Danny Tom

Danny is a fabulous work-study at the UES studio. He's been practicing for a couple of months, and this is the first time he's doing a 30DC.

How did you first hear about Bikram? 
Through a friend of a friend.  Both Friends were athletes.  One played football, the other played basketball.  The one that played football recommended it to the friend that played basketball.  And the one that played basketball recommended to me, and boom, the rest was history.
 
Football, basketball, you. Okay, got it. And how was your first class?
My first class felt like my first day of school.  I felt uncomfortable, lost, and clueless. First of all, there so much going on around your environment. I remember Patrick taught the class, and I remember he corrected me a lot. I think I was doing the poses all wrong and maybe it was because I could not focus. I felt like a rat in a maze, lost, and trying to find my way out the studio. Those 90 minutes felt like an eternity! Even though all of this was going on, I learned that strength comes in numbers when inside the classroom.  Growing up I learned the idea of team concept and team unity through playing basketball.  So through the inspiration and the motivation from the teacher and the students inside the class, I somehow, someway, miraculously, completed the journey through the maze.

You're right. There is strength in numbers. It's a totally personal experience that you share with other people. Which is why we always ask everyone to stay in the room, to not give up. And of course, you came back.
Yeah, I came back for all sorts of reasons.  First of all I'm a competitive person and I felt I was terrible my first day.  It sort of felt like going 0-15 missing all my shots and I had to redeem myself.  I did not want to go out with a sense of "losing".  Going the next day was sort of my "rematch" game. Also, Patrick told me to come the next day, so I can get all the benefits from the yoga.  Not only did I come, but I felt terrific.  It was such a great feeling the next day. I was efficient in my poses and postures even though I had a lot of flaws and mistakes, but overall I felt I accomplished something by just signing the sign-up sheet and going to class the next day. I really, really felt so good that in reality it felt like I hit the game winning shot.
 
Danny, that was a three-pointer for sure. Are there any injuries that you are working with?
I do not have injuries now but 2 months ago I was suffering from tendinitis in my knees, a bad lower back, and just stress from school and life.  Going to Bikram yoga not only healed each individual injury but it made me feel young again, like I was 18 yrs old!  It gives you so much energy, and trust me I have a lot of energy.  I get so much done during the day, and when I'm in school, the Yoga helps me study, retain the information, perform and execute when taking an exam, and just makes you feel like a wonderful person physical and mentally!

Darling, you should be our PR person. But tell me.... is there anything you dislike about the practice?
If you had asked me this question Day 1, Mishel, I would have said I dislike everything from the heat to the poses.  Now I love the heat, love the humidity; love most of the postures and poses.  I love the way it re-heals old injuries.  Love how it not only heals your body physically, but mentally.  Where the practice focuses on your concentration, focus, and to clear and train your mind sort of like this Zen-like approach.  There are times when I can't do a pose or posture due to a vast array of elements going on outside of me and that what I dislike, the idea of me not being able to continue.  My mind is restless. Controlling the mind I think is the toughest part of doing yoga and what I dislike about the practice.  But at the same time I can improve.  Some of the ways I can improve is by knowing that this yoga is life long journey, and by just letting everything go, and coming in with no expectations, I can definitely be where I want to be.  I believe it's not where you take the journey, but really where the journey takes you.  Knowing that you have the ability where first you are weak and you feel you can't do a pose, and then BOOM, you realize you have all of this energy to finish your class strong is really what is all about.

You're totally right. That is what it's all about. Is this why you decided to do the 30DC?
Yeah. I heard so much talk from people who did a 30dc and the idea of learning about your body and going through this transformation is absolutely tremendous.  I definitely want to experience a 30 day challenge and see the changes and the reformation at the end of my practice.  Also, I want to have this sense of accomplishment, going for 30 days, where it is a test to yourself, a test to your body, mind, & soul. I want to pass this test.  I realize in life, a lot of things I do is mental.  By simply opening of your mind and telling your mind that you can do it, you realize the power of the "mind", and the way it can influence you and what you do in this world.  I want to test and train my mind so eventually I can become a better person not just inside the yoga studio, but life in general.

That's beautiful, Danny. Do you have other intentions for your challenge?
I really want a lot of things to happen to me.  First in the physical form, I definitely want to get stronger, more flexible, and just heal my old injuries. Mentally I want to work on my focus, concentration, and patience.  A lot of the times, not just in yoga but life, there so many disturbances going on and I really need to learn to focus on the moment at hand.  Keeping my priorities straight and taking responsibilities for my actions is really key for me.  But beyond the postures and poses, I just want Bikram yoga to have a full lasting effect on me.  I just love doing it, and doing it 30 days would show me a deep appreciation and gratitude for my practice, and a loving union between myself and my practice.  
 
Now the fun part. Tell me which is your favorite/least favorite pose.
My favorite posture would be savasana.  It just really really good especially when you do a difficult posture, and boom, you go right into savasana.  It's like eating ice cream on a hot summer day. Savasana is my ice cream.  There nothing better than going right into savasana when your body is fatigued, and plus it helps your body rest and catch up on everything thatís going on in the moment.  My least favorite posture would be Camel.  First of all sweat is dripping and down my face, my heart rate is racing, and it feels like I'm trying to swim back to shore with the wind in my face. To me it is an extremely intense posture, and I embrace its difficulties with every yoga class I attend.

Danny, I think you've got all the right elements. You totally see this practice as it is. I really believe that this challenge is going to open up alot more things for you. It's all about having no expectations, and letting the blessings overflow. Good luck, my friend!

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