30 Day Challenge, November 2008

November 2008 marked our first 30 Day challenge and 49 yogis stepped up to transform their bodies, minds and spirits. It was a month of personal bests; battles with the mind and breakthrough moments.

Bikram Yoga Forest Hill held a little celebration on November 30, to congratulate all 49 challengers. The 12 yogis who completed 30 classes in 30 days took home prizes.

30 classes in 30 days...
Carey Domb	Debbie Cabral	Debbie Fenwick
Joan Kirsh	Kathleen van Lierde	Lee Freedman
Margi Pagliaro	Mara Clarke	Meg Pikersgill
Mel Korn	Melanie Moore	Natalie Alouze

You are as young as your spine is flexible

"I thought I was in shape, and then I realized I was in shape in only a few key areas," says Carey Domb. Around the second week Carey's body was so fatigued, she wondered if she could complete the challenge. "I was mentally willing and ready," she says, "but it was about building the physical strength.

The biggest surprise says Carey: "I learned to accept the process. Just go posture to posture and accept what you have and work with it. My progress was very small, but I always found something that got a little better - even on my worst days."

The 30 Day challenge, says Carey takes you to a different level of knowing what you can do.

Your body is strong, your mind is weak

"The biggest challenge for me wasn't physical; it was motivation," says Meg Pikersgill. "There were some days when I just did not want to come." But with some help from her buddy system and her own determination Meg completed the challenge and learned to push herself outside her comfort zone.

For Meg, old ankle injuries provided an opportunity to learn that good pain is worth working through. "Some postures were painful; I forced myself to go deeper. Now it doesn't hurt as much," she says.

Meg's advice to all the yogis considering the next 30 Day challenge: "Do it. I feel so good about myself right now having done this... Wow I did yoga for 30 days in a row. I'm mentally strong enough to do that."

When your body is still and your mind is quiet... then there is empty space to feel at peace

"Take each practice in and of itself. Set the intention: this comes first. Then make the space for it," says Lee Freedman.

Completing the 30 Day challenge taught her more about her body and what it can do. During two classes she experienced an anxiety attack. She credits the support of Janice and Barbara in supporting her through the experience. "It taught me I could breathe through it. It makes me feel resilient. I can handle things... it makes me feel strong," she says.

And there were other rewards. Says Lee who has meditated for many years: "I find the moving meditation resonates a lot more than sitting meditation."

Don't get trapped in the movement of thought

"Take it a day at a time and don't think about it," says Mel Korn. That's his advice for anyone thinking about the next challenge.

For this 52-year old the 30 Day challenge was about learning to ignore the pain and to understand when to back off in a posture. "It was about controlling my ego," says Mel, "not feeling that I had to get through it challenged to the edge. You need to know what your body needs that day."

While he's happy the 30 days are over, he cracks a grin and says he's willing to do it again.

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