Congratulations Maria and Ian Richards!
Maria: I received my first copy of Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class book 8 years ago from my younger brother. He and his wife were practicing in Colorado and trying to get the entire family to go. I read the book, tried the postures, but I just didn't get it. A few years later he emailed a picture of himself doing Standing Head to Knee on the back of a water skiing boat. I was so impressed I put it on my office desk for inspiration. After that I started noticing the Bikram Yoga Studio sign on my way home from For the Love of the Lake events. In the meantime, we weren't couch potatoes, we exercised often and Ian was trying to improve his sore back, bad knees and ankles to no avail.
Finally, last spring, I noticed how my knees were sore from walking and I was stiff after sitting on the couch watching TV. I decided I didn't want to be old at 42. I called Bikram Yoga Dallas and we decided to try a month of classes. After the first class, we were too exhausted to drive home. We just sat in the car and laughed at how this was the hardest thing we had ever done. Biking across Wisconsin was easier than that one class! For some insane reason Ian decided to go back the next day, which meant I had to also. By the third class (in 4 days) I was already dreaming about going through teacher training so my parent's could have a studio to learn in (it's so difficult it must be fabulous for everyone … sounds like my brother). Now after seven months and over 110 classes, I'm discovering more benefits than I first thought possible. My competitive side wants me to be perfect in every posture "today". I've learned, however, that accepting where I am and doing the best I can each day has been as much a growth process as the poses themselves. I'm also discovering how the body changes with mood, food, stress, travel, etc. Yoga has become more than the 90 class, it's a continuous part of the day. As we walk to work, Ian and I talk about the poses, I use my breathing when I can't control outside forces such as being on a plane, and I work on my inner thighs for triangle while driving. The simple act of leaving work daily at 5:15 p.m. for yoga class, because my self-time is as important as work needs, is life changing.
Ian: In my youthful naivety, I played many sports and thought of myself as an athlete. As such, I thought that I was prepared for Bikram yoga. I was wrong. This is the hardest physical activity I have ever undertaken. I have a tremendous amount of respect for everyone who sets foot in the studio. Our first class was 5/10/2006. After six classes we were asked to submit notes of recognition for the upcoming teacher appreciation dinner. I wrote something like - As I lie on the floor towards the end of class dying, somewhere deep inside me I realize that this is extremely beneficial. Now, as of 1/6/2007 after 123 classes as I lie on the floor towards the end of class dying (apparently it was just a flesh wound), I am convinced that Bikram yoga is indeed a worthwhile long term pursuit with many physical and mental benefits. I still struggle with the postures – I can only go half way into half of the postures. Despite this, I've made great strides in my flexibility and stamina. Although I still feel like dying at the end of class, I am encouraged by the teachers and I look forward to challenging myself four to five times a week.
For 11 years we tried to come up with activities that we could do together and have fun. This is our first success. It's the magic of the teachers knowing our names, noticing ways for slight improvement, and seeing us as successes that makes this captivating. It's the students, beginning and experienced, now new friends who share the camaraderie we feel that makes being a part of this studio so enjoyable.
