March 2006 Student of the Month Joseph overcomes great obstacles on his path to health. Bikram Yoga is one the best things I have ever done for myself. It has truly changed my life. Mentally, it has given me more peace with myself and the world around me; physically, it has taught me my body could do things I never dreamed it could do. I haven't always been very healthy; now, in large part due to Bikram Yoga, I am in the best shape I have ever been. Diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at a young age (which affected the majority of the left side of my body), I spent years in and out of Scottish Rite and Children's Hospital trying to rehabilitate and strengthen my joints and muscles. After a couple major knee surgeries, I taught myself how to deal with the discomfort and move on. Then, seven years ago, quite unexpectedly, I had a heart attack. I was not the only one surprised--family and friends were caught off guard as well. The causes are unknown, but most likely hereditary; regardless, it made a tremendous impact, and I've explored many forms of exercise since to regain control of my health. Nothing seemed to feel quite right until I found Bikram Yoga. I started off, however, very skeptical about working out in a 105 degree room. The only reason I stuck with it, in fact, was because of a friend. Ten months later, I have found that the benefits still astound me. I never thought I could be as flexible and strong as I have become. It is still hard to believe I couldn't bend my knees more than 90 degrees and now I can sit in fixed firm pose with no problem at all. This practice has illustrated that by having faith, self control, determination, concentration and patience, I can do anything. I've also discovered that by developing control of my breath through Pranayama, I can relax and work through stress with ease. The breathing practices I have learned in class seem to resonate when I need them most. This has taught me that at certain moments, I should just let whatever it is go and let life flow. I know I have so much more to learn from Bikram Yoga, and the thought of it excites me. My journey with this yoga will continue for the rest of life. Thank you for having me as student of the month. Joseph Encinia back to top > October 2008 "I've been doing triathlons for the past 6 yrs. and 2008 was my fastest results ever and I attribute a lot of my success to Bikram Yoga." September 2008 "I have changed in so many ways and accomplished things I never thought possible." August 2008 "I found a place where I can improve my health, reconnect, and calm my spirit." July 2008 "I love the fact that Bikram Yoga is a union between mind, body and Spirit. It's certainly creating strength, flexibility and balance in my body, and I view each class as a mini tune-up." June 2008 "Yoga does not keep you young, it makes you ageless." May 2008 Bikram Yoga met my requirement of being both physically challenging and a high calorie burner. Little did I know that Bikram Yoga would bring so much more to my life. April 2008 "I find Bikram yoga to be a source of endless curiousities, paradoxes, and contradictions. You come for the exercise, and end up meditating." March 2008 "As the T-shirt says, I got a new body, mind, and life." February 2008 'I just recognize myself on many different ways, it was beautiful to be able to do something that comes out of you, it's unique, it's your own creation, that I just I simply fell in love with who I was turning into.' January 2008 'Now over a year and a half later I feel better than I ever have. The best part is that I got what I wanted with my weight loss, but even better after a few months it became so much more for me than the physical change. I began to change as a person.' December 2007 "When I get done with a yoga class, I feel like I have had an intense workout without all of the injuries that my previous exercise routine gave me. I feel physically challenged and mentally more alert and calm." November 2007 "This practice has brought many positive changes...the most immediate was - no more pain to my lower back and left knee." October 2007 "One of the greatest aspects of Bikram yoga is that it is right for everybody no matter where they are or how they feel." September 2007 "...my joints are looser and more flexible. My muscles are stronger. Sleep is deeper and more restful. I've lost weight and inches. My blood pressure is lower..." August 2007 "Every time I walk into the yoga room I know that I'm about to peel away another layer and work out another old injury." July 2007 "I've gained a new attitude toward fitness and realize my health is more important than the numbers on the scale." June 2007 "I found out how important it is to identify pain or stress as it arises and then choose how to react to it." May 2007 "From the beginning I knew that it was something I would stick with, even though I had never done anything like this before." April 2007 "I had been practicing power yoga for 6 years but I found myself just going through the motions. I needed something more challenging and boy did I find it!" March 2007 In the first thirty days, I lost over 6 inches in my chest, waist, and hip area and 4% body fat. But more importantly, I gained a new outlook on life and a better attitude. February 2007 “I had struggled with tendonitis in my right arm for over 15 years (I am a professional flutist) ... I noticed improvement after my 1st class