Oh HELLO HAPPINESS, is that you?
May 5, 2013 § 31 Comments
WARNING. DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU ARE 110% HAPPY IN YOUR LIFE.
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HOORAY.
HOORAY.
HIP HIP FLIPPING YAY!
48 days ago I dragged myself into the Bikram Yoga studio in my neighborhood.
I LOVE/HATE Bikram Yoga like a toxic relationship.
It is miserable, I have never done anything more difficult in my life.
The room is 175 degrees, and the class lasts for 90 minutes.
You’re not allowed to leave the room to go to the bathroom
or for any reason except possibly vomiting.
Well, you’re allowed, it’s just completely frowned upon.
I walked in the studio curious of any specials they had going on since I was
un-eager to pay the $17 they charge per class.
They did.
If you entered the 30 Day Challenge
it was only $90 for the 30 days.
Like a Jew eager for a good deal
I calculated that it would only be $3 per class,
versus $17.
However, you HAVE to come EVERY SINGLE DAY.
IF you miss a day, you lose all your money.
It wasn’t 5 seconds later I saw myself hand over my debit card
agreeing to these EVIL conditions.
GAME ON BABY.
LET’S GO.
I love to compete and play
against myself.
I don’t always win,
but it’s still a ride to try.
I knew I needed a change,
my Kona sparkle had started to fade.
I needed a challenge,
something real,
I needed to liven up,
I was feeling dragged down and even a little bored.
When I get in this state, I literally and actively seek out drama and chaos.
YEP. I really do.
Why in the world would I do that?
Well I don’t do it super consciously, it’s a bad habitual routine I
can easily fall into, if I am not being a bad ass—
manning up, reaching up, dreaming up.
First week in the torture chamber was unbearable.
Sweat dripping like rain all over me, a constant feeling of wanting to vomit from
a combination of the difficult poses, to the length of the class, heat of the room,
and all the other sweaty bodies surrounding you.
It was beautiful.
Why would someone purposely subject themselves to such torture?
Let me explain the up side.
When I am in the room, no one else exists.
I have no brain, no heart, no past, no pain, no future.
All I have is that moment, that pose, this wild strength inside me
that lifts up and forces me into positions that I never thought possible.
I’m not me. I’m not a mind. I’m not a heart.
I am nothing. I am no one.
I am but a soul, with no life form.
That’s all that’s left, during those 90 minutes.
When I walk out of the class,
I’m floating.
Nothing can break me.
I’m invincible.
I literally feel like a superhero.
And… maybe I am.
16 days into my challenge I missed a day.
It was horrible. I had missed the morning class and had a meeting
I could not reschedule.
So that was it. I lost my money and the challenge.
Being the fierce competitor I am…
two days later I decided I better jump back on the horse.
I signed up for the challenge again.
In the last 48 days I have logged 69 hours of Bikram Yoga.
I’m literally glowing.
I have more energy than I had when I was 15.
I have never felt such peace and happiness in my life,
and I’ve noticed a lot more people have been drawn to my energy.
Interesting. Isn’t it?
Why am I telling you this?
Your mind is the powerhouse to all your inner strength.
Your mind is the powerhouse to your art, your writing, your creativity.
If you aren’t keeping it in tip top condition
YOU ARE MISSING OUT ON SO MUCH CREATIVITY.
So much art that would have, could have been created and enjoyed by the world
had you not been a lazy artist.
So think about what kind of life you want to lead.
Do you want to be the average Joe
who takes his time, does a little here, a little there
NEVER putting his FULL heart into art?
Or, are you going to be at the top.
The one who is constantly filled with CAYENNE FIRE.
The one who radiates heat, warming those around him with PURE
MAGNETIC ENERGY.
It’s brilliant really, what you can do with your insane brilliant mind.
So keep it working in tip top, keep your body moving,
get your endorphins rushing, make them work for you.
It will make all the difference in the world.
I swear, it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
Aren’t you kind of bored anyway?
LET’S GO.
Let’s be invincible.
