Two pronged thank you here:

1. To the old friend who introduced me to Bikram. Yeah, I went to try and impress you, but damn, even in the midst of the scorching summer of 1997, this was something I knew I’d come back to. Thank you.

2. To my friend who talked about a “Yoga Practice” in such a provocative way. I don’t have a running practice. I’m not mindful about it. I try and run 3-4 times a week, especially now that I’m not bike commuting, but there’s not much intention behind it. One foot in front of the other, sometimes thinking about the playlist, sometimes thinking about nothing at all.

However, when I go to Bikram, and I know I’m saying this with all the enthusiasm of a new convert, I have to be all there; my breathing has to be right or I will be the puking guy in the corner. I like the idea of having a practice, of working towards someday being able to not fall over, to be able to sit on my feet, to be able to be fully mindful through ninety minutes of exertion in 105 degrees.

Working in a space where nearly everyone voices nearly every thought they have as loudly as possible, a Yoga studio becomes a haven, where everyone quietly struggles with a common purpose, where each action is intentional. I like it. Thanks friend.