For the past year, I had been running 2 to 3 miles a day 4 days a week, attempting to reduce stress from work and hopefully lose a little weight in the process. I lifted weights when I could, but would often work too hard and burn out easily. I was also battling ankle and shin pain a good amount of the time. I managed to lose a whopping seven pounds over the year, but running was not fun anymore and the stress from work similarly was not going away.
I had done yoga on my own from 2000 to 2002, and a friend of mine mentioned joining a group class to increase motivation, so I decided to try a studio. When BYD popped up on an Internet search, I recalled another friend mentioning a Bikram class and declaring it "HOT". For me, I reasoned, it would be relatively easy, as I enjoyed the heat and had been running in 100 degree weather for the past year. Wrong!
I did my regular 2 mile run a couple hours before hitting my first Bikram class. Let's just say I was happy to make it out alive. I had never been so fatigued and so exhilarated at the same time! I knew the first day this was the exercise for me. After 2 weeks, I decided to join the 60-day challenge, which deepened my practice completely. David helped me create a special 1700 calorie a day or less diet, and I began my 60 days. There were times I struggled, experiencing cramps, aches, and pains, but David and Karen assured me this was normal and encouraged my continued efforts. Two things they said stuck-- "Just keep coming to class" and "Breathe through it." It worked.
After the first 2 months, I had lost 26 pounds, and I am now down 31 pounds! In the past month, my practice has grown even further. I am excited to come to class, because it clears my mind and I feel great for the rest of the day. Funny thing is I hated head-to-knee when I started, and now it is one of my favorite postures.
I've noticed an enormous change with work through my practice. During the first 3 months I started doing Bikram, I was working 7 days a week, between 65 and 70 hours. At final count, I had 4 non-consecutive days off in 55 days. Without this yoga, I could not have handled such an intense work schedule, but I came to class averaging 4 times a week and felt the stress of work melt away.
I want to thank David, Karen, and all the instructors at Bikram Yoga Dallas for the positive and fun atmosphere this studio offers, and the opportunity to change our lives.
