Help Mary Teach Yoga

I can’t believe that almost one year ago today, I began my journey at Teacher Training to become a Bikram Yoga Teacher! A lot has happened in the past year. I have met some extraordinary people, traveled a lot, challenged myself in new ways and discovered so much about myself as a person. Looking back on the few posts that I made, something in particular stood out! Near the beginning of the blog, I discussed my vision for my future - the goals I had for the next few years….On Aug 20, 2010, I posted:

My ideal situation is that I go to Teacher Training this fall, and go teach in Australia in the Spring when he is studying abroad there. Then I would love to combine part-time yoga teaching with part-time web / graphic design for a small company, in some new location. I’m tired of working remotely, isolated from people and sunshine, and I can’t believe that it would potentially be two years this October that I’ve been in this situation. I need my life back, and I want to do something meaningful and helpful for others!

AMAZING! Let’s review this year.

• First, just two weeks before the deadline when I thought it wasn’t going to happen, I raised enough and BAM, suddenly I was off to San Diego!
• During TT, I meet some Aussies, but discover a job posting for a full-time teacher at a studio just outside Brisbane. Six month contract, starting Jan 1. PERFECT. TIMING. I send out an application while at training, and after a few emails, BAM! I have a teaching job!! I call the bf and say “You better get accepted to your program, because I’m going to Australia.”
• BF gets accepted to a semester at JCU in Townsville. Note, it’s like 700mi north of Brisbane, but that’s better than an entire ocean and zillions of timezones.
• I fly to Brisbane, start teaching and absolutely loooove it. Love my students, love the community of teachers, love the sunshine in Australia (despite the hole in the ozone right over Oz). I soon discover my teacher’s ‘salary’ can’t quite pay my bills, so I start reaching out for freelance projects, and start doing some fun logo design!

So, it’s pretty remarkable that if you put it out there - if you give specifics of what you want, you can really make it happen. I had such a clear vision of what I needed and wanted to have happen within the year, and it manifested itself!

Hi everyone! I have to do a really quick update for week two, because it’s 10:30 pm, and I need to study dialogue once more and go to sleep as soon as possible. I can’t believe that we’ve gone through two weeks already and have seven more to go. It feels like time has gone by both quickly and slowly for various reasons. Last Monday seems like SO long ago. It started out HOT in San Diego. After a sleepy and stiff but wonderful class taught by Emmy during the morning, the temperature kept rising, and we kept sweating all through lecture. By the time the 5pm class with Bikram rolled around, I and many others already felt exhausted. I like to call Monday afternoon’s class the “death class” - no, no one died, but over half the class left the room over the course of the 90 minutes. I didn’t, but I surely wanted to at some point. People were dropping like flies all over the tent in the heat and humidity. One guy in front of me threw up on his mat a few times, staggered around, kept going, and FINALLY left the room toward the end of class, and came back with a clean towel. I’m really surprised that I didn’t throw up too after seeing his mat. I think that the presence of my friends, including Yuka who was practicing right next to me, helped me get through the whole class! After it was over, I spent several minutes outside in the fresh air laughing hysterically with my friends Ria and Takako. We couldn’t quite form any words after class, so laughing (or crying??) seemed to be the only thing we could do. :)

That night at lecture, Bikram came into the tent wearing a yellow tracksuit, and promptly stripped down into this crazy metallic shirt and little hot pants - he topped this off with a little dance on stage! Despite our really challenging class, he was back in a great, peppy mood that continued for the rest of the week.

After Monday’s class, the rest of the week in terms of classes was much more manageable. I felt stronger and not so utterly exhausted at the end of each class. I think I’m getting a better hold on my electrolytes and am drinking more water. We were very fortunate to have so much time with Emmy! In each class with her, she says so many profound things about the body and explains what happens to various muscles, tendons, ligaments and organs, etc during each posture. She has an endless knowledge about this yoga that is so incredibly helpful and valuable. I would love to write more about her time with us here, but I think it would take too long.

Other than Emmy, we’ve had a few more Bollywood nights including the infamous Marahabat. Bikram brought a major Indian music producer to visit one night - he sang several songs, and Bikram played one of his own disco-ish, club-ish songs, which led into an amazing Bollywood disco dance break - everyone was clapping, some people dancing on top of their chairs etc. It was such a great moment where people let loose and had fun! Bikram of course got on stage again and busted out his disco moves.

Posture clinics started, and I delivered Backbend and Hands to Feet, which went really well. No “homework”. Next week we will most likely do Awkward, Eagle and Standing Head to Knee. I’ve got Awkward pose down, but it’s been very challenging trying to get Eagle and Standing Head to Knee. So many “rights” and “lefts” and “the” and “your” to mix up. Eeeeee. Hopefully it will all come together!!

Eh, so much more to say, but I really don’t have any more time! If you want to follow me during the week, find me on Facebook or follow me on twitter  - I am yogimary.

Here we go, week 3!

