Bikram: The Five Year Anniversary.

I realized something in last night's class...

"Holy shit! I have officially been practicing Bikram yoga for FIVE years now!"

Yep... October 11th, 2004 is when I began my journey. After about two and a half years of practicing, I finally stopped wearing LONG yoga pants and transitioned my butt into shorts. I remember the very first day I wore shorts, my teacher noticed.

"The Missus! You are wearing shorts today! Finally!"

"Nothing ever gets by that one," I thought. "Eyes like a hawk. Memory like a cat. Never forgets."

It took another year and a half before I felt comfortable enough with my body to wear shorter shorts. But besides me being comfortable with what I wear in class, my abilities and focus are much further along than they were five years ago. And in last night's class (which was surprisingly tough for me), I had a nice breakthrough... I aggressively kicked out in Standing-Head-to-Knee.

It was awesome. Sure, I've kicked out before, but last night was the first time I felt that I could have balanced with my one leg straight out. And bending my elbows? Didn't throw me off at all. No, the only time I wobbled and fell out was when I went to put my forehead to my knee... The last part.

That is excellent progress for five years! Here's to another five (decades) of practice!