Week 7 done!!

Well, seems like I'm finally closing in on the end of this awesome, weird, crazy, painful and overall just bizarre training. With week seven finishing now, we officially only have two weeks left. Learning Spine Twist (the final posture) seems totally odd and the idea of not being told where to be at exactly what time seems impossible. The reality that we have soon be actual teachers is setting in and instead of stressing about learning the last couple of postures many of my fellow trainees are now stressing about teaching classes in little over two weeks time.

 

This fact has, however bought us positivity as well, being able to see family and friends and actually deciding ourselves when we eat and sleep seems like a beautiful reward after such amazing but surreal conditions. I myself cannot wait for the arrival of my Mother in only a few days, as well as the trip we are taking to the UK once this is over. It will be such a lovely nurturing experience seeing all my extended family not only after five years away, but also after being so removed from the world having been here.

 

 So emotionally we are all getting there, I can't say we are in the same physical condition however. After seventy seven intense classes, one would expect a room full of locked out bows and balancing sticks that could last forever. Sadly, for a large majority of us, this is not the case. Although many teachers have told me how their practice changed after Teacher Training, right now many of us are so sore and tired that we could be new students. I'm hoping once my body has returned to the real world, all this hard work will set in and my fatigue will finally be gone. It is frustrating feeling new muscle and new flexibility being created in your body and not having the energy to use it, but I know all this will come into affect once I am back in a normal setting and not just dying and rubbing ice all over myself whenever I get the chance in class hehe.

 

Aside from the negative, we have been told we are in for some great lectures next week which should be great. Also, everyone is desperate to make last minute friends before heading off home so the vibe between us trainees has been lovely.

 

More LA loves:

 

EOS - Evolution of Smooth, a lovely company that makes great lips balms and hand creams and well as other bit and pieces, I have no clue if they sell to Australia but I'm loving their lip balms out here.

 

Tempeh - Although I've had tempeh before, I'm usually more of a tofu girl, being here I've been trying to mix it up a bit and have found some really lovely tempeh with awesome marinades and flavouring, not too mention it doesn't come in different consistencies the way tofu does so you know exactly what you're getting.

 

Windows - An odd one I know, but believe me, being stuck in a hotel room where the windows don't open and there is zero air circulation really makes you appreciate fresh air, so got ahead, open your windows and let the sun in :)

Crazy fortnight or craziness

As you may have guessed, things have been extremely busy here, and as such, it has been rather a while since my last post, sorry about that. Weeks five and six are known to be hectic but that is an understatement. With Bikram's return and recertification, fitting in anything has been hard.

 

I am however, still alive, which is good.

 

We've had some tough classes lately but fortunately I am still feeling strong and okay, unfortunately my muscles are tight and sore. I now see how teachers have the empathy they have, many parts of my body are useless right now and I hope this will allow me to help others in their practice now I have experienced something I have not experienced in years. There's generally a large feeling of irony these days, the fact that we have done sixty-whatever classes are yet some of my postures are the worst they have been in a long time. I hope that once my muscle fatigue does go away, I will have the strength, flexibility, dedication and focus I see everyday from the teachers at my amazing home studio.

 

It has also been a time full of emotions, feeling we've come so far yet still have so far still to go. Any slight release in class often leads to tears all around and who knows where most of it comes from. I like to hope that once next week is over and our we finish our dialogue clinics (currently on #21), some of the general stress will dissipate.

 

Lucky for me my lovely Mother is dues to be here in less than two weeks which I'm sure will immensely help in getting me through this last chunk of Teacher Training Spring 2014.

 

More LA loves:

 

Customer service - Special mention to Trader Joe's here, Americans appear to be far more trained and polite in their customer service than Australia, it is amazing the friendliness from staff I've witnessed. I'm assuming part of this is due to their tipping system, but either way I'm happy.

 

Chocolate - duh.

 

Chia - We have to work super hard to get enough into our bodies in the short break we are given, I find this is one of the few things that keeps me full for lecture and the second class.

Somebody let me sleep

Week four is in full swing and clearly my body is not happy with me. Although the nights have not been too late since Bikram is still away. In the last four weeks I have done forty four classes and my muscles and joints are definitely starting to complain. My shoulders don't seem to be really working and my hip flexes seem to be rebelling. Certain areas of my practice do seem to be improving however, and I can feel muscle building in my body so hopefully I'm getting somewhere.

 

Posture clinics are still good thank goodness. Fortunately I've had great teaching influences at my studio and the staff and teachers seem to be enjoying my energy and style as of yet. The staff are lovely and give so much good feedback, I'm yet to have anything negative and even those who are struggling are being encouraged and helped.

