YogiVal and the Five Fundamentals

To get ready for my Sixty-Day Challenge, I took a class today with Val Sklar Robinson, the owner and director of Bikram Yoga Pasadena.

I'm so glad I did. Her emphasis on Five Fundamentals of yoga completely changed not only how I had been thinking about yoga, but how I was going about practicing it as well. She has a video coming out soon that goes over her philosophies and techniques; I think it's going to be very useful. I can already feel a difference in how I'm breathing and holding my body. I'm even more excited now about the next sixty days!

The Sixty-Day Challenge

Bikram Pasadena, my local yoga studio, is hosting its annual Sixty-Day Challenge starting tomorrow. Bikram founder Bikram Choudhury says, "Give me sixty days, and I'll change your life." I'm taking him up on his promise!

My name is Luisa Perkins. My husband, Patrick, and I just celebrated twenty-five years of blissful marriage on February 16th. We are the parents of six children of our own and one foster daughter. I'm a writer; I've had several books, short stories, and essays published. I also teach part-time.

We have a great life, but my action-filled days can get overwhelming at times. I've got some health issues, too: a thyroid that doesn't seem to want to respond to medication; ongoing struggles with anxiety and depression; and a body that won't let go of some pounds I'd rather drop.

I'm hoping a consistent Bikram Yoga practice can help me turn things around. Choudhury often talks about having Bengal tiger strength and English Bulldog determination. But since I'm partial to our delightful but headstrong Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Moneypenny, I've named this blog after her.

I'll post more details about my goals very soon!