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Jae - The Kokoda Track
I started to do Bikram Yoga in July 2009 as a result of a knee operation. At that time, I was unable to jog, ride or go to the gym. I was amazed at the difference this practice made to my body. The muscle tone I developed was amazing & I finally realized that I didn’t need to pound the pavement or smash myself with weights to get fit, healthy & toned.
I continued with my yoga buying a 1 year pass & I will continue to practice when its time for renewal.
Not only was I stunned with my physical changes but that only paled in comparison to the mental discipline I developed. This could not be proved more-so than the adventure I was about to take on.
In May 2010, I completed the Kokoda Track. It was the most physically, emotionally & mentally demanding challenge I have ever undertaken. The Kokoda Track was relentless. The heat, the humidity & the strenuous activity was ruthless. The jungle was evil & beautiful at the same time and the terrain was uncompromising.
Because of this, Bikram Yoga was absolutely invaluable to me in being able to complete one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.
The discipline you need to make this trek is beyond belief. The humidity is 89% everyday & coupled with the heat, its brutal. I was given 2 major bits of advice before I left:
1: 98% is in your head, and
2:
Never look up.
Never were truer words spoken. You go for hours on end either climbing up the mountain or either climbing down & believe me when I say, neither side is any easier than the other.
Thankfully I started Bikram 10 months before I went to Kokoda. The training in the heat & the discipline with the sweat and the tricks the mind plays on you, only proved how much of an asset it was to me, in completing Kokoda.
The Track, some say, plays with your head, plays tricks on your mind but the “Track is just the Track” and its your mind that is the culprit. You learn to control the mind games that your subconscious plays on you and your resilience & discipline is only made stronger by my Bikram practice.
Kokoda is by no means an easy feat, quite the contrary, but the training I received by doing Bikram Yoga only enhanced my spirit to tackle what I would call one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.
Namaste,
Jae.
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