87 classes to go, week one down

This morning I woke up and thought, “ah its Friday” followed by, “but there is still three classes to go before we get a little rest.” One class at a time right!? We had morning class with Lynn, she went to teacher training 12 years ago. She taught a great disciplined class, well as much as she could. When we got to the floor I started thinking, it would be so nice to have some ice cold water or a handful of ice right now. Then I thought, does it really matter, I am going to finish this class and do every posture whether I have that ice or not, so just do it. After class I have been trying to enjoy longer savasana’s before I rush getting up. The room doesn’t really cool down right after class so a lot of people go and lie down outside on the grass. The cool air feels nice once you get outside but at that point I am just focused on getting into that cold ocean water. It is amazing how therapeutic that salt water feels.

At posture clinic we had a two hour discussion with Bikram about where spring training should be. He wanted our input and thoughts. He actually has three places he is still considering, one of them being still in Acapulco. The reason he doesn't want to have it in Acapulco again is because of the flight ride for himself and the all the trainees. He flies out every now and again for a couple days for seminars all around the world. He also said he is tired of the shit food here. Rajashree bought him $200 worth of groceries before she left and he said he is already tired of sandwiches, even if he claims to only eat every twenty four hours. Someone brought him a sucker to eat today and he was pretty happy with that. Last night someone gave him some nuts but he wouldn't eat them because they are too healthy. Today they brought him salted ones and he was loving those, lol.
It never seems to amaze me how many times people need to be told things, whether it’s in the yoga room, lecture room or wherever. We constantly hear; don’t drink water in between postures, put your water down, don’t lie down, put your feet down, don’t eat in the lecture hall, put your water down, sign in, don't drink after this posture, stand instead of sitting down, pick up your garbage, cover up when walking through the hotel, don’t lie down, leave your water. Students are going to be constantly following our lead and people have to be told things like 12 times in row sometimes. I wonder if it gets better or worse, this is only week one.
After class it was into the ocean, shower, than lunch, I'm not getting sick of the food yet. They have a breakfast and a lunch option at the buffet and some great fresh juices which I chug two classes of first thing when I get there. We went through some more people today for half moon, Damien presented his today. He was the last one to go before we got let out at 4 to prepare for 5 o’clock class.

Bikram taught the class again. There was a girl that had to be helped out by Dale, and taken by wheelchair because she was cramping so bad. She is so sweet too, because right before class I saw her talking to one of the guys that hasn’t been doing to well, making sure he was okay for class. What a sweet girl, she was so concerned about other people and then she was unable to care for herself, I hope she gets some rest tonight. Oh speaking of that, Bikram announced in class that we get tonight off because his niece (and assistant) reminded him it is still the first week. He threatened us before lunch with more Bollywood films until 5am, you could feel the relief and energy erupt when he announced we had the night off in class.
Class…well the evening class wasn’t so good for me. My stomach has been hurting all day, but not in a cramping way. I actually felt like I was hung over, eating greasy bacon and sausage and forcing myself to eat the good stuff. In class I had a stomach ache the entire time again. I think the only reason I didn’t get sick was because my body couldn’t decide whether to shit or puke, lol, oh I can laugh now, geez. I did the entire class though, I had great energy and people around me, there was no stopping. Right after rabbit (third last posture), I was lying there in savasana and Michelle who was right beside me, literally poured her ice cold water into my mouth and offered me some ice. I am convinced that orange thermos water jug saved my life tonight, it felt soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. I turned down the ice but the water gave me a burst to power onto the end. At the end of class I just lied there feeling like I couldn’t get up and that the room was getting hotter. So I somehow made my way outside and lied there for about 7 minutes, but that wasn’t any cooler. Wendy, one of the senior teachers encouraged me to get up and go outside, so I took a deep breath, got my stuff and again, somehow made up those stairs and outside. I lied there for another good 10 minutes and decided that it wasn’t any cooler outside. I felt like my body was overheating and I just couldn’t cool down, so I dragged my butt to the ocean. Oh my word, did that feel great, it does the trick every time, its just a matter of getting there sometimes, well okay, only today but still.
I met an older gentleman that was making his way to his room on my way through the hotel on the way to the ocean. He told me hasn’t been doing to well, he hasn’t been able to sleep and he is tired of drinking anything, whether it is water or pedialyte. So I convinced him to come and swim in the ocean. He was in there and four or five people came up to him and said, “you must be feeling better, you are smiling”. He just told them that the ocean was exactly what he needed. He thanked me after for convincing him to come for a swim, that was cool. I have convinced my friend Lucille, who I met here to come to the ocean after class as well, and she says its exactly what the doctor ordered. I know I talk a lot about it but it is seriously the best healing medicine here right now.

