Well, finally taking more than 5 minutes to add to my blog! Just started loading new show into Durham North Carolina's new Performing Arts Center so there are NOT enough hours in the day. I did manage to get to the brand spanking new Bikram studio though, and not only am I impressed with the new studio but also with the amazing amount of people giving it a try! They have been open three weeks when I first went last Monday and there were at least 20 students there for class. Each successive class I have been to has had at least that many people there. The teachers are pretty good with first timers, I can see a few things I would add but then I have been to so many studios that I have gotten kind of opinionated about how to treat first timers. But their teachers are very very good. Ralph taught my first class there on Monday and did a nice job of explaining the initial breathing and did a good class I just felt a little out of his rhythm. Carmen taught on Wednesday and she was awesome. I totally enjoyed her class and her spiel is great. Her accent, and this may sound un-politically correct, but I LOVED her accent! There were some spanish to english slips of tongue that made me smile and relieved tension. She gave great corrections and was just so spot on with temperature and caring. Mani on Friday was just as good without the accent. Mani notices a lot about her students and has a great spiel that imparts energy and inspiration. I loved her demonstration of standing head to knee, her balance is something to strive for.
The studio is very very clean, there are some pesky columns in the room itself that are strange but obviously not removable. They have filtered water out of their water fountain and in the sinks in the changing rooms. The water fountain gauges how many water bottles you save by refilling yours! I LOVE that! Inspire me to save our world MORE! The changing rooms are a little tight but work ok. They have lockers and three showers, which is so nice because I must shower after class even if I am just going straight home! The studio is in a building that was some sort of factory and has been renovated for artists and such, very nice ambiance.
As far as my anal retentiveness for first time students....Please demonstrate the initial breathing! It is so hard to see it and try it at the same time. And if you demonstrate two breaths than the student can see how you get out of the exhale and back into the inhale.
Rabbit pose, have them watch the first one!
That is really it. I tell people who are intimidated by Bikram Yoga to watch the first set of each pose and then try the second. These teachers here have all emphasized that TRYING it right is better than pushing and not being anywhere near the pose the way it can help! I am still trying to hold my damn foot while standing on one leg and some days I can't even REACH my foot but then I have days where I can start to kick out and keep my standing leg straight and I feel so good about myself. That is what this yoga has given me, being happy with each little step forward and not grieving over a little setback. So important for all of my life where I rarely see anything but black and white!
Namaste!
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