Article category: News
My Secret Formula Revealed!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Hi there!
In this article you’ll find a very helpful formula that we have used for years to shoot for excellence in everything we do!
(Didn’t see “Part I”? I’ve posted it at The Hot Yoga Doctor here ...)
>> http://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/comments/setting-your-2009-intention-with-yoga/
OK, so here we go ...
A very useful formula to ‘resolve’ your wishes into real results
Attention + Intention + Skill
Attention (the first part of the equation) is not a ‘Secret’
Placing attention on what you want (or having a Resolution) is a great start. Tension exists between what or who you are now and what you don’t have or who you would like to become. ‘The Secret’ gave us a great tool but it was only a tool. It tells you to constantly put your attention on wishing to have something.
Without any other action on your part, your unconscious mind will create a perpetual state of WISHING to have something and not creating it for you. This attention is good for motivation but it can be a trap. This tension, or what psychologists call “cognitive dissonance” (the difference between your present and desired state) won’t make things magically appear, but it probably IS the first step!
You need INTENTION and SKILL too
Intention is the energy you use to keep renewing your commitment and your activity around your chosen outcome. But you also need to have the skill to take yourself to a higher level and make the shifts necessary.
For example, it is one thing to put your ATTENTION on being a great tennis player. You may even have the INTENTION to practice. Life can get in the way and as you know, attention can get diverted and our best efforts get sabotaged for any number of reasons.
You will probably improve with practice but your wish could be thwarted if you don’t have the right SKILLS required to take you a higher level. You need to learn, develop or seek the skills that you don’t have, so that you can get ‘there’.
So what’s YOUR intention for 2009?
- Do you have a goal for 2009?
- Is it a yoga goal?
- Or is your goal outside of the yoga room but your plan is to practice yoga to achieve it?
- Do you have a goal for which practicing your hot yoga is the skill that you need?
- Maybe your goal is to get your emotions under control.
- Maybe you want to get into physical shape, mental shape or become emotionally healthy.
- Maybe it is about creating the conditions around finding your ideal job or life partner.
- Millions of things!
There are practical actions that you can take to make 2009 a really wonderful time for you. You probably have some ideas already.
Robert and I routinely sit together and give each other the opportunity to talk and to be listened to without interruption.
We review what was the worst and the best of our year.
Then we talk about the future. In addition to our own personal goals that we display prominently (!) we have goals as a couple and partnership that are family, personal, wealth and health related goals. Things that we can incrementally achieve with committed and recommitted action.
In the next article I’m going to follow up with a list of the free resources available to registered members at Hot Yoga Doctor and show you how these can transform the start to your year by focusing your ATTENTION, your INTENTION and your SKILLS ... and it won’t cost you a dime!
Namaste
Gabrielle
Posted by Gabrielle on 01/05 at 04:45 AM
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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
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How To Create Dramatic Personal Change From Your Yoga Practice
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Hello again!
In this free 38-minute mp3, Robert interviews Steve Merkley from Yaletown Yoga in Vancouver about his own journey through yoga; how hot yoga specifically helps create change - and reveals some amazing tips to make this happen for you!
Steve’s background as a Registered Massage Therapist (a 3200-hours, 3&1/2 year regulated program in Vancouver!) not only brings physical insights into how hot yoga works to deepen our change work, but he has an amazing way of looking at the interconnectedness of our practice - from the immediacy of the physical to the satisfaction of the spiritual. (And no, he doesn’t get religious - in fact Robert specifically asks him about the perceived conflict in yoga with spirituality and religion).
There’s a truly wonderful and succinct series of tips to help you move through the physical to really knowing “who you are” ... and all through hot yoga!
This is a “must listen” ...
Namaste
Gabrielle
Click below to play or download!
If the player is not showing, click "Permalink" and you'll be able to play directly from the page.
Download mp3 here Subscribe and get automatic updates in iTunes!
Posted by Gabrielle on 08/14 at 07:53 PM
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Lucas Rockwood of “Absolute Yoga” on Sustainability
Monday, August 04, 2008
Wow!
