How Bikram Yoga Helped in My Pregnancy by Megan Monroe

Michele Kuhns, 38, 60 day challenge champion
I'm not the me that I started with
My friends say my eyes are brighter
I'm not the me that I started with
I'm freer, and I'm wiser, and I'm stronger...
-- Crushed and Created by Caitlyn Smith/Sara Groves/Gordon Kennedy

"What got me here. I learned about Bikram Yoga from a magazine article in Oprah in December. At the time, I had made an emergency return to Arizona to stay with family as my health took a strange turn. I was suffering from a chest cold that I could not get rid of, horrible insomnia, fatigue, and coughing up blood. I felt miserable, was about 20 lbs overweight and was depressed and my doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. The doctors told me to rest while they ran their tests. Feeling let down by Western wisdom, I thought I would see what Eastern wisdom could do.

My first class was a disaster. I was thought I had drank enough water before class (I had not). I thought I would be okay snacking an hour before class (I was not). And I thought I was holding myself back, taking it easy and focusing on just staying in the room (I did not). After rushing out of the classroom, vomiting and showering with my clothes on to cool my body temp down, I am sure my instructor thought she would never see me again. But she did see me again and my second class was the complete opposite of my first. Sometimes you really do have to try things twice.

And on my third class, January 4, I started the 30-day challenge, which would later become the 60-day challenge. Five days into the challenge, I found that I was able to sleep through the night for the first time in about two months. Soon I found all of my other symptoms began to subside. At the end of the 30 days, I was feeling in better health than I had in the previous two years. And I had statistics to support my physical improvement too: I had lost the 20 lbs and found myself going from a 31.5 inch waist to a 28 inch waist and dropped two dress sizes.

More important than the physical impact that Bikram Yoga had on me were the mental and emotional impacts. First, I had managed to consistently practice Bikram Yoga every day for 60 days. Every day. Think about it. When was the last time you did something every day for 60 days? I discovered that being in that hot and humid room helped me improve my focus and lower my stress both in the room and out in the world. And then a crazy thing happened...my self-confidence increased and more importantly, my faith in myself, returned. And from my BYI teachers, I learned two important lessons that I took with me into my daily life. First, there is a difference between doing your most and doing your best and you really need only to do your best. Second, that by not setting expectations for myself, I was also not limiting myself.

And another crazy thing happened. I became part of a community at BYI. Some of my favorite people and close friends I have met through the studio and for that I am truly grateful."

Tapati
In the beginning when my husband introduced me to Bikram yoga I resisted it because I found the heat unbearable and had to force myself to go for yoga. My muscles felt so sore that I couldn't go more than 2 or 3 times a week. However, the inspiring atmosphere at BYI motivated me to go more often. I soon realized that I felt less sore and got more used to the heat when I went regularly. My mind became more focused and my body felt light and fit. Everyone said I looked great! That's when I started falling in love with Bikram yoga. Next thing I knew, I was ready for the 30-day challenge and trying to talk my husband into it. The challenge helped improve my postures and bond with friends at BYI. The happiness that I felt convinced me to continue with this practice for the rest of my life.

John M
Your staff is the best! For me Bikram Yoga at your Scottsdale Studio is the best Mind, Body and Soul exercise on the planet. After a long career in construction, weight training and martial arts, I needed something to repair my body. After the first session I realized the value and understand why professional athletes use Bikram Yoga. 15 Months later I have re-paired and re-shaped the body, re-charged the batteries and re-fueled the brain. B.Y. KEEPS GETTING BETTER. FYI - I see all ages in the class's with similar results! BY works for everyone!

Lisa Vinson
Last year my doctor told me I had to get my cholesterol under control or I would have to start medicating to control it. I was not at all happy about that! So, I started slowly working on adjusting my diet but I knew that would not be enough. So I started attending Bikram Yoga REGULARLY! I have to say the 30 day challenge is what really got me started going every day and now I don't want to stop! Especially after I got my blood work back this year. My cholesterol went from 225 last year - to 165 this year! Even my doctor wanted to know what I was doing to make such a dramatic change. I have to say "thank you" to my Bikram Yoga practice - and the great teachers at BYI who are always encouraging me to continue to do my best each day - and to come back the next day!

Barrett Taylor, 20 Scottsdale
I am a U of A junior who was home in Scottsdale for the summer and I have had allergies to pollen all my life. When I wake up I always have to blow my nose many times until I honk. It is very unsettling to my family. Almost immediately the nose blowing stopped when I took up Bikram Yoga. My mom is delighted and so am I.

