Bikram 101

...Mind, Body and Spirit

by Amber Klahm

As I sit here writing this, it’s a typical rainy day in the outskirts of Vancouver but the energy in our streets is nothing short of a warm rays as we have welcomed the world to our very city for the 2010 Winter Olympics. As we have only a couple days left of the Olympics, I am also coming to an end of a challenge that has giving me life, spirit and a sense of accomplishment- as of March 2^nd, I will have completed 150 consecutive days of Bikram Yoga. As with any goal, we have our doubts and we have our anticipations, we have our setbacks and we have our glory moments but as I come to the end, I realize all this has been for something so much more.

Like the Olympics, that has brought the world together in the forms of inspiration, motivation, determination and peace; I have learned how much of a true inspiration my goal has been for so many instructors and students. Students come up to me with excitement in their eyes telling me they are continuing their own challenge, whether it be to start a 30 day or continue with 60 or 100 days. I have had instructors inspired to take on the 30 day challenge (including teaching mixed in with that!) for many reasons; health, emotional, even just to have more of an appreciation for this yoga. These moments alone have made me realize that this challenge has gone beyond me; it has paved a path for those searching for their own challenge.

Like any athlete who walks onto the stage or waits for the gun to go off, the anticipation when we walk into that hot room is the moment we wait for every day we come into our studios; the ability to take that first breath of that heat, to roll out our mats and look ourselves in the mirror and say “I am here because this is exactly where I need to be”.

We sweat liters of water, we even bleed a bit sometimes, we suffer aches and pains, we laugh, cry, mentally tell our instructors off, pray for the fans to come on, pray for the one more ounce of energy to stretch just a little bit higher, and through all of that, we realize that once we leave that room it was all worth it.

When we come out of that room, we should all realize we have given ourselves another chance for a better life, a new appreciation of ourselves and a way to open up our minds and our hearts to those in our lives- for that we all deserve a gold medal.

I would like to add my appreciation and thanks to all those who have been reading my blog- www.ambersbikramyogadiary.blogspot.com . You have let me release my thoughts and feelings in a harmonious and loving atmosphere.

Namaste~

*******************************

Amber Klahm lives in a town just outside of Vancouver, BC called Langley. She has been practising Bikram Yoga for over a year and half and has grown such a passion for this amazing healer of the body, mind and soul. Amber is currently a student and part time counsellor for adolescents. Her other interests include swimming, writing, hiking, and spending valuable time with friends and family.