Unsure if this is even possible, but I swear I have grown a whole new set of abdominal muscles.
It feels like my lower rib and my waistline have grown some new muscles which now are getting acquainted and trying to find their position. They clearly haven’t found a comfortable place just yet as it still feels like something has been inserted surgically. ‘Please dissolve and make room I ask you fatty bits, you are no longer needed!’

Practise:
Sunday morning practise was awful. Bad energy in class, and ¼ of people in class sat down already during warm-up postures. It was extremely hot and humid. It felt like pure torture. My muscles refused to bend or stretch.
Sunday evening went well. Muscles gave in to what I asked of them and I regained energy and strength.
Monday went okay. Didn’t give a 100%.....
Tuesday went well. I pushed myself back in front row with the pressure to perform.
After class I gave myself a motivational pressie: new yoga outfit. Strange things can motivate me these days and I have so deserved that!
Practise has become a habit by now and I no longer have the internal dialogue going on before classes.
[Example:] “I don’t want to”; “but it would be good to go, -you’ll feel better after”; “but I really don’t feel like going”; “get dressed and go!”; “I don’t think I drank enough water”; ”drink your water now and go” ---etc etc…!
The studio feels like my 2nd home now and teachers are my social highlight each day.

On a final note:
Watching Masterchef while sipping my cup of tea is absolutely killing me….

Thinking back.

It requires a 20 minute walk to get to my Bikram yoga studio.
I always listen to my iPod during this walk. I got to think how some songs bring memories.

I have a song which reminds me of an awesome holiday to Ibiza. This song was played at every club and even when I woke up in the morning and approached my balcony I heard this repeatedly at the pool. I have a song which reminds me of England and I have a whole bunch of songs which remind me of an exhausting 10-12.5 km run on the treadmill in the gym multiple times a week (dislike these songs now and the gym).
Music can definitely set/ change my mood.

It’s not just music that brings back memories. Locations work really well that way. I often walk past a location/ venue and it brings up memories. It that just me..?

I can still crack myself up in a lift (thanks Francien; that moment in the Monster elevator was so funny, I can’t seem to let this go). Cargo Lounge reminds me of some awesome sunnies (thanks Simon). The Slip-inn reminds me of work (thanks Key media, -awesome times end of ‘09). Bungalow 8 reminds me of an unexpected and hilarious night out (thanks Ilona, or should I say Tulula). Tonic reminds me of Shani (Shani, seriously; don’t bring me there ever again, and stop serving shots). Cohi bar reminds me of hangovers (thanks Sjoukje & Rolf). The Dutch shop reminds me of shared love for (Dutch) food and good times (thanks Marieke & Emiel).
Burwood –Hays- reminds me of a dreadful 4 months but also the start of an awesome friendship (thanks Stuart). Good conversations (email and AOL included) remind me of an understanding and good friend (thanks Leonie). Bikram reminds me of a shared passion (thanks Jacqui). Backpacking reminds me of falling in love with Australia (thanks Suzanne). Vienna and Paris will always remind me of my previous employer (thanks Monsters, -miss you guys). New York will always remind me of my engagement (thanks babe for making it really special). Almere reminds me of great nights out (thanks Paulien, I love to dance for you), Alkmaar reminds me of my independence (thanks little cute room I rented to pick up my life) and Heiloo reminds me of feeling so at home during our last trip to Holland (thanks Donia & Mark, -love you).
Many more memories, too many to recall and not all suited for publication ;-)
But last but not least; Sydney reminds me every day on how grateful I am to be here (thanks Sydney, you are gorgeous).

Not sure I how I got to this topic again… But I like thinking back. ‘Regain memories and evaluating life choices’.
-Hope many more good memories are on its way!