Saturday Spotlight: Want to become a Bikram yoga teacher?

Dear Britomart yogis,

Have you ever listened to your teachers in class (you know, those generally annoying people who talk at you telling you to ‘lock your knee’, ‘be still’, ‘breathe through your nose’? ;-)) and thought to yourself I could do that!? 

Has Bikram yoga had a significant impact on your life? Do you find yourself wanting to practise more and more often? Has your health improved since you started? Have your old injuries miraculously disappeared? Do you find yourself craving different foods and making better nutrition choices? Do you have greater clarity of mind?

Do you feel ready for the challenge of 9 weeks intense training? Two classes a day? Late nights? Posture clinics listening to endless dialogue reciting? 300+ sweaty bodies raising the humidity to an unbearable level? The temperature getting so high that the fire alarm goes off (yes, this happened.) and then the water sprinklers come on (yes, this also happened on my training. Twice!)? :-)

If you're still keen after reading the above then allow me to deliver the good (the GREAT!) news... The next teacher training will take place in Thailand, in Phuket, on the beach, at the Sentido Graceland Khao Lak Resort and Spa which just happens to look like this:

Sentido Graceland 1

and this:

Sentido Graceland 2

and this (sigh!):

Sentido Graceland 3

Sold yet?! ;-)

The Spring TT begins on April 19th and runs until June 20th. Some of our Britomart yogis have already signed up and are getting geared up for what will definitely be a truly unforgettable experience, and hopefully an amazingly positive one too.

Going to Bikram TT was the best decision I have ever made. It's not all plain sailing, but you learn to love the struggles you encounter because they allow you to grow so much. You meet some pretty amazing people and share the rollercoaster ride together. Some of them will become friends for life.

When you step up to the podium for your first classes you will quickly realise just how much of a privilege teaching is. To witness transformations, to help students realise their own strength and power, to encourage their self-acceptance, to see their struggles overcome, to watch students fall in love with themselves in the mirror.

That is the true beauty of this job, and I hope I will do it forever! :-)

For more information on TT click here to access the official Bikram yoga website: http://www.bikramyoga.com/TeacherTraining/AboutTeacherTraining.php. En better, just come and talk to any of your teachers before or after class. We would love to share our own experiences of TT with you!

See you on your mats!

Tags:

Monday Motivations

30day

Well done for making it to 2015 everybody. With the old behind us and the new ready to be painted on the blank canvas, it is time to pick up the tools we have acquired from life’s lessons and prepare our bodies, minds and schedules for the coming months.

February is only three weeks away, which means our 30 Day Challenge is right around the corner! This week’s motivations are designed to help you prepare for a 30 day Bikram yoga challenge, weather it is your first or 5th one. Preparation and determination are key values for a successful 30 day challenge.

How to prepare for a 30 Day Bikram Challenge?
  1. Try to free-up the month as much as possible. Tell your non-yogi friends that you will be a little busier than usual so the pressures and distractions of social life don’t make things harder for you.
  2. Keep hydrated. Drink as much water as you can in the days leading up to the challenge. Add some lemon juice and/or orange juice for an electrolyte and vitamin boost! Lemon is also alkaline making it a great acidity regulator in your stomach.
  3. Fit in a couple of classes a week before the challenge just to get into the swing of things, especially if you have not practiced in a while. Get your head into the zone of the coming challenge and ease yourself into it.
  4. Make sure you have enough Bikram Yoga clothing to last in case you run out of time to wash your clothes each day. A good tip for beating the sweaty odor is a tablespoon or two of vinegar in your next yoga clothing wash.
  5. Getting to class every day can become stressful if you don’t prepare. A good way to keep organized and motivated is to book and treat your classes as you would an evening outing or a trip to the theater. Make it an event. Pick a time for the event, and then work out the logistics. After a week of strict planning – the rest of the month will be much easier to manage. It’s easy if you are prepared!
How to survive a 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge?
  1. The first week is important to get right. Don’t push yourself too hard – there are still three more weeks of Yoga ahead of you, so you will need some energy and strength towards the end to get you through.
  2. Keep hydrated! Now that you are in the swing of things, your body will be needing a lot of fluids replaced daily. As you are working out drink plain water only – a lot before class, some during class, and a lot after class. The drinks you make after class should be made with electrolytes and vitamins as well, to help your body replace some of its nutrients after its big daily cleanse. As mentioned before – lemons are great for alkalizing the stomach, and fruits are great for electrolytes. Adding some table salt to your fruit drinks increases the electrolytes even more.
  3. Fruit smoothies should become a daily treat, packed full of fatty nuts, nutritious berries and vegetables and of course some calcium through milk or yogurt. As the 30 Day Challenge gets under way, we will be posting some wonderful smoothie ideas for all our Yogis, to help you get through February in the healthiest, most beneficial and delicious way.
  4. Keep alcohol, stress and chemicals to a minimum. Anything you put into your body, has to come out. During a 30 Day Challenge, the body gets very good and efficient at processing its fuel, but because of the increased amount of performance required from the body, the fuel required is Premium. A well performing body cannot be fueled by empty calories without nutrition. So make a choice, how do you want your body to perform? If you want to make it easiest for yourself – go the natural, healthy and nutritious way!
If you are considering taking up the 30 Day Bikram Yoga Challenge, call us for a no obligations chat today. We will answer any questions you may have, and give you all the details you need. The rest is down to you making the decision and taking the first few steps towards making it happen.

