Now Here's A Little Story I've Got To Tell....

About three fly yoga teachers you know so well.
It started way back in history,
With Cindy, Sally and Marissa D.
-Beastie's remix.

This post is dedicated to my friend and also Certified Bikram Yoga Teacher, Marissa. She recently got back from teacher training this spring. I didn't know her well before she left, but upon return I have been lucky enough to be spending more and more time with her and her musically talented hubby.

Teacher Training for Bikram is the most intense yoga training out there. For 9 weeks, teachers cover asana, anatomy, therapeutic applications and health benefits of Yoga, nutrition, philosophy of Yoga, Bikram's Posture Clinic, and the Bikram Yoga dialogue. You must pass the anatomy tests, attend and participate in all posture clinics, lectures, be able to deliver the Bikram Yoga dialogue for each posture to Bikram’s satisfaction, and demonstrate proficiency in the Bikram Yoga postures.

A typical day in teacher training consists of TWO (2)...yes 2, Bikram Yoga Classes, posture clinics and lectures. FOR NINE WEEKS IN A ROW. If these girls can do 2-a-days for 9 weeks straight, I figure I can't complain about 1x per Day for only 30 days.

You have to have a certain kind of self-assurance and determination to complete this training and Marissa's got it. Those qualities, amongst others, are present in her classes. There is something about her class that makes me work harder. She has the power and finesse needed to deliver the dialogue so that students feel safe and accomplished after finishing. She has been back for about 3 months now and her classes continually get better and better. Last night being one of them. At one point during Triangle and Fixed Firm I caught a glimpse of her demonstrating the postures for the students. I gather this to be a huge milestone for her. Typically veteran teachers, who are 100% comfortable with the dialogue, are able to demonstrate and stray from dialouge to improvise their own techniques to help the students, not the newbies, for lack of better term. You can tell Marissa is becoming more and more comfortable in her self and her presentation as a teacher and it puts the students at ease, but also provides the motivation to get through the postures.


Thank you, Marissa. The application of what you learned in LA for those daunting 9 weeks is so useful. Your dedication to your new role is whole-heartedly appreciated, and I'd feel safe to say that these sentiments are shared throughout our growing community.

More to come on Cindy and Sally....

Class numero cinco is tonight. I'm leading Silent at 7:30! Creating the play-list shortly!
Namaste!