![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Samartime
My right foot shows no sign of traction as I wrap it around my sweaty leg in an attempt to hold my garurasana, or Eagle Pose. As I return to a regular standing position, I wipe away drips of sweat from my lips and eyelashes and take a sip of water. After holding a standing head to knee pose, I prepare to ease into my favorite of the 26 postures: dandayamana-dhanurasana, or Standing Bow Pose.
The humidity of the air, consistently set to 40 percent, latches onto my throat as I attempt to inhale, filling each breath with steamy moisture. I lean forward and pull my right leg behind me, channeling every thought into sole determination and strength as I adjust my pose in the mirror, trying to maintain perfect balance in this beautiful coupling of heart and lungs, body and soul.
Adding tri-weekly sessions of Bikram to my routine has provided a massive increase of positive vibes in my day to day life. I feel as though I find hidden pockets of energy throughout the day, and I face trials with much more ease and clearer thought. No doubt, my goal two years ago to begin practicing Bikram consistently proved much harder than expected. To anyone wanting to try Bikram, I highly recommend committing to regular yoga sessions in order to develop a more positive mindframe about yoga practice. By the time you step into a Bikram chamber, you will be less likely to give in to the sweltering heat.
I watch myself grow as a Bikram student class after class in the mirror that spans across the studio. I feel my body press into each pose with increasing ease during each 90 minute session, fueled by a desire to be the best yoga practitioner I can be. Stress, chaos, and disorder rise from my body like the heat that permeates the studio after each session. My system feels revitalized, senses awake and renewed.. I test my limits, surpass them, and test them again as time progresses, acquiring a sense of self-satisfaction and giving me goals to strive for. It is in Bikram yoga that I have found myself, and it is in the studio walls that I have found my place.
This piece was originally published in the pages of the Winged Post on Jan. 27, 2014.
Samar Malik is the Lifestyle Editor of The Winged Post. She joined the journalism program her sophomore year, during which she placed second in the International...