The Hot Yoga Doctor Shock Report
The Hot Yoga Doctor Shock Report
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Oh my goodness!
I’m writing this entry as I have to tell you, Gabrielle is so worried she’ll upset everyone with her “Shock Report” that she’s put hours and HOURS of work into (I know, I witnessed it!), that I took it upon myself to relieve her of this task.
Because really, it is 34 pages of EXCELLENT (and free) advice.
(Can’t wait to read on? Go ahead and download it here Hot-Yoga-Doctor-Shock-Report.pdf [right-click and “Save Target As ...“].)
And it probably is going to upset a few die-hard yogis a teency wincy bit as she doesn’t mince her words.
But knowing Gabrielle, you’ll probably realize that there is a ton of helpful learning and practical advice.
She’s taken her years of pent-up frustration about how classes *should* be taught; years of answering questions on our site, by email and more recently in the thriving forum ... and put her ideas AND solutions in writing.
Personally, I think you are going to love it - I know I did, even proof-reading it!
It probably speaks to many frustrations you and I might have experienced in our own practice, in our own studios around the world, whether as a student or even as an instructor.
Even now, there are fresh groups of hot yoga graduate instructors and newly inspired students who may be yet to experience what Gabrielle has written about.
But I sure know that if I had had these 34 pages of distilled gold when I started hot yoga in 2000, my own practice - no - my own LIFE- would have been significantly enhanced.
Well done Darling!
Who should read this report?
1. If you are new or relatively new to your hot yoga practice (under 6 months) and you are loving it! – but you are wanting ways to broaden your practice, deepen your understanding. You want hints and tips and the basics completely explained.
2. If you are a longtime practitioner of yoga or hot yoga and want to lift your practice out of the routine. How do you keep your practice fresh and new so that it continues to evolve, surprise and delight you?
3. You are a teacher who is looking to find a new edge to teach to; to find new motivation and inspiration.
4. You are a new teacher who wants to rise above ‘the dialog’ and bring to it something that will ALWAYS inspire and motivate your students and yourself.
Download the report right here Hot-Yoga-Doctor-Shock-Report.pdf (right-click and “Save Target As ...“)
Namaste
Robert
Posted by Robert on 10/14 at 04:16 AM
Click here to read comments or leave yours (17) • News • Permalink
hi Gabrielle,
i really like this report. it is great, and nice to finally hear about those things.
for a teacher reading this report, it can only improve the classes they give, giving them guidelines to help us all, and for us students, now we can know things we should and should not be doing, and have better yoga practices!!
i have always wondered how one can stretch to get into a pose to please the teacher while me, the student knows that i just can’t do it yet, but with time when my body is stretched more then i may be able to finally get it, not all teachers have patience to wait for me, now i know it is ok for me to do what i can and not worry about what i can not yet do. so thanks Gabrielle for this report!!!! love ya lots! hennafire
Posted by hennafire on 10/14 at 08:32 AM
You hit the nail on the head. I started Hot yoga 20 months ago, after a L4-L5 fusion of my back. It was with a teacher who gave the Bikram speech with all of the same sayings. Even with feeling inept and stiff I fell in love with it and started visiting studios where ever I went. I have met a lot of really great teachers and some that were straght out of Gabrielle’s report. After the 60 day challenge a group of us had to leave are studio and the yoga nazi who was totally into controlling everything and everyone HER way. I am so grateful to find this site and have someone you really knows what it is all about. “your 90 meditation of mind, body and spirit” DO THE BEST THAT YOU CAN..Thank, Deb
Posted by Deb on 10/14 at 08:38 PM
Good lord, a common sense approach! Hallelujah! All your warning signs and explanations are exactly what drove me from the local fanatic Bikram facilities here in San Antonio, TXl especially your warning sign 11:
“...REQUIRED to march to someone else’s tune, for example: “No leaving the room!, No drinking water, no this, no that ... do what I say exactly” ... with NO ROOM for YOUR NEEDS to be met.“
Posted by YogiBruce on 10/15 at 03:34 AM
The only thing that I find offensive is that this is nothing more than a 34 page sales pitch masked as a “report”...Am I wrong??? It seems a little underhanded to me. It feels like you care more about the sale of this book than you do about tricking your students into reading about it. It seems like an amazing book, but I feel like I am being tricked into buying it. To your credit however, I do totally, 100% agree with you on the points that you have made. I used to teach Bikram yoga many many years ago…before the classes were scripted. It’s embarrasing how it’s being taught these days. In any case, I’m glad that you are saying the truth about it…I just question the tactic. Sorry if you find this feedback offensive…I’m just being honest.
Posted by Chris on 10/15 at 11:57 AM
That report was great! It was a great combination of inspiration and a nice sales pitch.
I totally agree with the tha writing about pain. As a professional athlete I burned out myself and then learned ayurvedic techniques and the principle of “No pain, most gain”.