We do these things for ourselves, for a new lease on life. And we guarantee you will look and feel absolutely great!

Visit: www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz

Tags:

Monday Motivations

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

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 !  :)

Tags:

Monday Motivations

gdes

Bikram yoga and weight loss are a common phenomenon in the Yogi realm. There are numerous articles circulating the internet that explain why Bikram Yoga is such a powerful weight loss tool, health organizations have calculated calories burned during each 90 minute class and experienced yogis around the world have written testimonials and inspirational stories about their journey to a healthier, leaner self.

As the festive season swings around for another summer of fun in the sun, eating and drinking with family and friends will soon become a frequent activity and the weather will tempt us to get out, strip off and make the most of the long daytime in New Zealand’s picturesque nature.

Don’t feel trapped this summer – with food or with your body. Invest in a weekly routine of Bikram Yoga and you will be able to spend the summer months enjoying friends, food and fun in the sun whilst looking your best!

Does it sound too good to be true? With Bikram Yoga, it really is possible. That is why this week’s motivations are all about real life weight loss stories from fellow Bikram yogis around the world. If they can do it, so can you!

Joel & Julia: Less than a year later, we collectively lost over 100 pounds and have encountered many other benefits, as follows. I no longer snore due to the light asthma that I once had. I can bend over and tie my shoes without turning blue and gasping for breath. I have a new driver's license with a younger-looking picture and a weight of 185 (about the same as I was in 1985 when I was 18). My girlfriend weighs 20 pounds less now than she did when she was in high school! We receive so many compliments from family, co-workers, friends, and others that it is sometimes embarrassing – my mother stared at me in disbelief of the slimmed down son she saw for, like, 10 minutes and I had to say "Stop Staring! It’s as if you haven’t seen me in 10 years!" I certainly smile more now than I have ever smiled in my life!

Emily H: Bikram yoga was hands down the fastest results i have ever seen from yoga.  I lost 15ish pounds in about 2 months by just doing bikram 4-6 days a week and eating healthier.  Plus my skin looked AWESOME and i felt so rad and energized all the time.

Jenn B: I did yoga for just 1 month, but everyday for 2 hours.  At the end of the month, I had lost several inches in my waist and was able to go down a full dress size.  I was not watching what I ate at the time, just yoga-ing.

Ellen McCandless: I gained 35 pounds and gave birth to an 8lb 14 oz baby girl at the end of August 2006. Seven weeks after giving birth, I started doing Bikram Yoga again just twice a week, gradually working up to 3-4 times per week. When my daughter, Morgan, was 5 months old I reached my pre-pregnancy weight! Now my daughter is 11 months and I have lost 8 more pounds! In addition, after my first pregnancy with my son my blood pressure never normalized. I was always borderline high and was put on medication for my second pregnancy. At my last doctor’s appointment a few months ago, my blood pressure was 118/70! None of the running, weight lifting or other traditional gym activities that I have done in the past gave me the results that Bikram Yoga has given me!