After the ocean and a cold shower, I decided I wanted Mcdonalds. We were going to go on Saturday and get it but we had the night off. We were going to walmart anyways so Eleni and I decided to stopp at Mcdonalds first. I seriously could not get the food into my mouth fast enough, well is wan't that bad but it hit the spot. I have not eaten Mcdonalds in forever and it tasted so good tonight. It was only $4 American, that’s like half the price from back home for the meal. It is amazing how the little things get me so excited these days. We went to Walmart to buy one of those orange thermos jugs to keep our water cold in class and some more milk. We have class tomorrow at 8am so now its off to try and get at least eight hours of sleep.

The picture is of me and Michelle (who saved my life yesterday with her cold water) at posture clinic right before the Bolly wood movie started the other night. She says the picture describes how she feels at that moment, lol, love it.

Welcome to Bollywood

I realized when I write these posts and when they are posted is not consistent with the days. For example, I posted today (Thursday afternoon) but I am talking about Wednesday. It will get a little confusing unless you are reading this everyday. I just don't have time to post every evening so it will more than likely be posted the next day in the afternoon sometime. Okay now that that is clear.....

I got to bed at 12:30 last night (Tuesday) then woke up for 8:30 class with Rajashree. She leaves today after lunch so it is our last class with her until week six.

I figured out my routine for morning class. I drink lots of water before bed, get up to go to the bathroom like three times during the night (I can walk that room already with my eyes closed), and then drink some more water before lying down. Once my head hits the pillow, its game over.
This morning class was 90 minutes on the nose. She was trying to give us a nice easy class so everyone can remember how to breathe again. Everyone that left yesterday with cramps came back this morning to class, there was lots of energy going around.
We got 2.5 hours before we have to sign in for lecture. Time for lunch, which has been surprisingly good…knock on wood. Yesterday they had one of my favorites, chicken cutlets….mmmmm. I’m still waiting for the pasta, going to go through with drawl pretty soon. Maybe Sunday I will hit up the Italian restaurant Ang recommended.
Posture clinic followed morning class again. There was a girl that went up and she got lost in the middle up her set up. Instead of “when you can’t stretch anymore, stop in the middle”, she said, “stop in the middle when you don’t want to do it anymore”. The entire place roared with laughter and cheers as Bikram slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand, and started laughing. The poor ladies face turned beat red and Bikram said to us "look what you did to her face, she is embarrassed".
Eleni went up today, introduced herself, said her studio name and Bikram didn’t know where it was. She had to tell him it is in Canada. She rocked it out and didn’t miss a beat. Bikrams comment to her was, “I like her, she’s sweet, everyone should speak clear like her”. His only correction to her was to speed up second set otherwise it will be a two hour class. That is funny because when we were practicing I told her to slow down half a beat cause she was spitting it out double time. Everyone is so supportive of each other here so she got a huge round of applause.
Bikram let us go at 4 and threatened us with a movie until 3am tonight, so our minds become tough.
Jim taught our 5pm class, a two hour drag out. I had a stomach ache throughout the entire thing but stuck with it and rocked it out. I thought I would have to use a puke bucket but I was wrong. Jumping in the ocean after that class felt soooooooooo good. After class I made some hot pasta for supper after having peanut butter and jam sandwiches for the last two nights. Then it was off to more half moon posture clinic with Bikram. We did that for an hour, got through a dozen people than we watched a Bollywood movie until 2am. It was a Spanish love/musical film kinda like “Grease”, but in Spanish with English sub titles.

Oh and Bikram told us a little secret; where training is going to be next year.

