Monday Motivations

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It is the last Monday of 2014! Well done to everyone for making it through another year of trying to be the best You that you can be. Despite the natural urge to look back at all the moments gone, now it is time to be in the present moment. This time of year is always challenging and full of distractions, and the pressures to meet all our physical, financial, social and personal goals can become very stressful.

The easiest way to combat holiday stress is to remain in the present moment; in the now. If you are finding this time of year particularly difficult, especially when it comes to focusing on the now, try to fit in a bikram yoga session before New Year’s. You will feel the weight of the past and the anxiety of the future lift off your shoulders leaving a pure you, ready to celebrate the New Year in harmony.

Bikram yoga helps us get into the present moment and to stay in it regardless of outer distractions. It helps strengthen the muscles in our brain that deal with focus and being completely present in the moment.

One of Bikram Yoga’s keys to bringing awareness into the present moment is breathing. Focusing on your breathing both in class and out in the big world is an immensely powerful tool to combat the worries and unnecessary weight of the past or future. After all, all we have control over is the present moment. No matter how hard we try or how much we want to travel back in time or into the future, all we have ever had and will ever have to play with is the present moment. The most successful, happy people are the most present, self-aware people.

Being in the present moment is a tension-free experience. Once fully present, the fears, anxiety, hurtful memories and chaos of life melts away, everything we hold on to from the past or future becomes redundant, and we become fully empowered to make the most of the current situation - the given moment.

So if you are looking for some relief, and a holiday from your holiday the key is to be present in the moment - be in the now – and you will have no trouble making it through this hectic time of year :)

If you need to fit in some Bikram sessions before New Year’s, see our class schedule over the next few days below.

classes

All you have to do is get here, we will help you achieve the rest!

Happy New Year Yogis !  :)
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Monday Motivations

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 Today marks the beginning of the last month of the year and as Christmas and New Year’s fast approaches, we brace ourselves for one of the most stressful and busy periods of the year. The wild month of December can have negative effects on our bodies and minds, and without a bit of conscious effort to look after ourselves during this period, most of the stress and worry will carry itself into the New Year making our resolutions about fixing last year’s problems.

If you want to truly start afresh this January, Today is the day to make the first move. The 1st of December can be just like any other day – or it can be the day you started the journey to a greater you and a more fulfilling life.

But why Bikram Yoga? Here are just some of the benefits you can expect to see within a few classes:

On the inside, a regular Bikram practice
  • reduces stress levels,
  • enhances our ability to cope in stressful situations,
  • brings us self-awareness and thus better decision-making and
  • strengthens the mind to focus and be positive.
On the outside, a regular Bikram practise
  • tones up muscles,
  • sheds unwanted weight,
  • improves skin’s elasticity and overall health,
  • strengthens muscles, joints, heart and lungs, and
  • makes us more flexible and supple.
Make a Bikram Wellbeing Plan or call it your Summer Yogi plan – have fun with it! This is about YOU living life to the fullest so don’t cut any corners.

The Bikram Yoga Britomart Website has regularly updated class schedules to help you organize the week and pick the times that suit you. Think about what your next few weeks will involve, and make enough room for at least 3 Bikram classes every week – consistency is Key. It is important to choose a good plan that can be realistically stuck to – and stubbornly stick to it! The self-satisfaction that comes after sticking to anything is good enough of a reward – but if you succeed in sticking to your Summer Bikram Plan, the rewards will be far greater and they will trickle over into the rest of the New Year.

Make 2015 unforgettable! Challenge yourself – your best opponent and competition is yourself so use it to drive your achievements further.

Write down your progress throughout the weeks. Motivate yourself to do more to really push the envelope and keep pushing it. You will most importantly feel but certainly also see the results within just a couple of weeks. Taking before and after photos is another great way to self-motivate. Send them in to us! We will supply you with ample amounts of motivation – all you need to do is make the right choice this Month :)

Namaste

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Monday Motivations

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 For us beginners the world of yoga seems appealing enough – we get to tone up, become more flexible, learn about better nutrition for our bodies, gain self-awareness, mental strength and peace of mind, as well as meeting like-minded people along the way. But for the more experienced yogis - the ones who have made it through years of personal and physical challenge and thus rewards, the world of yoga is much more colorful and lighthearted than we perhaps thought. It seems that things only get better and better.

