Friday Faves

It's Friday, and I haven't blogged about my fave things in awhile, so let's have a little fun. This title refers to material goods and is a moving target, so periodically I like to share what I'm loving.

• Secret passions lie in my past as a product marketer in the beauty industry; for some time, I went almost cold turkey, paring down my beauty products because - believe it or not - I was tired of trying and comparing them all and cluttering up my bathroom, which husband used to refer to as 'an offsite R&D facility' (but it's my job! I would insist). So it takes a lot to get me to make an indulgent beauty purchase these days. I'd rather spend that money on a massage. But lately I am a sucker for anything rose; maybe it's because we're going to Morocco in April, and I have visions of rose petals and rosewater. Therefore I couldn't resist The Body Shop's new Moroccan Rose body butter. It's really a sumptuous treat for your senses, not to mention dry winter skin.
• The Tenaya Pant has taken over the Dipper as my fave non-yoga pant from Athleta. I'm not going to reveal exactly how many days I have worn this pant since we arrived in London, but suffice it to say that it's stood up to serious wear and travel, is unbelievably comfortable, feels new despite frequent washings in the unpredictable UK machine, and best of all - looks stylish. And even better, they're on sale right now so grab yourself a pair or two.
• Have I mentioned China Gel? Well yes, I have, but indulge me again. With my new norm being 5 days of challenging vinyasa class each week, my practice and my body are venturing into new realms (and let me just say, this is a rockin' way to kick off being 40!). Muscles I forgot I had have been awakened (read: sore). Between those lovely in-class Jivamukti adjustments and my own personal use, China Gel is now as much a part of my daily routine as the neti pot.

Enjoy! And if you have some faves your want to share, please post.

Happy Friday.

60 days of Bikram Yoga: heaven or hell?

Amy, a Big Sky Yoga Retreat alumna, journeyed to hell and back did the Bikram 60 day challenge last spring. And here's what she had to say about it. Thanks Amy for sharing your experience, and a big Congrats on your yoga achievement.

I did the 60 day Bikram yoga challenge last spring. I have been doing yoga for years, and discovered Bikram about six years ago. I have always loved yoga and the peace and flexibility it brought me, but Bikram was a whole different cup of tea. Not only do you get the traditional benefits of yoga, but you also get the bonus of an amazing cardio workout. At first, I was doubtful...spend 90 minutes in a room with 20 other people that is heated to 99 degrees? (editor's note: we had about 60 people in class here in London. I'm guessing that makes the room even hotter?!) No thanks! But it's one of those things that you have to go into with an open mind, and all they ask is that you try and that you stay in the room. After the first class, I was hooked. It's intense, for sure. You sweat like you never knew it was possible to sweat. But the heat and humidity let you go farther in postures and help your body to really open up. The 'yoga high' afterward is amazing, and you can sense changes in your body after just one class. It's a physically hard class, but I found that much of the struggle was overcoming the mental challenges: focusing on being in the room rather than on what you have to do after class, and trying not to think about how HOT it is in there, and keeping out the thoughts that say, 'I can't do this today'.

I did Bikram for several years, sometimes a few times a week, sometimes not for several weeks in between classes. It seemed to be just what I needed to complement my other workouts. I remember the instructors congratulating people in class on being almost done with their 60 day challenge, and I remember thinking, No thanks. You'd have to be crazy to want to do THAT much Bikram yoga!

But over the years, my joints started aching after some of the grueling workouts I was putting myself through, and I was tired of having sore muscles and being so worn out from my workouts. Then I read an article in Oprah magazine by a woman who had done the 60 day challenge because she was overweight and having health issues. It inspired me, and made me think: I would like to know what my body would feel like after all that yoga. My husband had also run an ironman triathlon several years before, and I was envious of his having set a goal and accomplished it. I wanted the 60 day challenge to be my ironman.

The Bikram yoga 60 day challenge is going to class six days of the week for ten weeks; you get one day off a week to rest. It's a big time commitment: the class is 90 minutes, plus prep and travel time. After I finished, I was glad to have more time in my schedule. That freedom was welcome, but I do miss the classes. Here are my key takeaways:

• Bikram yoga really taught me to be in the moment. The poses take focus and concentration and if you aren't concentrating, you'll know right away (like when you fall out of a balance pose). There was nothing else to think about except balancing on my toes or whatever the task was at hand. Yes, my mind still wandered, it's a work in progress, but I am grateful for that ongoing lesson on being in the moment.
• Bikram yoga shows very tangible results. There were postures I couldn't hold even the beginning set up for, and by the end of the challenge, I was holding the full expression for the full amount of time. It's an amazing feeling.
• I felt much more grounded and relaxed. The heated room is wonderful when it's freezing cold outside, and the way my body would let go of stress during class helped with many aspects outside the studio.
• The sense of community. The Bikram instructors are amazing. They truly care about the students, and want them to get the most out of their experience. Everyone was so supportive of those of us who were doing the challenge. The energy in the room is powerful, and stays with you the rest of the day.
• Anybody can do it. It doesn't matter how much you weigh or what shape you're in...everybody can do it and everybody can benefit.

