It’s a good day when you’re inspired–inspired to do better, inspired by your work, inspired by a friendship. It’s a great day when you meet someone that is inspiring! After a loooong hiatus, I’ve started practicing Bikram yoga again. It is one of the most challenging yet fulfilling workouts I’ve ever done. There are many incredible students in the classes who continue to amaze me by their ability but none quite like Joni B.
Joni B is there almost every single day and endures the grueling 105+ degree heat along with the challenging 90 minutes of yoga poses. She always has the most beautiful smile, and her eyes are always sparkling. There’s many a class that I’ll sit out a move because of sheer exhaustion and then look over and see Joni B stretched to the max, making it all the way through the posture. Perhaps I should have mentioned earlier that Joni B. is 81! Today was her birthday, and instead of relaxing at home, Joni was in class.
The mind is a powerful thing. If we think we can do better, we can. If at 81 Joni believes she can complete the challenging Bikram poses just like the 20 year olds in the class, she can…and she does!
Here’s to you Joni B. Thank you for being such an inspiration to not only those of us who have the pleasure of sharing an hour and a half of yoga with you but to the many others whose lives you brighten. Happy Birthday! And btw, please forgive me if I’ve misspelled Joni B’s name. I don’t know her last name and simply refer to her as the amazing ‘Joni B’ … Cheers!
A side note….the photo above is of Joni B and her daughter Cathy on the day Cathy completed 60 days in a row of Bikram — a huge accomplishment but something Joni B had already achieved!!!
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