Bikram Yoga for Stress
By Gail, 29 July, 2010
Over 50 years ago Bikrams guru Bishnu Ghosh said that “mental stress and strain is the cause of al diseases even infectious ones.” Why? Because stress compromises the immune system. Recently western science has confirmed the destructive role or cortisol, a stress hormone, in chronic illness. Diabetes, obesity, hypertension, depression, migraines and chronic pain just to name a few have all been linked to stress along with lifestyle habits such as poor diet.
Stress is the nonspecific response of the body to any demand, external or internal. The body is sent into an emergency overdrive (the fight or flight response) and releases chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol to help us cope or respond to the stressor. Over time, with repeated stressors (or what we perceive as stressful) the body becomes overwhelmed by the constant release of these hormones and their acidic, corrosive effects. It causes exhaustion, the immune, endocrine and nervous systems cannot function at their best which causes high blood pressure, sleep disorders, headaches, neck tension, backaches, depression and anxiety.
The natural science of yoga taps into the bodies intrinsic healing system calming and integrating the mind, body and emotions. Through the postures and breathing exercises in Bikram Yoga we take back control of the fight or flight response. Studies have proved how well Hatha Yoga returns the body to equilibrium. In 2005 and German study compared groups of women who were acutely distressed over a three month period. Those who practiced Hatha Yoga showed significantly lower levels or cortisol, made significant decreases in their levels of perceived stress, anxiety, fear and depression. They reported higher level or wellbeing and improved physically. There was a marked level of relief for those suffering headaches and backpain. Yoga is a natural proven remedy, for both the mental and physical reactions to stress.
Bikram Yoga Geelong on youtube.com
By Gail, 29 July, 2010
Check us out on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y50M7g6XMuE A big thank you to John Powell (BYG student) for producing this footage, it looks fantastic John and we appreciate all the hours of work to edit a 90 minute class. Many thanks to all our wonderful students for taking part in the filming. Your postures look amazing, not to mention the focus and concentration whilst under the camera lens. The footage is a great way to share the story of Bikram Yoga, so be sure to pass the link on to family and friends.
August 30 Day Challenge
By Gail, 29 July, 2010
The 30 Day Challenge is for you to practice 30 classes in 30 days!! Experience for yourself the amazing physical, mental and physiological benefits of a daily practice. Take the 30 Day Challenge and you might just change your life!!
Guidelines:
- The challenge commences on Sunday 1st August and finishes on Monday 30th August.
- If you miss a day you need to catch up by practicing a double in one day (e.g. 6am class and 6pm class). You can only practice one double per week.
- If you do not have a current membership that covers the month of may you can purchase a one month membership for only $99 (normally $180).
- During the challenge you will need to fit your life around they yoga!! This is part of the discipline. Make sure you eat well, stay hydrated and take electrolytes to maintain optimal health.
Rewards for Completion
- HALF PRICE off your next monthly pass or the equivalent value taken off your next membership.
- Two guest passes to introduce two friends to Bikram Yoga Geelong
- Bikram Yoga Geelong Water Bottle
- 20% Bikram Yoga Clothing
To sign up register at the front desk or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Use Your Eyes
By Gail, 15 April, 2010
Have you ever noticed how often your teacher makes reference to the use of your eyes in a Bikram Yoga class ‘look in the mirror’, ‘keep your eyes open’, ‘look up’. In Bikram Yoga you learn to focus your eyes, instead of allowing your eyes to be soft you learn to direct your gaze with purpose. Looking in the mirror not only helps to correctly align your body in the postures, your gaze can help direct the energy of a posture and help you stay mentally clear. Your gaze can help in many postures. In balancing postures setting your gaze straight ahead in the mirror can help keep you upright. You can deepen you backward bends by focusing your gaze as far back as possible, in spine twisting your gaze can help you turn further and in the spine series you can use your gaze to lift yourself higher in the postures. Remember where your eyes look your body follows.