If you haven't tried Bikram yoga, you don't know what you're missing. It does take a small leap of faith and an open mind to go to that first class. You might be intimidated, but as you look around the room at the strong and flexible people who can hold the poses, you realize that they were once in their first class too...and you will be inspired. Namaste.

British Bikram

I've never really warmed up to Bikram Yoga. (HA ha! pun intended!) I'm guessing it's the heat: not that I don't like to sweat, but perhaps not that much, and I seem to always sweat profusely from my face (WHY?!), which is annoying and distracting. Maybe it's that I can't wear my eye makeup, without which I feel very naked, as it would only slide down my face within a matter of minutes. Perhaps being a germphobe and former yoga studio owner, I just can't get my brain around how they keep those studios clean with all the super sweaty bodies (with carpet, no less!). And lastly, as a slave to novelty I cannot imagine doing the same sequence, and hearing the same teaching script, over and over. Pictured: dancer pose, one of my faves in the Bikram series.

Alright so maybe Bikram's not for me. That's cool. Obviously I've found my yoga groove in Vinyasa. I do love that Bikram works for so many people. Sometimes I may question that, especially if you're one of those die-hards that go almost every day, simply because I believe in cross-training your body and your brain with different challenges and moves. But every once in awhile, particularly during ski season, I get the urge to go to a Bikram class. Even though ski season is N/A here in London, I've wanted to check out the studio in my hood. Because as you know, there is practically a studio in every hood (although I didn't find one in Venice, and yes, I looked). And it was...I hesitate to say "great", but pretty close. Maybe it was just the British accent, but my teacher seemed so polite, vs. the barking-army-general typical Bikram thing. The studio seemed clean (although every once in awhile, I caught whiff of something horrid, and worried that it might be me). It was a great antidote to a chilly rainy London morning, after a week without much yoga, due to 5 year old being on half term school break. I'm feeling pretty darn good right now, thanks to Bikram.

As a yoga teacher, I will always tell my students to keep trying different styles until they find one that clicks. But I also feel obligated to keep trying the styles that never really clicked, just to see. You never know.

What do you think? Are you a Bikram regular? Tell me your thoughts. Next up: a retreat alumna wrote about her experience at the 60 day challenge. Namaste.

My Venice Valentine

Spent Valentine's in Venice with my family. How's that for romantic? Even with a 5 year old. You really just can't go wrong with Venice (well, maybe in the middle of high summer tourist season: think hot and smelly). I've been to Venice multiple times, but this visit was extra special because it was with 5 year old. If adults find Venice enchanting, imagine what it's like through the eyes of a 5 year old? She was wowed at every turn: streets of water, bridges, colorful masks, gelato. I felt like we were living the pages of Olivia goes to Venice, which has been a fave book of late for obvious reasons.

Husband and I both took cues from our daughter, in order to savor our little getaway. Italian internet isn't all that, so husband had to let go of work stuff (which, I might add, was the idea anyhow). It's impossible not to get lost in Venice, so I had to let go of knowing exactly where we were at all times and finding the most efficient route from A to B. We settled into a few days of wandering, eating, and enjoying.

We travel to be inspired, I think. But let's face it, travel is rife with possibility for encountering pains in the ass. Traveling with a child can often fall into the latter category. This was not the case. My 5 year old reminded me how to be inspired. Grazie mille, la mia bella ragazza.

Banish Shoulder Stress

Just back from Valentines weekend in Venice with my fam, more to come on that in the next day or two...but meanwhile, do the mid-winter blahs have you all bunched up in the neck and shoulders? How about a quick yoga session to address these two hot spots - check out my latest yoga advice on the Athleta Chi. I'd love to see your comments there - I want to know if what works for me works for you! Namaste.

O China Gel

So I'm kind of addicted to China Gel. I've dabbled it in before, and bought some at Jivamukti NYC last fall, but here in London it's become a daily thing. Sort of like my latte. I know I throw around the word 'amazing' a lot, but this stuff is nothing short of amazing. It's billed as a topical pain reliever, and it does that quite well...but even if you don't have any aches and pains, it just feels good. It's cooling and soothing and after a few minutes it kicks in with this super-amped up tingly sensation. Its ingredients are a potent natural cocktail of good stuff: menthol, camphor, ginseng extract, angelica extract, lavender oil, aloe vera and witch hazel.

My understanding of topical pain relievers is that they distract you from the pain sensation with the hot/cool/tingly ones. The China Gel website claims that massaging it properly into the skin will help to stimulate circulation, initiate the pain relieving endorphin response, and eliminate lactic acid in muscle tissues. This allows the muscle to relax, thereby lessoning pain, discomfort, and enhancing healing by utilizing the body's natural methods of pain relief.

Hmmmmmm. Think the FDA might have a field day with that one (and I would know. I used to work with them back in my L'Oreal days). But, I'll take it. My bad back and I are here to tell you that it really works. And I think husband, who is a skeptic of all things such as this (and whose reaction to my recent cupping sessions has been, you're paying someone to bruise you?!) has been sneaking it to use on his post-major surgery knee.

