Centering

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Om illustration via Yoga is Life.

Anyone else out there have the tendency to get over-booked and busy? I'm finding that I have a subconscious push to take on more projects and tasks. Unless I am careful about limiting my time spent working, I end up with a little too much on my plate.

That's where the yoga comes in, and when I need it most. Meditation and relaxation, too. The practice of letting go and doing nothing.

One of the best ways to place clear boundaries around your time is to spend time thinking about how you want to use it. What really makes you happy? What is really important to you?

I've had these kind of questions running in the background of my mind lately, and sometimes it helps to mull them over in the shower or write about them in a notebook. Whatever method I use, it's most important that I slow down and pause, giving my thoughts completely over to the work of self-knowledge.

If we don't pause to center ourselves, we lose track.

Last night I was getting frustrated about letting my brain get too much like a hamster caught in a wheel, and then all of a sudden my yoga mind kicked in.

Choose not to suffer.

I actually smiled realizing that this calming mantra has sunk in enough to pop up not only during Bikram class, but also during stressful situations in "real" life. I fell asleep a little easier knowing I could choose not to suffer, choose to be strong, and choose to let God handle the rest.

Photo via  Leo Castillo on Flickr.

Yogis, what are your practices for managing your time and stress well? How do you balance during busy weeks? I know you take yoga class, but are there any other meditations or calming techniques you use?


Would love to hear from you. May you be well, and keep calm.

Soap Heaven

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Photo via Lauren Ross Photography.
Photo via Glen Allsop Photography.

Sometimes we need a space for escaping. A spot to relax, unwind, create, imagine. A space simply to be.

You can create such a space in your home with the right mindset, a nice candle or two, and a lovely spa in your very own bathroom.

I highly suggest soaps and dead sea salts from Sharilynn Studios on Etsy to do the trick. Shari creates dreamy handmade products that are awesome for daily use as well as for special at-home spa days. 

I have been enjoying her well-crafted, gentle, and lovely-smelling soaps for a couple of weeks now and love them. I also love knowing that they're made from all-natural, healthy ingredients that are great for my skin. Plus, she's got a great variety of scents that aren't overly feminine or masculine, so they are great for anyone.

Our favorites so far are the eucalyptus spearmint zen and the coconut lime verbena flavors. Amazing!

A few of Shari's amazing soap and dead sea salt products I've been trying. Love them!

On days when I feel tired or a little stressed, a bath featuring her amazing sea salts helps immensely. I can finally warm up, let go, and enjoy a good steamy bath with no distractions, no conversations, and no negative thoughts in my mind.

Sharilynn Studios also has awesome back scrubbers and pumice stones for sale, so you can get that little extra "oomph" in your cleaning routine.

I also love that Shari's site features artwork and art supplies for sale. She is a talented artist with an inspired, insightful eye for beauty. Swing by her Etsy shop to find out more-- and tell her I sent you :)  You won't be disappointed!

And believe me, when that lovely box shows up on your doorstep with goodies inside (like it did for me), you'll be on your way to luxe and joyful goodness!

Photo via Sharilynn Studios on Etsy. Artwork for sale.

Yoga Tonight

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Photo via Coffee and Yoga.

Sometimes I get what I like to call the 4 o'clock waver. I'm sitting at work, less than an hour left 'til I get to peace out. I'm planning to hit up the Hot Room for a sweaty Bikram yoga session, but then... I waver.

What about a lazy night at home?

What about baking cookies in my PJs?

All of a sudden my mind's bouncing around about how hard the Standing Balancing series is going to be, about how I'm under-hydrated or hungry. Surely there's something more relaxing I can do tonight than yoga. 

It's sad, really. Frustrating. These silly thoughts!

Yoga is my relaxation. Yoga is my meditation. Yoga kicks my ass so I can let go -- fully, finally. Especially on the days when I waver, yoga is what I really need.


And let's be honest: if you can, YOU MUST!

See you at the 5:30pm class, yogis :) Here's to kicking yourself in the bum so you can get your yoga in today.

Photo via A Yoga Journey. 

Swimspot: For Sexy Hot Yoga Wear

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All photos via Swimspot.

