Posted on 20th February 2010 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
bikram yoga
It’s been awhile. The last time I did Bikram Yoga was over 6 months ago, right before I started developing my rashes. Then I got married, then the holidays came, and before I knew it… Bikram and I had become strangers.
I decided to go today after hours of studying. I was restless, the weather outside was perfect (crisp, cold, and gloomy), and I had been missing yoga for awhile. I looked at the online schedule and didn’t recognize half of the teachers’ names. So much can change in just half a year! It was a risk having to try a new teacher my first time back – if you think all teachers are created equal, I’m here to break that illusion and tell you NO, they are definitely not.
Luckily, my teacher today was amazing. Better than amazing. She had a soothing voice, was very helpful, encouraged me throughout the class, and couldn’t be funnier. Yes, Bikram can be fun (and funny).
As for me… I wanted to die halfway into the balancing series. We were barely at balancing stick pose and I already had to sit out a few times. The heat was getting to me. My stomach felt nauseous. My head was lightheaded. I felt the onset of a Migraine. I did not feel good.
But I got through it. I even got myself to do the triangle and tree to toe stand poses. No easy feat I tell ya. Once the floor series started I stopped thinking about the lightheadedness and just let my body bend and breathe the way it needed to.
It felt like the longest hour and a half of my life, but I got through it with dignity. At the end of it, my teacher even called me a superstar! I don’t know when I’ll be back, but for today I just want to relish in this accomplishment. Now back to studying.
Posted on 14th July 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
namaste book club, welcoming space
Nancy, one of the co-founders of Namaste Book Club and blogger of Welcoming Space asked me to interview for her blog a few weeks ago. After writing down my responses I found myself curious about her journey, and asked her some questions in return. There’s something so special about each person’s journey that I find intriguing – it gives you a whole new sense about a person, a deeper understanding, and hopefully a more fond appreciation. Enjoy!
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Posted on 13th July 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
yoga gives back
Previously, I mentioned an organization called Yoga Gives Back, whose purpose is to fight poverty through yoga and microfinancing. I have been in regular contact with the founder, Kayoko Mitsumatsu, and they are putting on a special benefit class this Saturday July 18th at Yogaglo’s Santa Monica studio. All proceeds go to fight poverty around the world. Come for a great class and some wonderful networking opportunities while giving back to those in need. Hope to see you there!
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Posted on 13th July 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
namaste book club, yoga books
Those who know me know that I am obsessed with books – old, new, borrowed – I don’t discriminate. If you haven’t already heard, there’s a new and rapidly growing online yoga community called Namaste Book Club. The first book they’ve chosen is The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar. I haven’t read too many yoga specific books, so this will be a great motivator, hopefully opening my eyes to a different side of yoga. Up until now, I’ve been mostly aware of the physical benefits of yoga, with little knowledge of the history and motivations behind its start. Am interested in seeing where this journey takes me…
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Posted on 2nd July 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
welcoming space
One of my favorite bloggers and tweeters (twitterer/twit?? I still don’t know all these terms), Nancy, asked me to interview for her blog – after months of back and forth light banter with her about all things yoga, how could I refuse? You can read my answers to all things Bikram Yoga on her blog – Welcoming Space.
A striving yoga instructor, she writes about her practice with depth and heart. I can’t help but be drawn by her poise and authenticity – it helps that her writing style is quite lovely too! Hers is definitely one of my favorite yoga blogs to read! Check out her blog, subscribe, RSS feed it, add her to twitter (@yoga_mydrishti) – she’s likely to become one of your favorites too. 
Posted on 1st July 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
ana forrest, forrest yoga, the examiner, Yoga and Pilates, yoga journal
No, you don’t do Forrest Yoga in the trees, though that has a certain appeal doesn’t it? I can just imagine doing triangle, reaching high above as sunbeams light up the dirt floor while I soak in the smell of a nearby lake. Sorry – hiatus. My mind wanders. So anyway, Forrest Yoga was named after creator Ana Forrest. Is it me, or does it feel like everyone wants their “own” patented yoga now?
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Posted on 29th June 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
punk rock yoga, the examiner, yoga journal
When I first wrote about laughing yoga, then again with antigravity yoga… I seriously thought the buck stopped there. I’ve underestimated the phenomenon yoga has taken on the world, I wonder how many yoga spin-offs are out there. I might just make it my mission to find them all! My new discovery is a modern spin to yoga called Punk Rock Yoga. Has yoga fusion gone too far? Let’s see if this truly is a form of yoga or if it’s all talk with none of the walk!
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Posted on 26th June 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
bikram yoga irvine, yoga studio
Happy Friday!!! What are everyone’s plans for the weekend? The sun is shining and its been in the beautiful, breezy 70s here in Southern California. 
Since I’ve been talking about my practice a bit more on my blog, I thought I’d show you guys where I actually sweat it all out.
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Posted on 25th June 2009 by Jiggly in Getting Personal | Yoga and Pilates
bikram yoga, fixed firm pose, hot yoga
It was just one of them days. I stupidly slept at 2:30am last night and got in only 4 hours of sleep. I was debating about yoga, but had a hunch that getting my lazy butt there would make me feel better in the end. So I went. I was drowsy and had a headache (not the way you want to start a class), so I popped in an Advil to remedy the issue. I do that from time to time, especially when I get headaches. They say that an Aspirin a day is actually good for your health, but there are so many health claims out there… you can never be too sure.
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Posted on 25th June 2009 by Jiggly in Yoga and Pilates
here comes the sun, la yoga magazine, nonprofits, Yoga and Pilates, yogaglo
LA Yoga Magazine and YogaGlo partner to host a unique event called Here Comes the Sun this Friday, June 26th from 5-10pm. Hm, I wonder if the title comes from the Beatles’ age old song “Here Comes the Sun”. Anyway, I’m sure you’re curious what this is all about…
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