How to Improve Your Bikram Yoga Practice- Tip #1: Just Breathe

A few years ago, an extremely fit male professional athlete came to me after several classes and said, “I don’t get it. This is the hardest thing I have ever done. I am sitting down in class, and can’t catch my breath. The people around me aren’t in very good shape but they seem to be doing fine. Next to me, this lady in her 70’s is going strong, but I am exhausted. What is it?” Screen Shot 2016-03-03 at 5.54.09 PM

This is so common. It sounds simple…all we have to do is breathe. However, our natural tendency is to hold our breath or take short, shallow breathes which creates stress in the body. Instead, we need to be conscious of our breath. Breathing in and out through the nose creates a calm and relaxed condition in the body and mind. Our minds are often racing and the simple technique of listening to the breath will quiet the mind and bring a relaxation response to the body. When the muscles are relaxed, they will stretch more easily. Furthermore, finding the balance between the body, mind and breath creates the atmosphere for a deeper yoga practice. We practice proper breathing and asana to prepare ourselves for everything we want to do in life. The breath, or prana, is our life force and also the foundation of every moment we are alive.

Next time you are faced with a challenge in or out of the yoga room, stop and breathe. Quiet your mind. And then… make your next move!

Student of the Month Jan ’16 – Bethany Williams

Once I was a gym junkie and a runner. I had my ITunes “playlist”, my Saucony shoes, a personal trainer, and a “fat burner” concoction to boot. I was good to go, or so I thought. Although I will always appreciate the intensity of my workouts they often left me more amped up and sore rather than recharged and revitalized. Admittedly I was very focused within my regiment yet the focus was not spilling over into my regular day.

Having a complicated history of yo-yo dieting, body image issues, and eating disorders I really needed something else. Along came Bikram Yoga. I found the “exercise” (it is really so much more!) that satisfied my need for intensity and more importantly gave me clarity and focus outside the “hot room.” My Bikram yoga practice, gave me the ability to see my body as it truly is and taught me how to respect, love and care for it in a way that I didn’t think was possible. Sometimes, in jest, teachers will refer to the time within the 90 minute class as the “torture chamber,” yet ironically the torture for me is not making it to class at least 6 times per week!

I tried some alternative yoga over the last 7 years of my yoga practice and I have enjoyed some of it and the people I have met, yet oftentimes those poses and the cooler temperature of the room has allowed me less flexibility and has caused me pains in the wrist, neck, and back. I really trust Bikram Yoga and my body feels oh so good during the class and absolutely amazing afterwards. I cannot stop doing it, dissecting it, or telling others about it. It has really been an amazing part of my life. My husband tells me that I am the best mommy and wife that a family could have and I owe a great deal of this status to Bikram Yoga. The practice has allowed me to continue to become the best version of myself. I am forever grateful!

Today, my favorite pose is the Camel. I love how it heals my lower back, opens up my heart and stirs all kinds of emotions to the surface. Tomorrow, I will have a different favorite! That’s the beauty of Bikram Yoga. Each pose continually changes, teaches you more about yourself and makes you appreciate every part of who you are. I’ve been practicing Bikram yoga for over 7 years and this week, I just started to look into my eyes during class. I’ve always looked just above or to the left or right, but never directly. It’s opened up a whole new practice for me. My intention in class is different every day and I pray that I’m able to practice and embrace Bikram yoga until the day I die.

Namaste!

YOGIS UNITE: Project TOUCH Fundraiser Sat, Dec 12th

Yoga studios in the area unite for a great cause! Attend any class listed on December 12th, and make a donation to Project TOUCH. Your donation will go toward giving good, clothing and much needed items to help the homeless in our area. Let’s practice together and give all we can!

Jim Kallett’s Lecture and Posture Clinic at BYT

We are excited and honored to host Bikram Master Teacher Jim Kallett at the Bikram Temecula studio November 20-22.

Come join us for a weekend of wellness and better understanding about your practice and the healing properties of Bikram Yoga. All levels are invited, whether you’re a Bikram beginner or a seasoned yogi, the benefits you’ll receive from this weekend will last a lifetime.

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Reserve your spot today!

Schedule for Friday and Saturday is as follows:

Friday : 5 PM class canceled

“What is Yoga” Lecture 6-9pm included in full registration or $7 at the door. Open to everyone

Saturday: 8 and 10 AM classes canceled

Posture Clinic from 9am-5pm with lunch break

Full admission $100 and includes lecture, posture clinic and 5:30pm class

No 4 PM class

Class Led by Jim 5:30 PM

Admission is included in the full registration or $20 at the door.