I’ve just finished an interview with Lucas Rockwood of hot yoga training center Absolute Yoga and Yoga Body Naturals fame ... and how intriguing it was!
Lucas discusses his life-practice philosophy of “sustainability” in everything he does - from yoga to nutrition to ... well ... life.
There are some excellent tips in there for those of you wanting to improve your hot yoga practice.
The interview lasts for 35 minutes!
(Listen to it/download it/subscribe to the podcast at iTunes at the bottom of this post)
If you are in any doubt about the value of the Yoga Body Naturals product, go take a look at this forum post!: http://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/forum/viewthread/129/ (Thanks Steph!)
Namaste
Gabrielle
PS. If you are interested in Lucas’ Hot Yoga Training Program - it’s in a *very* exotic location in Thailand - AND he has left a discount deal open for Hot Yoga Doctor visitors, but you’ll need to be SUPER-QUICK!
You’ll have to download the secret application here http://www.hotyogadoctor.com/training.zip as I’m not allowed to put this up publicly - in fact if you look at this page http://www.quickfityoga.com/hotyogatraining.htm you’ll see the deadline expired quite a while ago! (The FREE Report is still available though.)
Click below to play or download!
If the player is not showing, click "Permalink" and you'll be able to play directly from the page.
Download mp3 here Subscribe and get automatic updates in iTunes!
Posted by Gabrielle on 08/04 at 07:45 PM
Click here to read comments or leave yours (3) • News • Permalink
The Hot Yoga Doctor Speaks Out! Free mp3
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Hello everyone - well I’ve succumbed to pressure to put myself on record and talk about how to get the best out of your Hot Yoga and Bikram Yoga practice.
Robert interviewed me (more like a grilling actually!) and we covered everything from just starting out to some of the key things that can be “the difference that makes the difference” in your practice.
It’s nearly 75 minutes of helpful - and free - info - as always, I’d love your feedback - please leave your comments below.
(And for those of you really totally modern Yogis who have iPods and iPhones - watch out for an update to an iTunes link coming soon)
Namaste
Gabrielle
Click below to play or download!
If the player is not showing, click "Permalink" and you'll be able to play directly from the page.
Download mp3 here Subscribe and get automatic updates in iTunes!
Posted by Gabrielle on 07/23 at 03:07 AM
Click here to read comments or leave yours (1) • News • Permalink
Your favorite yoga recipe resource list
Recently on the forum (July 2008) we had a request from kdawg to help with some suggestions for meals. Seems kdawg was a little bored with limited food repertoire. I got the feeling that what was wanted was some quick and easy stuff. So here is a blog for anyone and everyone to post their ideas of what is easy, delicious and a favorite meal, supplement or drink, for before and after yoga.
Google it baby!
If you enjoy cooking (and I absolutely love it!) then there are so many places to go online (as you would probably guess) to find recipes. I do use them for inspiration sometimes but one has to be a bit motivated to do that. It helps to have a basic idea or know what food you want to base your meal on. All have search facilities to pop in a selected ingredient.
Online recipe websites abound
I use www.epicurious.com. Discovered a new one the other day: www.veggiemealplans.com . It is difficult to recommend the best ones because there are just so many. You will find some that resonate with you.
There is nothing like a cookbook!
Nothing beats a book though. I love to flick through my cookbooks from time to time. It is great to open it up on the counter and work directly from it. Aah it takes me back to the good ol’ days.
I once bought a book called the 30 minute Vegetarian. And YES, all the recipes take only 30 mins to prepare. This is great because most of us mortals like to have a recipe to follow. There are not many of us who can look in the cupboard and whip up something new and interesting in 30 mins. I just found a score of stuff on Amazon. And although I can’t find the exact same book I have, I am sure that you will find something that appeals to you – that’s what the reviews are for!
It is a real skill to be able to look at your supplies and quickly rustle up something delicious, that provides variety and still delivers your nutritional requirements and satisfies your cravings. I do believe that the yoga will help you gain some clarity on what your body is requesting! And you too will get good at this.
Raw foods are fantastic
One of the books that changed my life was actually called Raw Energy by Lesley and Susannah Kenton (an English mother and daughter duo). I am actually not a raw foodist. Jared has given a great reference on that in the Regaining your figure posts.