I can understand that very unfit and stiff first time yogis and yoginis experience pain just by moving, but then it is important to know what pain is and how to relate to it. The report made me so inspired I can’t wait for my next yoga session, that will be painless…
Can’t wait for the Hot Yoga MasterClass!
Posted by Stefan Åkesson on 10/16 at 03:55 AM
All I have to say is WOW! That report isn’t nearly as shocking as it is awesome! I’m amazed you’re giving that away for free, but hey, I’m not complaining.
My students are loving it!
Big thanks for Thailand!
Lucas
Posted by Lucas Rockwood on 10/16 at 03:58 AM
hey Chris, are you going to buy the book?
i am betting it will be a really great one!
take care,
hennafire
Posted by hennafire on 10/16 at 04:27 AM
hey Robert, just want you to know i appreciate the work you do on the site, so keep up the good work, this is appreciation day for you!!
thanks again Robert for the excellent job of building and maintaining this site, it has to be tons of work for you and i see you are doing it really well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
much appreciated,
hennafire
Posted by hennafire on 10/16 at 04:37 AM
Hey Robert, I appreciate the manner in which you addressed my post. Perhaps I was a big harsh, and I apologize for that. I agree with you that without the references to the book, the report would still have great value…it’s important information. It was a very brave thing to do!!! The committment that both you and Gabrielle have for this site is commendable and very much valued. Thanks for everything you are doing! One more thing about the old days of Bikram yoga…the room didn’t have to be heated to 105 degrees (which by the way I believe is a big stressor on the body). 100 degrees was just fine.
Hennafire, in response to your question…yes, I WILL be buying the book. 
Regards,
Chris
Posted by Chris on 10/16 at 08:06 AM
Hey Robert,
i do not have facebook or anything like that, thankfully i am a real person and since this is appreciation day for you, take your well deserved bows and keep on doing what you do best! building and maintaining the web site.
cheers for Robert!!!!!!!
and lots of cheers for Gabrielle as she does wonderful work and keeps us all moving with yoga and yoga related things, they are a great team!! oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!
hugs and kisses,
hennafire
Posted by hennafire on 10/16 at 09:41 AM
great Chris!!
i have always wondered how anyone can do yoga in hot rooms, i get too hot and have hard time to do poses when that happens and now i am having hotflashes so makes it even worse,and i would have to drink tons of water!
guess i will stick to cooler room, and still do yoga, any poses that you know of for hotflashes!!?
have great day,
hennafire
Posted by hennafire on 10/16 at 09:46 AM
Hi!
Ohh! i have waited for so long for dvd and a book with better pictures and explaings..!
I have only learned from bikram beginning book.
Never meet a teacher and will never do… so this can be exactly what i need.
want to order this book as fast as possible.
br mats
Posted by Mats on 10/16 at 05:30 PM
Hi Gabrielle,
I did not think the report shocking. It is logical. As teachers we all want to raise the bar. I have taken classes from around 12 different teachers in the states and europe, most of whom were trained by bikram. About half of those generated their own style, the others were like the machines you described.
My advice to everyone is to go to different instructors. There are enough creative instructors around to meet a few when you move around, and each will emphasize a different aspect of a posture. Combined I now have a good idea of what is supposed to happen and how it can best be done. If I had stuck with one teacher, even a good one, I would not have learned as much.
One other wee comment I have. I agree with your shock report. At same time I am so grateful to bikram for pushing hot yoga the way he did. Without his missionary approach, it would not be so widespread.
Your comments on poses align very well with what bikram writes in his book. His mantra simply does not capture all and it is indeed too bad that some or even quite a few of the teachers that go through his training never go beyond this mantra. To me this shows really a lack of understanding.
As a university maths professor I know this is true in the world of mathematics too, where teachers simply copy verbatim proofs and approaches given by the masters without their own input. It shows they are not at the right level.
To be a good teacher in yoga, a lot more is required! Nevertheless, even these teachers contribute because they allow more people to be exposed to this wonderful, shall we say lifestyle.
BTW I just started hot yoga in July and am completely devoted now. It is helping transform my life. Not just because my body feels better every week, but also because of the mental peace it provides.
Thanks, Gabrielle!
Posted by Margot on 10/16 at 05:34 PM
Gabrielle,
I am very impressed with your book. I have always strived to be a real teacher and student. You are a brave light for so many. thanks
With Respect, Darlene
Posted by darzplanet on 10/26 at 03:19 PM
well, what can i say here is…I’m happy that there are still yoga teachers with consciousness PECULIARITY in hot yoga. Harming people with all those rules and dialogues and prejudise about yoga, esp. Hot yoga, is something that none have to expirience. I was an ice skate athlete 20 years ago & I know much about the pain in trainings….but hopefuly without any severe injuries, so my thouth was - no pain, no gain doesn’t work..as you said Gabrielle.
Posted by gana on 11/08 at 11:59 AM
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