The picture is Eleni giving her half moon dialogue in front of Bikram

Turn weaknesses into your strengths

Class this morning was with Uylssis. He incorperated some Spanish into the dialogue, and his dialogue was spot on, loved it. He is from Mexico City and I really enjoyed his class. The class was topped off with the sound of about a dozen people puking in the back of the room, what a beautiful start to the day. After class was more half moon. Line up had been long and everyone has been so good, so I haven’t gone yet. I know my stuff so waiting an extra day or until the evening is not going to kill me. We got let go at 4 to prepare for 5 o’clock class with Bikram. I lied down for twenty minutes to allow my body to totally relax for a bit. Bikram taught a 90 minute class. Bikram told us that his easiest classes are the 2 hour classes cause they are nice and slow and lots of time for rest. I personally think the 90 minute classes are way better, just keep me going and lets pound this thing out. There was great energy in the room tonight, everyone was moving together. It was raining when we got out so it was nice and cool, and there was no one on the beach so it was nice.
Eleni and I ordered pizza for supper from downstairs. I was still hungry so I filled up on a peanut butter sandwich before heading down to posture clinic. When Bikram arrived he told us why he doesn’t like the color green and why we aren’t allowed to wear it.
We than proceeded with more posture clinic, with an interruption to watch Bikrams 60 minutes interview from a couple years ago. Posture clinic went until midnight, then straight to bed.

I know many bitches in Canada

Ain't that a great title?! A really quiet lady said her half moon dialogue today and Bikram told her to say it like an anrgy American pissed off at her husband. She responded with "but I am Canadian", which was followed by a loud applause, it was so funny and perfect. Bikram responded with what is the title of this blog. Thought I would start with that.

Today starts the first day of doubles. We had 8:30 morning class with Rajashree, it was an hour and forty five minutes. There was some cramping going on with other trainees today in the morning class. I am glad I have not had to experience that yet. After class we had posture clinic with Bikram starting with half moon dialogue today. Bikram seemed fairly nice to everyone, but on the other hand everyone that went today was ready, and lined up eager to go. There is one student here that Bikram said he has been waiting for him to come to teacher training for years (Jeff?). Bikram made him show us some advanced postures after he delivered his dialogue. Bikram was so happy with us he let us go at 4:15 to prepare for the afternoon class. Bikram taught the 5pm class and gave us the biggest compliment before starting class. “You are the best first day of dialogue I have ever seen in all years at teacher training, you were ready for me, and put me in good mood for this class”. He gave some corrections during class today….knees together more, chest up more, back lean back more, hold at the ankle, chin up, chin up, look up, chin up. He brought two girls up on his podium, one to help her lock her knee in standing bow, the other was to show us the five parts of standing head to knee. There was more cramping going on this evening, a lot of people sitting at the back of that room. I am trying to stay hydrated but two ppl around me went down hard today and it kinda scared me.
I find this room not nearly as hot as at home but way more humid. It feels like the time when the humidifier got fixed and it was pumping some good moisture and a lot more ppl left the room. It was another two hour class with two songs from Bikrams love songs playing at the end in savasana. We than had an hour to eat and get back to the lecture room. Rajashree and the nurse talked about our hydration issues and how to take care of ourselves and answered any questions people had. Than Bikram came up, did some fancy muscle work with his stomach and gave us a pectorial show. That was proceeded by more half moon dialogue in front of everyone. Bikram stopped us at 12:15am and said he was going to make us watch a movie with him until 3am, so the tech guys started setting up the projector. He then stopped the tech guys and told us that we made him so happy today with our dialogue and energy that he was letting us go to bed.

Oh and I am going to try and post a picture of myself each week to see the differences. I gained 6 pounds before coming so lets see what happens, lol. I am not to concerned about my body, it has done me so well in the past in that torture room. Enough for now.
Good night.

