I stand rapt as I watch two beautiful women comfortably contort
themselves with elegant grace into positions that would make Gumby
scream. Tiny beads of sweat dot their foreheads, their focus is
palpable, their control unshakable. I too begin to sweat, not entirely
because of this dramatic display of Yogic theatre, but because the room
temperature is 37 degrees Celsius, optimum temperature for Hot Yoga.
And while these gesticulating artists of balance and energy continue
their exotic expression, a thought strikes me repeatedly: Every day,
new people commence this sexy kinesis to realign body, mind and spirit
to their true channel, and anyone can undertake this journey which is
its own reward.
I am already haunted by the post-revelry punishment of excess pounds reacquired over the holiday
season, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Searching for inspiration, I ask Rhonda Dieni and
Lillian Tseng, owners of the North Vancouver Bikram’s Yoga College of
India, what changes they have observed in their Hot Yoga Attendees. “A
lot of weight loss,” is the choral reply. “Even with Hot Yoga as the
only lifestyle change! One client’s hair stylist asked if she was
having an affair because she lost weight, became more energetic, and
had this ‘glow’ about her,” says Lillian, her voice like silk being
draped over a lotus blossom. “One lady just lost 10 lbs. in two
months,” Rhonda says, and with a hint of the Zen art of goosing clouds
in her voice, she adds “And I’ve lost 90 lbs.”
My eyes automatically scanned Rhonda from
head to toe, processing her current curvy dimensions and failing to
create a mental image 90lbs heavier. “Now I see a strong, healthy,
beautiful girl with confidence in the mirror!” Instinctually sensing my
failure to compute, Lillian anticipates my next query and fills in the
blank with a description of their lifestyle at the time. “We were jet
set party girls,” she says mischievously. “We were flight attendants
for the same airline and have known each other for years.” Suffice it
to say, the duo elaborated enough to give me the impression that they
lived a lifestyle sufficient to raise the ire of any narcotics officer,
AA member, and calorie counter. That is, until Rhonda decided to make a
change in her life by attending Bikram’s College in Los Angeles in
2003. Within the year, Rhonda had completed her certification and
Lillian began her own. On October first 2005, Bikram’s Yoga College of
India, North Vancouver, became a reality. “I could have been dead by
30, but now my heart is in 100% condition,” says Rhonda, now 33. “It
cleaned us up,” Lillian agrees.
Transcending the “live it up” lifestyle
felt like a natural transition, and to look at them now, they would not
appear out of place posing as superbly sculptured bookends in any
health and wellness section. “It’s a practice, not a perfection,”
Rhonda emphasizes. “It’s a personal experience, not religious. And
Bikram’s is the original Hot Yoga, consisting of a series of 26
postures practiced consecutively at a room temperature of 37 degrees.”
The postures, chosen from a cache of thousands, are thousands of years
old and designed to work and condition the entire body. “It establishes
a mind, body, spirit connection,” says Lillian. “It improves sleep
cycles, circulation, confidence, muscle tone, stress, and arthritis.
The more you participate, the more your health and wellness show.”
“Everyone
has different backgrounds,” says Lillian. “Everyone has their own
stories,” says Rhonda. “It’s the greatest escape from the hype of life,
and it means so much more to hear it from other people, to learn from
our students.” This remark illuminated a shining example I experienced
while waiting for the students to disperse; a conversation I had with
one of the ladies in the lobby. “We aren’t conditioned to relax,” she
said. “And I’m a skeptical person, but I am really impressed. It’s
peaceful.”
With
their health and wellness already in check, the New Years resolutions
of these shrines to beauty and balance reside in the courts of commerce
and quality of life. “I will continue to grow and make a difference in
people’s lives,” Lillian resolves. “We want to increase our membership
from 350 to 1000 members,” says Rhonda, “I want to make sure everyone
gets a chance to encompass a lifestyle that anyone can adapt to. It’s
never too late and you’re never too old. You just do it. Every day is a
new day, and everyone gets that chance.”
Rhonda Dieni & Lillian Tseng
Bikram's Yoga College of India - North Vancouver
856 West 15th Street
North
Vancouver, BC V7P 1M6
Tel. 604-904-9642 (YOGA)
Fax. 604-904-9643
www.bikramyoganorthvan.com
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