Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
A little frustrated going into week 2...
So week 1 is over and done with. It was an amazing thing how much I learned about myself, my surroundings, and Bikram and the staff here. Got several really groovy guest teachers last week. Emmy was a fiesty one that diverted from the dialogue enough to give us all some very pointed detailed tips for the poses that improved my understanding of them greatly! A guy from the D.C. area came through and really helped boost moral by actually giving us a 90 minute class (as opposed the the 2 hour classes we've been having) and got us in and out of the poses quickly so everyone did very well and were very energized after that one. The heat in the room seemed to have found itself a nice balance by our last class on Saturday. I spent my weekend eating and sleeping and hanging with my cousin seeing a few inland things of L.A. All in all, week 1 was a success, despite the untimely womanly issues. Thank God that's out of the way!
So here we are, almost done with the first day of week 2. My morning class was strong with Bikram's niece. We are finishing up our dialogue delivery during lecture, will probably finish it tomorrow and start breaking into our small groups for the remainder of training. This evening's class was BRUTAL though... But it was brutal for everyone in different ways. Most people let the heat get to them and about as many people left the room today as what happened the very first day. There was something wrong with the fans or heating unit or something and air flow wasn't good tonight. EVEN BIKRAM left the class because he was so pissed off at the technicians that were supposed to be in charge of those things. Somebody snuck in a thermometer and said that it was 119 degrees F in there tonight... TOO HOT for most. . .
Oddly, the heat didnt bother me tonight, and could've been very therapeutic for me if the staff had allowed it. Around the 4th posture, I can't be for certain about what exactly I did but I ended up getting a pinched nerve in my shoulder. It hurt so bad I couldn't even take a full breath or lift my right arm over my head. So I stepped to the back of the room in hopes of stretching it out and not disturbing others. One of the staff picked up on it and dragged me out into the freezing cold hallway, despite my objections, and then it REALLY seized on me and I started crying. Dumb, I know.
I get that the majority of their students come out of the postures cuz they are overheated, dehydrated, or have some kind of electrolyte imbalance causing cramps and numbness and nausea and such. But my pinched nerve had nothing to do with any of that! I wasn't sick! Anyway, I had one of the staff members help me stretch it out a bit, and I went back in feeling better until the end of the class. People were still dropping like flies because of the heat, but my shoulder started acting up again so I stepped the the back again. THEN!!! One of the students waved down a staff member telling him "Oh my God I think her shoulder is out of place!". I'm waving them AWAY, trying to say NO NO! It's not that! And once again, they whisked me out into the hallway, where of course, it started hurting like HELL again. . . *sigh*
Finally got to see the nurse though, I explained that I was perfectly healthy and hydrated, I just must have moved my shoulder wrong. She gave me a few advanced yoga postures to try (One is touching your hands together behind your back and pulling traction against both shoulder blades... AMAZING!) and we decided that a bit of ibuprofin and maybe a Flexiril tonight will do the trick, along with a nice morning class to work the rest of it out. What an ordeal though!!!
Anyway, week 1 was the period crap, and week 2 is starting with the pinched shoulder nerve. Joy... (Sarcasm)... I'm ready for a nice strong practice to return to me! UGH! I can do so much better than this! ... ok, ok... taking it in stride. .. breathe. . . I didn't realize that my practice here would be so vastly different than my practice back home. . . It will get better though, I'm told. Just hang in there. . .
Done venting. . . Sorry... I'll write some better stuff later. LOVE YOU!
So here we are, almost done with the first day of week 2. My morning class was strong with Bikram's niece. We are finishing up our dialogue delivery during lecture, will probably finish it tomorrow and start breaking into our small groups for the remainder of training. This evening's class was BRUTAL though... But it was brutal for everyone in different ways. Most people let the heat get to them and about as many people left the room today as what happened the very first day. There was something wrong with the fans or heating unit or something and air flow wasn't good tonight. EVEN BIKRAM left the class because he was so pissed off at the technicians that were supposed to be in charge of those things. Somebody snuck in a thermometer and said that it was 119 degrees F in there tonight... TOO HOT for most. . .