Sandi Barrett, 58 Scottsdale
Years ago I nearly broke my hand in a restaurant accident and it flares up and becomes quite painful when I use it too much. Now, thanks to the position on the floor where you hide your hands and elbows and underneath the body and then lift one leg and then the other up and then both legs (the object being to get both entire thighs off the ground), I am much better. At first I could only lift my legs about 1/8 inch and it was really painful to my wrists, arms and hands. It is 12 weeks later and I can get both thighs off the ground and my hand no longer bothers me and I never have to go to the chiropractor anymore. I am most pleased with the results from my practice after only 12 weeks!!!

Mark
Best advice I've followed in a long time; sign up for Bikram! What a great learning and classroom experience. Each day you have the chance to process through each position on your own terms. You are challenging yourself to do the best that you can. The instructors are motivating and accommodating. A tweak here and there and you've gone to a new degree of flexibility you weren't able to do the session before. As a marathoner of almost 60 races, the missing component was working on my range of motion. My flexibility, posture, strength, and most importantly my breathing and mindset are vastly improved. The hot, but very bearable room, helps open the pores and warms up the ability to flex more and do so with little risk of any injury. You're able to watch others or look in the mirror to do that works best for you; there's no competition; it's all about you. Proper breathing, rest breaks, and recovery all add up to a very-fulfilling 90 minute investment in yourself. I highly recommend you give it a try--rates are nominal as well; especially for first-timers.

Kellyanne Kennedy, 45, 60 day challenge champion
"I found Bikram Yoga many years ago while I was searching for a solution to some back pain. After decades of athletic/sports based exercise, with minimal attention to flexibility or stretching, the "minor" injuries were beginning to catch up to me. I found myself haphazardly attending classes -- usually when the back pains would flare up. I thought I knew the benefits of yoga, I had felt them.... obviously I did not. It wasn't until this summer, and the much needed "nudging" from another yogini-want-a-be, that I was able to put together a string of classes that somehow grew into 60 consecutive days. Besides the obvious improvement in my yoga postures, within the first few weeks I was enjoying much more restful sleep, diminished cravings for sweets and alcohol, and a "calmness" during my normally stress-filled day. By the mid-point, the physical changes were becoming apparent. There was a leaner and muscle toned me staring back in the class mirror. I receive compliments on how healthy, smooth and young my skin looks. (I believe that I may have left a few wrinkles in the studio too.) Now that the 60 days are over, I can unequivocally say that this has changed my body and life --- inside and out. Simply put, my body just "runs" better, I think clearer and am much more focused. I could never have made it without the motivation, kindness and guidance from all of the instructors -- they truly are the best thing about the studio. I can't imagine life without it now."

Henry Rozek, 41, 60 day challenge champion
"Having pushed myself at work to a level most would consider unhealthy, I wanted to do something good for my body. Not being fond of gyms, running, cycling, etc., I was introduced to Bikram Yoga by some good friends. We decided to embark on a 60 day journey that not only changed my body into a stronger, more toned, lighter and, most importantly for me, flexible one, but, it changed my mental attitude. It has helped me focus. It has given me more energy and drive for my daily regimen, which before was exhausting. I'm not sure that I could continue to do this on my own, but the staff definitely keeps me coming back."

Denise, 51, practicing 1 year
Condition before beginning Bikram Yoga: Athletic, but smoked a pack of menthols a day for 15 years, diagnosed in 2005 with severe osteopenia in right hip and lower spine.

Results from Bikram Yoga:
"I decided once and for all to quit smoking on July 10, 2006 and walked into my first Bikram class the following day. I have not had one cigarette since, and only experienced one craving all year, which passed rather quickly. I had tried to quit so many times, and Bikram Yoga was my answer. This practice has changed my life in so many other ways as well. I am thrilled with the way my skin looks and feels. I have lost the 10-ish pounds I put on after giving up smoking. My entire body is becoming more toned. My hip alignment has improved dramatically (and I'll report back after my next bone density test). I am doing back-bends and spine-twists and can't believe it! I've been a borderline insomniac my entire life and I am now getting a full 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, waking refreshed. I am more alert at work and therefore more productive (during my last review, my boss commented on the "dramatic change" in me, and gave me a huge promotion!). Digestion is smooth and natural, and my diet has naturally evolved to more wholesome foods and I think that is one of the keys to getting the most from this practice - when you let your body tell you what to do, the results can be amazing. I love my teachers at the BYI - they are talented, attentive, warm and supportive. I intend to practice Bikram Yoga as long as I am able."