My First Day...
Wow.
That's how I'll start this journal.
I arrived at Bikram Yoga headquarters in Los Angeles and was greeted by an assembled crowd from the United nations. Not literally of course but it seemed that there was someone from every well-known and obscure corner of the United States as well as representatives from all over the world.
Japan
France
The UK
New Zeland
Thailand
What was more suprising was heterogeneity of the assembled crowd. I guess I still carry some old stereotypes because I was expecting everyone to be lanky 20 and 30 somethings who just stepped out of a Lululemon or Prana Ad. Flexible, chic organic alternative, wearing a lot of hemp and soled in sandals.
Wrong.
Students ranged in age from 19 to 50. There was the tall, short, lanky, and stout. There were those who looked somewhat manky like they stepped out of the woods and others who would look natural on Rodeo Drive sipping a latte (Big Sunglasses yakking on tiny cell phones). There was even a guy who looked like Napolean Dynamite.
We received an introduction from Rajashree. She is Bikram Choudry's beautiful and elegant wife. We were also introducted to the director of training. His name is Craig. A stocky, powerful looking guy. He speaks well and is very articulate, clear, and engaging but there is something in his demeanor. A steeliness and seriousness that makes me a little anxious. I thought with a small laugh, 'Like Jeff on a Tuesday afternoon.'
Speaking of which I ran into Jeff. He gave me a hug and wished me well. It was a gesture that I really appreciated especially when I was trying to orient myself to this new chaotic enivronment. I also ran into other familiar faces. There was a woman named Carol who used to practice at Pasadena for about a year. She would often travel to Florida for business. A few months ago she left permanently for the Sunshine state (I always thought that was our nickname). The other person that I ran into was a living myth. He was a person who came to our studio once on a 8:00 am Saturday class a few months back. I arrived at the studio a few minutes before the end of the 8 o'clock class and was greeted by the regular sweaty egressing horde. I ran into my friend Taleen who was wearing this look of amazement. She proceeded to tell me about this shorter asian guy, in his first class, doing the Bikram Postures with the flexiblity and grace of a prodigy rivaling even our in-house champion.
Guess what...I ran into THAT guy
It seems that he's been practicing for years at another studio and was just staying with a friend in Pasadena. He actually recognized me from the studio. His name is Tua. This urban legend and I might carpool together.
We ended the evening with a traditionaly yoga Dinner: Sushi and Chinese food. I was hoping for some Daal and Vindaloo but it was good all the same. I have a feeling that this should be an apt metaphor for the entire teacher training: Expect to have my expectation be challenged.
It'll be a good thing.
please send me your comments to greetings to emillkim@hotmail.com (not the comment button below) and I'll post them.
That's how I'll start this journal.
I arrived at Bikram Yoga headquarters in Los Angeles and was greeted by an assembled crowd from the United nations. Not literally of course but it seemed that there was someone from every well-known and obscure corner of the United States as well as representatives from all over the world.
Japan
France
The UK
New Zeland
Thailand
What was more suprising was heterogeneity of the assembled crowd. I guess I still carry some old stereotypes because I was expecting everyone to be lanky 20 and 30 somethings who just stepped out of a Lululemon or Prana Ad. Flexible, chic organic alternative, wearing a lot of hemp and soled in sandals.
Wrong.
Students ranged in age from 19 to 50. There was the tall, short, lanky, and stout. There were those who looked somewhat manky like they stepped out of the woods and others who would look natural on Rodeo Drive sipping a latte (Big Sunglasses yakking on tiny cell phones). There was even a guy who looked like Napolean Dynamite.
We received an introduction from Rajashree. She is Bikram Choudry's beautiful and elegant wife. We were also introducted to the director of training. His name is Craig. A stocky, powerful looking guy. He speaks well and is very articulate, clear, and engaging but there is something in his demeanor. A steeliness and seriousness that makes me a little anxious. I thought with a small laugh, 'Like Jeff on a Tuesday afternoon.'
Speaking of which I ran into Jeff. He gave me a hug and wished me well. It was a gesture that I really appreciated especially when I was trying to orient myself to this new chaotic enivronment. I also ran into other familiar faces. There was a woman named Carol who used to practice at Pasadena for about a year. She would often travel to Florida for business. A few months ago she left permanently for the Sunshine state (I always thought that was our nickname). The other person that I ran into was a living myth. He was a person who came to our studio once on a 8:00 am Saturday class a few months back. I arrived at the studio a few minutes before the end of the 8 o'clock class and was greeted by the regular sweaty egressing horde. I ran into my friend Taleen who was wearing this look of amazement. She proceeded to tell me about this shorter asian guy, in his first class, doing the Bikram Postures with the flexiblity and grace of a prodigy rivaling even our in-house champion.
Guess what...I ran into THAT guy
It seems that he's been practicing for years at another studio and was just staying with a friend in Pasadena. He actually recognized me from the studio. His name is Tua. This urban legend and I might carpool together.
We ended the evening with a traditionaly yoga Dinner: Sushi and Chinese food. I was hoping for some Daal and Vindaloo but it was good all the same. I have a feeling that this should be an apt metaphor for the entire teacher training: Expect to have my expectation be challenged.
It'll be a good thing.
please send me your comments to greetings to emillkim@hotmail.com (not the comment button below) and I'll post them.
posted by Emill at
8:00 PM
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