Oddly, the heat didnt bother me tonight, and could've been very therapeutic for me if the staff had allowed it. Around the 4th posture, I can't be for certain about what exactly I did but I ended up getting a pinched nerve in my shoulder. It hurt so bad I couldn't even take a full breath or lift my right arm over my head. So I stepped to the back of the room in hopes of stretching it out and not disturbing others. One of the staff picked up on it and dragged me out into the freezing cold hallway, despite my objections, and then it REALLY seized on me and I started crying. Dumb, I know.
I get that the majority of their students come out of the postures cuz they are overheated, dehydrated, or have some kind of electrolyte imbalance causing cramps and numbness and nausea and such. But my pinched nerve had nothing to do with any of that! I wasn't sick! Anyway, I had one of the staff members help me stretch it out a bit, and I went back in feeling better until the end of the class. People were still dropping like flies because of the heat, but my shoulder started acting up again so I stepped the the back again. THEN!!! One of the students waved down a staff member telling him "Oh my God I think her shoulder is out of place!". I'm waving them AWAY, trying to say NO NO! It's not that! And once again, they whisked me out into the hallway, where of course, it started hurting like HELL again. . . *sigh*
Finally got to see the nurse though, I explained that I was perfectly healthy and hydrated, I just must have moved my shoulder wrong. She gave me a few advanced yoga postures to try (One is touching your hands together behind your back and pulling traction against both shoulder blades... AMAZING!) and we decided that a bit of ibuprofin and maybe a Flexiril tonight will do the trick, along with a nice morning class to work the rest of it out. What an ordeal though!!!
Anyway, week 1 was the period crap, and week 2 is starting with the pinched shoulder nerve. Joy... (Sarcasm)... I'm ready for a nice strong practice to return to me! UGH! I can do so much better than this! ... ok, ok... taking it in stride. .. breathe. . . I didn't realize that my practice here would be so vastly different than my practice back home. . . It will get better though, I'm told. Just hang in there. . .
Done venting. . . Sorry... I'll write some better stuff later. LOVE YOU!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A week of FIRSTS. . .
"HI!!!... oh geez I have a big voice!... hello..." - Was the first thing I said to Bikram himself through the microphone this afternoon. Yeah, I have big lungs, and a big voice. It's no wonder why all of my band directors through high school and college wanted me to try-out for Drum Major. Anyway, I almost blew up the speakers! I adjusted of course, and it made everybody laugh, so it was a bonus. I saved face pretty well, lowering my voice and giving off some sort of sultry british-ish "Hello... ;-)". Then I was off. I delivered my first dialogue recitation to Boss and more than 400 other people. . . WOAH. . . I don't remember much of the talking I did, and honestly I required a little prompting to get all the words out (Effing nerves) but all in all it went well. When I finished Bikram smiled smugly and said "Ah, the nerves got you in the beginning, but I know you. I know you do MUCH better than this. But good!" and called to the next nervous wreck behind me in line ("heart attack proof" my ass!). AND I'm DONE! Well, at least for delivery goes the rest of the week. Going to be pleased as punch to hunker down in the back of the room now and study future dialogue and enjoy the rest of the hot messes that cross the stage.
Additionally, yesterday was my first time to do TWO bikram yoga classes in one day. EVER. And I LIVED! And am doing really well actually. I have already hit on a winning combination of water supplements, at least for me and my body. 1 liter of water and 1 EmergenC packet, and 4-5 pinches of Sea Salt. Tastes awful, works great! So far no soreness at all, and no more of the tingling/buzzing/cramping like I experienced the first day. Sweating like you sweat in bikram yoga saps not just water out of you, but massive amounts of electrolytes; specifically, Sodium. You pee out the Potassium so as for the "heat-of-the-moment" (See, I made a funny!...), salt is the most basic thing your body needs. Raj, Bikram's wife, told us of a home made water drink she makes with salt, sugar, and lemon. I'm doing a very similar thing and it really has saved my butt these past few days!
I was able to see myself in the mirror for the first time tonight as well. I got a spot of the second row. You must understand though, this hot room can hold well over 700 people, and with all the students, staff, and guests practicing, there are like, 20 rows or more. Sadly, when I got to my spot in front of the mirror tonight, I was super tired from the day. I was tough and got most of the postures done, but I had kindof hoped to be really strong tonight, and make some strong adjustments. Meh... Everyday is different. "Like becoming virgin again, everyday", Bikram says. . . I will take pictures of this massive room soon. Watch for them in my next post!
