Week 3

This Week was filled with big days, it was a huge week. We have started the Anatomy portion of the training with Doctor Jim Preddy. Aside from being awesome, he was also a cheerleader at University. We get a crash course in all the major systems of the body with a few bits of anatomy specific to the postures. Each lecture is about 3-3.5 hours and in class demonstrations are fun. Bikram is gone for a couple of weeks while we learn our Anatomy (we will have a test) and get to the heart of our posture clinics. A posture clinic is where we learn to speak the 'dialogue' in front of people. It is scary, fun, exciting, terrifying.. it is where very real work takes place. Each person delivers a posture to experienced teachers and feedback and homework is given based on what aspect we need to work on. The aspects include delivery, personality, and letting the real us shine through because that is the key.

Before coming to training, I had memorized Ardha Chandrasana, Backward bending, and Pada Hastana. I have received feedback and am actively working on projecting and just letting it out. This is easier said than done when like everyone else, it is exciting to talk in front of people.. all eyes on you- judging you, rooting for you, pushing you to be your most authentic. Fears are faced, tears are shed, nerves are high but we are all in the same boat. This last aspect is what makes this process so beautiful and true.

Many come here to overcome personal problems, addictions, fears of public speaking. We all have something we want to overcome.. all of us beautiful people have something. The make-up is coming off as I look around at these yogis and teachers in the making. The highs are so high here and the lows don't keep you down long because you have 420+ people to catch you.

Physically, the endurance and heat are fine but meeting with Doctor Preddy revealed a tight right hip flexor and now my sciatica is having a tantrum as a result. The only way out of this is through. I ACTIVELY change my posture every moment of the day to correct this as my body opens up. After 30 years of standing one way it is a bitch to constantly readjust. All of this nerve sensitivity has forced me (unhappily and with tears) to listen to my body each and every moment of class. Your best in each moment is different every moment, every single moment you must be present. I thought that this yoga and this teacher training would simply make my body more efficient, functioning at is best, but I see now that it is me also that must actively pay a roll in this process.

I have finished week 3. This is 1/3 of the way done. I have completed 30 classes and I have not left the room yet.