Steve Gaskin
I first heard about Bikram Yoga a few years ago and even tried to get a couple of friends to go with me for the first time. They seemed to think I was crazy to want to do this. It wasn't until two years ago on my 49th birthday, that my friend Jen Weller brought me to Bikram Yoga for my first class. I won't go in to great detail about it, but to give you an idea of how challenging it was I had a daily smoking habit of two packs of Dunhills. The day before my first Bikram yoga class I quit smoking. The instructor, Karen was very nice and calming so I stayed in the room even though I wanted to leave. I thought I might kill my friend for bringing me, but really she was saving my life.
I don't know what I expected from a yoga practice, but Bikram Yoga has changed my life for the better. Not just my body, but my lifestyle has vastly improved. I am 20 pounds lighter and that is the least important benefit I've received. Working as a stylist-colorist since the age of 18 and managing my first Salon a year later has taken a toll on my body. Standing on my feet all day long for so many years caused my feet and legs to hurt most of the time. A bad car wreck created loss of mobility in my neck and I couldn't turn around and see to back out of my driveway. Overall, my posture had become horrible, I was out of shape and didn't even know how to breathe anymore. That has all changed, honestly all of it. Since I began practicing Bikram Yoga my posture has improved, I have full range of motion in my neck and all the pain in my body is gone!
High cholesterol is common in my family and before I practiced Bikram Yoga, my cholesterol was 310. Today it's now under 200. Without even thinking about it, my diet has vastly improved - it just happened. I never eat right before class and prefer meals 2 to 3 hours before or after practicing yoga. Breakfast consists of a soft boiled egg and a big pile of berries with Greek yogurt. Lunch might include a piece of salmon and a big salad. Dinner is usually a well-balanced meal with lots of vegetables, lean protein and maybe a bowl of cubed melon or fresh strawberries for dessert. I love tea - I am southern! I used to drink a lot of coffee, now a cup or two is fine. I drink plenty of water and suddenly just don't like alcohol. I didn't have a drinking problem and honestly didn't try to stop intentionally, it just happened.
Like just about everyone else, my business has suffered in the bad economy and it has been a giant struggle with a lot of weight on my shoulders. However, I now feel capable of handling whatever comes my way thanks to my Bikram Yoga practice. When you can breath properly it makes for a clearer head.
With less than a week away from completing my first 60 day Bikram Challenge, I now feel Bikram Yoga is a normal part of my life. I belong there and it has become a lifestyle. I had a "bad day" at day 29 but I didn't give up. I came back the next day and the rest has been incredible. At first, I dreaded practicing at the 5:30 am morning classes but they're not so bad after all. The 60 day challenge teaches you that Bikram Yoga really is meant to be a daily practice. I highly recommend it. |
