To those doing the Bikram 101 around the world♥

"Before you've practised, the theory is useless, after you practise, the theory is obvious"
A challenge is a wonderfully invigorating cleansing as long as you stay grounded to the theories that apply to your need to do such a challenge. After doing my own 101 challenge, I have learned the following:
~Take one day at a time, the yoga never changes, only you do. And it's never the changes you expect.
~ You never know who you inspire, it could be family, friends, coworkers, fellow yogi's, instructors, but it never stops!
~The following are your friends: water-before and after class, and if you must small sips only during class; proper towel-long enough for balancing stick and one that doesn't shift and move to cause distraction; the front of the room-still an enemy on my days when my tummy is bloated and simply will not suck in but *sigh* gives me a clearer view of my form.
~Never be afraid to ask an instructor anything, no matter if you think it may be silly-that is what they are there for, to help you and encourage you!
~Check out other studios- you get to meet so many interesting and exciting people who are just as pumped about Bikram Yoga as you, plus you get to feel incredible energy from other hotrooms.
~Check out what is going on in your studio-seminars, new instructors, challenges, potlucks; it's a great way to learn more about your practise, talk to students and instructors one-on-one, actively get to know the people that you see regularly.
~Food and sleep habits will improve and you will pay more attention to what you eat and how much you sleep. Your body will start to tell you what it wants and what it doesn't, listen to it for it will make the challenge easier.
~You will lose water and vitamins and minerals- replenish your body's need for these essentials!
~Have more than one outfit, especially when you cannot do laundry everyday.
~Smiling in class is the second hardest thing to do in class besides savasana, believe me, it will relax your mind and your body, the instructors say it for a reason you know!
~Know that when your mind starts to panic with the fight-or-flight reasoning, all the other students are in the same exact position you are, in these moments, it's about unity-you will survive!
~Your life is waiting for you outside that room, so take this time to think about you and only yourself.
~Lock your f*&%ing knee!
~The most important thing I have learned is that there is love waiting for you, inside of you-it started when you began Bikram yoga and it always there every time you come into that room-share the love with all those around you♥