So the schedule as far as I can tell goes something like this. . .
0830-1000 - Yoga Class
1000-1200 - Lunch Break/study dialogue
1200-1600 - Lecture/Posture Clinic
1700-1830 - Yoga class
1830-2100 - Dinner Break/study dialogue
2100-??? - Bikram's Lecture (can go til 3am or later)
That is all Monday-Friday. Saturday morning we will have class, then be set free for the rest of the weekend. Hoping to find a place to do some laundry, and see some family and friends. . . AND SLEEP. God knows Im going to need it as the rest of the 9 weeks is going to step up the intensity. Love you and miss you all back home!
More later! <3
Additionally, yesterday was my first time to do TWO bikram yoga classes in one day. EVER. And I LIVED! And am doing really well actually. I have already hit on a winning combination of water supplements, at least for me and my body. 1 liter of water and 1 EmergenC packet, and 4-5 pinches of Sea Salt. Tastes awful, works great! So far no soreness at all, and no more of the tingling/buzzing/cramping like I experienced the first day. Sweating like you sweat in bikram yoga saps not just water out of you, but massive amounts of electrolytes; specifically, Sodium. You pee out the Potassium so as for the "heat-of-the-moment" (See, I made a funny!...), salt is the most basic thing your body needs. Raj, Bikram's wife, told us of a home made water drink she makes with salt, sugar, and lemon. I'm doing a very similar thing and it really has saved my butt these past few days!
I was able to see myself in the mirror for the first time tonight as well. I got a spot of the second row. You must understand though, this hot room can hold well over 700 people, and with all the students, staff, and guests practicing, there are like, 20 rows or more. Sadly, when I got to my spot in front of the mirror tonight, I was super tired from the day. I was tough and got most of the postures done, but I had kindof hoped to be really strong tonight, and make some strong adjustments. Meh... Everyday is different. "Like becoming virgin again, everyday", Bikram says. . . I will take pictures of this massive room soon. Watch for them in my next post!
So the schedule as far as I can tell goes something like this. . .
0830-1000 - Yoga Class
1000-1200 - Lunch Break/study dialogue
1200-1600 - Lecture/Posture Clinic
1700-1830 - Yoga class
1830-2100 - Dinner Break/study dialogue
2100-??? - Bikram's Lecture (can go til 3am or later)
That is all Monday-Friday. Saturday morning we will have class, then be set free for the rest of the weekend. Hoping to find a place to do some laundry, and see some family and friends. . . AND SLEEP. God knows Im going to need it as the rest of the 9 weeks is going to step up the intensity. Love you and miss you all back home!
More later! <3
Monday, September 19, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Before Photos
Check this out!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150799363925556.734327.686870555&l=361832485c&type=1
You may have to copy and paste that link. . .
I know. I know. I forgot Balancing Stick Pose. May I be bended over Bikram's own knee and given a spanking for it. Clearly I'm not perfect at any of this yet. Not by a long shot. But I really wanted to get a reference point to start from and hopefully by the end of these next 9 weeks, we will be able to see quite a dramatic transformation. Not in just my body tone, but in all of the poses themselves.
I never was a gymnast or a dancer. Most of the fitness activities I've chosen over the years require the spine to be in a straight line: ie running, biking, swimming, weight lifting. All that really means is that I should have PLENTY of room to grow into my poses over time.
Now to pack and pray that my luggage doesn't exceed the maximum weight limits... Video to come next!
Be back soon!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150799363925556.734327.686870555&l=361832485c&type=1
You may have to copy and paste that link. . .
I know. I know. I forgot Balancing Stick Pose. May I be bended over Bikram's own knee and given a spanking for it. Clearly I'm not perfect at any of this yet. Not by a long shot. But I really wanted to get a reference point to start from and hopefully by the end of these next 9 weeks, we will be able to see quite a dramatic transformation. Not in just my body tone, but in all of the poses themselves.
I never was a gymnast or a dancer. Most of the fitness activities I've chosen over the years require the spine to be in a straight line: ie running, biking, swimming, weight lifting. All that really means is that I should have PLENTY of room to grow into my poses over time.