All are welcome

For more information, visit www.bikramtemecula.com

or call (951) 331-9698

Student of the Month November 2015 – Meredith Young!

We are pleased to announce that one of our long time practitioners, Meredith Young has been selected as Bikram Yoga Temecula Student of the Month for November 2015. She has been practicing Bikram yoga for over four years, averaging 4 times per week. Meredith stated her practice has helped her immensely. “I’ve suffered with migraine headaches since middle school, yet with my steady yoga practice it’s been two years since I’ve had one!”

Meredith, 49 described the difficulty she had lifting her head just to get out of bed in the morning several years ago. Now she’s the eldest on a local softball team stretching even further playing first base. Moreno Valley School District is where Meredith has spent 16 years as an itinerant Special Needs Instructor teaching deaf children and monitoring their needs. “I have more energy and patience to give my students and their parents when I keep my Bikram practice.”

2014 Tourney

An ongoing work for Meredith is keeping possible rheumatoid arthritis at bay. “My mom, grandmother, sister all had neck surgery, but I’m going to do all I can to prevent it. There are several asanas we do in the practice that give me relief and ease the protruding discs in my neck and relieve shoulder pain.” “It’s a continuing process.”

Meredith Awkward Pose

Meredith also explained she has had of and on pain in both knees and determined herself to strengthen them. Subsequently, one of her favorite poses in her current practice is Utkatasana, awkward pose. “I just need to bring my shoulders back and lift my knees up just a little bit more!”

We’re glad to have Meredith as a thriving member of our yoga community. Way to go Meredith!

Student of the Month October 2015 – Moleen Madziva!

I was born during the onset of the 1975 liberation struggle of which is currently Zimbabwe. I lived with my family in the Svosve village until our independence in 1980. We then moved to the village community of Macheke where I enjoyed a simple, yet nourishing childhood.

Then, on May 26,1995 – with one bag and a courageous heart, I left my homeland and flew to the USA in pursuit of a higher education. Against enormous odds, I earned a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a MS in Software Engineering, and a PhD in Sustainability Education. I’m grateful for the privilege to grow as a scholar and for the opportunity to do meaningful work.
Indeed, I have travelled far; yet it’s my deep-seated compassion for others and an optimistic belief in my own capacity to be an agent of change that’s enabled me to create the Macheke Sustainability Project (a non-profit initiative seeking to empower the people of my village to turn from a life of abject poverty).

Bikram Yoga found me about 6 months ago and my immediate goal was simple; become more flexible. However, I quickly realized with each practice, I discovered something new opened inside of me. I became deeply engaged in Bikram Yoga because here was a practice challenging me to be fully present and fully focused. My posture, my balance, my emotions, my breathing.
As a fervent yogini, I’m inspired to contribute more to my self-development. I currently live in Winchester and when not working, studying or researching I enjoy laughter with friends, travel to sunshine places, work on my book projects and practice yoga.

I love Bikram Yoga Temecula. It’s become a nurturing haven for me to recharge, make new friends and, most importantly grow. Each instructor, in their own way imparts something to my self development; be it creativity, compassion or a challenge. My lower back pain has subsided, I feel more alert and I’m losing the excess weight. My initial goal was to become more flexible – and I am still working on that with my smiling happy face ☺

Student of the Month September 2015 – Madonna Davis!

We are thrilled to have Madonna representing our Bikram Yoga Community as she has transformed herself with consistent and determined practice over the past four months.

In 2010, Madonna and her husband were in an automobile accident resulting in extensive damage and reconstructive surgery to her right arm. After months of physical therapy, Madonna 28, found herself spiraling into feelings of depression, insecurity, mood swings with no foreseeable end. “I had to somehow find my way back to good mental and physical health and be free of chronic pain.”

After discovering Bikram Yoga Temecula, Madonna committed to a practice of six times per week and is targeting a goal of 100 practices before she and her husband depart to Fort Lewis, Washington in October. “With my consistent practice I’ve lost weight, my legs are more toned, I can handle the ups and downs of life far easier now and, best of all I’m off medication!” she exclaimed.