Hi everyone! So, week one of Teacher Training is complete! Sorry for not updating this since I found out I was actually going to teacher training, three weeks ago. Since that day, I’ve been SO busy trying to get everything in order to get here, including quitting my job, packing, etc.Anyway, I will try to recount Week 1 here, but I apologize if it’s a bit scatterbrained/all over the place. I like to think that my yoga brain is extending into the weekend.

Last Sunday morning, Melinda/”Tortuga” from my studio picked me up at 5:45am in her adorable blue VW Bug. Tortuga is in her 60s, hilarious, witty, lovely and sweet. We had such a fun drive down to San Diego, despite it being close to 7 hours in the car. It was a great chance to get to know each other better, and share our thoughts, worries and excitement about the next nine weeks!!

We finally arrived at the Town and Country Resort, where everything takes place, at around 1:30ish. After waiting in line for forever and getting our rooms (we are right next door to each other!!) and waiting in more lines, we had orientation. The staff were introduced, and Raj and the Choudhury kids were there! As Rajashree welcomed us into the Bikram family, I suddenly felt so overwhelmed! After all this running around for the past two weeks, and finally getting there, it finally hit that I was about to embark on something I’ve been wanting for so so long, and that it was going to be a life-changing experience. I’m going on a new path from here - so many possibilities!

Our class consists of 377 people from all over the world. This past week we’ve been delivering Half Moon posture in front of Bikram and everyone else, so it’s been a great chance to find out who everyone is. Because I didn’t want to drag on any public-speaking-anxiety for longer than I had to, I jumped up and joined the first group of people delivering the posture. I was #10! I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be, and I think it went really well! After I was done, Bikram looked around and said “Wow, if everyone is like this it’s going to be a very quick training. No corrections. Next!” :) I was so happy and relieved to have it done with! Now I can move on to studying my other postures.

Classes during the week have been very challenging, but I’ve enjoyed all of them despite how I’m feeling. As is usual with Teacher Trainings, they were having trouble figuring out the heat/humidity balance in the yoga tent, so the first two or three classes were not very hot. and then suddenly, HELLO HUMIDITY. I believe it was Tuesday night’s class with Bikram that was one of the most humid classes I’ve had in quite some time. I thought about throwing up a few times in that class and in a few other evening classes afterward, but fortunately that hasn’t happened yet. :) I’ve been trying to get a feel for how much water and electrolytes I need. During Thursday night’s class, I felt so incredibly dizzy - perhaps I had too many electrolytes, and too much salt in my water. The night before, I didn’t have enough. So yes, it’s a guessing game.

While Bikram has taught most of the evening classes, we’ve enjoyed classes from other teachers during the mornings. First we had Rajashree, who lead a wonderful yet challenging class. I’m amazed how she can be so sweet yet tough when teaching! We also had a class taught by Jim and Emma Kallet and Brandy Winfield. Brandy’s class has been my favorite by far! She had the energy that we all needed that morning, and said some powerful things throughout class that pushed me to a few tears. I felt so inspired and invigorated after her class and went up to her afterward to re-introduce myself (I took her advanced class in San Jose a few weeks ago). I got choked up while telling her about how I loved her class. Oops!

On another note, Bollywood movies. We’ve watched two so far, and have gotten out of the lecture tent at 2am and 3am on those nights. I know the sleep deprivation is going to be the most challenging aspect for me here, when combined with two yoga classes today and hours and hours of lecture/posture clinics. Despite this, I LOVED the bollywood movies! The first one was ridiculous, hilarious and shocking. The 2nd one was actually very beautiful, but something like 6 hours long. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us next!

Now that it’s the weekend, we’ve all had a chance to recover from the week, study up on our dialogue a bit, and have a few hot meals. Last night, Yuka and Jen (from San Jose) and Leilani (from Las Vegas) and I grabbed some delicious delicious Thai food at a place in Hillcrest. My Thai Basil Shrimp was spectacular, but the sticky rice/mango dessert combination was glorious. I mean, really, really, really good. They let me eat most of the dessert. (THANKS guys! ;) 

Aside from Thai, I’ve done a bit of grocery shopping and exploring around the Fashion Valley Mall and in Old Towne. This morning I woke up early but refreshed and went to the pool where the laundry room is also located. Best laundry experience ever. While waiting for my clothes to wash and dry, I spent my time relaxing with other yogis in the morning sunshine, studying and practicing dialogue! I hope I can do this every Sunday!

So, sorry for the length, but once I get started, I tend to ramble on! I will probably be able to update everything next weekend, as our weeks are jam-packed. Hope everyone is well. Thank you thank you THANK YOU for helping me get to San Diego! I am so grateful!

