First of all, what a wonderful surprise it was to find out I was chosen for student of the month. I have so much admiration for all the dedicated students in class and consider it an honor.
After moving to the area last summer, I was on a quest to get healthier and fill the extra time I had on my hands when my youngest daughter went to college. I had taken yoga classes in the past – so I decided to try Yoga again. I did a search for studios in my immediate area. Something about the challenge of Bikram Yoga intrigued me as I looked at each of the websites. Plus, the studio is within a mile from my house. My first thought though was "I have to lose weight before starting classes". Nevertheless, I called the studio and spoke with Jay. He convinced me to start the Yoga and the weight would come off.
On October 7 of last fall, I walked into my first class. Wow, I was SO out of shape and needless to say, struggled with every pose. Actually, I couldn't do any of them, but I tried and felt great afterwards. Sitting in my car after class, I cried with a multitude of emotions including happiness for going to class but also sadness for neglecting my body for so long. I went back the next day as recommended, then again and again. Three weeks later I had a doctor's appointment, got weighed and had lost 5 pounds! My doctor asked me what I was doing and I told her I had recently completed 10 classes of Bikram Yoga. She said "go back and sign up for 10 more classes!" Soon, people starting making compliments about my complexion, my posture and on top of it my clothes were getting looser. I had to take a stack of pants to the tailor to be altered and by the time they were ready, they were too big again!
In the last six months, I have gone to class as faithfully as my travel schedule allows; I travel to west Texas quite a bit for work and there are no Bikram Yoga studios there. My goal is to schedule myself for a sixty day "no travel zone" sometime this year so that I can take the 60 day challenge.
At this point, I have lost 27 pounds and I want to lose 25 more. Additionally, my immune system is healthy again. I have had only one cold since starting class; not bad for someone who travels by plane as much as I do. Even better though is my mental state. I am much calmer, happier and at peace. My yoga practice has strengthened my mind and continues to do so every day. Before every class, I read the five aspects of the mind according to Bikram for inspiration: Faith, Self Control, Determination, Concentration and Patience. I remind myself that yoga class is MY time and I thank myself at the end of each class for taking the time to attend. This is one of the things I love most about Bikram Yoga. In my heart I know that this Yoga practice will be my "fountain of youth".
Finally, I want to thank David, Karen and all the instructors for their patience. I learn something new every class and they are all eager to answer any questions before or after class.
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