Now to pack and pray that my luggage doesn't exceed the maximum weight limits... Video to come next!
Be back soon!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
T-minus 3 days 'til BKTT! (and 1,926,331 things to do!)
Seriously, the sheer volume of tasks I have yet to accomplish before getting on that plane might very well exceed our national debt number at the moment. . .
Breathe Geneva. . . You know, I had my panic attack about 2 weeks ago. The one during which all at once you question your determination, finances, and urinary/bowel continence as your only solace is saying the "F" word repeatedly. I was inconsolable for about 24 hours. Then a funny thing happened... I just let it go. And if anything, my calm has picked up some steam the past few days (true to my medic instincts: strong and steadfast to get the job done). I just cant tell you how amazing it feels to know that I'm GOING! So unreal! So epically bitchin'! I am SO clueless! :-D
My last day of work is tomorrow. I will miss my company for the 9 weeks I'm gone, but sure do need the break. More generally speaking than directed towards my job. I haven't had a vacation in about 5 years. Oh, how naive I must be to think that this will be like a VACATION... HA! It'll really sink in when I'm so sleep deprived I start insulting inanimate objects, or when I'm laying on my sweat-soaked mat cramping and dying a little inside ("ouch, my pride!"). Oh my God, I'm really going to enjoy this!!!
So I referred to a number of other bloggers who've documented their experiences and have provided invaluable advice for Bikram Yoga Teacher Training! I now have... the mother of all packing lists. And nothing green. And a truck load of tampons. I won't bore you with the details, but lets just say I'm concerned enough with trying to pack the 4 FULL sheets of paper worth, front and back, in double columns - into 2 checked bags and a carry on. Now's the time to use that beautiful engineering mind of mine to "Tetrisize" my suitcase contents!
The logistics that are required for leaving home for 9 weeks are nothing short of mind-boggling. I've actually had to break from my usual weekly BY practice to work lots of overtime at times. I'm trying to fund all of my normal bills here at home, and fund my bare minimum survival in L.A. Saving that much when you are a home-owning single gal trying to make a living, and then to go 9-11 weeks without a paycheck (11 if you figure the two weeks to earn one after you return), is to say the least, cause for pant-soiling level concern. Then, I had to get house keys to all of my "circle-of-trustees", make arrangements for house-sitting, car-sitting, and cat-sitting, and change auto-drafts at the bank. Had a few nice long talks with the boss at work, who is being SO cool about holding my job for me while I'm gone by the way! And finally the obligatory obsessive compulsive worrying, stressing, and acne-break outs. I look like a hot mess already and I haven't even had my first class with my ~400 or so classmates yet! ... Can hardly wait for homesickness to kick in (*SARCASM*).
Pictures and video WILL come. I promise. I'm taking before photos of my poses on Saturday morning, and will make some time to post a few here. I will also record a video trial-run before my Sunday morning departure. After I arrive and the (shit)ball starts rolling, I will update as I can. Realistically, I can see a good update each weekend, but if I have time to spew a few words before bed (HA! I'm still thinking I will actually get sleep!... Trust the process... Trust the process... Trust the process...) I will.
More in a couple days!
Breathe Geneva. . . You know, I had my panic attack about 2 weeks ago. The one during which all at once you question your determination, finances, and urinary/bowel continence as your only solace is saying the "F" word repeatedly. I was inconsolable for about 24 hours. Then a funny thing happened... I just let it go. And if anything, my calm has picked up some steam the past few days (true to my medic instincts: strong and steadfast to get the job done). I just cant tell you how amazing it feels to know that I'm GOING! So unreal! So epically bitchin'! I am SO clueless! :-D
My last day of work is tomorrow. I will miss my company for the 9 weeks I'm gone, but sure do need the break. More generally speaking than directed towards my job. I haven't had a vacation in about 5 years. Oh, how naive I must be to think that this will be like a VACATION... HA! It'll really sink in when I'm so sleep deprived I start insulting inanimate objects, or when I'm laying on my sweat-soaked mat cramping and dying a little inside ("ouch, my pride!"). Oh my God, I'm really going to enjoy this!!!
