A Tribute to Bikram Yoga Evanston, My Home Studio (Plus NBC Chicago's Video About Us!)

All images are screenshots taken from the NBC Chicago video. Apologies for the low res!

Yogis, check it out! A couple weeks ago NBC Chicago did a video feature about Bikram Yoga Evanston, my home studio. It's fun seeing our director, Stuart Getz, chat about the awesome physical and mental benefits of the practice and watching some of my yoga friends do some beautiful postures.

You guys are all rockin' it, fellow BYE-ers. I know I haven't met all of you around the studio, but I'm proud of the way you bring yourselves to class, share your practices wholeheartedly, and engage in the supportive community that's present at our studio. I have to say: we have the best teachers and the best yogis around!

I love the solid dialogue, the willingness to fight for discipline in the room, and the positive attitude that our teachers bring to class (and that students adopt as they move throughout the postures and breathing exercises). I also love that our fearless leaders can sometimes be sarcastic (hilariously so), fun-loving, imaginative, and poetic, even, in class. 

It makes the experience of yoga just that -- an experience that's worthwhile and enjoyable, not just a task on a to-do list for the day. Many thanks to the yogis who aren't afraid to fall out, laugh at themselves in the mirror, and grow together as silly things happen during the yoga.

Not to mention, it's wonderful being taught to do the postures right and being surrounded by yogis who aren't willing to sacrifice quality for depth. When the alignment is right and the mental approach is calm and focused, the benefits are endless!

Lots of love and a big namaste to everyone on staff at BYE, and to all of my fellow yogis.

Our little family is a fun mix that I enjoy being a part of each time I practice. I love you guys.

To the retired all-star athletes (like Mike Adamle, who used to play for the Chicago Bears)... to the currently-active all-star athletes (especially the local high school basketball teams, and Chicago Bulls players who come to class)... to the Northwestern students looking to reduce your stress levels (been there, and I'm so glad you're taking Bikram!)... and to all the other awesome moms and dads, families and kids, hardworking people who come to the studio for rest, relaxation and time in the best Torture Chamber around...

Thank you. You, my yogis, are incredible.