 

As of mid next week, we will be half way through Teacher Training. In some ways it seems so soon, on the other hand there are times where I feel as though I have been in this routine forever. Everyone is definitely settled and my cravings have become more regular and predictable so shopping is a breeze. Drinking several litres of water a day has become totally normal and as such I can't say I'm suffering the bloating, cramps or various other issues I keep hearing tales of. Electrolytes and magnesium are a must and my iron supplements are definitely helping.

 

More LA loves:

 

Kohls - Such a great shop, always has sales and discounts and is great for getting the basics I forgot to bring.

 

Dark chocolate almond spread - need I say more?

 

Bonds singlets - Bought a couple of these before leaving hope and have gotten plenty of compliments, not to mention they're great quality.  

Week three done!!

Apologies for the gaps between posts, finding time to do anything (you know, like sleeping and eating) seems tricky right now.

 

Week three was good, posture clinics are in full swing and fortunately good feedback is still coming my way. We had our anatomy 'test' this morning which we were pretty much given the answers too, not to mention it was multiple choice. This was very welcome as dialogue is pretty much consuming our lives right now.

 

Classes have been good, our bodies appear to finally be adjusting and with Bikram gone it's lovely having new quest teachers everyday with varying personalities and levels of experience. It's refreshing actually being able to do classes well rather than just surviving. The only down side regarding classes was that I forgot to sign in to one of them. If ever we forget to sign in to a class, lecture or posture clinic, we are given a make up class which we do on Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately I managed to do this, meaning last week I got to do a lovely twelve classes... All in all I can't complain, we travelled to Bikram Yoga International Headquarters and took a great class at the studio there, it was great doing a normal class in a normal studio and I actually rather enjoyed it.

 

Overall I'll definitely look back and appreciate how good week three has been classes have been good, clinics are running smoothly and anatomy is still as interesting as ever. The weekends are still going far too quickly but I'll just have to deal with that.

 

More LA loves:

 

Cinnamon - I realize this is not some new-fangled thing but I have been craving it a lot since I got here and it makes me feel all warm and homely.

 

Frozen yoghurt - Way cheaper than it is in Perth and such a nice way of getting plenty of fruit and goodness after class.

 

Shellac nails - Mine are still done from about a month ago and are showing no signs of chipping, such a great investment, especially as I'm spending half my days staring at my toes.

Posture Clinics and Cereal

So we are half way through week three and Teacher Training is finally settling into some kind of routine. Posture clinics have started and anatomy lectures will be happening every day for the next two weeks. It has become a crazy juggle of dialogue, anatomy study, classes and of course, eating and actually living!

 

As of tomorrow we will have done thirty classes in the last nineteen days. Fortunately we have had some fantastic classes with our staff and visiting teachers and as such they have been largely great and finally we have space to actually work on postures rather than pure survival.

 

 Posture clinics have also been good, the staff are great at giving feedback however its amazing how nervous we all still get, even in these far more casual situations. The posture clinics have two groups in one room so we are saying our dialogue in front of around forty people, rather than two hundred and seventy four and Bikram himself like how half moon was. Even with this, it's still nerve-wracking going up and baring your dialogue for others. I've been fortunate to receive good feedback so far, but others have struggled.

 

Living normally is also becoming more difficult, finding time to eat is tricky, especially when you often have days where your appetite seems to disappear. Drinking enough water is rather easy as we are often in class or just sitting in clinics and lectures. It can be hard balancing your bodies cravings and your dietary needs but so far I have been eating whatever it is I'm craving in the healthiest way I can manage. Obviously being near a Wholefoods does help. Main cravings so far have been salty food and cereal!

 

People here are amazing and the support all around is awesome.

 

More LA loves:

 

Leave in conditioner - I can't really recommend any brand in particular but putting this in my hair between classes has really helped my dry ends.

 

Sun cream - Pretty much the only thing I've put on my face these last three weeks, so good for the skin and almost looks as though I'm wearing primer.

 

Mika Yoga wear tops - I bought two of this brand's tops with me and put them on the minute they're dry. I've been wearing the Linda tops and their super comfortable, feminine and flattering.

Week two done!

Apologies for the lack of posts, I've been rather busy finishing off week two! Classes were far better than those in week one and we finally started getting a few guest teachers as well as the fantastic Jim Kallett, a good friend of Bikram's and teacher since 1997. I took notes on practically everything he said, every second sentence was full of useful teaching information or stories I want to share with my students in the future.

