Steve Riederer
It's a great honor to be student of the month. I am surprised to even be considered given the state of my triangle posture - which on some days looks more like a trapezoid or octagon! But I love Bikram yoga! It's has made a big impact on my physical and mental well being.
I didn't come to Bikram from a weightlifting or running injury. I would have to lift weights or run to do that! I never worked out all that much at all in my life. I prefer napping under a tree like Ferdinand the Bull. But I have known about Bikram for a long time. In 1998, a good friend took his first class, got all fired up and went to teacher training immediately. He used to talk about it a lot. He talked about the breathing. He said these yogis were performing these postures not just to be in the posture but to breath normally when they got there. I still felt too out of shape to try it. I had an image in my mind of unbearable physical exertion and heat. Eventually my lifestyle choices started to manifest themselves in 3rd chins and the need for new belts. Something had to change. It was under these conditions I came to Bikram yoga in February of 2008.
It was hard at first but I felt incredible even after those first classes. What's the word? Salubrious? Very quickly the sequence began to make sense and the heat became not that big a deal. I began to love the breathing part of class. I still do. Sometimes I look at class as really just an intricate breathing exercise. Going to class became a part of my life, something I looked forward to doing. I lost a bunch of weight too. I got a lot of compliments which felt great but the truth is the metaphysical benefits of Bikram yoga were bigger than the physical benefits. I am not capable of explaining why but doing this series consistently has brought me peace and serenity. I think the breathing and stretching helps control the mind - the ego. I was actually complimented by a client for being patient - that never would have happened before this yoga believe me! There's been a lot of changes - all positive.
So if you are out of shape and driving past Bikram Yoga Mockingbird to go to Burger House like I used to all the time - think about coming in for a class. It's not all type A, stick figures doing perfect poses. There's people of all shapes and sizes getting their stretch on and the teachers are all great. All you have to do is get your butt into class and focus on your breath!