Let’s be ‘Super Heros‘ together.
It’s so much better to play in the game,
than to be on the outskirts watching.
P.S. I wrote this post over a month ago and like most of my 600+ drafts never posted it. I stopped going to yoga after my challenge ended and became depressed. I am going back today. 😉
I wish I were in a place that I could afford even $90, but that would literally break my bank. Thanks for the inspiring read and good luck with the sweat fest!
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I SO needed to read exactly that today. Thanks or remembering it. Now you get to your yoga class and ill get myself to church and the gym. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing a story about you. I got back on my bike and feel lots better.
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hey, I’m sorry to do this through this way (I feel like a spam) but I have no idea how I can bring it to you in another way, I don’t know if you have already noticed but I’m back in buissines
btw: you’re one of the best writers I know, you and Flooded Roses.
with all the love
Invisible Girl
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I’ve been doing Bikram for more than 2 years now, and I absolutely love it! After about a year or so, you hardly even notice the heat.
And you are right: Sound body, sound mind. Bikram inspires so much creativity in me, and I am so energetic afterwards!!
Good life choice right there!
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Great post coco…) I’ve heard lots of good things about yoga but never heard of a guy doing it. Sounds like ya do have a competitive spirit.
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hahaha, as always you inspire me, motivate me, and then make me laugh. thank you 🙂
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Reblogged this on The Truth and commented:
Humanity at its uttermost best….lol
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I believe you it is very good feeling.
I doubt Bikram is the only way to get there….
but whatever works for you is great.
Hope your return class went well.
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I’ll tell you what, I am indeed drawn to your bubbly and infectious good nature, Coco. It’s refreshing from the way I am, which is always so intense and brooding.
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Sorry, I’m well over 110% happy, but read the post anyway. 🙂
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Hi Coco, I nominate you Shine On Award. Please check the details at http://zyoshiko.wordpress.com/2013/05/05/shine-on-award/ . Thx 🙂
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When I get in this state, I literally and actively seek out drama and chaos.
You don’t even know what this post just did for me. I never realized that when I am dragging myself around I too seek out drama and chaos. That is how I have felt all weekend. Thank God, I saw your post. I need a challenge, something to put my energy into…I need to feel like a superhero again! Thank you so much!!! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Wild Heart Scribe and commented:
Very inspiring for me so I had to share.
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Oh, hell…just saw the P.S. Good for you! Go back! Rooting for you… 🙂
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Reblogged this on misslorindaclaire and commented:
I can relate to this
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Congrats on going back. Enjoy!!!!!
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totally good for you! I hate yoga, cause I can’t do the poses and they hurt and I hurt afterwards…but I like to hear of other people signing up to it, it makes my sadistic heart glad!
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I just went to my first yoga class EVER a couple weeks ago! This sounds very intense and I think I’ll have to work my way up to it. But it really is amazing how far we can push our bodies if we just have the mindset to do so.
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Ahh, another reason why I can’t wait to move (countries)!! I do yoga with a DVD and I gotta say, it’s not all that inspiring… Hopefully wherever I end up next I can sign up for something like that too. 🙂
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You’ve inspired me today to continue to write despite the pile of paperwork waiting for me, the tv shows tempting me and my friends bugging me. Thanks. 🙂
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YAY!! That makes me so HAPPY.
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Out of curiosity, did the yoga thing still work out after you stopped for quite some time? 🙂
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YES!! I’ve done it last two days and I’M BACK.
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This is inspiring and also funny! Thanks for a lively read!
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175 degrees?!
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This is the most inspiring post I have ever read, and one that catapults me right of being the lazy artist that I am and into the most zealous artist I know I can be. Thanks for cultivating your gifts and futher, sharing them.
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Oh good tht makes me SO HAPPY.
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Some very encouraging thoughts…reminds me of how much I used to love going to yoga. Perhaps its time to go back. Thanks for the follow!
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LIKE A JEW EAGER FOR A GOOD DEAL How revealing How ugly
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Reblogged this on lemondroptroubles.
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