Tracy Augustyn, 27

I am an artist and art teacher living in Avondale, GA.

How often? 2-3 times a week

How long? 5 years

Benefits: Yoga helps to balance my life… mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually. During the school year, I find it especially helpful in easing the stresses of teaching. It gives me the energy and patience I need in my classroom during the week. Classes allow me a place to release and let go of the stresses and worries I feel. Bikram yoga has also helped me in choosing and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. After a class, I usually experience a natural bliss that is unlike anything else. My mind is clear and I can get on with life, move forward, and get things done, instead of remaining stagnant inside my mind.

The yoga also helped in healing my leg after breaking it while hiking Stone Mountain, the yoga served as my physical therapy.

Challenges: Staying present with my breath and accepting my practice on that day. I have seen many changes in my practice, and just because I was able to get to a certain depth yesterday doesn’t mean I can do the same today. Surrendering to the process and to the heat is what it’s about. The class is challenging, but if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t love it.

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Let’s hope the worst of this year’s hurricane season has passed. People in Haiti, Cuba and parts of Texas were hit hard and suffered many losses so I have chosen three organizations to send some financial assistance to.

Hope for Haiti

Global Giving (for their Cuban relief)

Direct Relief International (for their work in the Gulf Coast)

When giving to organizations like this it’s wise to do some research and support organizations that are highly regarded, efficiently run, ideologically unbiased and who have a track record of transferring all or most of donations to direct relief programs rather than administrative costs or fundraising. I think these three are worthy of our support. Please consider making a donation.

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We added that class time due to popular request back in May. Initially, attendance was decent but the average has dropped to less than 5 students per class. Unfortunately, that won’t cut it. I’m going to give it a couple more weeks in the hope that some of our returning Emory students will want to attend but if we don’t see an increase very soon the class will have to be discontinued. You can vote with your body.

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I attended a Bikram Yoga class in Pasadena, CA yesterday and toward the end of the class the instructor said, “Lynn, the studio you attend must be great as you have a really good practice.”

The best part of what she said was “the studio you attend”. What a great compliment to you and my other instructors in Decatur. It was a reflection of not me but the studio I came from. It made me proud of our community - the Decatur studio.

Thank you to all my Decatur instructors for giving me a solid foundation to develop my practice. You’re the greatest!

Lynn U.

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Jim Harron, 53

I am a long term government employee with an interest in insects. Also, like Eric, I have found that wine and all its subtle nuances makes for a fun hobby.

How often? Usually 2 times per week

How long? 3 Years

Benefits: For years, I have had back problems. I tried many of the usual things to find relief (chiropractors, muscle relaxers, analgesics, physical therapy) with little success. Further, years of running and not stretching left me with iron hamstrings and no flexibility. After a few weeks of Bikram yoga I started noticing less and less pain. Now, I am relatively pain free, can sleep better and do not pop ibuprofen like candy.

Challenges: When I first started, I found out I had TERRIBLE balance and that I had to use the back wall to balance in several of the postures. Gradually, the balance has greatly improved. I am still working on the flexibility.

Many of my postures may not be picture perfect and I still struggle with many of them. However, for me, being relatively pain free after many years is certainly worth it. Bikram yoga may not help all back problems, but it did mine.

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Bikram Method Yoga is a beginner’s yoga program and all classes are suitable and appropriate for everyone, regardless of experience.

Someone used the contact form to ask me this question but the email address they supplied was incorrect so I’m answering it here. Please be sure to enter a correct email address in the contact form if you want a reply.

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Meah is leaving tomorrow for the Teacher Training program. During the next nine weeks (ten really ’cause she’s going a little early) you can keep up with her through her blog. I know she’d love to get some comments of support from some of you.

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Our downstairs neighbor, Tierra For Men (but they serve women, too) would like to invite you to sign up for their email newsletter which includes coupon for 25% off of any service including massage, facials, grooming, waxing, hair cuts and styling, manicures and pedicures.

Sign up for the newsletter…

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BYD is sponsoring the Second Annual Beat the Street for Little Feet 5K and Fun Run in Historic Oakhurst. a benefit race for the Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool. We’re also offering a free 10 Day Intro to all runners who enter the race (excluding existing BYD clients). You can sign up for a Kids Fun Run, a One Mile Short Run or the full 5K & Phantom Runners. Visit the OCP web site for details.

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Please note the following changes to the schedule for the Labor Day Weekend…

Friday, Regular Schedule (10 AM, 1 PM, 4:30 PM, 6:30 PM)
Saturday, 10 AM & 4 PM ONLY
Sunday, Regular Schedule (10 AM & 4 PM)
Monday, 10 AM & 4:30 PM ONLY

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