Emma Halldén embodies bikram yoga, and has been teaching Bikram Yoga for 6 years. Taking her first bikram class 11 years ago - she immediatly fell in love with the practice. She terminated her gym card and went all in on her new found love - that quickly turned into her profession as well. This fall she took on the the challenge to do 100 days of bikram, currently on day 80. Wow!
For Soothe, Emma shares a glimpse of her physical, mental and spiritual routines;
SELF CARE
A walk to the studio, a 90 minute Bikramyogaclass, and time for a conversation with my colleagues and fellow teachers at the studio after class. There is almost nothing that beats the energy this feeds me.
YOGA WEAR
High waisted tights or shorts. Preferably both the top and bottoms in black to hide the uneven sweat stains in the begining of class.
BEAUTY
Let's ___MOISTURIZE! Since I usually shower three times a day (maybe I teach two classes, then practice myself) I've become extremly aware of what products really moisturize my skin. So yeah, big on moisture, creams and lotions, not so big on makeup.
ALWAYS IN YOUR GYMBAG
Electrolytes!
CHALLENGE
Right now.. My own challenge of trying to complete 100 days of Bikramyoga in a row! I just completed day 80, so I'm getting close!
PODCAST
Omg, can't survive a Tuesday without Det Skaver podcast. Also, crazy about Normal Gossip, it always makes me laugh.
BOOK
Currently reading the Bikramyoga dialouge to brush up on my teaching.
MANTRA
Just breath.
FAVOURITE QUOTE
If you can be anything in this world, be kind.
CRASH COURSE BIKRAM;
BIKRAM
Bikramyoga is based on Hathayoga. A bikramyoga class is always 90 minutes, in 40°c, two breathing exercises and 26 postures. There is no music, the teacher does not demonstrate. It's just you, on your mat, focusing on yourself in the mirror. You listen, and move, listen and move.
ASANAS (series of poses)
The standing series is around 50 minutes, and the floor series around 40 minutes. We start class with a breathing exercise to warm up your body from the inside out. Then we do a warm up. Then there is a water break and some more challenging balancing standing poses. When we go to the floor series, we always start with a 2 minute savasana. We always joke about the floor series being 'the real yoga', but really that's where a lot of the magic happens. Everyposture prepares you for the next, that's whats amazing about the Bikramseries. We always finish class with a breathing exercise that cools down the body from the inside out. And then the final and most impostant Savasana.
EQUIPMENT
Just your mat, a towel, and a water bottle. That's it.
ADVICE FOR FIRST TIMERS
Just do it. It's fun, it's just yoga. When you come your very first time, your goal is to stay in the room for the full 90 minutes, everything else is a bonus.
WANT TO TRY?
The studio is located in central Stockholm. You don't need to book anything before taking a class, we don't even have a booking system - there is always space for you. If it's your first time at the studio, show up on time, talk to the teacher at the check in, ask all the questions you got, get changed and ready without stressing. After your first class nothing will ever be the same.
Bikram Yoga City, Olof Palmes Gata 11, Stockholm.
BY: ELIN TRANBERG