I hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July. I had a great holiday weekend. I really enjoyed some rest and relaxation and the good company of friends. We spent several hours at the pool on Monday, at the fabulous Hotel Palomar, soaking in the rays and renewing in the water…it was awesome. There are so many incredible people in my life…I am so blessed and I feel blessed. 

So, as we know, Bikram Yoga and Hot Yoga continues to be all the buzz. But, it’s understandable…it is a really powerful and beneficial Yoga practice. I’d love to get your comments on this. How many of you out there have tried hot Yoga, or Bikram Yoga, before? Did you like it? What did you think?

I took my first Bikram Yoga class in 2002, if I recall correctly, and I had a really tough time. I couldn’t stand the heat and I found the practice unbelievably challenging.  I didn’t appreciate, back then, for what it is. I’m not sure when I went again, but, it wasn’t until several years later, perhaps sometime in 2004. Actually, I remember my mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer at that time. Fortunately, she is in good health and has made a full recovery, but at the time, it was very scary. I went to a Bikram Yoga class and, when we did Camel Pose, I started crying and had to leave the room. I remember there was a wonderful woman in the ladies changing area, another student, who was there and she comforted me. It was really helpful and healing for me at the time to feel this person’s care and support. As I remember, her mother had also gone through breast cancer and she offered me loving encouragement that my mom would be ok. Sometimes I forget that my mom had breast cancer, because she recovered so well from it, but every now and then when I do remember, it reminds me life is fragile and to appreciate every moment and take no moment for granted. Is that challenging sometimes? Sure…life gets busy. But, when we do have the time to spend with those we love, it’s important to realize what a gift it is…

Speaking of which, last night I had the most awesome dream about my dad. (as many of you know, my father passed away 11/24/08. He actually didn’t die from cancer, but from a virus he caught and was not able to fight off because of a suppressed immune system due to the chemo meds) Anyhow, I don’t recall him being in my dream last night, but, it was at my house that I grew up in as a child.  All of our longtime neighborhood friends and family were there and we were all having a cookout in the backyard. It made me realize how much I loved all of those people as a child. They were so loving and we all shared so many great memories as families whose children played together.  Even though all of those families don’t see each other often or talk all the time now, the loving connection is still there and it brings back warm, wonderful memories of many happy times.  In the dream I had last night, I mostly just recall everyone being very happy to see me and me happy to see them. The feeling I had in the dream was one of comfort and deep gratitude, I was so glad they were all there. It was like they were, on some level, congratulating me for the all the growth that’s happened and the positive direction I’m moving in my life. It was almost like it felt as though they were all there for me, and like my father had sent them on some level. In the dream, everyone knew my father had passed away, and yet, many were still surprised, they couldn’t believe he was gone. But, it was a celebratory gathering…I definitely felt that. More than anything it felt like they were there to say ‘Good job, Leanne.‘  And, we love you. When I woke up out of the dream I started crying.  But, they were healing tears, rather than painful tears.  It felt like they were acknowledging all the positive changes I’ve made in my life since my dad passed away. Because, the truth is, it wasn’t easy. It was the most difficult time of my life, not only letting go of my father, but also having to let go of an unhealthy relationship with my last partner. The pain I felt, at times, was excruciating and there were times over the past year that I, literally, felt like I was dying, that’s how profoundly painful the loss I experienced in my life was. And yet, through it all, I realize it’s all been a teacher blessing my life in powerful and positive ways. This is why we must have Faith, the first quality of enlightenment called Sraddha. Yogarupa Rod Stryker says, we must know that even in our deepest and darkest hour, we have everything we need and that God will illuminate us to His guiding, healing and renewing Grace. And, so it is. Speaking of Faith, this is also one of the 5 intentions one focuses on while practicing Bikram Yoga. The 5 qualities are written on the wall at the Bikram Yoga studio where I take class. The other 4 are self-control, patience, concentration and determination. Perhaps, we could say, this is all we really need in life. If we continue to cultivate these 5 qualities, we will get where we are meant to go and as Pattabhi Jois says, all will come. I believe this is true.

I have a vision of the True Yoga Blog becoming much more interactive. I love writing, but I’m imagining the possibility of expressing through video, as well.  I’m feeling a real desire to share with you the latest inspirations, discoveries, revelations and practices that way and, sometimes, it feels like I need a way of delivering information to you faster. So, we are working on this. I’m joining forces with other like-minded people who are inspired to bring you this vision, as well, to make this one of the most powerful resources on the internet to support you in your journey of Yoga, health and well-being, and liberation. This will be one of the greatest focuses of the website… realizing our liberation and how to live a liberated life that is focused on what matters most, which is offering our life to others and serving others to make the greatest difference possible, all while still enjoying everything there is to enjoy about life. So, we’ll be exploring this in a much greater magnitude as we grow and evolve along the way. In time, I believe the True Yoga Blog will serve as a resource that is enlightening, unifying, enriching and entertaining.  What good is life without a little (or, a lot) of fun and entertainment?  We’ll see how it all unfolds but I believe, all of us, including the True Yoga Blog, will grow to be the best we can be. 

