1. Had you practiced yoga before coming to Thavma Bikram Yoga?
Several years ago I use to be one of those people who thought yoga was a joke. I thought no one could get a good work out from just staying in uncomfortable positions and not really moving. Then about 5 years ago I was doing the P90X series with my sister. There is one yoga workout in the series, and thought I would hate it. However, after completing P90X, my opinion of yoga had forever changed. It quickly became my favorite disk of the entire P90X series. I wanted to do more, and since then I had tried many different types of yoga. I was introduced to Bikram by my friend, and instructor, Ashley Dresen about 2 years prior to coming to Thavma.
2. What Made you decide to do the 30 Day Challenge?
I did this for a few reasons. I love challenging myself, and seeing what I can accomplish when I am determined and dedicated. I knew a few other students who complete the challenge, and had witnessed their improvements over their 30 days. I will also become a hot yoga instructor this March. On the application for the yoga instructor course is asks, “Have you ever done 30 consecutive days of hot yoga?” I truly wanted to put yes on the questionnaire. I felt it was important that I did this at least once every day for 30 days, before I am asked to do it several times a day for 30 days in the instructor course.
3. What did you want to accomplish from your 30 Day Challenge?? Did you achieve your goal?
I simply wanted to improve my overall practice, and prepare for my instructor course. I truly feel I did that. I have many goals with my practice, but some of them may take several months or even years to achieve. I feel I accomplished what I wanted to in the 30 day challenge and feel that my practice has drastically improved.
4. What changes did you see during and after your 30 days of Bikram yoga?
I noticed my focus and flexibility both increased. After becoming more focused Since I felt the increase in my flexibility as well. I took a private session from Marina at the start of my 30 day challenge which I highly recommend doing. She was able to give my direction and things to focus on during my challenge. When I first started the challenge I could barely hold my leg up the entire time of standing head to knee. I never thought I would be able to actually get my head on my knee, while staying in good posture. However, in 30 short days I can now say I truly do standing head to knee.
5. What did you learn/gain from doing Bikram yoga regularly?
I learned the importance of stillness, and focusing on my breathing. As I read in a yoga magazine from an anonymous writer, “You imagine a spinning top. Stillness is like a perfectly centered top, spinning so fast it appears motionless. It appears this way not because it isn’t moving, but because it’s spinning at full speed. Stillness is not the absence or negation of energy, life, or movement. Stillness is dynamic. It is un-conflicted movement, life in harmony with itself, skill in action. It can be experienced whenever there is total, uninhibited, un-conflicted participation in the moment you are in – when you are wholeheartedly present with whatever you are doing.”
Stillness is super important, and although I haven’t mastered this, I can say I at least understand its importance and strive for stillness in every class.
6. What did you love most from doing the Challenge?
I loved how I felt when I was finished with a class. I loved the rush of endorphins, or a “yoga-high”. I always feel good after any workout I do, but doing yoga every day increased this rush and I started to realize how much more energy I would have during the rest of my day. I also realized how much deeper sleep I would get at night, and just felt even healthier/better overall.
7. What’s your favorite posture!?
The same as everyones, Savasana lol! I am only kidding. I never really had a favorite, I enjoy several postures, but if I had to choose one, I would now say standing head to knee. Only because of the dramatic changes I have made in the posture in such a short time.
8.What do you think about our Studio!?
I love the studio! My first impression, last May, was the studio is beautiful, and spa like. I love the set up, and really appreciate that there are locker rooms with showers. I have been to studios in the past where there was only changing rooms, and no showers. I would have over a 40 minute drive home sitting in my own sweaty drenched clothes, yuck! What I love even more than the decor and set up, is the people. I love Marina, and the other Yogis I have the pleasure of not only practicing with, but working with as well. Everyone I have met at Thavma has been extremely nice, and some have been very inspiring and motivational. I am truly proud to practice, and work at Thavma Bikram Yoga.
