Thoughts on Bikram Yoga

Just finished this book. I highly recommend it if you currently do Bikram yoga or are interested / intrigued! It's a great read! Not only is there an entire section devoted to describing each posture with hints or "Bikram's Key" and the benefits of each posture but Bikram also answers some FAQ such as why his classes are so hot! 

It's amazing to see how a pose, such as "Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose", can help relieve pain from sciatica as well as massaging the internal abdominal organs and small and large intestines giving added flexibility in the pelvis, ankles, hip joints and the last 5 vertebrae of the spine (p 137). I love knowing that each posture was selected for a reason. As Bikram says he took "these specific 26 postures to systematically work every part of the body, to give all the internal organs, all the veins, all the ligaments, and all the muscles everything they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function." (p 72)

Some favorite quotes / takeaways:

• "It's never too late, it's never too bad, and you're never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again." (p 13)
• "The way to learn is to do." (p 15)
• "Let me encourage you the way I encourage all my students. Can't do a particular yoga posture today? If you persist in trying the right way, a day will come when you can. Don't cheat or change the posture to conform to your individual weaknesses. If you do, the real benefit goes out the window. Would you rather suffer for 90 minutes or 90 years? The right way is the hard way, and it's up to you to make it work." (p 67)
• "Let's say there's a special room in your house just for meditation. Everything about it is conducive to peaceful contemplation, and you can walk in, lock the door, take the phone off the hook and be completely undisturbed anytime you want. You sit down on your favorite soft meditation pillow, light your favorite incense, play your favorite relaxing music, and begin your meditation. Great. Enjoy. You know what you're going to get from this kind of meditation? A fat ass and a lazy body." (p 75)
• This was in reference to Bikram's 90 minute yoga being a meditation and the importance of finding peace under any condition - not just the calm room. Throughout the book Bikram describes himself as giving tough love! He's also very comical as see in the previous quote!
• "Another overall way yoga heals is by serving as a diagnostic tool. Your inability to hold a posture correctly can often tell you which parts of your body are weak or not functioning well. Like a good mechanic, you'll be running a diagnostic checkup on yourself, locating imbalances to be worked on and organs or other systems in need of repair." (p. 79)

Want to learn more? Go this this website.

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Last night I "finished" my second scarf project. It ended up being a bit of a mess, but lots of lessons learned in the process! I realized a little ways into my second ball of yarn that the wire on the circular needles was twisted.. and as a result so was my scarf. As my mother in law pointed out, it's always ok to donate projects! Just because it isn't supposed to twist doesn't mean it can't keep someone warm!

Tonight I've been reading this book about Bikram yoga, written by Bikram himself! It is so surprisingly interesting. It outlines instructions and benefits for each posture. I'm continuing to be even more fascinated by Bikram yoga and only wish there was a studio in the QC area! In time, perhaps. Once I finish the book I'm going to share some of my favorite quotes! Too inspiring not to share!

For now I'm sharing a quote unrelated to yoga, but rather lovely. Enjoy.

Midweek update!

Happy Wednesday!! *yawn* still working on my coffee!!

Exciting news! I have a meeting / interview with a psych temp agency today! The lady told me to come in to get processed assuming that I will be starting work soon! Well who knows how soon that will really be, but I'm thrilled to feel like I'm making progress, even if it just ends up being a temp job! I'm really toying with that line of NEEDING a job before I go insane, so this is good timing! Some jobs they offer are "full time, temp to hire", so that's what I'm hoping for. I've had good luck in the past working as a temp (although with a different agency) so I'm pretty excited!

I still have not heard back from the people I had my interview with 2 weeks ago - called to follow up this Monday and haven't heard anything... The job openings are starting to be less and less. I think this week I've only been able to find a handful to apply for.

Last week I went to a new church out by where I live! I really think I could like it! There are a lot of young people and it seems entirely possible that it would be easy to get involved and feel at home! Hoping to go back this week! This is the same church that I will be attending a bible study in September.

What else! I have read 3 of the 4 Twilight books! So crazy - I never thought I'd get into them! I'm picking up the 4th and final book tonight and will probably have it read by the weekend!! In between book 3 and 4 I started Eat, Pray, Love in anticipation of the moving coming out! I'm only a little bit into it, but so far am enjoying!!

Mike comes "home" in a week!!! YAY! Haven't figured out arrangements but you better believe I will drive the two hours to get to him as soon as possible! He seems to be doing well from what I hear - I think he is having a hard time sleeping which never helps things and is feeling bored a lot. Earlier this week or late last week they did a "humvee roll over training":

Not really sure what all it entails, but sounds fun! Mike isn't in the above picture, but he sent.. well whatever the heck this thing is! Below is Mike in his typical daily garb! Can only imagine how hot all that gear is!

Yesterday they were kicking doors down and clearing houses and fun activities like that!

Cats are both doing fine! Fiv has seemed to healed from whatever the heck that thing was called! Thank goodness!! Amelia had her 2nd birthday yesterday! Here are two pictures of baby Amelia soon after we got her in Alabama!! Sooooo tiny!!

Ok! That's it for now - gotta get in working lady mode!

Thursday!

