Please welcome the newest Bikam baby, Judah Ruben Krisel to the world. He arrived November 23, 2007 at 4:00 am. Congratulations to Erica and Howie Krisel.

A free class to the first three people who tell me who the Indian in the banner at the top of the page is.

update, Nov. 21 - The correct answer is Massasoit! Congratulations to Heather Greenfield, Marco Martinili and Rachel Bowser, each of whom will receive a free class coupon. Several of you incorrectly identified our feathered friend as Squanto, which was a good guess but the statue depicts Massasoit, leader (sachem) of the Pokanoket, of the Wampanoag Confedreacy.

It was during harvest season in 1621 that Plymouth Governor William Bradford declared it time to gather and rejoice in a meal that was part spiritual devotion and part harvest festival. The meal became what is now known as the first Thanksgiving (although it wasn’t called that until a couple hundred years later) when Massasoit arrived with a five deer and a whole bunch of Indians.

I always think of Thanksgiving as a bittersweet holiday. In my family it has always been a celebration but many Indians consider it a time of mourning. If you don’t know the true history of the early years of this country I suggest you start with Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by dee Brown.

The image in the banner was used without permission (it was a last minute idea — I’ll drop them a line in the next day or two and let them know). It’s of sculpture by Cyrus Edwin Dallin and is available at the Montague Gallery in Concord, Mass.

I just want to reiterate that we are having a 10 am class on Thanksgiving day. It’s a great way to start a holiday that is centered around food. I hope to see you there.

See the full holiday schedule changes below.

Please note the following changes to the class schedule for Thanksgiving week:

Wednesday, November 21
10 am & 4:30 pm ONLY

Thursday, November 22
10 am ONLY

Friday, November 23
4:30 pm ONLY

Sunday, November 11 marks the studio’s fifth birthday and we will have a reception in the lobby after the 4:00 pm class. All are invited to attend even if you can’t make it to class.

Yeah, I know I posted this at the last minute but I’ve been out of town and extra busy lately when in town. Hopefully, most of you receive our email announcements in which case you would have received word about the reception on November 3. Not subscribed…? You oughta be.

This just in from Amanda Lackey, who you may have spotted in the front row until very recently…

She’s here!! Aedin Riolan Lackey. Yes, it means ‘little fire,’ which IS perfect for my Bikram baby!

Everything is WONDERFUL. Aedin was born at 6:08 pm on Monday, October 22nd. My midwife insisted on induction, even though everything was still great with myself and the baby - there was plenty of fluid etc. - they don’t like to go much beyond 41 weeks, and I was almost 42. So we went in to the hospital early on Monday. My goal was to go natural with no pain meds, so we messed around with some stimulation techniques until about 2:30 pm, and still nothing much was happening. So, at 2:30 we started with Oxytocin. I labored on a birthing ball, and standing, and it didn’t get too serious until 4:45. At about 5:00 my midwife checked me and I was 8 cm. At 5:30 I finally got into the bed and absolutely HAD to push. They said that I pushed for 25 minutes, though it seemed much shorter to me. I definitely felt the pain, but it was well worth it when we finally got to hold Aedin. I truly believe that yoga helped me with my labor. I think it kept me strong to be able to push and helped with my flexibility allowing my body to open. In fact, I think it’s even helped me with my recovery. Only one week and two days out and I feel great! I’m ready to get back to class. So, thank you! Thank you for your studio!

Aedin is healthy and happy. Every once in a while she’ll crank her head back like she’s doing a backbend (she’s very strong) and I just think about how many back bends she did with me in class while she was in the womb. She’s awesome!! I hope to stop into the studio with her soon.

We really have to do better at conserving water. Please, please, please take very brief showers after class. I’m afraid we also have to adopt the “If it’s Yellow, Let it Mellow…” practice. There should be nothing offensive about leaving a little pee in the toilet when you’re done. The teachers will make sure there is a final flush when we leave the studio and I’ll make sure our cleaning crew stays on top of keeping things clean so please don’t flush unless you have to (and keeping paper use to a minimum will help, too).

Don’t like it? Then please read this article from a newspaper that’s not afraid to say what Atlanta newspapers won’t about our strained local environment.

…and I’m sorry I didn’t remind you sooner but don’t forget to set your clocks back tonight.

Turnout for Halloween was light but it was a quality group. I’ve updated the Photo Gallery.