National Yoga Asana Championship 2016

By Scott Mullen

Recently I had the opportunity to represent myself, Bikram Yoga Arizona (BYAZ) and the State of Arizona at the 2016 Yoga Nationals in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This would not have been possible without the love and support of my wife, Jen, and kids, Victoria and Patrick. Nor would it have been possible without the teaching and coaching of Nicole Deacon and all the teachers and staff at BYAZ. You are the best, I thank you!!

In class, outside too, there is always talk of us being a yoga family. It is 100% true. Our traveling group from the valley included 50, 40, 30 and 20 somethings, it had 60-degree temperature changes and snow, it included three states and featured thousands of feet of breath-taking elevation change (on the road and in the air). Our journey had shining moments on the stage. It had laughs and cheers, applause and tears. We were fortunate to have shared that together and want to share it again! That is family.

This experience for me also would not have been possible without the generosity and support from all of my classmates at BYAZ. June marks two and a half years since I began practicing yoga and it's been done almost always at BYAZ. Knowing I am not alone in class suffering through, and once in a while smiling through, postures keeps me motivated to practice. I'm also motivated knowing I need to be front row at 7:30 classes on the weekend or I need to be there early to claim that one cool spot at 9:30 classes on Tuesay and Friday or 5:30 am classes in the summer are the coolest of the day! My yoga experiences in class have also included laughs and cheers, applause and tears. Thank you for sharing with me, I look forward to many more with the BYAZ family.

Lastly, my individual journey to compete was excellent! The opportunity to be under the spotlight, center stage at the Jackson Hole Performing Arts Center performing six yoga postures that I love, and maybe dislike, to do was amazing. My routine and postures were very good but it wasn't enough to advance to the semi-finals. Prior to competing, I took a 90 minute hot yoga  class in a local studio with 35 other competitors and three locals. It was packed and a really great class. It is ok to know your limits and take a break when needed to regroup! After competing I had the  opportunity to watch Vanessa, Mara and Arynn perform their routines onstage. They were awesome!  There was also a little time to experience Jackson Hole. I highly recommend it!!

Thank you!

Scott Mullen

#2017training

Championship

Community hands

As a coach, I am a champion for champions, and I champion champions. Many champions seek to win championships. Other champions champion for a cause, a value, a belief system, a religion, or a person, or group. Championship is the act of championing. Championship can be the act of championing a champion to win a championship. Champions mentor, coach, and nurture upcoming champions. Championing nurtures community. Community nurtures champions and championship nurtures community.   We are the champions <cue music> of the world! OK, I have to stop! I am making myself dizzy with this word game! And yet, every statement made, means something. We all are, or have the capacity to be, champions and to champion others. In this article, when I speak about champions, I am speaking about you and me.

As a coach I have seen, time and time again, people (champions) create incredible results, reach heights they didn’t think possible, take courageous action, and have deep, meaningful – even life-changing insights. All of these results came from the individual, not from the coach. And yet, having a coach, having someone who champions them, supports them in whatever their aspirations are, does make a difference! Is it support? Accountability? Cheerleading? Championing? Having someone on your side, believing in you no matter what? Someone who will be honest and still unconditionally accepting of you? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes! And more. Who wouldn’t do better, BE better with that kind of support? No one – that’s who! Who would do – and BE better when championed, coached, and nurtured? Everyone – that’s who!

Champions don’t need a ‘Yes” man. What a champion (you/me) needs is someone who, while championing them, believes in them absolutely, and who doesn’t buy into their B.S. Who is rigorously honest, reflects – like a mirror – what is seen – the good, the bad, the ugly (without judging you as good, bad or ugly). As coach, when I champion you, I SEE you. I HEAR you. Many people go through their lives without truly being seen. Or heard. There is so much power in these things, alone; to be truly seen and heard; in allowing yourself to be truly seen and heard. Then, add to that, someone who sees and believes in your possibility, has a stand for you, and you in turn, see and believe in your possibility, and have a stand for yourself. Now, you are unstoppable. Now, you have someone who is championing you. Now, you have a coach.

Community – belonging to a group of people to whom you are connected is another thing that supports the champion. In a sense, your community is your team. As team members grow, thrive, struggle, fall, pick themselves up and grow again, they are nurtured, loved, supported, challenged, and called forward by each other. Now, you’re even more unstoppable. Now you are championing and being championed by your team. Now you have community – a tribe – a team.

We live in a fast-moving, highly individualistic culture, where we are so often left alone to figure things out and try to succeed on our own. This can be lonely, isolating and devoid of joy, intimacy and connection. The champion (you/me) who truly wants to go the distance, to create the life of their dreams, gets themselves a coach, gets themselves a team. Now you have a champion.

To share thoughts, ask questions or have a possibility conversation, feel free to call or text me at 360-836-9004. I love to have powerful conversations with people about their possibilities.

Linda Scholten

Professional and Life Coach

Join us for a very special Championship Event and Outdoor Yoga Class! :

Sunday, November 22, from 12-3 PM at the Lath Pavilion at Heritage Square, in Downtown Phoenix! At 12:00 PM witness champions from across the state as they demonstrate their yoga in the annual Arizona Yoga Asana Championship! At 1:30 PM join us for a one-hour outdoor yoga class, taught by the famous Lisa Ingle from The Union in San Antonio, Texas! Admission is just $10 for the entire event! Bring a blanket and yoga mat, and be prepared to shop our awesome vendors!

Arizona Yogis to Contend for 2013 National Asana Championship

By P.J. Stuart

USA Yoga Federation Judges from Across the Nation Come to Scottsdale for Qualifications

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 26, 2013) – Strength, balance and flexibility are among the criteria for Arizona’s most dedicated yogis as they vie for national attention at the Arizona Regional USA Yoga Asana Championship this month in Scottsdale. Each participant will perform a total of five compulsory postures and two optional postures to earn their spot at the National USA Yoga Asana championship in New York, happening this March.

Set for January 26, 2013 at the ASU Kerr Cultural Center from three until seven p.m., the regional competition will bring out 20-30 of the state’s top yogis for a grueling, yet graceful series of posture demonstrations before judges from across the nation. This is the 10th annual contest of its kind in the United States.

While yoga championships have been practiced for hundreds of years in India, the concept of yoga as a sport is less familiar in the United States. The USA Yoga Federation, the non-profit organization which governs the championships, encourages competitive yoga as a means of inspiring participants to sharpen their skills and step up their dedication to the practice. The increase in training also fosters an overall healthier and happier life, by improving mental and physical health.

“While preparing for the championships, I found myself focused very deeply on details of my physical practice that previously went unattended,” said Mark Trinitapoli of Bikram Yoga Paradise Valley, who placed at last year’s event and is set to participate once again this year. “This deeper concentration in my physical practice has seeped further and further into my daily yoga practice off the mat.”

Championship participants will be judged according to their category – adult male, adult female, youth male and youth female. The Arizona Regional Asana Championship Event runs entirely on donations and ticket sales. The title sponsors of this year’s event are Roaring Fork and Breastnet. Sponsor booths ranging from yoga wear to artwork will showcase their products and services at the event.

To find out more about the Arizona Regional USA Yoga Asana Championship, visit azyogachampionships.com.

To learn about the United States Yoga Federation, visit usayoga.org.