This blog began as a chronicle of my first 30-day Bikram yoga challenge, which I completed in March 2008 at Bikram Yoga Dupont in Washington, D.C. I finished a second 30-day challenge in April 2009 at Bikram Yoga Boston. I have dabbled in other challenges since then, but, for the time being, I’m content just to enjoy a consistent yoga practice.
As a writer, a constant over-analyzer, and an ever-interested observer of everyone and everything, I eventually decided this blog really can’t just be about yoga. It has to be about yoga and about the rest of me—my life in the beautiful city of Boston, my love of and passion for music and books and movies, my day-to-day thoughts.
All of that is more interesting than just reading about me learning how to breathe properly anyway, right?
E-mail me at hannahjustbreathe at gmail dot com if you have questions, comments, and the like.
Namaste, peace, cheers, hasta, adieu, what have you…
well, you know — “”hannah, just breathe –marks exactly the words of your birth as your father, and i, and then you, sped across the susquehanna river towards the hospital too late, that winter morning. just breath. it was january 6, epiphany, not yet dawn, the river below iced and dark, just breath. my baby, just breath. has it been too much a cliched mantra down the years — in the race, just breath, in hole, just breath, now in the studio, just follow the breath. it seems such a little thing to ask. such a small thing for such a miracle as you. and as long as i breath, i will want no less from you , this at least you should know from your mother. inhale and exhale and call me if we need to talk about it.
Hi there! I stumbled across your latest blog when I googled “Bikram training” on Google Blog search! I’m considering attending Teacher Training in the fall, too, but I’m still super scared about it and trying to read as much as I can by scouring the web! I’m totally in love with Bikram yoga, even though I have moments in class I want to kill someone.
Anyway, just wanted to introduce myself and please let me know if you decide to go- I’d love to know someone in Mexico!
Kristin Aitchison (Seattle)
Funny, i found it the same way, and I’m in Seattle, and I just sent my application in today.
It seems like it’s a small world.
Christian (Seattle as well.
omg. wait….you’re in boston? no way…
Namaste: I’m on my way to Boston…will be there in late April. Are you Boston-based???
welcome to boston!!
I just picked up your blog off WordPress… it caught my eye because hannajustbreathe is a similar name to my blog… hehe… but they’re very different.
Wow, Hannah, what a fabulous writer you are! I LOVE reading the stuff
you write about yoga, and life. Probably my favourite line of all,
“as we lay on the floor, breathing deep like dolphins, steaming up
the windows…” that is nothing short of fabulous.
If I was a writer like you I could probably better describe how good
it makes me feel to read your writing.
And the note then from your mom brought tears to me eyes,
being the mom of a yogi as well.
Keep up the wonderful blog, please!!
Thank you so much, Bonnie! What compliments.
As for the note from my mother, well. She has her own way with words, if you can’t tell.
so cool that this was inspired by yoga! i like your yoga bent to your entries/ “world”.
I realize that I’m a little behind the 8 ball in my timing on this post, but I just wanted to thank you so much for a lot of encouragement that you never knew you gave me. Today (what a glorious, wonderful, marvelous day) marks the end of my own first Bikram yoga 30 day challenge. 30 days ago, I googled anything relating to Bikram and others who have completed the challenge and found your blog. Immediately, I filed it under my favorites and for one long month, faithfully read your entries each and every day. Your words and honesty were that extra push I needed each morning to get out of bed, slap on some spandex, and hit the studio.
You have inspired me not only as a fellow yogini, but also as a writer. I, myself, am a writer and often find myself best through words. And so I started my own 30 day challenge blog. Working two jobs and balancing relationships and my own laziness got in the way of posting nearly as often as you did, but it was a wonderful tool for me.
I wish you all the best in your practice and in your new life in Boston. I live up in the old ‘Shire, and would love to meet up for a Bikram class next time I’m in the city.
Thank you so, so much.
Amelia
Thank you for such a kind compliment and comment, Amelia. And congratulations on finishing your first 30-day challenge! Good for you! That’s very exciting, to say the least. I’m sure you feel absolutely amazing…and a smidge exhausted.
Please keep stopping by and sharing your own journey. We’re all in this together, right?
I found this blog as I was perusing through the tag surfing function. I love it. You have a wonderful ability to express the feelings we all seem to share in a very real and unapologetic way. I’ll be back for more.
~lyss
Yoga AND writing AND overanalyzing?! You + me = meant to be. I added you to my reader—can’t wait to catch up & read more!
I don’t know If I said it already but …Great site…keep up the good work.
I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I’m glad I found your blog. Thanks, 
A definite great read..
-Bill-Bartmann
Stumbled onto your yoga.com post about your 30 day Bikram challenge. I have been practicing a couple times/week for 5 years here in Santiago, Chile and have been toying with the challenge idea for a while. Definitely shed some interesting light on what that change/challenge does (obviously different for everyone). Thanks for sharing. Nice site. Best, Liz
I think I never told you that I absolutely LOVE BOSTON!
I just started reading your blog today. Witty, funny, and it sounds like me sometimes. Great job! Hopefully you post more about Boston, I eventually would like to to escape the heat of Texas and move there!
I think I may have found your blog through googling Bikram blogs (as I have recently become obsessed with it) but I was so moved by your post on writing as I too, hope to be, or am a writer. Thank you for your honesty, encouragement and the wonderful quotes. They will all stick with me. Peace.
Hi Hannah. I admire your blog. I love your writing skills. I love the way you spill your heart into pages… You inspires me. As a matter of fact, I visit this blog daily but I always hesitate to drop a comment in every post you write because I’m afraid you will just ignore it.
Anyway, I want to thank you for giving me the daily inspiration I need to continue writing.
Have a good day.
- Inelle