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BIKRAM YOGA There was a Bikram Yoga Studio next to my gym, and I thought I'd like to try it.  However, the idea of doing yoga postures in a heated room -- didn't sound fun at all.  Then, I was visiting my friend Wendy in New Jersey, who owns a Bikram Yoga Studio.  And, I tried it.  26 postures, designed to scientifically warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons in the order in which they should be stretched.  The heat of the room allows for deeper stretching, and stimulates those sweat glands for maximum detoxification.   "The exercises systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to 100% of your body, to each organ and fiber, restoring all systems to healthy working order, just as Nature intended. Proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well-being will automatically follow."                          ---- All this in 90 minutes. I felt AMAZING after my first session.  I returned home and signed up for "10 Days for $10", a promotion that many studios use to encourage people into the hot room.  Eight months later, I'm LOVING it even more!!!  Not only do I feel energized after Bikram, my body has transformed.  I was in pretty good shape before, but Bikram has added NEW definition and a few, new sexy muscles too! AND lots of new flexibility.  I also found that my running was positively impacted, as doing Bikram expands lung capacity.  After a month off of running, I actually felt stronger than before!!   It's also been instrumental in healing so old injuries. ***BONUS *** Bikram Yoga is so much more... The physical benefits are only a small part of why I love Bikram Yoga so much.   It is a "practice" to truly "master oneself" - mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.  It's about "being present" and finding stillness, and reducing the chatter in the mind.  "Being present" isn't easy for most of us, and particularly when you're challenging your body into unusual postures.  But, how many places in life do we get 90 minutes to practice being more present?  It's also about practicing going from "maximum intensity" to "total relaxation", without drama.  Several of the balancing postures require as much focused concentration as strength.  Mind over body.  It's often easy to "give up", but it's a useful practice to challenge the mind and body to stay engaged for those extra few seconds.  It's about surrendering into a posture, finding serenity within the intensity, while allowing the body to stretch just a little more deeply.  It's also about "being with yourself" in moments of failure.  There are still postures I struggle with, so practicing love and compassion with myself is necessary.  It's also about nurturing yourself.  And, I could go on and on... Life is challenging.  Everything I just mentioned above is excellent practice for living life.  Being present, reducing mind chatter, focused mental energy, stamina, balancing, surrendering, giving 100%, relaxing 100%, and being loving and kind in moments of challenge.  And, you get fit and healthy, while developing yourself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Bikram Yoga is for everyone, whether you're fit, flexible or not.  You are your only point of measurement and progress.  Your journey begins where ever you are. Try it, you may fall in love with it, as I and many, many others have.   I've included links to the right for more information about Bikram Yoga, my local studio, and a list of locations/schedules Internationally.

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LAURA'S MAGIC MOMENT "I recently returned to fulltime university studies to receive teacher certification after a 15 year break. Needless to say, with a child in middle school, a child in elementary school and a husband in the Army constantly on T.D.Y. - juggling everything can be quite a challenge. Add to that the guilt you feel as a parent that you are just not getting to spend enough time with your kids and you have the setting for some tired, cranky days. Wednesdays are my busiest. I teach second grade in the morning, attend class in the afternoon, pick up children from two different schools in the afternoon, take my oldest to Hebrew school, pick her up and leave for my 7:00 class immediately after dropping them at home. The class lasts until 9:50 which means I get home about 10:15. Needless to say, I am tired, cranky, and still have homework to do.  Unfortunately, I find myself sometimes taking this out on my kids by asking first thing "Is your homework done" "Have you had your shower yet" when I should be asking how their day went.  My kids, however, never cease to amaze me with their kind hearts and generosity. After returning home exhausted from class last Wednesday, I discovered that my children still had not eaten dinner. I asked, in a very grumpy tone of voice, "Why, at 10:15 had they not eaten dinner?"  My daughter answered in a voice of kindness and contrition, "We were waiting for you". "I was going to make you soup because I know how tired you are".  Well of course this completely humbled me. She goes on to tell me that she also recorded the finale of "Big Brother" because she noticed I had not set the recorder, and she knew what a fan I was of the show and figured I would want to see it.  Too often we are so quick to label pre-teens and teens as self involved and troublesome. My daughter's ability to empathize humbled me. Her example inspired me to look past my own preoccupation with the things going on in my life and listen with a new appreciation to the stories of middle school, from friendship tiffs, to grouchy teachers.  Later that evening, as we finished the soup my daughter had made, my son gave me a hug as he went to bed. During that hug he told me that he was the luckiest boy in the world because he had me for a mother. No, I am the lucky one. I have two children who care. Never buy into the media portrayal of teenagers. Children live up to whatever expectations you hold for them. Do your kids a favor, keep them high." Share a Magic Moment of yours.....email mary@lifecoachmary.com .

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We hope you've enjoyed reading this issue of Soulfully Living.  We LOVE hearing feedback....especially if you've enjoyed this issue.  Let us know what you like, so we can give you more of what you want.  And, if you've got a suggestion of how we might improve or enhance SoulFULLY Living, please email mary@lifecoachmary.com .   If you'd like to make a contribution to one of our topics areas in SoulFULLY Living, please email mary@lifecoachmary.com, we're always looking for valuable material to pass on to our readers. Soulfully Living encourages reproduction of the contents of this newsletter with proper attribution. Soulfully Living is a trademark. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. Mention of third-party products is for informational purposes only and constitutes neither a recommendation nor an endorsement.

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Creating Fulfillment
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Issue #38 . < 10/20/03 >

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