Senior Vice President Goes Yogi on Corporate America

Today starts a new chapter in my life. Today I quit my Corporate America career as a Senior Vice President of a national company. To some this might seem scary or even just a little crazy, but I am excited about new beginnings and new possibilities. Life is too short to not live YOUR life. And so, today begins my journey to become a certified Bikram Yoga instructor and teach others the wonderful benefits of Bikram Yoga.

I started Bikram Yoga in 2006 when I moved to Dallas and was looking for something to "do" besides go to the gym. One day on my way to work I saw a sign next to the grocery store I frequented, "Bikram Yoga." I thought to myself, "I wonder what kind of yoga that is."

I looked up the website, signed up for their introductory package and proceeded to almost die in my first class. At temperatures of at least 105 degrees and 40-50% humidity for 90 minutes while moving through 26 postures, who could blame me?! Christina, my first yoga instructor joked in class we had about 45 more minutes, this was after about 70 minutes of class and I thought I was going to have to run out of the room. Bikram Yoga is possibly hardest physical activity I have ever done, and I love it.

Since then I have consistently practiced sporadically, if that makes sense. I have good intentions but life tends to get in the way and there have been periods of more than several months where I went to Bikram Yoga one or two times a month, if that. Then there are times when I go every day and can't get enough yoga! The latter has been the case recently since I made the determination I was going to teacher training.

I have the fortune of being apart of a great studio with wonderful teachers and really caring mentoring studio owners. I've traveled throughout the country and by far, Bikram Yoga Dallas is a step above the rest. You can't help but be inspired to do more, be more and try harder. And all of that leads to great things within and a desire to compete in yoga championships. I have completed three yoga championships representing Bikram Yoga Dallas and feel each competition has improved my focus and physical practice. Every time I finish training for the competition, I feel inspired and wish I had the ability to just teach yoga to others.

Several years ago I attend a weekend seminar retreat with Rajashree, Bikram's wife and was again, was completely inspired to become a Bikram Yoga instructor. But my more sensible, rational and realistic mind won and I pushed the thought to the side. This time however, I am making the leap and letting the "yoga mats" fall as they may.

My father recently asked me why I go to Bikram Yoga and my response was because it's hard! And it sometimes smells and people tend to throw sweat and well, you are sweaty yourself and the heat is awful and sometimes I want to run from the room. All these things seemed to puzzle him and then he realized, it is BECAUSE of all these "challenges" I NEED/WANT to come to yoga, so I can overcome all the obstacles and my yoga practice can win over all.

So please join me in this new adventure and new chapter, it will be nothing less than amazing, whatever it brings. Bikram Yoga Training, here I come! Namaste