Running a Marathon this Fall?

Bikram Yoga is a great compliment to long distance race training. Yoga can help improve breath control, mental focus and flexibility.


Enjoy 9 weeks of unlimited Bikram Yoga Classes for $150.
Valid for classes September 15-November 17, 2007
Proof of race registration required.

Fall 2007 Yoga Challenge: Each team to reach 100 classes wins!

When? Oct 1-30th

What? This time, you will work as teams. Each team will consist of 4 challengers (hard-core challengers may compete in a group of 3 if they so choose). The challenge is to complete 100 classes as a team. Not everyone on the team must complete exactly 25 classes, as long as the team reaches 100.

How? Each team will come up with a "Name". We will post each teams progress on the website bi-weekly so you can keep track. We will also keep track at the studios as usual. Why would you want to see how the other teams are doing? Because.....

The GRAND PRIZE is ONE-FREE MONTH of yoga for each member of the team that completes THE MOST classes during the challenge.

For more details click here

Edibell's Challenge: Sponsor Edibell to raise funds for MMD research

This Fall, Edibell Stone will be doing a 30-day challenge of her own. She plans to do 30 classes in 30 days to raise funds for Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy (MMD) research.

Early this year, Nicholas (9) and Elliott (7) Stone were diagnosed with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy. This genetic disease causes a progressive wasting of the muscles in the face, neck, hands and feet and of internal organs, including the brain, heart, lungs and gastrointestinal system. Approximately 1 in 8,000 people are diagnosed with MMD. At this time, there is no treatment or cure.

The Stone family needs your help in funding vital research to help our boys and others with MMD live healthy and productive lives.

Sponsor Edibell by pledging a donation upon completion of her challenge!
$1.00 Level=$30.00 will fund a half hour of research
$5.00 Level= $150.00 will fund for the work of 1 Ph.D for a day
$10.00 Level=$300.00 will fund needed lab chemicals for half a month

Edibell says, "As you can see research is very expensive but every dollar matters, we have now raised $152,000 and our goal for the year is 200,000."


Also, be sure to attend the "Pack the House" class, details below.

To read more about Edibell's family and MMD or to make a donation click here

Pack the House! Saturday, Oct 27th at 10am - West End

To mark the completion of Edibell's challenge and to continue to raise funds for MMD, BYR will sponsor a 'Pack the House' Class.

For every ten students that attend this class, BYR will donate more money to The "Stone Circle of Friends"! Here's how it works:

10 students: BYR donates $100
20 students: BYR donates $200
30 students: BYR donates $300
etc, etc, etc
GOAL is 60 students! BYR donates $600!!!!!!!

Just show up and take the yoga class, that's all you have to do!

Lock the Knee? The most misunderstood principle of Bikram Yoga

To "Lock the Knee" may be the most misunderstood principle in Bikram Yoga. It's also an apt metaphor for living the life of a yogi, with determination and balance.

Lock your MUSCLES, but don't hyper-extend the knee backwards. What the instructors say about keeping the kneecap up is important! By keeping your thigh muscles strongly contracted, you will prevent the knee from
going too far backwards.

If the thigh muscles remain slack, you will create unnecessary compression in the knee joint, eventually causing damage. When you engage the quadriceps femoris muscles, the tendons and ligaments of the knee become active and pull away from the bone, strengthening and rehabilitation the joint. This is a strong example of why concentration is so important to practicing Hatha Yoga and successfully healing the body.

If your knee bows back (hyperextension) you should bring the weight forwards towards the toes so as to engage the quadriceps muscle ("lock the knee") and lift the kneecap upwards. This action brings the leg into one line and brings true strength to the knees.

In summary:
-Contract your thigh muscles
-Kneecap up toward the ceiling
-Bring weight forward so the leg doesn't hyperextend
-Repeat in your head during these postures:
"lock the knee, lock the knee, LOCK THE KNEE!!"

Excerpts taken from "Bikram Yoga" written by Bikram Choudhury

Acupuncture and treatment of stress and anxiety

As most of us are winding up our summers, sending the kids back to school and returning from our vacations, life starts to feel more hectic and demanding. Too many people get swept away by these pressures and do not take time for themselves. In the long run this can lead to health problems, such as high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders, lowered immune resistance, and emotional issues, such as anger, anxiety and depression. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these conditions it is time to do something about it. Re-energize your yoga practice, or come experience the healing benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Along with treating physical and emotional symptoms and signs associated with stress, TCM addresses the root causes of the problem. Acupuncture and TCM can provide a safe, effective and drug-free alternative for the treatment of stress. Contact our resident TCM practitioner for more information or to set up a consultation.

In the meantime, slow down! Sip a cup of herbal tea instead of your usual coffee, take a walk, call a friend you haven't spoken to in awhile, pick up a good book and actually give yourself the space to read it.

Corrine Gutierrez L.Ac, LLC 212-9506