With movements restricted on and off the past few days due to inclement weather, I’ll reminisce on a perfect day atop Mt Pilatus, high above Luzern, Switzerland.
Sonja’s good friend, Ruth Ott, Leiterin Personal (HR Manager) for Pilatus-Bahnen offered to take Sonja, Julie and I on a complimentary tour! After a breakfast of coffee and croissants we climbed aboard our little red bubble for the gentle gondola ride upwards through a luscious nature corridor; a serenade of Alp horns announcing our arrival at Frakmuntegg (1460m). We quickly rigging up with a safety harnesses to make our way through central Switzerland’s largest suspension rope challenge. We climbed and swung our way through the more moderate obstacles before tackling the hardest course: an exhilarating exercise of balance, strength and fear suppression, leaving muscles quivering at the thought of our looming 4pm Bikram class.
Feeling a little rubbery, we continued via arial cable-way to the summit. Drawn to the edge, you could almost imagine sitting with your legs dangling off the side of a cloud. A magnificent patchwork of blooming green, sliding grey and frozen white as far as squinting eyes could see. Opposite and competing for the jaw gaping view, Lake Luzern painted far below, with Luzern city and the many villages hugging its shores. As another ensemble of Alp horns and old time yodelers evoked images of long mountain treks and breathing in pure 2132m Swiss air, it wasn’t long before the gnawing emptiness in our stomachs awoke the need to fuel up with a hearty buffet.
Not to be outdone, we descended the mountain in alarming style, gripped by the white fingered title, “steepest railway in the world”. The Cogwheel railway consists of single carriages inching slowly down a 48% gradient. Our wide eyes, reflecting alarming images of lines breaking, brakes failing and wheels flying off as we screech and plummet to our impending deaths; an enthralling pantomime for children looking skywards as parents shield their own faces in horror.
Alas it was not to be, instead balancing in a front row seat as we looked up, down and sideways, breathtaking beauty winding past our open windows, the cool air dancing on our skin, teasingly reminding us of the heat waiting for us in the mirrored torture chamber, far below.
Thanks Ruth for a wonderful day.
We had a record today with 22 hot yogis in class! It may not sound like many, but it’s a 
The energy in the room was clearly buzzing before class and as I locked eyes with a few of the regulars, I could see they were equally impressed. Then we started and the heat wiped the smile off my dial real quick! I managed to resurrect it at least once each posture though, to refocus and relax as Liliane led us through yet another powerful class.
Here is an extra thought for all of you to ponder- This is a 30 day challenge, and come June 30th you will have officially reached your personal June goals. Just because the 30 days is over does not mean you should stop there. Come back for day 31, 32 and eventually it will become day 45 or even day 60! Imagine the possibilities then! You are all on such a roll, challenge yourself to take that extra step or two, come to class on July 1st.
I’ve just updated my 
Arriving in Switzerland was somewhat of a shock. I was feeling a little numb, not quite sure if I was ready (see Clean Slate) so what better way to throw myself into month five and the Global Bender by doing a double.
We go for dinner at a vegetarian buffet and I think, “Awesome, eat as much as you can lad”. I heap my plate high, each taste bud jumping up and down like excited little children, stomach palpitating. Timo directs me to the scales.. wtf, I have to weigh my plate? Oh shit! The bill shouts “47.00 Swiss Franks” and Timo exclaims, “A new record!”
