While brushing my teeth tonight, I realized that today marked my 365th class for the year!

One class a day since 02 Jan 2009, with a double class in Switzerland and Sweden. Of course my challenge is “12 Months, 12 Countries, a 30 Day Challenge in each” so technically I finish on the 01 Jan 2010.. only 2 classes to go here at BYBA!

I should be over the moon, well over all the poses actually, but something very strange has happened to my yoga practice. I guess it started at Bikram Yoga Viña del Mar, Chile (month 11) but not quite comprehending or believing, I kept quiet, fearful I would jinx myself.

So, what happened?  As you know, there are so many things to focus on, explore and ultimately, master in your practice, for example: an even and quiet breath, unwavering drishti, and relaxed mind, that to control any one of them, is no small miracle! After the first month and each consecutive 30 Day Challenge, it seemed the harder I pushed, the more strained I became. The deeper I breathed, the louder it got. The more I tried to focus, my vision wavered.

But every month I had new teachers (guides), differing studios (energy centres) and met with more and more yogis (collective conscious) – each imparting little morsels of information. Some helped me a little and others basically slapped me in the face – for which I cant thank enough.

Then at Bikram Yoga Commercial Drive Vancouver, Canada (month 9), a teacher told me, “the more I feel the pain, the more I laugh”. Of course I laughed at the absurdity but never forgot this gem and over the coming months put it to practice – I felt the pain.. and I smiled a lot! Slowly, very slowly, all the pieces started coming together and I relaxed more and more into my practice.

And after all this time.. I’m finally starting to get what this yoga “trip” is all about.