A new kind of yogi...

It's day 2 and I'm rather chuffed with myself at having gone to Bikram Yoga 2 days in a row *apart from the fact that I needed a 5 hour rest when I got home at 7 am this morning to recover* life sure is easy when you don't have much else to do :)

I am starting to accept the fact that i have only been home for 6 days and therefore do need to take some time to really focus on what I really want to do and where I want to go in life. Which means bumming off my parents for a little while longer, nothing wrong with that hey!


So...while the search for "meaning" (what does that even mean?!) continues, I leave you with some of the world's cutest yogi's. Dan Borris pairs 2 rather unlikely elements to create something adorable...

and

click here to buy your very own Yoga Dogs/Cats 2011 Calendar :)

**the dogs & cats aren’t actually forced into these obscure and awkward positions.  As explained in an article on Express.co.uk, Borris works with his wife Alejandra and uses computer editing to make the poses look authentic**

And in places like the US, Taiwan and Japan, the above pictures may just become more than a picture in a calendar:

"The idea of canine yoga – or doga – classes was dreamt up by American-based yoga instructor Suzi Teitelman. She discovered that her dog, a spaniel, liked to join in with her yoga exercise routine at home in America.
Classes of doga are increasing in number and popularity in the US. Doga is the latest American import to have taken off in UK, Japan and Taiwan, and may eventually be exported to the rest of the world". Lifeisreallybeautiful.com

umm...I'm not so sure:

**South Africa** Rocks!!

Browsing through the web, as you do, I came across this really really awesome blog about South African blog called South Africa Rocks. It aims to promote South Africa and highlight all the really positive elements of our country. Check it out!

Something that caught my eye on the site was this:

*it's our National Anthem, but look how awesome it's been illustrated!*

You guys are doing an awesome job with your site ") foshizzle!

Bikram Smikram!

I have been home here in Jo'burg for a total of 4 days and already I'm starting to get itchy feet. So, to cure my itch I've decided to start Bikram Yoga (*again). Again, because I started it about 5 years ago, and well, it was a bit intense and so I kinda stopped...lazy me! But now I will attempt it for a second time...let's hope this time is different :)

For those of you a little unsure of what exactly Bikram Yoga is, here's a little summary:

One of the most well-known kinds of yoga is Bikram. If you’ve heard of people practicing yoga in a room that is heated to over 40 degrees celcius, this is the type of yoga they were sweating through. Bikram yoga is also referred to as “Hot Yoga.”

Benefits

The intention behind having the room heated so high is to ensure the student will sweat profusely, thereby ridding the body of toxins. The intense heat also makes the muscles very supple and warm which enhances flexibility. The sequence of postures is also designed to relieve stress, reduce tension and prevent injury.

What is a Bikram yoga class like?

Bikram yoga involves doing a set sequence of 26 postures, or asanas, and two breathing exercises in a class that is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Students are guided along the class by Bikram-certified teachers who instruct using a specific dialogue. Each class lasts approximately 90 minutes.

The authentic Bikram method recommends that you practice it every day.

Given the high heat and the length of time that each posture is held, Bikram yoga is very strenuous. Even though beginners are encouraged to sample a class, if you have a strong aversion to the heat or get faint quickly, you might want to think about first trying out another kind of yoga class that heats the room, but not as high as in a Bikram class.

Thanks DietinReview. 

Well I did say I wanted to get rid of that itch, I'll be doing that in my first class at 05:30 tomorrow morning...*gulp* so that hopefully in a few weeks/months/years/lifetimes this will be me:

For those of you in the Johannesburg Sandton/Fourways area, there is a fantastic studio at the Design Quarter on the corner of  Leslie Avenue & William Nicol Drive *click here* for their website*