Inside the studio the pace and noise of the outer world is only a view from the large windows. Nobody seems to care about anything beyond their control. There are sleeping bags and yoga mats scattered as though each sleeping bag is incomplete without its nearby yoga mat. The sounds of giggles and laughter are a consistent soundtrack to the bare-footed yogis who have come, some from as far as Argentina, to stay with us for the JFC Training and Weekend with Esak Garcia.

In the yoga world there are always events, or rather, there are always events to go to where yogis have the most fun. Years of Bikram Yoga take years off a person’s heart and mind and the bright, youthful air of experienced yogis is contagious. After all, what do they have to worry about? Years of consistent yoga practice has taught them to consider life less seriously. The weight of the world is not carried on the yogis shoulder because their yoga mats and towels get in the way :)

Life is a beautiful event but only if each person makes a decision with themselves to be the best that they can be – inside and out. Make this the focus, and soon the pace and sound of the world outside will not be able to penetrate your bubble. Some of us don’t even have a bubble!

It is inside this bubble that experienced yogis find all the amusement in the world - and it is a full time bubble for them. It only takes spending a few hours at a week-long event in the Studio, where everything and everyone are everywhere yet in the most organized, relaxed and humerus fashion, to understand how lighthearted, welcoming and truly enjoyable a yogi’s company and their overall life experience is.

Veteran yogis are pro’s at having a good laugh and fooling around – after years of self-discovery why wouldn't you laugh? How could you possibly keep a straight face? In order to discover one-self truly, it is imperative to be able to laugh because none of us are perfect. Once we start digging deep we find that we are utterly strange, bent out of balance and surprisingly awkward. And that is ok! Humans are complex beings living in a complex world. With a consistent yoga routine the inner child in us starts to let go, eventually not wanting to get caught up in all of life’s little or big complexities. The inner child wants to celebrate and share its new found energy with other youthful spirits.

Yogis take each day as it comes because they have spent years treating their bodies with the same respect; taking each posture as it comes, day by day. With each gathering, big or small, Yogis from around the world rejoice and let a little loose, between the focused class-time, taking themselves ever closer to the ultimate reward of them all; full-bellied Laughter :)

Become a part of this colorful, reward-ridden world, where the noise and pace is what you make it – not what you can see outside the window.

Namaste
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Monday Motivations. The Bikram View on Nutrition

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 Nutrition is one of those words we all know are very important, but only a few of us really know what it means and how to incorporate it into our lives so that our bodies and minds are performing at their best.

Practicing Bikram Yoga enables you to develop a greater perspective on nutrition through building a close relationship with your body and therefore the nutritional choices you make are more aligned with your body’s needs.

The self-awareness that comes with each person’s Bikram Yoga journey is highly rewarding for the body.

Self-awareness is a powerful tool. For beginner Yogis, the transition into better nutrition is almost effortless. How? When you start your Bikram Yoga journey, you also start the journey towards finding your true self, and a big part of that discovery is the realisation that what you fuel yourself with is directly linked to your whole body’s experience and output (including the mind).

Another physical change beginner Yogis are often rewarded with is weight loss; not by changing their diet but simply by practising Bikram Yoga. Around 1000 calories are burned in each 90 minute Bikram Yoga session; multiply that by a few times a week and you are well on your way to healthy weight-loss this summer - or any time of year!

But along with the extra calories burned each week, the body starts to crave foods which will actually repair it and give it nutrition to maintain healthy skin, hair, bones, blood and organs. The body’s cravings will start to become healthier!

Experienced Yogis are well aware of the positive domino-effect practising Bikram has had on their nutrition and therefore overall health. The more you practise the stronger you are on the inside and outside, and you start to make the right food choices based on what is right for your body. Naturally, you will choose nutritious, fresh foods, full of goodness, leaving you feeling alive and energized.

What you might notice: Highly fatty foods will no longer satisfy your evolving body’s needs. You may notice how dehydrating alcohol is when consumed regularly, and putting too much salt on food will have a similar 'dehydrating'effect. Drinking plenty of natural fluids like water will become second nature – so you will start flushing out all the built up toxins and chemicals without even noticing or forcing yourself.

What we recommend: Fruits and vegetables are light and valuable for your body, and can be eaten an hour before class or almost immediately after. Whole grains and seeds are high in fiber and slow-burning carbohydrates which will leave you feeling energized for longer and keep your metabolism nice and steady. Bananas are high in potassium and are particularly good for restoring electrolytes. Nuts contain healthy fats and will keep you feeling full for longer, and their protein is goof for repairing muscles.