So, back to Bikram.  I think Bikram is great, in moderation.  Just like everything else in life.  So, after 2004, I’m pretty sure I didn’t really go back at all.  Not until Spring of 08, but only for a short time.  Then, my father became ill, or as Shiva Rea would say, life came up.  But, I returned in Spring of 09 and, that time, I made a commitment to attend regularly.  I ended up going about twice a week for 4 or 5 months and it was profoundly powerful.  Not only did it help me to release toxic energy I was feeling from a painful relationship, but it also improved my Yoga practice greatly.  Everytime I go I feel better.  But, after those 5 months, I wasn’t able to sustain it because I ended up moving away from the studio and found it too difficult to make it to class.  But, once again, I realized I needed it in my life so about a month ago, I started back again and I’m so glad I did.  I feel so much better already.  Some pain and tension I was experiencing is alleviating and my Yoga practice is also improving.  I feel better on all levels, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  This is one of the reasons I would love to broadcast  the True Yoga Blog through video, because then I could offer and teach techniques for how to practice poses to alleviate pain and tension from your body, mind and spirit.  (I’ve experienced a great deal of pain in life, as well, and if it weren’t for the grace of God, that I’ve found through the breath in Yoga, I’m not sure how I would have healed.)  By learning how to properly breathe in the poses it is possible to heal on every level.  It’s difficult to write about this.  So, as you continue to visit the blog, I ask you to be patient as we continue to develop it to better serve you and your journey in Yoga. 

If you have a Bikram or hot Yoga studio near you, I suggest you attend classes on a regular basis.  Whatever you can realistically sustain is always best.  As Yoga teacher David Swenson says, it’s better to commit to Yoga practice 3 times a week, than be unrealistic with yourself and tell yourself you’ll do it 6 days a week, but, then, fizzle out after a month.  The same is true with a Bikram practice.  If you can go once a week, that’s great.  If you can go twice a month, also good.  If you can go twice a week, that’s excellent, as well.  What can you reasonably sustain?  I’m envisioning being able to practice Bikram Yoga once a week, for sure, but, if possible, then twice a week.  That feels good.  But, I’m also flexible with it and not hard on myself if life prevents me from getting there for some reason.  I have learned by now, life ebbs and flows and all we can do is do our best.  I do believe people get way too extreme with the Bikram or hot Yoga practice.  This is why I suggest doing it 2 or 3 times a week at the most.  I really feel that’s enough.  It does deplete a tremendous amount of water in the body and I believe too much Bikram Yoga is difficult for the joints and ligaments.   Everything in moderation, even the things that feel healthy for us and we love, no matter what it is.  I suppose the only thing they would say to do as much as you can is meditate.  But, there are also teachers, like Yogi Bhajan, the master of Kundalini Yoga, who says, what do you want to do, meditate with your eyes closed?  You’re always meditating.  But, I do believe there is real benefit in closed eye meditations and I do my best to practice this regularly, as well.  I’d like to leave us with a video of Chising.  He is the leader of the Dallas Meditation Center.  He is an incredible teacher.  And, he is talking about this very thing.  How to develop a consistent and beneficial meditation practice to support us in growing the best way we can in all ways, physically, mentally, emotionally, and of course, spiritually. 

[video filename=http://www.trueyogainc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Chising.flv /]

(Please click above to view the video of Chising.)

Also, something wonderful and exciting.  Prana is giving away free tickets to Wanderlust.  This is the second year this incredible festival of music and Yoga is taking place in Squaw Valley.  I am hoping to attend one year soon, although it may not be this year…we’ll see.  But, ya never know.  I may get a wild hair.   You can register for the raffle online here.  Good luck!  Maybe I’ll see you there, I have been known to get wild hairs.  When I can bring you the online videos, you’ll be able to witness my wild hairs for yourself.  (Speaking of, Lebron James better stay in Cleveland…my hometown.  Please stay in Cleveland, Lebron.  Oh no, I just found out he’s not staying.    Cleveland will miss you, Lebron.  Although, I gotta say…a big WHATEVER. )

Also, here are a couple of more articles you may find interesting. 

The first is an article by a fellow blogger entitled, 101 Problems That Yoga Can Cure.

And, the other is about a swami who was recently in Dallas.  I hope you enjoy. 

One other thing, all of us in Texas would greatly appreciate if you could read and consider signing this petition.  This is what someone wrote about it. 

“Alan Jeude: I think this is pretty important, so read it, consider the consequences, and get involved by signing the petition. Yoga is a teacher-to-student training and religious/spiritual practice, which should put it outside the licensing control of the Texas Workforce Commission, but it appears that “Big Government” is okay in Texas, too.”

Thank you

Have a blessed weekend…

Om shanti~