July 2003
“Yoga works for my lifestyle,” says Robert Blumberg, July’s Student of the Month, and, having been a flight attendant for eleven years, that means a lot.
For one thing, Robert’s lifestyle takes him literally on the move. “Working in a small space on an airplane which his constantly moving up and down and around, I need to move smart,” says Robert. He claims that Yoga helps him strengthen his balance and physical awareness, which, in turn, helps him to avoid injuries associated with the erratic and sometimes sudden movements of the plane. The mind/body connection yoga fosters is critical in a working environment like his.
Needless to say, flying can frequently present stressful situations such as passenger misconduct, emergencies or violent turbulence. Robert reports that Yoga is a “calming force” that helps him stay cool under pressure.
Yoga works well for Robert as well because he can find it or “take it with him” wherever he goes. Robert has practiced Bikram’s Yoga from coast to coast in Miami, Boston, Denver, Dallas, Portland, San Diego, Las Vega, and Los Angeles. “If I can’t find a studio,” Robert explains, “I’ll practice the postures in my hotel room. It’s obviously not as hot as a studio, but it helps keep me limber and my muscle memory in tack.”
Whenever Robert’s home in the Bay Area, you can be sure he will be attending classes at the Burlingame studio every chance he gets. As teachers, we all look forward to his arrival. Robert’s practice is precise. Every movement he makes is consciously executed with attention to form and detail. It’s inspiring watching a student who is seriously practicing “in the moment” with 100% effort. And it’s inspiring knowing that he practices that way WHEREVER that moment might be.