Archive for September, 2009

 

Progress pics on The Chief, Vancouver

September 26, 2009 at 5:43 pm in On The Street, Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

Sofia - only a rock climber would attempt this!When a Bikram Yoga Teacher/Fitness Trainer/Photographer with a passion for rock climbing wants to show you around town, you know things might get a little crazy! That’s just what happened when I mentioned to Sophia Ha, that I still had to take my progress photos for last month. “I’ll take you up the Chief!” she grinned.

The Stawamus Chief is a pillar of granite that rises 600m above Squamish, about an hour outside Vancouver. We hiked, not climbed, although we missed the turn off for the 2nd peak and had to climb up the back of the 1st where we were rewarded with amazing views, clean air and the company of a cheeky chipmunk at the top.

After a little lunch we got stuck into the shoot and Sophia took some amazing photos.. thanks so much! I’ve posted them up onto my progress page and I’ll also upload them to a flickr album when I get back from Vancouver Island on Monday. I’ll pick up a class over there on Sat and Sun to mix things up.

The ChiefYou want me to stand where?!

 

Ceremonial Sweat with the Coast Salish Tribe

September 23, 2009 at 3:24 pm in On The Street | Please subscribe!

I was privileged to be invited to a traditional “Sweat” by Christian (co-director of BY Commercial Drive). Christian spent his childhood growing up with the Coast Salish Tribe from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and is a Fire Bearer for the Sweat every Monday evening. The Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Children of Takaya | Wolf Clan are the first nation people of the Burrard Inlet, Vancouver.

The “Sweat” or ceremonial sauna and was lead by the ceremonial chief, Klose (Ruben), grandson of Chief Dan George. I took part in five rounds which include praying, chanting, songs and medicinal herbs. Each round, in turn was dedicated to women, men, introspection, self and the warrior. At the start of each round more glowing rocks are brought into the sweat lodge from the large fire outside, before the door is shut tight, total darkness descends and you hold on to, or let go of.. whatever brought you along.

There was a record number attending and it was hard going tucked up in the back of the Sweat Lodge for the first round. Claustrophobia enveloped me and I was close to uttering “All my relations, open the door” but I managed to brave it, moving closer to the door for the remaining rounds.

Many thanks to Ruben, Christian and those attending for the experience.

I didn’t think it appropriate to take any photos or video as I’m sure you can appreciate.

 

Jinxed on Grouse Mountain

September 14, 2009 at 10:47 am in On The Street, Video | Please subscribe!

At the top of the Grouse Grind“Don’t you get bored practicing the same 26 postures in Bikram Yoga?”

This has got to be in the top three questions asked by yogis from other faiths. In the early stages of my practice I thought it may be possible but as time went on and I became more focused on posture, breath, and little else.

Then while climbing the 2.9 km hike up the “Grouse (Mountain) Grind”, with Ryan, an Australian, sorry Tasmanian mate and his friend Chrissy, a Canadian fitness trainer and yogi, the question popped up again.

Of course I dismissed Chrissy’s question on the spot, backing up my answer with favourites like: “You can find variation in your practice… , “each class is different on many levels…” and “If you’re focussed on what you’re doing then…” blah blah

Ryan & ChrissyWell who could have guessed in class the very next day, I found myself.. oh no could I really be… bored?! It wasn’t the teacher, the studio or my day. I was simply, bored shitless.

As I floating in a pool of my sweaty savasana, tendrils of thought severed my mind-body connection so completely that 4 days later, I find myself still adrift. But why? Why am I bored? Is it my lacklustre practice, loss of mental commitment or just that I’ve been at it for too long?

Hmm, time to spice things up! Hopefully a 26 cent copy of “The Law of Success” by Paramahansa Yogananda, purchased earlier today from a second hand shop will do the trick. One quick paragraph before I go in to the 6pm class!

 

Vancouver Vibes

September 9, 2009 at 7:07 pm in Media, On The Street | Please subscribe!

Cheers to Andreas Juen and Christian Betancor-Leon (owner/teachers) at Bikram Yoga Commercial Drive – Vancouver, for making me feel like I just strolled in the front door at home. Andreas invited me to stop by a few months back when they joined us for the Global Bender so it’s great to drop in and say hello in person.

Bikram Yoga on "The Drive"Not only are the boys sponsoring me with a 30 day pass, mat and towel, they threw in a stainless water bottle and shouted me a massage from resident masseur, Tim Cariou (Ah.. just what I needed!). Plus they set up a room at the studio for me to crash in for the month. In return, I’m happily putting in some time helping out with renovations to this very cool and community spirited studio. After all this time,  it will be good to put some callouses back on the bum scratchers.

bending through to the other sideFYI, Commercial Drive is situated in east Vancouver. With a mix of residential and commercial, “The Drive” offers a community feel with a vibe similar to Surry Hills in Sydney or The Valley in Brisbane, Australia. Loads of health shops, ethnic and vegetarian restaurants and colorful characters!

 

Balance in Barcelona

September 7, 2009 at 12:03 pm in On The Street, Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

Dandayamana Janushirasana at the Bullring

My month in Barcelona was a different experience in many ways and in reflection, I can say it was all about balance or trying to achieve it. Despite the Barcelona studio owner not embracing my journey as others have, it didn’t seem to matter; any lack of interest just created space and time for family. That’s was what this month was about and although the script was thrown entirely out the window, each day was spontaneous, a pantomime at best, an unruly circus at worst but I wouldn’t change it for the world. In fact, it was perfect!

One night (no doubt over a glass or two of Sangria) we set a goal of taking photos of all 26 postures at different sites around Barcelona.. unfortunately the circus act dominated this event but we managed quite a few. Here they are on my Balance in Barcelona Flickr Album.

Check ‘em out and if I can release the index finger, I’ll finish them off this month in Vancouver!  Stay tuned.. this place rocks!

 

Stranded in Dusseldorf!

September 1, 2009 at 3:53 am in On The Street | Please subscribe!

I guess it had to happen sometime.. Nothing like a pilots strike to grind you to a screaming halt. More of a hurry up and wait actually but the gist is, I was flying from Barcelona to Vancouver via Dusseldorf today and I’ve missed my connecting flight! Since there was no morning class before my flight, I was planning on taking the 6pm class on arrival in Vancouver… shite!

Thanks Air Berlin, you really fubbed up my trip big time!

So what now? Well I’m sitting in the Sheraton reception catching up on emails and blogging while my hotel room air conditioner is cranked to maximum heat on the dial. I don’t think I’ll set the fire alarm off but I’m sure I can raise a sheen as I sweat it out to Bikram’s dialogue on my iPod!

Yikes, better get in there now otherwise I’ll miss my complimentary dinner in the hotel restaurant!