April Doerfler: 20 Pound Weight Loss – 3 Months. I have lost over 20 pounds in less than 3 months!I am amazed by myself and the 20+ lbs lost….I have never worked out in my life and this is something that I definitely know I can maintain and keep consistent.

1) http://www.bikramyoga.com/BikramYoga/WeightLoss.php,
2) http://www.yelp.com/topic/austin-has-yoga-helped-you-lose-weight,
3) http://www.yelp.com/topic/austin-has-yoga-helped-you-lose-weight,
4) http://bikramyogatempe.com/testimonials/bikram-yoga-and-baby-weight,
5) http://bikramyogatempe.com/testimonials/20-pound-weight-loss-3-months

To Book in your Summer of looking and feeling fantastic, call us Today on 0800 hotyoga or visit our website: www.bikramyogabritomart.co.nz 

Tags:

Yoga Clothing of the Week



There is only a week to go before Christmas and this week its all about the Yoga outfit; looking and feeling gorgeous from head to toe while you practice. Treat yourself or a fellow Yogi friend to a brand new Yoga wardrobe this Summer. We are loving this Teeki and Onzie top and bottom combination, a great mix of color and cool. Support and free yourself as you work on yourself :)

'Love the Earth' - Teeki make their clothing from recycled bottles and materials.

Check out their websites: www.teeki.com and www.onzie.com or come see us in the warm studio Today.

Namaste

Tags:

Yoga Clothing of the Week

jaaaaa

Unleash your inner feline with this gorgeous hot yoga top. The straps are designed to fit perfectly with your shoulders, supporting the back and chest and allowing you the ultimate freedom and comfort. Treat yourself or a Yogi you love this Christmas! This top won't be here for long so be in to the studio quick ! 13 Commerce Street, Auckland.

Namaste

Tags:

Monday Motivations



When it comes to thinking about gifts and presents this year, think outside the box of spending money in exchange for something which you will wrap and pass on to someone else who will either like it or need it, or won’t like it or need it at all.

Think back to the last present you bought for someone that you really wanted to have yourself. In most cases the thought is as far as it goes and you only get the one, but the action usually leaves someone without the gift they want – you!

This week, we have a very simple solution to all your gift giving and receiving worries this summer. Firstly, it is about You. Give, give, give the self - everything it wants, needs and desires! Everything you would love for someone you care about to have or be doing this summer – do it for yourself first.

Putting yourself first is the most important and biggest step towards giving the best gifts to your loved ones. In fact to the people who love you, looking after yourself is the best gift you could give them – and they you.

If a friend is unhealthy, unfit and unhappy, filling my Christmas stocking with the most lavish gifts would not fulfil me or make me feel like a happy friend at all. A friend making the right decisions for themselves because they care about themselves – that is a present worthy of giving and receiving, any time of year.

When it comes to being a fabulous gift giver, the first step is learning how to give to yourself and receive the gifts of the self wholeheartedly, without guilt or feeling selfish. Know that every step you make towards a healthier, more vibrant you is only going to help lift the spirits of those around you and maybe even motivate or inspire someone else to follow in your path of self-love and development.

Gifts come in many shapes, sizes and forms, but think about what You want for yourself this Summer and work towards getting there, starting from Today. Because a happy, healthy You, is surely the greatest, most unique gift to the world.

Call us today and start your journey :) 0800 hotyoga

Happy Hot Yoga!

Namaste

Tags:

Yoga Clothing of the Week * Christmas Special *



You will have nothing to worry about wearing this comfortable singlet in your next Bikram Yoga class. The style and fabric are effortless and barely noticeable to wear, making this top from Onzie our favorite Bikram Yoga clothing for the silly season!

Available in a range of colors and sizes - these tops make the perfect Yogi Christmas Gift for someone you love. Be in quick!

namaste xmas

Tags:

Monday Motivations

mm

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

unnamed (1)

Tags:

Yoga Clothing of the Week

editedwhite

White is the ultimate cooling colour to wear in the Studio; only one of the reasons this top from Onzie is our favoritethis week! Seamless and a very simple design make this the perfect accompaniment for a focused Yogi, you will feel like you aren't wearing a thing! Thanks Onzie :)

Come see us in the Studio for these and much more Bikram Yoga clothing and apparel - 13 Commerce Street, Auckland. Or call 0800 hotyoga.

Namaste

Tags:
Next