So I referred to a number of other bloggers who've documented their experiences and have provided invaluable advice for Bikram Yoga Teacher Training! I now have... the mother of all packing lists. And nothing green. And a truck load of tampons. I won't bore you with the details, but lets just say I'm concerned enough with trying to pack the 4 FULL sheets of paper worth, front and back, in double columns - into 2 checked bags and a carry on. Now's the time to use that beautiful engineering mind of mine to "Tetrisize" my suitcase contents!
The logistics that are required for leaving home for 9 weeks are nothing short of mind-boggling. I've actually had to break from my usual weekly BY practice to work lots of overtime at times. I'm trying to fund all of my normal bills here at home, and fund my bare minimum survival in L.A. Saving that much when you are a home-owning single gal trying to make a living, and then to go 9-11 weeks without a paycheck (11 if you figure the two weeks to earn one after you return), is to say the least, cause for pant-soiling level concern. Then, I had to get house keys to all of my "circle-of-trustees", make arrangements for house-sitting, car-sitting, and cat-sitting, and change auto-drafts at the bank. Had a few nice long talks with the boss at work, who is being SO cool about holding my job for me while I'm gone by the way! And finally the obligatory obsessive compulsive worrying, stressing, and acne-break outs. I look like a hot mess already and I haven't even had my first class with my ~400 or so classmates yet! ... Can hardly wait for homesickness to kick in (*SARCASM*).
Pictures and video WILL come. I promise. I'm taking before photos of my poses on Saturday morning, and will make some time to post a few here. I will also record a video trial-run before my Sunday morning departure. After I arrive and the (shit)ball starts rolling, I will update as I can. Realistically, I can see a good update each weekend, but if I have time to spew a few words before bed (HA! I'm still thinking I will actually get sleep!... Trust the process... Trust the process... Trust the process...) I will.
More in a couple days!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Pre-Teacher Training.. T-minus 1 week!!!
Hello Everyone! My name is Geneva. I have spent the last 7 years of my life as a Paramedic, working the streets of Oklahoma City saving lives one belligerent asshole at a time, risking life and limb at times. As you can imagine, heaving around the usual minimum 300 pound Fatty McNasty creates quite an on-the-job hazard for all of the spines and joints involved. Most EMS personnel have some kind of major back or joint injury by year 2. I have managed to beat the statistics, as I have never had a major injury. I stay fit though, running, swimming, biking, and most importantly Bikraming! I discovered Bikram Yoga a little over 2 years ago whilst visiting family in Corvallis, OR... and fell maddeningly in love with it! In Oklahoma, there has never been such a thing as Bikram Yoga, and I had to use Bikram's CD in a less-than-ideal environment (not usually very hot or humid unless I practiced on my back porch in the summer) and at a friend's mini home-studio. Well, she is a great deal more than a friend. She is what's making this whole experience possible for me! And I should really go ahead and say "THEY". Lisa and Joan are my teachers. They are laying the groundwork for the very first Bikram studio in OKC and sponsoring me to go to Los Angeles, CA and learn the ways of this hot yoga... I could NOT be any more excited about it!
So I am starting this journal off with a text entry, but with any luck, this blog will be a nice mix of video, text, and picture documentary. Many that have gone before me have used this as an outlet and to keep track of progress. I hope to achieve the same and actually stick with it, despite the overwhelming task ahead that will devour the majority of my time aside from snoozing whenever possible.
I will be posting photos soon. I am planning to take before pictures of all my poses, and post a few pose developments while I am in training, photos of site-seeing, and finally show off the finished product at the end. I will be experimenting with a video entry so that I know how to do such a thing, and other random sundry things (such as my starter survival kit for L.A. - its mostly food stuff).
More later!
So I am starting this journal off with a text entry, but with any luck, this blog will be a nice mix of video, text, and picture documentary. Many that have gone before me have used this as an outlet and to keep track of progress. I hope to achieve the same and actually stick with it, despite the overwhelming task ahead that will devour the majority of my time aside from snoozing whenever possible.
I will be posting photos soon. I am planning to take before pictures of all my poses, and post a few pose developments while I am in training, photos of site-seeing, and finally show off the finished product at the end. I will be experimenting with a video entry so that I know how to do such a thing, and other random sundry things (such as my starter survival kit for L.A. - its mostly food stuff).
More later!
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