Ready to spice up your Bikram wardrobe? Check out Next by Athena, a designer line of hot yoga wear brought to you by Swimspot. You can find tons of sexy outfits for yoga, plus awesome and flattering women's bathing suits on this site. I'm seriously hooked!

I'll be reviewing Swimspot soon, and posting a guest blog post to their blog space, The Spot. Stay tuned!

What are you guys wearing to the Hot Room lately?



All the News That's Fit to Print

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Photo via my new favorite blog find: Fashion Toast!

It is most definitely Monday. Buzzing around the office (on tea, not coffee!) catching up on weekends, the big game, and trying to sort through my Google Reader.

Lots of yoga news in the mix today! If you haven't already, check out the story on Tara Stiles via the New York Times. Interesting stuff. I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

I had to agree with YogaDork's review in saying that "It's yoga. Yoga is as yoga does." I'm all for creating community around yoga that's open, welcoming, and true to the heart (not the ego). Let's all avoid the snobbery and do our backbends, OK? :)


Photo via Google.

I'd also encourage you guys to check out OMB Yoga's open letter to a new Bikram student. There are some great reflections on why the teacher speaks loudly, why we require silence and stillness in between postures, and why wearing short shorts is the way to go (and here's a hint: none of it has to do with your ego!).


Photo of Coby Grant via PrAna's blog.

 PrAna also has some great posts on the upcoming Wanderlust trifecta as well as a lovely review from Coby Grant (a favorite up-and-coming artist of mine!) on the wonderful PrAna line of yoga gear.


Yoga blogger Julia Yee has some wonderful advice on sticking with your yoga routine. Don't miss this post!


Photo of Joslyn Chandler of Miss Fit Bliss by Mechelle Lavelle of Bryant/Lavelle Photography.

Finally, one of my favorite hot yoga bloggers, Joslyn over at Miss Fit Bliss, featured awesome advice on the top 14 things she's learned from Bikram (plus photos of her rockin' the yoga at an advanced class and in competition). Amazing stuff, Jos!


What are you guys up to this week? What are you reading?


I hope all is well and I'm wishing you the best.


Photo of Joslyn Chandler and yogi competitors by Mechelle Lavelle of Bryant/Lavelle Photography.

Seriously, About that Party

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Photos via This is Glam and their offshoot fashion blog.

Hey readers, remember awhile ago when I mentioned I'd love to throw a big happy blog party when we hit 100 followers? Well, we're getting close :)

Here's a thought: what if all of you sent this link to a couple friends on Facebook today? And asked that each of them send the blog along to one or two people they thought might enjoy it, or who could use a little motivation for getting back to their mat?

Photo via FYeahYoga.

My invitation to you: invite your friends, build up the blog following to 100, and then let's part-ay! No, really. Seriously! 

We'll all dress up in glittery, sequin-y outfits after yoga class and go out on the town for fancy coffee drinks. Or do whatever else you want. :)

 

In the Beyond Childhood Series: Bellies!

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Photo via Rummey Bears, one of my favorites. Mama Bear (Anna Rummey) is a wonderful mom. She posts about Baby Bear all the time and used to feature gorgeous belly shots like this one during her pregnancy. She absolutely glows, don't you think?!

I saw a pregnant lady practicing in the cool corner last night at yoga. There was this shuffle of mats at the beginning of class, so that she could be sure she was in the right spot in the room. (Our studio owner keeps one spot a bit colder so it's easier to manage when you've got a babe on the way.)


Meanwhile, over in the most hot and humid corner of the room, I was melting. Literally. Already a puddle on my mat. It was great.


After class, I noticed that the pregnant lady was hardly pregnant -- she wasn't showing yet at all, no belly there yet. She was glowing, though. Stuart, the studio owner, checked in with her to see how she was feeling. "Better?" he asked. She nodded with a big smile.

It made me wonder: what's it like to experience a Bikram class when you're pregnant? I wonder if the heat and humidity and intensity is almost too much. I imagine it can be a very helpful meditation, though.


I've also heard about moms who experience their baby kicking during the postures.


Now that's meditation, to feel that very flutter of life within you, and still stay in the pose!


Anyway, just wanted to send some love out to all the moms who choose to practice. I know some doctors are pretty wary of hot yoga -- especially during the first trimester -- and you do want to be really careful in class if you've got a little one on the way. As long as you've been practicing consistently for a while, though, you should be all set to continue with your yoga.