Week is just flying by!! So far it's been a pretty fab week!! I spent time with Mevy on Monday and just loved it! We enjoyed time in downtown Loveland - err historic Loveland? and talked like adults! At least she keeps telling me I'm an adult now. Guess marriage made that happen? Dunno. Something she said to me awhile back has been on my mind since. Profound! Prior to making plans to hang out she commented that I don't really know her a part from her family - in the past we have only seen each other at family gatherings and as such I know her as part of that family. Makes me wonder if I have other friends like that - that I only know as part of the group and how they fit into that group - but get them outside of that.. group? situation? surrounding? do I know them as them? Did that make sense? Anyway, it totally made sense to me, and I've just been mulling it over in my head.

I spent ALLLLL day Tuesday reading the latest Jodi Picoult book! I was a little disappointed. It is about a family with an 18 (?) year old son with Aspurgers. While I feel like I learned more about Aspurgers, it didn't really grab my attention like most of her books (even though I read it one day..). Still worth taking a look at for those Jodi Picoult fans, just not her BEST!

Speaking of reading, made my way through the second twilight book! Still enjoying them! The third is currently on my bedside table waiting for me! I know I'll get sucked in! I watched the first Twilight movie on Monday and HATED it!! The acting was AWFUL! It just felt fake and not believable and ughh dunno - easy to make fun of! Last night I watched the second one with high school friend Jean and was relieved! So much better!! Apparently the third book and movie are about to blow my mind with awesomeness! Looking forward to it..

Got caught up on laundry yesterday (much needed endeavor!). What a relief to have clean clothes! Today I'm meeting up with the sis-in-law for happy hour! Yay!! and Tomorrow I'm hoping to see best friend Liz! Patting myself on the back for having a social week! I'm really ready to find a job - not having much luck, but still diligently working at it and applying to whatever I see!

This past weekend I went with my mom to see my dad's band play! It was a lot of fun - even if it was a fish fry (bleh!). Took one picture and it didn't turn out very well but want to share anyway!
Dad's band has another gig this weekend that I'm planning on going to! Good times!

Mike is doing well in CA - sounds like he is doing a great job as a leader and is getting recognition for how awesome he is - which always feels nice! Some days we get to talk on the phone (especially if I'm up late enough reading and can catch him at the end of his day) and some days we just text back and forth as we can. Here is a picture he sent of the post! not much to it, eh? Apparently it really is that tiny!

Getting ready for a post of current favorite things, just have to find a few more to make it feel like a real list! Enjoy your Thursday and weekend!

California!

Have a few more pictures to share from Mike!! He keeps telling me how in love with California he is!! We have talked about maybe moving to Washington state at some point, but I can definitely see California in the future! At this point I think I would travel anywhere with him as long as we could actually be together!

Didn't get to talk to Mike on the phone yesterday, bu he said he had an easy day yesterday - got fitted for body armor, and then 9 of them went on an adventure to the beach! "So we found a van and are sneaking off post!" Have not heard yet how that turned out - but it provided for some awesome pics and I'm sure some already needed time away from post (which he says is tiny!)! He reassured me that since the capt. was with him they wouldn't get into too much trouble!






Also found out that Mike wasn't able to take his lap top with him, so this is kind of frustrating, but at least right now we are able to text back and forth.

I had the sad realization yesterday that this weekend will be the first weekend that we won't see each other at all! That thought really took me by surprise. I'm so used to him being at Knox during the week, but if he can't come home I go visit him and see at least a little bit of him! This pill was hard to swallow, mostly because it is making it a new level of real. I was so used to my weekend plans being with him and when I realized yesterday that tomorrow was Friday and I didn't have much going on it was like crap! I got to be social and organize stuff again!! Anyway, looking forward to spending some time with a friend or 2 from high school tonight! Gotta try and stay busy! :)

Got an email from our wedding photographer last week with a preview of our wedding album!! Overall it looks great, I emailed her back with a few questions and potential changes and am waiting to hear back on that!! Definitely excited to have that in my possession finally!!

I finished Twilight yesterday - read it in less than 24 hours!! Trying to set up a time with Jill to get the next two books - I might just go to the library though to get it sooner! =hooked!! Claire (shout out!), I would love your list of good books to add to my so far non-existent summer reading list!! I want to read Eat, Pray, Love before the movie comes out but other then that I don't have much on my list! Other people who read this, if you have book suggestions, please share! Reading provides a new level of stimulation that watching all six seasons of The Hills did not.. Go figure!!

Alright, breakfast time and on to the rest of my day! Love!

Twilight - the cure?

After a long, tedious day of applying for jobs (yes, still thankful that I continue to find jobs to apply for!) I sat myself down and started reading Twilight (thanks to dear sis-in-law for loaning it to me!). Given that I'm a very slow reader and already on page 94 I find myself wondering if this Twilight phenomena might be the cure to the Army blues! Granted, I have no clue what time I actually started reading it, but I guess that speaks for itself that I'm engrossed! I've heard much criticism about the poor writing and "awful at best grammar" but it is surprisingly fascinating and fun to read! Besides, I'm not a grammar queen (if you haven't noticed!).

Just finished "cooking" a skillet meal for myself that I think is tasty enough to share! I love the bertoli meals as any easy meal when I'm not in the mood to cook, but they are just so dang expensive! I recently discovered Voila! they are considerably cheaper and pretty tasty! Nutritional? Eh?

Mike has arrived safely in the desert! Haven't heard much, but he sent two pictures of his living accommodations! Even though you can't really tell from the pictures, the room will house 40 soldiers! good times! Hoping to be able to share more pictures of the area as I get them!

Back to Twilight for me, folks!