Madonna felt she had struggled to finish things in her life, yet has found practicing Bikram Yoga has provided an avenue of strength, both physically and emotionally. “I’ve never told myself I can’t do it. With family support and Bikram Yoga I seem to be gaining a special endurance and inner power I had never experienced.” So much so that Madonna’s ultimate goal to heal herself and serve others by becoming a Bikram Yoga instructor herself. “I want to help others overcome their struggles and problems and be free.”

Keep up the great work, Madonna! You inspire us all!

Student of the Month – August 2015 Chris Brown

The first time Chris practiced Bikram yoga was in Laguna Beach, over 14 years ago. Although he wasn’t able to continue the practice, he felt the benefits and knew there was something in it for him later on in his life.

Chris, now 46, pursued a football scholarship through Oregon University, yet due to a knee injury he transferred to University of Oregon to study Search and Rescue, S.C.U.B.A. while surfing the summers and skiing the winters. Always being active and outdoors, Chris had continued to keep trim and fit.

Later, married with three children and a business career, his life began the inevitable change as did his body. Like many of us, Chris seemed to have lost a part of himself in pursuit of things outside of himself. Last November, his wife Julia found out about Bikram Yoga Temecula and purchased an Intro Month for Chris.
Within his first 60 days of practice, Chris lost over 28 lbs.

“I no longer eat too much. Maybe 1.5 meals a day. I don’t have a short fuse with my family and business associates like I used to. I can easily control the frustrations of life.” Practicing three to four times per week he continues to avoid knee surgery, feels better, sleeps better, is more self confident, and much lighter on his feet feeling 110%. “In fact, I’ve become obsessed with practicing yoga!” says Chris.

After practicing 8 months now, Chris entertains the possibility of becoming a Bikram Yoga teacher in the not-too-distant future. We’re glad to have Chris and his family as well as a part of our community. Keep going, Chris!

Student of the Month July 2015 – Bonnie Simon

We are excited to announce that Bonnie Simon, one of our long standing students has been selected as July 2015 Bikram Yoga Temecula Student of the Month. Bonnie, age 67, has been both a student and teacher of yoga. Over 15 years ago, she began her yoga journey taking classes at a local community college on hardwood floors. Several years after, she traveled to India and took a teacher training with the Himalayan Institute, and later another training in Anusara Yoga.

For over 47 years, Bonnie has worked for the airlines. “As an attendant, I need patience and compassion. Therefore, practicing yoga over the years has provided me a constant opportunity to be more centered and grounded. Also, lifting and storing luggage had brought on a chronic hip, neck, and psoas pain actually causing an eight percent disability. I needed to find a way to curb or eliminate the unending pain.”

“My first Bikram Yoga experiences were in Oceanside and I was intrigued.” My work routed me through Amsterdam and I practiced there as well. Couldn’t understand the dialogue too well. One set in English and another in Dutch!”

Here is what Bonnie says about why she turned to Bikram Yoga. “When I finish a practice I’m pain free. In my earlier practice of yoga I was pushing far too hard to get it right. Now I simply listen and let go… making a game of it. Not looking this way or that way. Just focus on myself for the 90 minutes.”

Student of the Month May 2015 – Brenda Rockstroh

Screen Shot 2015-05-06 at 10.54.41 AM We are pleased to announce to our yoga community that Brenda Rockstroh has been selected as Bikram Yoga Temecula May 2015 Student of the Month. Brenda came to BYT the first night we opened our doors in December 2012 suffering from deep lower back pain and a herniated disc. Since then, she has practiced a total of 266 times and over 400 hours in the hot room!

When we asked Brenda, 48, what how Bikram Yoga has helped her she told us that “Bikram Yoga has helped control my lower back and sciatica pain, along with strengthening my entire body. The breathing methods that are taught in the classroom help me in my daily life. Not only have they allowed me to be a calmer person with better mental focus and clarity but also helped in my transition off of prescription pain medication. I find that when I attend class regularly I feel happier and I have less stress. Everyone has personal goals for attending Bikram Yoga but I believe the group also provides a team atmosphere. We practice in silence but we are all sharing our energy, enthusiasm and supporting each other through group movement. What started out as a hobby has turned into a lifetime commitment to Bikram Yoga.”

Since her return from herniated disc surgery, Brenda completed the Spring 2015 Challenge and intends to continue her practice and recovery without fail. “I don’t see any end in sight!” she said.

Way to go, Brenda!