Week 1: Day 1: Take it easy honey

No morning class today, we had a morning orientation at 10am, than Bikram arrived at 11am. He introduced himself and did his welcome to the family speech. That was followed by the lunch buffet at 12:45 to 1:45. We were told that after lunch we were starting posture clinic with Bikram, get ready half mooners. We were also told to “take it easy honey” for the first week. Also, to expect 70% humidity in the room for all classes because that’s what it has been outside in Acapulco the last two weeks.
At lunch everyone was going over their dialogue in preparation for the afternoon. We all gathered in the auditorium in anticipation of who was going to go first. Jim, a senior teacher, asked if we were all ready. He then proceeded to tell us half moon presenting would start tomorrow. You could feel the relief in the room, lol. So all the teachers and staff that are going to be with us for the next nine weeks, took turns coming up to the stage and introducing themselves. We were let go at 3:15 to prepare for our first class. Eleni and I went to check if her luggage was here and lo and behold, it had finally arrived. I told her to buy a mat this morning before our lecture and then her baggage would show up, I guess the theory worked.
I wish I would have brought my camera to the class. Eleni and I walked down to the room for 4:30 and there were 25 people already waiting. We got our towels and waited while 300 more students lined up down the sidewalk. I will bring my camera tomorrow if I remember. You could feel the anticipation. We got let in, signed in, put our stuff in the cubbies and found a spot. First nine rows were for trainees, the back rows were for visitors and teachers.
I set up in row five with a fellow BYE right beside me as Bikram took the podium. People were dropping, taking knees and lying down all over the place by standing head to knee (fourth posture for you non-birkramees). Bikram pulled a Ricky (or is it Ricky pulls a Bikram back home) in locust pose…nine….nine and a half….nine and three quarters….nine and.…okay ten, legs down. One of the most difficult things I found with this class was when to come out of the posture. People would come out and stand there and he hadn’t even said change yet so then I would come out when everyone around was out. The floor was slippery, but we all knew that going in from the spring trainees. Class was two hours long, Bikram said it is the easiest class he has taught since April…lots of rest in between. We got introduced to Bikrams singing voice and he played a song from his love songs cd at the end of class in savasana.
I headed straight for the ocean after class, as did a handful of other trainees. It felt so good to jump over those waves, I felt like a kid again. I now plan to do that after every class.
We get the rest of the night off. The shuttle is running to Walmart and Mega till 10 tonight so people can load up if need be. I think I am set until at least the weekend. Tomorrow, classes and posture clinic start full on which means half moon dialogue presentations in front of Bikram begin. I think I will use this time now to review.
Bikram also told us to forget about everyone at home. They are happy to get rid of us, that’s why they let us go and paid, yah right. So with that said I think this is where the bubble begins. I will do my best to give daily updates. I have had time up to now to give pretty detailed run downs but I will do my best to at least give you quick updates. Rajashree has encouraged us to keep journals so I will use this as my journal.
Side note: I don’t think I have mentioned how many of us there are, they told us today 318, biggest yet.

And today is the Mexican celebration for independance day. There is a big party in the lobby right now, with a band, dancers and drinking...for the other guests. Tonight is the celebration as tomorrow is the actual holiday. They get tomorrow off so that people can drink and stay up late tonight to celebrate. Tomorrow they can sleep in and not have to worry about work, they have it all figured out, lol. Supposely this is the busiest the hotel will be all training, tomorrow afternoon it should clear out. September and November is their quietier times.

This just in....

Rajashree told us today at orientation that Bikram will be here for the full nine weeks. Buckle up people. More on the orientation later, lets start from where I left off last time.

.....Eleni got into the room last night around 12:30pm with no luggage. Herself and a couple other passengers/trainee’s luggage was misplaced. She was told she would have it in the morning, but it is late afternoon and still nothing. She is very calm for not having it. We went to go for the lunch buffet today, put our names down, and missed our names being called. Therefore we would have had to wait another 20 minutes, so we (us three from the studio) decided to just go to walmart. Not to disappointing, I bought some shampoo, conditioner, dishsoap, and hangers (among other stuff) cause there was only five in the closet. We payed $5 for a cab ride and the driver waited for us at the walmart while we shopped then, brought us back to the hotel. People are having trouble finding britta water jugs here, thank goodness I packed mine (thanks to Jenns advice in her blog). Rajashree arrived last night and I only know this because she was on the same flight as Eleni from LA last night.
I had time to walk around and look around the grounds this afternoon. This place is huge to say the least. I will try to post some pictures here but most of pics will be put into an album on facebook when I can find time.
Eleni and I had requested to stay together for last night only. We did this so we would both have the chance to meet new and other people while we are here. We went to the front desk this morning to ask about how to go about finding our room mates for the next couple months. They have us in the system as room mates for the entire time. This happened to a couple other girls I talked to from other studios as well. We will have to wait until Antonia who reserved the rooms gets here, so things might change. Damians room mate is from New Zealand, he has been here since Wednesday, there is a little age gap between them but they seem to get along fine.

We had orientation at 6pm tonight, headed by Rajashree, Bikrams wife. We were introduced to some of the senior teachers and the staff that will be here with us for the next nine weeks. The infamous "hold 2nd part of awkward for a minute Craig" will be here for a short time this training. I am assuming for graduation, though we have not been told when yet. Bikram is taking back the reign with help from Dale from Vancouver.

After the orientation we had a welcome supper, with ice cream for dessert...bring it on.

We meet Bikram tomorrow morning, at an orientation things with him in the morning at 10. Our first class is at 5pm Monday night, with Bikram. There are about 25 trainees not here yet because of hurricane Ike. They are expected to be here Friday afternoon when they open the airport.

I think that covers it for now, time for bed.