The next time you are in class, notice how you use your eyes. Are you sharp and precise in your focus, or do your eyes seem to wander? See if focusing your eyes more carefully can improve your postures and also focus your mind.
Bikram Yoga benefits everyday life
By Gail, 29 March, 2010
The ability to breathe, stay calm and centred during challenging situations is an invaluable tool in life. Bikram yoga practise allows us to develop life skills, such as patience (learning to master a difficult pose), honesty (to do the pose honestly and not try to fake it, or change it so it is easier) dedication and commitment (coming to class even when we would prefer to sit on the couch), hard work (being prepared to go beyond our desire for the easy way, and submit to working hard in the poses, fearlessness (some parts of the class can bring up emotions and limitations that require bravery to move through), as well as just taking the time out of our lives to spend 90 minutes with ourselves, to get to know ourselves and all that we are. This teaches us that we are responsible for ourselves, our health, our thoughts, our feelings and provides us with a tool through which we can develop this responsibility. It gives us the chance to deal with our emotions, thoughts and even pain and discomfort in a safe and caring environment where we are not being asked to be anything other than what we are today.
The Benefits of Sweat
By Gail, 29 March, 2010
When it comes to detoxifying your system and improving your cardiovascular health, nothing beats sweating it out. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and it is every bit as active in maintaining your health as your liver and kidneys. In Bikram Yoga you learn to love the sweat as you develop a greater understanding of the benefits it brings your body.
Besides helping to regulate your body temperature, sweat has two other functions. Firstly the removal of toxic wastes, detoxification through your skin means toxins do not have to re-enter your bloodstream with the potential to do further damage before being excreted through your kidneys. We are exposed to toxins daily, through air, food, water and substances we apply to our skins. The release of toxins through sweat creates a healthier body from the inside out. Secondly sweat keeps the skin clean, supple and free of disease. One of the most common benefits of Bikram Yoga is the changes to your skin, students discover their skin becomes clearer, more supple and younger looking.
The heat not only cleans you body through sweating, it also enhances your endurance, increases your cardiovascular health, strengthens your immune function, increases weight loss and relaxes your muscles. So learn to love the heat, make sweat your friend not your enemy.
Welcome Back to Bikram Yoga Pass
By Gail, 2 December, 2009
If this been a while since your last Bikram Yoga class we would like to invite you back with a special offer. Kick start your way back into Bikram Yoga with our Welcome Back Pass only $99 for a monthly membership (normally $180). This offer is valid to all previous students whose membership expired over three months ago.
Photo Competition
By Gail, 11 September, 2009
Photo Competition – Win a one-month membership valued at $180
To enter simply take a photo of yourself or with other Bikram Yoga buddies at interesting locations either on holidays or locally and email it to us. Photos will be placed on our website and at the end of the year the winner of the best shot will enjoy a free month of yoga on us.
So get creative and email your photo to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Bikram Yoga Angels
By Gail, 11 September, 2009
Love yoga but low on funds??? We want to work with you! Become a Bikram Yoga Angel and practice yoga for FREE! How it works? You commit to working a 30 to 45-minute shift in exchange for a bikram yoga class or commit to a 3-hour shift between the 10am and 4pm class and receive UNLIMITED YOGA!
Please contact us you're interested.
Bikram Yoga Teacher Training
By Gail, 11 September, 2009
Twice a year over 300 Bikram Yoga students from around the world attend Bikram’s Yoga College of India Intensive Teacher Training held in the United States. The nine-week training program lead by Bikram Choudhury and his wife Rajashree is an amazing experience. The intensive program offers over 500 hours in study including asana, anatomy, therapeutic applications and health benefits of Yoga, nutrition, philosophy of Yoga, Bikram's Posture Clinic, and the Bikram Yoga dialogue as well as practicing two classes daily. Bikram Yoga Geelong would love to have a team of local Geelong teachers. So if you are interested in a beginning a lifetime journey of becoming a yoga teacher and training directly with Bikram we would love to hear from you. There are a number of criteria students must meet to be nominated to attend teacher training so please contact us if you would like any further information.
