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.