and now have no remaining pain or symptoms.” January 2007 For 11 years we tried to come up with activities that we could do together and have fun. This is our first success. December 2006 "I began to look in the mirror for 90 minutes and love the person that stared back at me, the soul reflected out from me, and the body in front of me." November 2006 "Somewhere deep inside, I had the sense that this yoga was good. I came for the workout but discovered something so much more. I found connection..." October 2006 "After the first 2 months, I had lost 26 pounds, and I am now down 31 pounds! I am excited to come to class, because it clears my mind and I feel great for the rest of the day." August 2006 "...staring at your barely-clothed self in the mirror for 90 minutes can be an eye opening experience." July 2006 "My pain is very manageable now and my strength continues to grow. Not just physical strength, but emotional and spiritual. I'm finding peace with what happened and how it's changed my life." June 2006 My biggest competitor is myself, my own mind, and on that first day after class, I was convinced I had finally found the exercise program that was truly a fit for me! May 2006 "My body has become much more toned, I lost a dress size, and I feel more balanced than in any previous phase of my life." April 2006 "We had been looking for an exercise program and had no idea we would find so much more!" March 2006 "I spent years in and out of Scottish Rite and Children's Hospital trying to rehabilitate and strengthen my joints and muscles." February 2006 "Bikram Yoga Dallas is a strong community of students and teachers whose lives' have been changed by this yoga. It's a fun and vibrant place to be." January 2006 "I have found Bikram has become what centers me, keeps me focused, and gives me opportunity to achieve that balance that has always seemed out of reach." December 2005 "...(Bikram Yoga Dallas) is the best I have ever experienced, and the instructors, both past and present, are unparalleled...I must say the Dallas studio is by far the very finest!" November 2005 "After several months with the yoga, my doctor called me, concerned--he noticed I hadn't been in the office, nor had I needed refills for all my prescriptions." October 2005 This month, instead of a single student, we were so impressed with this family's dedication, we decided to honor all of them as 'family of the month'. September 2005 "... But most astounding (benefits) to me is the words I've heard in yoga translated to my work and family life." August 2005 "The key to Bikram lies in the idea that it is not only a physical exercise for an hour and a half stretch a few times a week, but a twenty-four-hour seven-day-a-week proposition." July 2005 "When my life is in over-drive, Bikram is the carrot that keeps me in the race. I look at it as my reward." June 2005 "The day before my scheduled surgery, as I stood in class, I realized how strong, both mentally and physically, I had become since my injury." May 2005 "This yoga is about so much more than physical feats, it's also about climbing mountains in my mind." April 2005 "...my sleep is deeper and more fulfilling--and with sounder sleep and an energy increase I find myself able to enjoy more activities" March 2005 "I felt scared to come back, that paralyzing fear of failure, but finally the memories of how fabulous I felt while practicing won out over my doubtful self talk." February 2005 "This yoga...has blossomed into a wonderfully effective way of approaching life..." January 2005 "...the effect Bikram has had on my ability to be present with my family." November 2004 "Bikram Yoga has been the catalyst for what can only be called a life transformation." October 2004 "As I continued my practice, I became more intrigued with the "lessons" being in taught in class than the actual workout." September 2004 "...I noticed my body was completely free of pain.... August 2004 "...I started losing weight in all the places where I hadn't lost it before..." July 2004 "In only one week I realized how much of a difference Bikram had made in me..." June 2004 "Bikram Yoga is making me optimistic and hopeful about the future..." May 2004 "I can do things I would never have thought possible a year ago..." April 2004 "When I started, I couldn't balance on my left leg for any length of time." February 2004 "The gauge in my mind and not the one on the wall controls the heat in the room." January 2004 "My body and my mind were working together." December 2003 "I have more energy than I can ever remember..." November 2003 "I've now lost 30 lbs and dropped 3 sizes!" October 2003 "It's the perfect oil can for this tin man!" August 2003 "I feel light, airy, healthy, and less clumsy..." July 2003 Jean and Nathalie continued their phenomenal practices throughout their pregnancies. June 2003 the family that practices yoga together... May 2003 "I've found 2 new holes in my belt, my allergies are a lot less aggravated ..." April 2003 In less than one year he lost 40 pounds, dropped three inches from his waist, and lowered his cholesterol from 236 to 168. Jose Mendez March 2003 Her doctor told her she would be out of the racing scene for a full year February 2003 John started Bikram Yoga June 15, 2002 at the age of 72. home | first timers | what's new | tuition | the studio | about us | postures | testimonials | press Copyright © 2000-2008 Bikram Yoga Dallas. All rights reserved.