It’s happening! I am going to Teacher Training in TWO WEEKS!! Last time I posted, I thought my run for Fall 2010 was over, and was ready to go for Spring 2011, but suddenly, with the help of my amazing family, I am able to go. I found out on Friday, and had to ask my mom about 1000 times, “Is this really happening?” Yes, yes it is. I’ve gone through waves of panic, fear and excitement because I’ve realized Teacher Training is just two weeks away, so I have to get a lot ready in a little amount of time. The three main things I have to do:

1) Quit my job - something I’ve been looking forward to for two years. Although it’s terrifying to think that I will suddenly have no income. yikes. I’d like to scope out some potential employment opportunities for after training is done, graphic design wise. I want to teach part time, design part time. (in the Southern Hemisphere, ideally!!!) I realized though, that I may or may not lose this MacBook when I quit. Which means I have to buy a new one if I want to continue being a graphic designer. oof.

2) Study the dialogue - Fortunately I’ve been learning Half Moon for several months, slowly but surely, quite casually - so now that I’m actually going, I want to get it down ridiculously well, and hopefully squeeze in whatever else I can in the next few days. I think I’m pretty good at memorizing when I have the time to actually focus on it, so I think it will be ok.

3) Get contact lenses. I just scheduled an appointment for tomorrow at Lens Crafters. Even though I enjoyed the nickname “Ms. Glasses” that Bikram gave me at Advanced Seminar one day, I don’t want to deal with taking them on and off every day, twice a day in classes, and I don’t want to risk them melting in the heat, etc. Instead, I have to get used to sweat stinging my lenses, I guess!! Unfortunately its going to cost me some $$$ when money is tight already. but I think it will be worth it!! It will be nice to see clearly all the time. :)

So excited that it’s really happening!!

Looks like I didn’t quite make it for Fall 2010. As I mentioned before, I managed to raise $3000, which is AMAZING!, but still need about $5000 more, meaning I can’t go this Fall. Thanks SO MUCH to all those who donated in the last month. I want to let you know that the money will now be used for Spring 2011, but if you want me to refund you, just let me know. I will continue my fundraising efforts and hopefully make enough in the next several months. Meanwhile, I’ll have enough time to continue studying the dialogue so I’m ultra prepared when the time comes to go to training.

Thanks again for all your support!

Hi all! I just wanted to post a little update regarding my campaign to raise funds to go to Teacher Training this fall. The deadline is swiftly approaching and I have about $5,000 to go. On a positive note, I’m so excited at the fact that I’ve been able to raise $3,000! I’ve never attempted anything like this before, so I wasn’t quite sure how it would work out. If I do not raise enough money, I will go to TT in the Spring.

It’s been kind of a rocky week to be honest, filled with ups and downs about going in the Fall. The $10 donation I received last week from a stranger, perhaps a friend of a friend of a friend, was so encouraging! Thank you so much! Each donation, whatever amount, has really kept me going! There have been a few people who think it’s a bit far-fetched and unrealistic to go to a yoga training for 9-weeks and don’t think that I’ll really do it, which is part of the “downs” i mentioned, but the majority of people I’ve spoken with have overwhelmed me with kindness and positive words which has been tremendously powerful - it means so much to me!

The timing for going this year, in particular this Fall, has really been a strong driver for me. My boyfriend and I are currently in our last year in Pacific Grove as he wraps up his masters degree. We are BEYOND ready to move out of this town, and get on with our quest to explore the world. My ideal situation is that I go to Teacher Training this fall, and go teach in Australia in the Spring when he is studying abroad there. Then I would love to combine part-time yoga teaching with part-time web / graphic design for a small company, in some new location. I’m tired of working remotely, isolated from people and sunshine, and I can’t believe that it would potentially be two years this October that I’ve been in this situation. I need my life back, and I want to do something meaningful and helpful for others!

If I end up going in the Spring, I will continue my fund raising and saving efforts of course, but come January when the bf goes to Australia, I will be in an interesting situation - I do not intend to stay here if I can help it. Perhaps I will go down to San Diego and work there until TT begins, or somewhere along the way. It’s tempting to go up to San Francisco on the other hand, as it’s a bit closer, and it reminds me of my true love, Boston.  But I think maybe sunniness and warmth might trump West-coast-Boston. As I’ve said before, I’m still waiting for Summer ‘09 here on the Monterey peninsula. It’s foggy and 60 degrees right now, one of the warmer days we’ve had in the last few weeks. But anyway… :)

Happy August everyone! I have just one month to go until the deadline for Fall ‘10 Teacher Training! I currently have $2,650 in donations, meaning I have $5,250 to go for the minimum deposit needed (if I go with their payment plan).  I’ve never done a fundraiser for something like this before, but I’m going to try as hard as I can in the next few weeks. If I cannot attend in September, I will continue my efforts and go in the Spring.

Please, if you know anyone who might be interested in helping me raise funds for training, please pass along my website to them!

Hello friends! Thank you so much for visiting this webpage I’ve put together promoting my goal of getting to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in San Diego this year. I’ve added a few pages about Bikram Yoga and teacher training, and why I am asking for donations - please feel free to check them out via the links at the top of the page.

If you know anyone who would be interested in helping out, please pass along this Web site or my email address. I set up one specifically for this site: helpmaryteachyoga AT gmail DOT com.