 

Posture clinics kick off today, this is where we divide into groups to say the dialogue, posture by posture to experienced teachers and staff. While the half moons took and week and a half, these clinics generally get through around a posture a day, possibly more for the shorter postures of the floor series. This is were the dialogue itself gets more intense and ones stress is either greatly increased or decreased depending on their level of preparation.

 

Also stating this week is anatomy lessons with Dr. Jim Preddy, supposedly a fantastic lecturer. As someone with zero anatomy knowledge, I'm very excited to learn and gain more confidence with my knowledge in this area.

 

All in all, this week is the start of a more set routine and far more mental work is required. With Bikram and Rajashree away for the next two weeks it is nice to be in the hot room and experience different teachers from all over the globe and will be a welcome break from our various studies.

 

Weekends are already highly valuable and I must learn to divide my time between being a tourist and concentrating on studying. Overall, however, they are largely for relaxation.

 

More LA loves:

 

Chocolate coconut water - A great lead into coconut water for those who don't like it and low in sugar, great for after class! Yum!

 

Edamame beans - Lovely in crackers and crisps as well as good for you.

 

Lululemon light as air underwear - An odd one, but amazing, super thin and comfortable.

Half moons finally finished

Halfway through week two now and finally, after laughter, tears and lots of nervous shaking, all two hundred and seventy-something of us have finished saying our half moon in front of Bikram himself. It's bittersweet knowing they're finally over but now preparing for posture clinics we will start next week.

 

Classes have been hard but I am yet to leave the room, which seems to put me in the minority right now. Fortunately there is the odd great class where I feel like I have found new strength and flexibility.  We all seem to have improved from week one and are slowly but surely finding a routine which allows us to cope.

 

Half moon ending also means starting lectures which Bikram and, of course, more opportunity for Bollywood movies, one of which we have already seen this week. It's always rather disheartening having sat for nearly two hours watching a movie only to see the words 'intermission' appear on the screen.

 

It is so easy to get enveloped in the yoga bubble, which is great for learning dialogue but no so good for remembering what day of the week it is...

 

Anyways, I'm still looking forward to the weekend...whenever that is...

 

More LA loves:

 

Ultima - Grabbed a few sachets of these fantastic electrolytes from Wholefoods as it was the only sugar free option and turns out I am loving every flavor I have tried so far! A great investment yogis!

 

Tangle teaser - I bought one of these hairbrushes at the airport as I managed to forget my own and it is fantastic. I am finally no longer scared to brush my wet hair and have so much less breakage.

 

Frozen raspberries - Bought frozen ones as they were cheaper than fresh at Wholefoods but they're actually lovely to have frozen after a hot class.

Week One Done!!!

Hurrah!! Week one is over! After four classes with Bikram, five with his wife Rajashree and one with their daughter Laju, we have finally completed our, first week here in LA. This training is tough, between three hours of yoga and lectures into the evening, as well as our lovely Bollywood movie night we experienced earlier this week, we spend much of our time restless and tired.

"Today you look good, yesterday you look like cabbage,"
Bikram describing our practice over the week, I think that says it all. 

 

However, there are great moments within these days, meeting amazing people for a start.

 

Yes, I did finally do my half moon and thank goodness Bikram seemed to like it, he said he was 'spellbound' which I'll definitely be taking as a compliment.

 

Fortunately, not only did we get Friday night off, we also only have one class on Saturday mornings so today I was able to have a lovely time enjoying LA. First stop was of course, Wholefoods, picking up all the lovely last bits and pieces I hadn't bought earlier in the week. It can get a little pricey but sells lovely stuff and a great place to get lunch. We also went to a fantastic little clothes store called Varga Girl which sold some gorgeous things and wasn't too expensive , great for stocking up on a few things I realised I was missing.

 

All in a all, I can tell I'm going to love these weekends, I can be hard to get out of the bubble of Teacher Training and realise you have to get out your hotel room and see LA while your here.

 

More LA Loves:

 

Kaffir - This is somewhat of a halfway between milk and yoghurt but is drinkable and high in probiotics, I bought a flavoured one and loved it.

 

Wholefoods - Such a great store, I wish these were everywhere!

 

Reusable bags - These are all over shops like Wholefoods and Traders, so good for carrying my yoga stuff and I actually am reusing them and being good to the environment.

Half moon and Plastic Surgery

 

It is Thursday, day four of Teacher Training here in LA. Having just finished my sixth class so far, with the lovely Rajashree - Bikram's other half, I couldn't help but notice the large amount of plastic surgery in the room. I'm not against plastic surgery, I think if something bothers you so much and is ruining your self-confidence, then it is totally up to you if you want to change it. However, I can't help but cringe and some of the scary and unrealistic implants on display, especially in the almost-naked world of the hot room. Again, implants don't both me, but I think people should be guided as to what size they should be to look realistic, it seems many women should go from say and A to say a B or C. Unfortunately so many of the women I see have gone from an A to a DD, it just doesn't fit on their body.

