When regular people sleep, yogis stay up.

We are in our last week. Can you believe it? Just two days of classes before graduation on Friday.

They have saved the best ‘til last. Rajashree has started demonstrating the 26 postures and medical benefits. Her guru Dr Das has visited to lecture on yoga therapy. And last night Bikram started his lectures on the 26 postures with amazing demonstrations of hands-on correcting.  Of course this is a ‘no-no’ for teachers – but it was incredible to see him attack students bodies with years of experience, knowledge and confidence and push them deeper into postures.  A great illustration of just how much strength we have and how much further we can all push ourselves. Today we will see a demonstration of the Advanced series postures.  I’ll have my camera ready for that!

We were also treated to another late night Hindi blockbuster Krrish, featuring our heartthrob Hrithik Roshan. Best described as an Indian superhero, science fiction, action film. With some song and dance. This was a good one, but I did fall asleep so I’ll have to watch it again to find out the ending!

As we round out the final week, I thought I’d add to my growing list of Bikramisms. It’s just one of the lists I’ve been keeping – along with the list of ‘Famous People Bikram Knows.”  Elvis and Michael would still be singing and dancing if they listened to Bikram...

 “If you die, it’s normal.”

“You are born the wrong way. Live the wrong way. But I won’t let you die the wrong way.”

“When your mind gets lazy. Tell it to go f#%k yourself.”

“An empty barn is better than full of naughty cows.”

“Your anger is your enemy. Just look at that movie Con Air.”

“If you find dog shit in your driveway do you get mad, kick it and get the shit all over your shoe? No! You call the janitor to clean it up. DON'T LOSE YOUR PEACE!”

“If you kill yourself you get your moneys worth. If not, you’re only doing mental masturbation.”

“I never said come to class to sing and dance.”

“I sell life. 7 billion customers. And good life. Not shitty life.”

“What do you want a contract for? I have nothing. Only one speedo. You want it? Take it now.”

 “You are good people, but basically like a child or idiot.”

“You can like money, watches, cars. But live clean.”

“Don’t get stuck in people’s booby traps. Put the world in your trap. Blend them in your blender. Drink the strawberry milkshake.”

The Lake Shrine

Paramahansa Yogananda

Today I had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Self-Realisation Fellowship Lake Shrine in Pacific Palisades.  The Lake Shrine was opened to the public in 1950 by Paramahansa Yogananda (1893 – 1952).

Yogananda was the author of Autobiography of a Yogi. He came to America in 1920 and founded the Self Realisation Fellowship. He impacted the lives of millions of people with his teachings on yoga meditation, the underlying unity of all religions and the art of balanced health in body, mind and soul.

He is also a significant part of the ‘guru lineage’ of Bikram yoga.

Yogananda’s younger brother was Bishnu Ghosh. Ghosh established his College of Yoga and Physical Culture in 1930. He used weight lifting and body building as a means of physical training and combined yoga techniques to advance the possibilities of the body and mind.

Ghosh’s most devoted disciple is Bikram Choudhury. His last words to Bikram were to “continue his unfinished mission” and spread the wisdom and techniques of yoga to the rest of the world.

All this brings me here. A group of us from training attended the Sunday inspiration service at the temple which included chanting, silent meditation and prayer. The subject of the service today was Self Analysis and Introspection.

Golden Lotus Archway

After the service we met with Bikram’s wife Rajashree and a brother from the Self-Realisaton Fellowship. Some refreshments were provided (yes – the thought “don’t drink the cool aid” went through my mind) before we set off to explore the meditation gardens.

The gardens are set around a beautiful lake, home to swans, tortoise and fish. The colour and fragrance of the flowers was overwhelming. You could not imagine a more private oasis – and it is located just a stones throw from the Pacific Coastal Highway! There is a Court of Religions, representing the five principal religions of the world and a portion of Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes have been enshrined in a memorial to world peace.

After two days of particularly challenging yoga classes I was feeling defeated. Exhausted. Dreading 8.30 Monday morning when it would be time for ‘feet together on the line’ again.  In the peaceful surrounds of the gardens today I found the inspiration to start the week with renewed energy.

I was also encouraged by the realisation that there are now only TWELVE days until graduation.