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Dare to Try Something New Over the past few weeks we have looked more closely at the issue of change, how to admit when you don’t have all of the answers as well as how to embrace change with arms wide open. Today’s column is a little over the edge of the change cliff. Over the past while, I have had some awesome conversations with my 14 year old daughter Brittany about what she hasn't done in her life that we would like to do. I expected to hear from Brittany about her world travel plans and explorations. She is an adventurer at heart and I love her and her enthusiasm about life. While I did hear about her wild and crazy plans, I also heard something that caught me off guard and completely unprepared. While it is great to dream, Brittany made things very practical, “Dad, you know that I love trying new things”, she said. “What about us trying Bikram Hot Yoga together?” “I have done some research and I would really like to try it with you”. I thought to myself, “Bikram Hot Yoga”, what is that all about? 
I must admit that I was a complete skeptic. I had visions of me in the corner of a dark room meditating on how painful it was to be there surrounded by people whose bodies are made of boiled spaghetti, bending and turning in every direction that I couldn’t even hope to reach. Well, after writing about embracing change both personally and professionally, I really couldn’t say no. It was time for Dad to practice what he preaches – “Embrace Change!”. I was going to take the Bikram Hot Yoga plunge. Brittany did all of the research and I contacted a friend of mine, Bill Eager, who was gracious enough to bring Brittany and I to our first Bikram Yoga class. It certainly was not what I expected. Firstly, I didn’t bow to a Buddha or meditate with my eyes closed in a dark room at all. In fact, I was working so hard that there was no time to meditate on anything. I came out of there having never worked out so hard in my entire life. Secondly, I really had to pay attention to my breathing as the recommended temperature of the room is a minimum of 105F degrees and about 40% humidity. Any movement in this intense heat makes it a rather incredible cardio workout. Yes, I sweat profusely but I was really surprised with how great I felt afterwards. I thought that the heat would drain me and that I would be sore all over but in fact I had more energy. While I may not understand all of what is happening in Bikram Yoga, Brittany and I plan to stick with it. I feel like a little child discovering something as I am really thrilled to have embraced change and done something that I never imagined that I would do. So what about you? Why not list the top three new things that you would like to try and then be decisive, embrace change and go for it. Perhaps Bikram Yoga isn’t your “thing” but how do you know if you never try? Why not try something radically different than you have done before, “stretch yourself” literally to smash your preconceived notions of the possible. I think you will be as surprised as I have been. So, thank you Brittany. Thank you for having the courage to ask Dad anything. Thank you for believing in me enough to think that I would have an open mind to try something radically different. I am looking forward to our next adventure together – perhaps trekking in the Himalayas? If you would like more information about Bikram Yoga, contact Stephen Webb, Bob Mueller or Erica Carfra at Bikram Yoga Kelowna, located at 555 Lawrence Avenue at 869-0468 or visit their website at (www.bikramyoga.com). Steve Burns, CA, CMC, CFP, is the President and CEO of the Burns Innovation Group Inc. and Steve Burns Inc. Chartered Accountant, which provides consulting and accounting services to entrepreneurs. If you have any questions or comments, contact Steve at 763-4716 or e-mail at steve@burnsinnovation.com. |
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