The Green power Smoothie

This smoothie is packed full of vitamins, antioxidants and many essential nutrients for weight loss and detoxification – perfect for our Bikram Yogis! Thanks to www.body+soul.co.au

Ingredients
1 cup oat milk
1 cup coconut water 
1 tsp spirulina
2 tsp flaxseed meal
1 tbsp organic coconut oil
¼ cup frozen berries
1 tsp probiotics
2 tbsp organic natural yoghurt
A pinch if cinnamon
2 drops stevia for sweetness

Preparation: Throw all ingredients into a mixer and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

The more you practice the healthier you will become so why wait? Start your Bikram Yoga Journey Today!

Call us on 0800 hotyoga or visit www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz
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Monday Motivations

bikram-yoga

 The importance of looking after yourself with injuries is perhaps one of the most useful tools we can have in this lifetime because let’s face it – we all get injured sometimes and yet we all have to keep going to work or being parents or friends, and it is not always easy to do the right thing for our bodies, no matter how much the desire or willpower is.

Having an injury doesn't always have to be as obvious as a cast on the leg or visible inflammation of the tendons. Our bodies store things; they have a memory just like our mind does, and they can easily get out of alignment from years of wrong posture and abuse to the body – just like the mind can get out of balance from years of unbalanced thinking.

One does not have to be an athlete or body-builder to be in danger of working the body out of its alignment and physical balance. Things like sitting forward for long periods at your desk, carrying kids and handbags; these can all have negative effects on the body and without consistent Yoga, the body starts to remember and believe everything ‘bad’ it is being told. It is only natural!

When you go to Yoga your body starts to re-align and re-format itself; it starts to learn again how to be at its strongest, most supple, most balanced and most effortlessly functioning. This is why it can often freak out a little bit. It takes time and persistence to change the memory of your body. You’re almost literally starting from scratch again – and it’s not always easy! But what is ever truly worth-while that is easy?

People can experience a transition in their body, a transition that many Yogi’s understand and feel as the awakening of their true potential. However sometimes this transition can put people off; they feel disheartened and confused. When people’s bodies start rewriting themselves it sometimes causes them to stop their practice because their body is changing and they don’t know how or why.

If you have ever doubted yourself and your Yoga practice know that when you feel your body changing or feeling something different -  it is changing to a new, better functioning body, with a memory that is healthy and strong. It’s not always easy, but easy is not the way to achieving anything worthwhile. So do not be put off before your body gets its chance to improve.

The body is the most valuable thing we have and it is never too late or too difficult to transform it into its rightful place of well-being, regardless of its tumultuous history. We have to look at the whole picture to really understand the intimacies that make it up to be a whole. This is why it is so important to keep coming to Yoga - focus on one part of your body and you won't be looking after the rest of yourself, nor will the rest of yourself be looking after you!

The importance of the rest of your body being strong and functioning properly is that it will better support your healing process. Having an injury in one place shouldn’t mean neglecting the rest of your body.

Rather than giving up because of a single thing and allowing the rest of your whole body and mind to cave in and resign – give yourself another shot. Keep trying, keep pushing through the transformation stage of your body and its memory. As soon as you make it through, you will have a better relationship with your body and mind than ever before. You will have learned how to keep the whole picture in constant view, and what a wonderful picture it is <3

Book your next class here: www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz

Namaste
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Monday Motivations

bestholiday

 We all spend the majority of the year busily running errands and focusing on work and family (or friends, or both!) that when the holidays come we sometimes find ourselves feeling guilty for not doing enough.

It seems absurd, after spending a huge portion of the year working hard, staying on top of our professional and personal lives, that when the time comes to relax and reflect, we are so used to the stress that when there is none, a sense of guilt creeps in. Well this year we are stopping the ‘Holiday Guilt’ before it wriggles its way in to the festive season.

It is easy to do! Here is the equation: simply replace the majority of the time spent at work each week during the year on looking after yourself. So; time at work / 1.5 + time on self x 10 = 0 Holiday Guilt. Sound easy right? Once the routine is in place – it is!

During the busiest parts of the year, it is very hard to maintain a consistent exercise and well-being routine, but we do not get too bothered because we are simply too busy achieving a number of other great things. Nothing wrong with that :) But now with the holidays approaching, and the days getting longer and more playful – it is wise to remind ourselves – of ourselves.

