Doing (Roughly) 99 Bikram Classes...

... In nine weeks. Yeah!

So, I finalized a decision yesterday. This Fall, I will be going to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training.

Surprising?

Well, to some of you it may be. To others, it will not. In fact, when I first started tossing around the idea earlier this year, I had nothing but phenomenal support from people. People that practice with me in Boston, friends, acquaintances... They all had nothing but wonderful and encouraging words.

Then I ran the idea by The Husband, as my going away to Teacher Training would greatly affect him. And he was nothing but encouraging as well. But I was still hesitant to commit to it. Teacher Training is NINE WEEKS in Palm Springs. He could come out and visit me for quick little trips... But was it fair for me to go away and leave him here in Toronto all by himself?

I know, I sound like I sap. And that's pretty much what The Husband told me.

"I am from Toronto. I am 33. I know how to take care of myself," he assured me. "Besides, when will you have this opportunity again? We don't have kids. You're not leaving a job to go. The time to do it is now."

Still, I waited before committing to the idea. I wanted to wait and see what I felt like after I moved to Toronto. Would I have a burning desire to go back to marketing? (An interview earlier this week assured me that I do not want to work full time in digital media. Good people and good company. Just don't want a job where I can't make strategy decisions.) Would I maybe, all of the sudden (again) have a desire to start a family? (Nope.)

But walking into the studio here in Toronto, and chatting with all the different teachers I have had here made realize that I do want to go to Teacher Training. Everyone I mentioned it to has been very encouraging.

"You have a really good practice," they tell me. "The next step is Teacher Training."

Going to Teacher Training isn't just about becoming certified to teach Bikram yoga. It's a yoga boot camp. And it is a phenomenal way to advance your practice. You learn everything... And on top of that, you get certified to teach. You are certified to help people heal.

So, October 18th I leave for Palm Springs. I will be there until December 20th. I will get to experience the insanity and precision that is Bikram Yoga Teacher Training...

• 2 Bikram classes per day, five days a week (with one class on Saturday mornings)
• 1 to 2 hours of studying on my own per day
• 5 to 9 hours of lecture and posture clinic time
• Endless need for showers
• Continuous hydration
• Lack of sleep
• Tens of pages of exact dialogue to memorize
• Anatomy tests
• Bollywood movies late at night
• Exhaustion of all sorts

So much more, I imagine. But it will be fun overall. And rewarding.

I had my medical evaluation yesterday, and got the doctor's approval. I have also submitted my online application. Later this month I will have my teacher recommendation. And then in early July, I will send off my entire packet.

Yay!