I've been talking quite a bit about Bikram himself in the last couple days after introducing my friend Tanya to his class. Suddenly our friends from yoga all want to know, "what is he LIKE?" (They never asked me that... hmph!)
I always have trouble describing him because he loses so much in translation! He says these things that make him sound like a total asshole on paper, but when you hear the same things in person, you're rolling on the floor laughing. Tanya put it really well, actually: "It's definitely tough love, but you always feel the love part." Yeah, he acts like a total lunatic, has a huge mouth, and makes some ill-advised business decisions. But the thing that I was most struck by when I met him in person the first time was how affectionate he is! All smiles and hugs and "sweetheart"s, all totally sincere.
Anyway, since I am in a Bikram-appreciation mood, here are two of my favorite interviews.
Bikram on 60 Minutes - I'm always surprised when people haven't seen this piece from 2005, because it was on the front page of the Bikram website for EVER. I forget that not everyone is obsessive like me. I've watched this over and over, and even though the interviewer grates a bit, Bikram totally manages to charm her and it cracks me up every time. "Not THINK! That's the only way it works."
This article from LA Yoga Magazine (also from 2005) is really fun too, cause the interviewer just quote him verbatim. If you read it after watching the video, you will hear his voice SO clearly. I love the bit where he talks about why he does this work; it resonates with me so much. And the metaphor at the end, just classic. "People are born as babies and they die as babies before they even know who they are. How sad. Every human being is a gold mine."
This guy needs some better media representation, and so does Bikram yoga in general, come to think of it. Somebody should do something about that....
8 comments:
I have yet to meet him in person. I cannot wait.
And yes, somebody DOES need to do something about that. ;)
Dude, you've GOT to just cut out of work early one of these days... ;-)
(Aren't I subtle? Geeez. Shameless.)
Hmm, I think I know of a few people who are doin' something...
Oh my goodness... i haven't watched that 60 minutes bit in a while. Sooo good. I love that man! I have to pull my video camera out and watch some more that I took at training. He makes me smile ear to ear.
And the same sentiments as above.... HMMMMM... someone... somehow... :))
Heck yeah, Danielle, same here... I have a great video of him getting his disco on at advanced seminar that just kills me every time. LOVE! IT!
HMMMMMMMM, says everybody... oh man.
Do I hear the beginnings of Bikram Yoga Magazine here? I'll subscribe.
I have the audio cd of the beginner's series and I have loved the man since the first time I listened to it. I am sure that the feeling will just be amplified when I *finally* do get the chance to take a class from him in person.
Listening to him lead students through the class it is so clear to me in every story and every scolding how completely and totally he wants his students to achieve their full potential.
I did meet him briefly at a book-signing in Honolulu several years ago but that was before doing his audio class. I loved the yoga then but didn't quite "get it" fully.
Aw Ellen, that's so fun that you mentioned the CD here, because I just practiced to it this afternoon for the first time in ages! I fall in love all over again. :)
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