Here is one of the gems I took away from that book: When you make a salad cut up all your pieces of vegetables and fruit and whatever, very small. Robert and I call them Super Salads! We LOVE them. We don’t make any of them identical. And go with the whim of the chef for the day (or make it together).
Salad suggestions
We will add a changeable selection of the following:
- Rocket and maybe other lettuce leaves
- Sprouts (nature’s powerhouses absolutely jam packed with enzymes)
- Herbs
- Fetta
- Dried or fresh fig
- Dried apricot
- Love it with fresh mango
- Basil
- Apple
- Avocado
- Selection of seeds and nuts; sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflower seeds, maybe pine nuts or crushed toasted almonds
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Carrot (grated – and we love the circular grater so we get lovely long decorative strands)
- Zucchini (grated or chopped)
- Raw broccoli
- Raw cauliflower
- ANYTHING that you want to put in
- Try popping in some vermicelli noodles
- Organic tinned beans or lentils (real easy)
- Some cooked rice, white, brown, wild.
The beauty of these salads is that you cut things small and you really TASTE them. And you find you can use vegetables raw that you would normally cook (say for example, cauliflower).
The flavors can be so explosive that you won’t even need to put a dressing.
Although if I do make a dressing it could be with:
- Avocado (mashed and some olive oil and maybe Bragg aminos)
- Balsamic vinegar
- Mashed mango (yum)
- Use your imagination and go wild.
Add your own suggestions
Hey, if you have some ideas for kdawg, some online resources to recommend, or just want to share your favorite meal that supports your yoga lifestyle then go ahead, and inspire us all 
. I know you want to 
Namaste
Gabrielle 
Posted by Gabrielle on 07/23 at 02:53 AM
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Yoga And Being A “Geek”
Monday, June 30, 2008
While it is true I have more than a small amount of scientific geek-skill (as well as being a Dentist in a previous life), there’s no doubt that the technical world can save us information-hungry yogis time.
My husband (Robert) who designs and implements these sites generally keeps me up to date with “all things geek” - but I thought it would be fun to hear from YOU with your own “yoga geek” tips ...
Please click the “comments” link below and tell me what “geek tips” you’d love to share!
(And while you are at it ... follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gabrielleraiz)
Namaste
Gabrielle
PS. Do you have your own yoga blog? Feel free to leave a link here ... (only one per comment allowed. If you have more, email me and I’ll have Robert add them)
Posted by Gabrielle on 06/30 at 06:57 PM
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Meditation 101
Monday, May 19, 2008
I am so, so happy to be following up on the huge response you have given me from the survey a few weeks ago.
I had intended to write a series of emails to you but on reflection decided to put it all together into one download. So see below to claim your FREE 17 page booklet entitled Meditation 101.
And when you do, please, Please, PLEASE come back and leave your comments.
I get a buzz from learning from you and your comments inspire me and others to expand our yoga-consciousness.
I am so loving being part of this community and continue to feel joy with it on a daily basis.
Namaste
Gabrielle
Download your FREE Meditation-101 here (requires Adobe reader)
HotYogaDoctor-Meditation-101.pdf
Posted by Gabrielle on 05/19 at 04:06 AM
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Hot Yoga Survey Results - Interesting!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
What an incredible week!
You might not know, but I asked our wonderful Hot Yoga community and forum visitors to respond to a short survey.
It was
only up for one week- I had to close it off Tuesday last - but we had an incredibly positive response.
You guys are passionate about this stuff!
It has taken absolutely ages to get through all the hundreds and hundreds ... AND hundreds ... of survey results.
Whether you had time to answer the survey or not, the results are really interesting, and because of the huge number of respondents, results are representative of the group as a whole.
So I am publishing some of the numbers so far (more as we make the relevant analysis and plans). I also wanted to let you know what I am working on that will satisfy your deepest Hot Yoga desires!!!
You probably already realized that women are the biggest practitioners of yoga - but take a look at the stats below:
Men are really starting to take up welcome space in the studios and now number 28.2%. That’s great guys. Keep it up. Only 10 years ago that figure was about 5%.