The entire Bikram series is slightly altered when you're expecting, too. You do the pregnancy class, not the regular series. (You can buy a DVD of Rajashree Choudhury doing the series if you like!)


If you're practicing at a studio, be sure to check in with your teacher before class just so they know to keep an eye on you. Then follow the pregnancy series guide (not the exact dialogue) and rock your yoga!


Moms who Bikram, you are awesome. I commend you for your hard work and hope to one day join the ranks of ladies who bring their bellies to class. I imagine too that with your meditation, patience and compassion, parenting will be a piece of cake! :)



Photo via Rummey Bears. Isn't Anna a gorgeous mom? She rocks the belly if you ask me.


Are you expecting? Practicing too? I'd love to hear from you about your experience! Leave a comment below or email aliveinthefire at gmail dot com. Namaste and congrats to you and your growing family!

How Happy is Your Yoga Bum?

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Photo of K.Deer Model via her site. These are the beautiful bumbums I've been loving lately!

A couple days ago another Bikram blogger, The Dancing J over at Keep it Locking, posted about the crazy costumes we wear to yoga class.

I loved her reflections on how appearance can make us feel more ready for our practice, whether we are a student or a teacher.

And she notes that the dialogue even refers to "costumes." She says: 

It happens a couple of times. ("Heel touching the costume, sole of the foot facing the ceiling.") It’s an apt description. We do put on costumes to do yoga.  Everyone has at least one article of clothing - a favorite tank top or pair of shorts - that is For Yoga. And when you put that clothing on, you are in your yoga costume, looking like a yogi, ready to try to do some yoga.

Isn't it interesting how a fun pair of shorts or a low-cut bra, or a big t-shirt, or no t-shirt at all can affect the way you think of yourself at yoga?

I definitely have my favorite outfits. Most recently, I've added a pair of "bum bum" shorts from K. Deer's haute yoga wear line. I love them!

Photo of K.Deer Model via her site.

Photo of the entire K.Deer line via her site. Look at that awesome selection!

Kristine's line is fantastic -- lots of wild colors and prints, and most everything can be ordered in matching sets of headbands and shorts. The fabric she uses is super flexible and doesn't slip (so you can rest assured that your bum won't be hanging out during the postures... and that's nice, because you've got enough to worry about in yoga anyway!).


Check out her main website, which links to her Etsy shop. So many fun pairs of shorts to choose from!


And all of these look and feel (and perform) like true Bikram outfits, the ones you see being worn by advanced and stylish students. 


Me, I just got lucky, because my friend Jenn at Yoga With Style told me about them! You can shop there for K.Deer's stuff, too.
  
Heads up to TruHarmony (Chicago) and Bikram Yoga Evanston readers: I'll be posting some awesome flyers in the locker rooms in the next week or so. They feature coupons so you can place an order for a discount! Woohoo!


I encourage all readers to check out K. Deer's awesome stuff, and let me know if you have questions or feedback.


Here's to happy yoga bums!


Photo of K.Deer Model via her site.

This Man is Bikram, This Man is Not Your Yoga

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Hey there, Boss. Photo via the Details feature everyone's buzzing about.

If you follow Bikram news, or Teacher Training news, chances are you've read the Details feature about Bikram's oversexed culture in the training tent by now.

Maybe you caught YogaDork's review.

Or some of the tweets that have been flying around about yoga will help you in more rooms than just the hot room (ie your bedroom).

Whatever you're reading, I hope you'll take it with a grain of salt. Bikram is a crazy, crazy man. He says very crazy things. Though Bikram may be crazy -- and you should stop and consider this for a moment -- he is not Bikram yoga.

Sure, he is Bikram, the crazy guy who started it all and who franchised the hell out of his 26 postures. That little man with his hair in a bun and his black Speedo may be up there teaching class, but he is not your yoga.

Just like in the Hot Room, people love to get distracted by all the bullshit.

We get distracted by all the photos we see of Bikram posing with his hot chicks, or getting massages, or riding around in luxury cars. We get caught up in the ridiculous things we hear him say, or his celebrity status. And granted, some of it is entertaining. I mean, who else can get away with saying:

“You, Miss Teeny-Weeny Bikini! Spread your legs! You, Mr. Masturbation! Until I say ‘Change,’ you do not move a muscle!” 

