So Labour Day is over and the reality that the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training begins in less than a month is hitting hard. I'm both nervous and excited at the same time. I'm also still trying to get my head around the fact that I'll be in Las Vegas far longer than I'm sure I'd like. It seems like such an incongruous venue for yogis-in-training but then again this is Bikram Choudhury we are talking about. Bikram, the 'Bad Boy of Yoga' who hails from Beverly Hills where he collects Bentleys and Rolls Royces, has been criticized for copyrighting his 26 posture yoga series and tightly franchising new studios - entrepreneurial moves that have earned his method the dubious term the 'McYoga' of yoga disciplines. He has, never the less, developed a worldwide cult following and I for one can say that his series simply works and has made a such a positive impact on my life. I can't wait for all to begin!
I took my first Bikram class out of sheer curiosity, not to mention the fact that it was minus 16°C outside in Toronto that day in February 2002. It was not 'love at first knee lock', but I was intrigued by the complexity of the series and the commitment demonstrated by the hard core regulars in the wonderful studio I was attending. I practiced as often as my schedule allowed, and I found it a wonderfully challenging complement to my regular regime of kick boxing and weight training plus a great de-stressor to a demanding career.
Then, in June 2008, I was laid off from my job as Creative Director. Immediately this became a welcome opportunity to deepen my practice with continued regular classes.
My Bikram journey now takes me to Las Vegas where the Teacher Training program is being held.
Nine weeks, 40 degree heat, 2 classes a day, 500+ hours of yoga, posture clinics and lectures, 300+ teachers-to-be.