And you guessed it, in this modern-audio-visual-internet-downloadable-streaming-video-age - the vast majority of you want stuff you can see and feel, or see and hear, or just hear!
Hmmmmm you yogis are going to keep me up on my toes. LOL (yes Gabrielle - “high up on your toes, heels up, knees up” haha. Robert)
Here’s my promise: Over the next few weeks I am going to share with you some of your most popular Hot Yoga desires .
I’ll also share what I think makes our community tick - and what I can do to add more value to it.
By the way, I was very humbled to read a huge number of comments from the survey all similar to the following real comments taken from the survey:
“you do a great job with everything”
“i love what u have provided so far via email.“
“Love your website and think you are doing all the right things. Wish there were more studios in my area.“
“An online portal that can bring like-minded Bikram enthusiasts to share their experiences and knowledge (which I can already see much of in the forum etc),,, I praise you for all of the exhaustive work you have already undertaken! It appears that you already offer the most comprehensive information on Bikram Yoga (posture analyses, forum, timing guidelines for each posture) and it is much appreciated!“
“i’m delighted with you in any event and think this is a really great initiative”
“I love your site as it is, especially the forum, and I am really looking forward to the Master Class…thank you!“
(Re: MasterClass - not long to wait now!!)
And did you know a huuuge portion of you actually DON’T practice your yoga at a studio!
But that, as they say, is music to my ears. I have a
ton
of things that I am planning that will help you in the studio and at home. So… stay tuned.
Here is another heavily recurring theme from the survey results.
Take a look at the following 3 questions. They all concern the meditative and spiritual aspects of this yoga.
- What does it really mean to be in the moment?
- How do you break through that mental barrier and really start to meditate?
- When and how does this practice become a spiritual one?
So, to get the ball rolling, in my very next release I am starting the Meditation 101 Series!
Yes ... it’ll be free.
I will be addressing these questions by:
- Walking you through the basics of meditation;
- How to make your Hot Yoga meditation more rewarding;
- The differences between different styles of meditation; and
- Why a 90 minute hot yoga class AUTOMATICALLY attends to many aspects of practical meditation - and how you can easily deepen this.
I love that we are building a thriving forum where people can come and participate. There are thousands who are getting value every month - even if they are not registered members or actively posting. Some come back every single day to check out new topics, questions and answers!
By the way - somebody said this in response to the question “What would you most love to see us create for you?“
“An online forum where specific issues and challenges could be discussed and solutions shared.“
Which had me somewhat bewildered and wondering just how loud I have to shout that “we have one already“ !!
Let me reaffirm that we DO have a very active and wonderful online forum waiting for you to tap into!
And while I’m talking about the forum - I actually had a ton of very specific questions that were asked of me in those survey text answers. So, over the next few months I will be addressing some of those in emails and blogs.
BUT, if your question was urgent, then PLEASE head over to the forum now:
http://www.hotyogadoctor.com/index.php/site/forum/
Please post your question there. I am always happy to help. The forum has a life of its own now - with regular contributors and lots of lovely dialog between members. It makes my heart soar to know it means a lot to you.
It really is all about you ... I would really value your comments, thoughts and ideas below ... after all, it can only help me make these resources more useful for you!
Namaste
Gabrielle
(Gentle hint ... the link to the comment page is just below. LOL!)
Posted by Gabrielle on 05/07 at 02:55 AM
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I’d love your input!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Dear Internet Yogi!
This time I’m seeking
your
input - I’m doing everything within my power to make this site an amazing Hot Yoga and Bikram Yoga-related resource.
I’ve got some verrrry interesting new things in the pipeline - but to make sure I’m covering ALL the bases, I’d love to hear what YOU think!
So if you are willing to take a 3-minute survey, then click the link below ...
UPDATE: The survey is now closed - but I’d still love to hear what you have to say ... please click the link below and leave your comments!
Then sit back and wait for a whole raft of things coming your way ... as per your requests!
Namaste,
Gabrielle
PS. As always, you are also welcome to leave comments right here - I read them ALL.
Posted by Gabrielle on 04/23 at 03:07 AM
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