Honestly, I don't know anyone else who gets paid the way he does to act as such a ridiculous entertainer.

Yogis at Teacher Training. Photo via the Details feature everyone's buzzing about.

And then the article says he claims to eat one meal a day of meat and Coke. Nothing else.

Lovely example for his students, right? How does that help him encourage others to lead healthy lives?

Regardless of what you hear and what crazy rumors go flying around about Bikram, it is still a healthy practice if you want it to be. If you show up to the room every day to practice 90 minutes of yoga and meditation, you will grow stronger. Your body will grow healthier.

You just have to learn to ignore some of the celebrity garbage and myth-making that's out there surrounding the yoga. You have to make it an introspective practice for good, and keep it on the mat.

Your meditation, your yoga.

Your Bikram.

Crow pose at Teacher Training. Are those bum bum shorts?! Photo via the Details feature everyone's buzzing about.

It's Crepe Time! (Almost)

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Photo via 101 Cookbooks. May have to use their crepe recipe too!

I'm super excited about an upcoming review I'm going to do for CSN Stores, an awesome site that features a huge variety of kitchen products, house wares and decorations, and these cool Herman Miller chairs I keep hearing about.


Anyway, I just wanted to give you a heads up because CSN is sending me a crepe maker and I'm totally going to do a fun brunch with friends, or breakfast in bed.


Keep your eyes out for amazing breakfasts here. (And if you have a crepe recipe you love, please do share!)

Longing for London

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Photos via Bikram Yoga Chiswick and Bikram Yoga Fulham / Balham studio galleries.

Holy moly, Bikram studios in London are beautiful!

I just discovered these locations:
And I'd love to come visit this afternoon for a class, please :) I mean, look at those clean zen-like spaces, talented yogis, and beautiful lighting!

I vote yes, yes, yes. I'll go book my afternoon flight...







Seeing Double

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Photos via Beth and Carissa's amazing photo blog. 


I love photography, especially artfully paired photos that have nothing to do with each other but somehow give meaning when placed side by side. 


Like these, from Beth and Carissa.


Yep, same Carissa as Andrew + Carissa who I recently posted about. Help them adopt a beautiful girl!






Photos via Beth and Carissa's amazing photo blog. 

Bandha Yoga Books: Science + Yoga

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I'll be reviewing this book soon! Image copyright © 2005, 2006 Raymond A. Long MD.

You practice yoga, but how much do you know about the science behind your body's movement throughout the postures?

I recently discovered Bandha Yoga (www.BandhaYoga.com), an awesome resource that can help any yogi understand the anatomy behind the practice of yoga.

Ever wondered why you're having trouble with tight hamstrings or hips? Pain in the soles of your feet? Increasing your lung capacity during breathing exercises?

Bandha Yoga's incredible (and incredibly thorough) website and books can show you the reason for these common struggles, as well as provide anatomical information on musculature and bone structure to help explain why you're experiencing them.

Click here for a sample chapter from Bandha Yoga.

An excerpt from one of the awesome books. Image copyright © 2005, 2006 Raymond A. Long MD.

The site (www.BandhaYoga.com) and line of books are incredible. I highly recommend a visit to the site to explore. You can check out anatomical photos of different postures, browse through the books, and even download images to help your own practice.

Bonus: I'll be reviewing the book on Vinyasa Flow and Standing Poses in a couple of weeks. You won't want to miss that post!


In the meantime, check out Scientific Keys Vol 1 - The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga. This will help you whether you practice Bikram or a different version of Hatha Yoga. Totally fascinating!

The skeleton guys are a bit creepy at first, but the science behind them is eye-opening!
Image copyright © 2005, 2006 Raymond A. Long MD.

Help an Awesome Blogging Couple Adopt

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Video from adopt rinah from VsTheBrain on Vimeo.

Andrew + Carissa is one of my favorite blogs. I love their creative vision, amazing photography, and the sense of love they so obviously have for each other.

Andrew and Carissa are hoping do adopt a beautiful girl from Africa, Rinah. Watch the video above and consider donating your prayers or a few bucks to help them make a huge difference in her life. 

Sending my love to all three of you, and wishing you best of luck with the adoption process!

XO