Holidays are a time to relax and reward ourselves for our hard work during the year. But do not be tricked by false or shallow rewards. Food, drinking and hours of sun-exposure are all rewarding to a certain extent. But if the body had a voice it would tell us to start focusing on the things that we know are important, things we want to focus on but can’t during the year because we are too busy or tired.

Just because it is the Holiday Season, the journey towards optimal well-being and health does not need to stop – in fact it ought to go up a gear or two! Make sure every day to designate at least 3 hours towards yourself, and let there be no excuses. A solid Bikram Yoga routine is perhaps one of the most rewarding, guilt-free ways to spend the summer months.

Eat what you want, enjoy the company of family and friends to the fullest and be confident to get out the bikini straps because you are already living to your optimal well-being’s needs.

There has never been a better time to sign up to a summer of Bikram Yoga and to kick the ‘Holiday Guilt’ before it starts kicking you!

Happy Monday Yogis :)
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Yoga Clothing of the Week

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Onzie have won our Yoga Clothing hearts this week with this light, loose and comfortable Yoga top. The minimal design of the stitching and effortless fabric make this the perfect accompaniment to your next Bikram Yoga workout. This singlet also comes in Navy and Grey, and we still have a good size range available :) Well done Onzie!

Check out www.onzie.com or come see us in the Studio @ 13 Commerce Street, Auckland, for this and many more fabulous Hot Yoga clothes.

Happy Thursday Yogis!
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Yoga Clothing of the Week

weoowww

 This week we like it simple and sweet. Teeki love the Earth and we love Teeki! Made in sunny California, this perfect Bikram Yoga top will keep you feeling cool and looking hot.

This and many more great yoga tops and bottoms are available from our warm studio :) 13 Commerce Street, Auckland, Britomart. See you there!

Book your next class here: www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz
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Monday Motivations

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 It is no longer news to us that regular physical exercise is one of the main ingredients needed to live a long, healthy and happy life. But what can words do for us when we are reading them? They only go so far as a moment or two beyond the page, while the reader 'chews' on them and then from then on, those words become a reference to the memory of the 'chewing' and the action part starts to get harder and harder and more distant for us to reach.

If ever you find yourself daydreaming often about improving your life - starting from the body and mind - but never feel like you have enough motivation to follow through with the required actions, this is probably because your memory is tricking you and preventing you from realizing your self-worth, your incredible potential and ability to achieve that which you focus on.

Next time this happens, try to remember a time when a posture was extremely difficult to finish, but you finished it. Or perhaps it took a few classes before you were able to finish it. How wonderful and accomplished did you feel when something that once used to be difficult, all of a sudden comes easily and naturally to you? That is the feeling of self-empowerment, self-development and being the best person to yourself that you can be :) Try to remember the first few Bikram Yoga classes you ever did - did it take a few sessions to feel like you are in complete control of yourself?

It is in the challenges we set ourselves, for ourselves, that most of our rewards come from; and the beauty of challenging ourselves is that there really is no beginning and no end to the possibilities :)

In everyone's Bikram Yoga journey, there is a journey of the self and how powerful it really can be. Sticking to a regular exercise plan will make you feel your self-worth, it will give yourself and your life value - because during exercise we learn about what our bodies and minds are doing. We learn how they are functioning and most importantly we begin to discover how to help ourselves go oven further, be even healthier, and live even more positively.

MentalHealth.org.uk has outlined just some of the proven benefits of regular physical exercise and these are; less tension, stress and mental fatigue, a natural energy boost, improved sleep, a sense of achievement, focus in life and motivation, less anger or frustration, a healthy appetite, better social life, having fun.

So what are you waiting for? The time is Now to be the best You, because nobody else has been given that privilege :)

See us Today at 13 Commerce Street, Britomart, Auckland.

Or for our Latest Class Schedule please visit: www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz
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Yoga Clothing of the Week

lovely

 Teeki have won our Yoga Clothing hearts this week! This floral Yoga top is perfect for your Bikram practice. Get excited about doing what is good for your body and soul, reward yourself with things you love and that will make doing what you love, even better!

Visit us at 13 Commerce Street, Auckland, and check out many more fabulous Bikram Yoga accessories.

Happy Hot Yoga!
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