 

Moving on, Half moon dialogue has started here now. The entire Bikram class does have dialogue that must be learnt at Teacher Training. So if you think it's funny that all your teachers say the same few bizarre sayings, it's likely that is the dialogue.

 

Overall I have been nicely surprised by our group, the first few people to go up worried me a little but we have definitely improved after hearing various feedback.

Half moon is always nerve-wracking, as it is the only posture you say in front of Bikram himself (yes, he is a real person) and he is not afraid to give feedback. I think he is one of the most honest people I have ever met and this is why the whole first one to two weeks of Teacher Training is dedicated to saying half moon to him.

 

As for me, I am yet to say my half moon, but I am sure I will have by the next time I update this. At the moment I have been concentrating on getting through two classes - most of Bikram's being at least two hours - and eating and feeling good.

 

   More LA loves:

 

Goat's cheese - I have always loved my cheeses but this has just been something I've been going back to between classes.

 

Hydro flask - I made the choice to invest in one of these while I was here, they are expensive but I am definitely loving mine. It's huge and keeps my water nice and cold in those hot classes.

 

Rajashree's classes - It's so nice having her in the mornings, she's so experienced, calm and nurturing, it's just what I need in the morning, and such a contrast to Bikram's class.

There is no cutlery in LA

So after four -yes four - painful flights, and so many time zones I'm still not sure which one I'm on, I have finally made it to Los Angeles. My first day here was a blur, largely revolving around sleep, however I did meet my delightful roommate. I can happily say that - so far - no bizarre habits or traits have come up, unlike many of the scary roommate tales I have heard. 

Day two was slightly more productive, I didn't have time to make it to the heavenly shop that is Wholefoods however I did meet some lovely new people and take a trip to Trader Joes, as well as CVS and some other stores.

 

Why does nowhere in LA sell cutlery???

 

Living in a hotel room is not going to be easy, but I've tried to buy as many thinks as possible to make life easier so cutlery was high on the list. It took two taxi rides and the biggest Target I've ever seen to actually find some of the last household bits I needed.

 

Also on my purchase list was my beautiful new baby - my hyroflask.  

As terrifying as a 1.8L hyroflask looks, I believe this will likely become my new best friend at Teacher Training. Not only does t keep my water cold - which I am totally not used to - it is such a good size for class and I can't imagine I'm ever going to run out of water.

 

Official Day 1 starts today, a lecture with Bikram and class at five. Have had such beautiful speeches yesterday from the staff, Rajashree and several other senior teachers, I feel calmer knowing everyone has been through this experience, and nobody does in perfectly.

 

LA loves so far:

 

Plantain chips - these are delicious! I can only find the in one store in Perth but every Traders here sells them.

 

Selma Hayak Nuance walnut scrub - Got this on sale at CVS, absolutely lovely and smells fantastic.

 

Hummus - I have never been a massive fan of hummus, but coming here and having proper, unprocessed hummus - turns out it is amazing!

Wait, you're doing what???

Over the last few weeks, I can't count the number of times I've been asked this by friends and colleagues. The question comes after I tell them I'm spending thousands of dollars to travel to Los Angeles and throw myself into the Bikram Yoga torture chamber that is Teacher Training.

Let's face, it's not surprising they think I'm mad when I describe the nine weeks of eleven ninety minute forty degree sweaty yoga classes with hundreds of other people, not to mention the real struggle of learning reams of dialogue for the twenty six postures, plus hours of lectures and anatomy study.

 

But hey, why not?

 

I feel as though I have been planning for this forever. I decided I wanted to teach only a few months into my practice and now it's finally happening, two years later, all I can feel is nervous.

 

What if my flight is delayed?

What if they don't like my Standing bow?

What if I freeze in front of Bikram and can't say my Half Moon dialogue?

 

And last of all, how am I going to do one hundred and ninety eight sets of awkward???

 

I'm seriously hoping the old 'trust the process' message is going to get me through that last one. Seriously though, I know this is going to be the experience of a lifetime and what I'm probably most nervous about is not seeing it for what it is and seizing the opportunity. When I'm whining in week six about my sore legs will I be thinking 'my, what a fantastic experience?' probably not, but Teacher Training is highs and lows, and this blog is going to experience all of that. I hope I can give the most honest, hopefully humorous, account of the Los Angeles Bikram Yoga Teacher Training, Spring 2014.