Amber - Bikram is my Replacement

Since I last wrote I have been to two yoga classes. They couldn't have been more polar opposite of each other. Last night I arrived at about 5:50 pm. The class wasn't quite as full as other 6 pm classes. I got through the breathing and the initial warm-up. I got through the standing head to knee (which means I hold up my knee and stand on one foot) and then I don't know what happened. I was dizzy and sick to my stomach. I had to sit for what felt like 3/4 of the class. I was able to do some of the seated series but not much else. I have heard this can happen on occasion, but I had yet to experience it. There are a few factors that led me to this point I believe - I definitely didn't drink enough water. I traveled that day to Maryland for a lunch meeting and didn't bring a bottle of water for the car ride. Normally that would be ok. It only took me 45 minutes to get there. Of course, this is DC traffic, so it took me 2 hours to get back to the office. That was nearly 3 hours of no water. During the day I average about 16 ounces of water an hour. By the time I get to a 6 pm yoga class I am well hydrated and ready to sweat. Last night I just felt as if the sushi I had for lunch was cooking in my stomach. I never left the room though. I continued to sweat and work through it.

After yoga last night, I went to my friend Marilee's condo to watch "The Secret." It is not your average "self-help." It emphasizes the law of attraction and the power of thought. Have you ever had a morning where everything seemed to go wrong? Of course, we all have. It only takes one good thing to happen to change that cycle. The thing most of us don't realize is we have the ability to make that good thing happen by just thinking about good. I will not re-hash the stories it tells or the lessons it teaches. My reason for bringing this up is, although I had a rough night, I was able to have a great morning class. I went into class saying I will do well today, I will have a great class, and I will do something I haven't done before.

It is amazing when you change your thought from can't to can what happens. Reggie complimented my breathing, I got through my warm-ups, for the first time I was able to grab my foot for the foundation of standing head to knee, and I continued through the class without hesitation. Reggie made me laugh and I had a smile on throughout the entire class. The power of thought - the law of attraction - Whether I say I can or I say I can't - I am right. The choice is mine.

The amazing thing about the law of attraction is you are often surrounded by people of your like mind or state. Since I've made the choice to change my life, I have never been happier. Most of those around me are able to share in my happiness. Most of my friends have been supportive. There are a few that are not supportive and rather feel that I think I am better than everyone. I will tell you, I am not nor do I feel that way any day at any moment. I have tried to quit smoking many times before, this is the first time I have been successful - but I am only 3 weeks successful. I have tried to diet many many times before - but this is the first time I've been successful and it's only been a month. I have tried to work out consistently before - once again, this is the first time I have been successful and it's because I found something that is working for me. I try to share my excitement of what I have found because I only wish the same happiness for everyone around me. That doesn't mean my way is the way - it means I hope that maybe I can help motivate those to find their way.

Everyday we surround ourselves with stresses and negativity. It can be as simple as getting angry about the traffic, or angry about what a co-worker does or doesn't do, or what a customer has to say. It could be an unexpected delay in a project or an unexpected bill in the mail. Instead of spending time focusing on the stresses that are out of our direct control, why don't we spend just as much time celebrating the successes of the day. Tuesday through Thursday I start my day with yoga. Monday and Friday I end my day with yoga. The instructors talk about releasing the toxins from the body - but the biggest toxin I release is that in my mind. I am releasing the negativity, the stress, the problems that are out of my control and gaining clarity to change the things I can. Those changes become successes - Those successes become the very things I celebrate. I can control my diet by not focusing on what I shouldn't have, but all of the things I can have. I can control smoking with the help of a medication and a replacement of habit. I can control my work-out consistency, by making it a part of my schedule. If what Debra says is true that it takes 21 days to form a habit - well next Tuesday I have formed the habit of not drinking or smoking and next Wednesday I have formed the habit of including yoga in my life. Replacement.

Replacement starts as early as we all can remember. Well, even earlier than we remember I'm sure. I recall baby-sitting 2 and 3 year olds. There were times where one child wanted to play with the toy the other child was playing with. As opposed to just taking the toy away from one, I always offered a replacement. So while I'm still in the habit breaking stage - I have to focus on the replacement.

With change comes sacrifice - but if I don't focus on the sacrifice and only focus on the success - the change will become reality. It is like the heat that becomes un-noticeable over time as long as the focus shifts and the power of thought becomes life.