ANNIE
Don't ask me about Bikram Yoga; I'll go on for hours! Before I started practicing Bikram Yoga in 2006, I had regular headaches, low energy, and a racing mind. My first few weeks of class were excruciating. I couldn't touch my toes, stand the heat or relax my mind at all during the 90 minutes. Every day was a challenge like I'd never experienced before. I'm not sure why I kept coming back, but I'm glad I did.
After a few weeks I started to notice improvement in my postures. Postures that I thought I could "never" do were beginning to feel possible. Later, I noticed changes in my body. I lost most of my college weight and started to develop a little muscle tone. I experienced increased energy and concentration throughout the day.
Most recently, I have noticed significant changes in my mind. I've developed the patience and acceptance to effectively respond to events at work and in life that would have derailed me before. The difference amazes me!
My mom and dad now practice Bikram Yoga, and recently my sisters started too. The benefits they have experienced are incredible. There's nothing better than seeing the people I love do something good for themselves. I feel lucky that we are able to incorporate Bikram Yoga into our lives, and am thankful to all the staff at Bikram Yoga Dallas for providing such supportive environment in which to practice.
DIANE
In 2007, my daughter Annie introduced me to Bikram Yoga. I was hooked right from the first class! The physical and mental benefits have been truly amazing! Practicing Bikram Yoga 3-5 times per week for the past year, has not only given me more strength and flexibility, but an inner peace that I was able to find elsewhere. I've developed a greater sense of focus and mental discipline, as well as the ability to deal with the daily stressors of life. Bikram Yoga has helped me eliminate toxic energy and gain perspective in my life. After each class I feel extremely calm and relaxed. Bikram Yoga has changed my life, and I feel great! I also want to thank all the teachers and staff at Bikram Yoga Dallas for their dedication to Bikram Yoga, and for creating such a supportive, warm and friendly environment at the Dallas studio!
JIM
After I turned 50, my health might well have been described as "deteriorating". In the Spring of 2008, I underwent back surgery for nerve impingement causing unbelievable pain in my heel. Then in August 2008, at age 52, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had prostate surgery on September 15, 2008. Thanks to early detection due to diligent annual check ups, it went pretty well. As I think back on 2008, I don't think the surgeon saved my life. That's meant for a higher power. But, I firmly believe surgery saved my future.
It also led me to Bikram Yoga. Here's why:
The first Sunday of 2009 my oldest daughter, Annie, caught me off guard early in the morning and made a strong, determined and heartfelt plea for me to try Bikram Yoga. (She and my wife had been practicing together for months.) She stated that she wanted me around for a long time. Since I had recently undergone surgery, and had abandoned exercise some time ago, she was worried about my health. I succumbed. I took my first Bikram Yoga class that very same day.
It was horrible! I was terrible! It was too hot! I had to pee! (thanks to the recent prostate surgery). I was completely self conscious in the classroom. However, I did make it through the first class without leaving, so Annie told me she was proud of me. That made it all worthwhile!
So I went back…and back…and back. I have been attending classes quite regularly since January – probably averaging every other day.
So let me tell you what I've experienced so far:
1) I sleep through the night now.
2) I wake up and get out of bed with very little aches and pains. My neck and back do not ache as much as they did.
3) I am getting stronger.
4) Bikram Yoga has been a terrific family bonding activity – with 4 (maybe even, 5) of 6 of us attending regularly. There's a common interest that spills into our daily conversations now.
5) And I actually look forward to going to the studio…at least every other day!
This yoga is the most difficult exercise I've ever experienced. Tougher than the 4-6 miles/day I was able to run years ago, the several years of personal training sessions I've paid for, the 10 mile bike rides around White Rock Lake, the countless hours spent playing basketball, and even the 1-mile swim in the pool. Best of all, the recovery time following the 90 minutes of yoga is amazing!
I couldn't be more pleased with my Bikram practice. And I very much look forward to doing it for years to come.
SUSIE
For the past few years, I lived away from my family in Kansas City. I visited Dallas often, and every time I came home my older sister Annie asked me to come try Bikram Yoga with her. I am a runner and sports fanatic so didn't think I would be able to stand yoga. I thought it would be too boring, without enough action. But she kept bugging me to go. Eventually, I got annoyed hearing her talk about all the benefits and how I needed to try it once eventually. So finally, last year, I said yes. It was pure torture, but I felt amazing afterward. I told her that I'd keep up with Bikram in Kansas City (there are Bikram studios all over the world!).
As great as I felt after that first class, I didn't ever practice in Kansas City. I continued my very active lifestyle of running and playing soccer, which kept me healthy. Running grew painful due to the Iliotibial Band Syndrome in my right knee, and the elliptical machine became the next best thing. But with the pain in my knee, Bikram Yoga was still on my mind. So three weeks ago, when I moved back to Dallas, I started coming to class and practicing on a regular basis. In that short time period, I have already seen changes in my body and an increase in flexibility. My soccer legs will not allow me to perform some of the postures correctly, especially Lotus pose, but I hope that will change in the coming months.
