I woke up this morning for the nine o’clock makeup class. I did not have a make up, nor have I had one all training; just had to throw that in there. Actually to add to that I didn't miss one sign in the entire training. I decided to go practice with Nikki and Zia one more time while in Mexico. This time we were able to practice beside each other so that was nice. Diane taught and it was a nice relaxed class with little heat and humidity. Diane made some corrections to Auntie Shirley which she said totally helped her practice and focus.
After class I met Mom, Dad and Zia for lunch at Chula Vista. After lunch I went and took a ten minute nap before Eleni walked in with her toes and hair done, ready for the night to begin. We got ready and made our way down to the Atlantis room where the Graduation ceremony was going to be held.
Senior teacher Jim Kallet opened the ceremony with a speech from Bishnu Ghosh, Bikram’s guru, recorded in his own voice before he passed away. Craig was the master of ceremonies and seemed at home up there. Rajashree came up and welcomed us all to the Bikram family. As did principal teacher of the college Emmy, said a few encouraging words to us as well. They gave out some special awards that were chosen by the staff; Bulldog determination, Bengal tiger strength, yogini, Yogi, best dialogue, best anatomy score and valedictorian. It was so neat to see Vincent from Brooklyn crying as he accepted his award for Bulldog determination.
My two month next door neighbour Sheila won the Bengal Tiger Strength award. This lady is one tough cookie; she told me she thinks she received 20 IV’s in the first six weeks here. She was constantly kept up all night puking or getting an IV. In week seven she decided to go home and take care of herself. When Bikram came back in week eight he requested that she return and finish with her class mates. She jumped on the next available flight and joined us for our last couple weeks, which she did with such grace. The entire time she was sick you couldn’t tell because she always had a little smile on her face, so humble. To this day they still don’t know what is wrong with her, but she’s Canadian so she’ll be in good hands when she gets home.
Rajashree with the help of her daughter acknowledged the staff and senior teachers who were here throughout training. Dr. Tom who is a part of our graduating class gave a little speech. He is a retired Oncologist, which is a doctor that specialized with cancer patients. He talked about his focus for the future and hope of combining Bikram yoga with the Medicine education. Ben was our valedictorian; he gave a little speech talking about his experience during the triple class day which summed up our whole experience here.
Bikram then came on stage and give us his graduation speech. He talked about his classy white suit and fancy hat that he is famous for. He said he got it made a couple weeks ago when he was in India just for us. He talked to our families about everything we were put through while we were here. He summed up how this experience will change our lives forever and that our family probably didn’t even recognize us when they arrived here. He talked about the yoga and how we all came to be there in that moment and why. After he finished his speech, the handing out of the certificates began. It was great to see everyone dressed up and looking so fine. I thoroughly enjoyed checking everyone out and sitting with my posture clinic group again.
After the certificates were handed out, there was dinner waiting for us, a buffet roast beef dinner served outside. The place where the dinner was being held was absolutely beautiful the way they had it set up. We are in a beautiful place so it didn’t need much help from the tables and chairs that were graced with white table linens. There were three buffet lines on the outside and the bar at the one end. After dinner everyone mingled for a bit than headed to lobby bar which we’ve seen in passing over the last 60 days. It was more of a social gathering to say our last good byes and congratulations one more time. Some people headed out to go dancing but not this yogini. It was a nice chill nice to end of a great training and a great experience.
After class I met Mom, Dad and Zia for lunch at Chula Vista. After lunch I went and took a ten minute nap before Eleni walked in with her toes and hair done, ready for the night to begin. We got ready and made our way down to the Atlantis room where the Graduation ceremony was going to be held.
Senior teacher Jim Kallet opened the ceremony with a speech from Bishnu Ghosh, Bikram’s guru, recorded in his own voice before he passed away. Craig was the master of ceremonies and seemed at home up there. Rajashree came up and welcomed us all to the Bikram family. As did principal teacher of the college Emmy, said a few encouraging words to us as well. They gave out some special awards that were chosen by the staff; Bulldog determination, Bengal tiger strength, yogini, Yogi, best dialogue, best anatomy score and valedictorian. It was so neat to see Vincent from Brooklyn crying as he accepted his award for Bulldog determination.
My two month next door neighbour Sheila won the Bengal Tiger Strength award. This lady is one tough cookie; she told me she thinks she received 20 IV’s in the first six weeks here. She was constantly kept up all night puking or getting an IV. In week seven she decided to go home and take care of herself. When Bikram came back in week eight he requested that she return and finish with her class mates. She jumped on the next available flight and joined us for our last couple weeks, which she did with such grace. The entire time she was sick you couldn’t tell because she always had a little smile on her face, so humble. To this day they still don’t know what is wrong with her, but she’s Canadian so she’ll be in good hands when she gets home.
Rajashree with the help of her daughter acknowledged the staff and senior teachers who were here throughout training. Dr. Tom who is a part of our graduating class gave a little speech. He is a retired Oncologist, which is a doctor that specialized with cancer patients. He talked about his focus for the future and hope of combining Bikram yoga with the Medicine education. Ben was our valedictorian; he gave a little speech talking about his experience during the triple class day which summed up our whole experience here.
Bikram then came on stage and give us his graduation speech. He talked about his classy white suit and fancy hat that he is famous for. He said he got it made a couple weeks ago when he was in India just for us. He talked to our families about everything we were put through while we were here. He summed up how this experience will change our lives forever and that our family probably didn’t even recognize us when they arrived here. He talked about the yoga and how we all came to be there in that moment and why. After he finished his speech, the handing out of the certificates began. It was great to see everyone dressed up and looking so fine. I thoroughly enjoyed checking everyone out and sitting with my posture clinic group again.
After the certificates were handed out, there was dinner waiting for us, a buffet roast beef dinner served outside. The place where the dinner was being held was absolutely beautiful the way they had it set up. We are in a beautiful place so it didn’t need much help from the tables and chairs that were graced with white table linens. There were three buffet lines on the outside and the bar at the one end. After dinner everyone mingled for a bit than headed to lobby bar which we’ve seen in passing over the last 60 days. It was more of a social gathering to say our last good byes and congratulations one more time. Some people headed out to go dancing but not this yogini. It was a nice chill nice to end of a great training and a great experience.
1 comment:
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Well done and welcome... up next, your first class. I do hope you will share your thoughts on that!
Cheers, Roxanne
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