China Gel is ubiquitous at Jivamukti London. Students bring along their tubs with their yoga mats, and rub it on their shoulders, neck, and low back before class. The teachers adjust and massage with it. Not kidding. Almost every day I get a China Gel quickie massage on my shoulders in tadasana, or on my low back in down dog. Just that is enough to keep me coming back every day. I plan to add this little gem to my teaching repertoire on retreats this summer. Namaaaaaaahhhhhste.

London Foodie Fave

Fortnum & Mason, the Queen's grocer for the last 300 years+, has become one of my favorite places in London (besides Jivamukti Yoga, of course). It's posh yet not snobby, with elegant and exquisite everything. I could easily spend all day in there. We went for our first high tea on my birthday, and 5 year old just couldn't believe the food came on tiered trays for this event. Had to share this pic of her peeking from behind the yummy assortment, and in front of one of the gorgeous windows on Piccadilly Street.

Brfday Blog

I just celebrated the most amazing 40th birthday. I would have never guessed that I'd do so in London, and it definitely added a special touch to this milestone. Husband and I had our first date night out here (even hired a babysitter!) to a fabulous Moroccan restaurant, which was appropriate since he's planned a trip to Morocco for my present. Yesterday, we took 5 year old for high tea and to see Cirque du Soleil. My Facebook wall overflowed with birthday wishes. And best of all, I got a handmade card from 5 year old, in which she wrote out her birthday message to me half correctly and half phonetically. I was for some reason moved to tears that she spelled birthday brfday.

How lucky can a girl get? (And can I still call myself a girl at 40?!) I'm beyond grateful for the love of my friends and family. I've been reflecting on how much I learn from everyone in my life, every day. Viewing our experiences through a lens of learning can change how we react. And one of my intentions for 40 is to not take these learning opportunities for granted, even when they aren't welcome. At yoga class the other day, I opened up my chant book, and the following jumped out at me (I'll spare you the Sanskrit):

Even if you have good looks, a beautiful lover, great fame and mountains of money, if you are unable to bow at your teacher's lotus feet - what is the use? What is the use? What is the use? What is the use?

-Shri Adi Shankaracharya, from Guru Ashtakam

I'm not going to pretend that I don't enjoy going out for a lovely dinner, taking a nice vacation, or being entertained by a dazzling show...but I feel that I can say that at my age (cringe), I also know that novelty wears off fast, and what matters is who we love and what we learn. And that we continue loving and learning, no matter what. That is my biggest brfday wish. Namaste.

SHAPE names us Best Fitness Getaway!

I'm pretty pleased to share that SHAPE mag named Big Sky Yoga Retreats, and specifically Cowgirl Yoga, as the 'best fitness getaway' in their 5th Annual Healthy Travel Awards. Pick up the February 2011 issue and check it out! Better yet, reserve a spot on one of this year's retreats - they're filling up fast so giddy up and get on it. Hope to see you in Montana this summer, on the mat and in the saddle. Yeehaw & Namaste.

If a tree (pose) falls during Forrest yoga...

OK bad yoga pun, sorry. I stepped out of my yoga comfort zone this weekend, and attended a workshop with Ana Forrest here in London. I've been hearing about her for years, mostly that she is very challenging, and that I should be very, very afraid. After a month of pretty intense practice at Jivamukti, it was as good a time as any to face this challenge. I was as ready as I'd ever be.

A word on yoga groupies, which Ana seems to inspire: it's an interesting phenomenon. A book could be written about it. I am only going to scratch the psychological surface here by saying it makes me wonder what motivates certain people to 'follow' (sometimes around the world!) one particular teacher with an almost ferocious devotion. Personally, I think it's all good, so I am a self-declared yoga mutt. Obviously I have my preferences (and after a weekend of Forrest yoga + a day of rest yesterday, I felt like I was returning home when I went to Jivamukti this morning). If it works for you, that's great; but just like with religion, don't assume the rest of the world needs to be converted in order to be saved.

And you know what? Despite all that intensity, I truly liked Ana. She may have a cult following (and truthfully, what well-known yoga teacher doesn't?), but she is one down-to-earth woman who presents yoga as a healing and practical gift. It's a gift; but that doesn't mean you don't have to work hard to get its benefits. It was a very physically demanding practice, and one that pushed me outside of my yoga comfort zone (for example, we used pranayama, some serious ab work, and pose holds to warm up and build heat. It worked, but I much prefer sun salutations). It was a practical presentation: the workshop titles were 'celebrate your practice', 'journey to the core, 'heal your back'. On our name tags, we also had to write our injuries, and that was not just for polite inquiry; Ana and her assistants addressed these thoroughly. I got a lot out of the three sessions, and was completely yoga buzzed by Sunday evening.

Love this about Ana on yoga.com, as it really captures a lot of my impressions from my first time with this talented, tell-it-like-it-is yogini. It also talks about her passion and lifetime love for horses, which of course I can appreciate. Have you practiced with Ana? Would love to hear your comments about your experience. Namaste.