Al

I started practicing Bikram Yoga to lose weight and tone my body.  My niece Dawn was first to practice Bikram Yoga and explained how challenging yet rewarding it was.  Although I was tempted to start, I procrastinated for a while since I wasn’t sure how I’d do in class.  Then one day at work I met a co-worker I hadn’t seen in a while and she looked great.  I asked her what she had been doing to look so toned and thin and she said Bikram Yoga.  That’s all I needed to hear!  I started a few days later and now I’m hooked!

I’ve experienced both physical and emotional benefits from my practice.  On the physical side, I have dropped over 40 lbs.  I know that is hard to believe but it’s true.  When I started practicing, I weighed 205 lbs.   I now weigh just over 160.  Yoga practice has also changed my eating habits.  Prior to taking yoga, I almost never drank water.  Now I drink plenty of water and crave more fruits and vegetables.  I have also seen improvement in my overall muscle tone and energy level, and require less sleep than before (8 hours per night instead of 9-10 per night).

On the emotional side, one of the most profound benefits that I’ve experienced is the ability to put both my mind and body in a state of harmony.  I have seen such a vast improvement in my ability to meditate and concentrate.  I also feel much more relaxed throughout the day and have an renewed sense of control over my life.

Regarding postures, Standing Head to Knee Pose is my favorite and most challenging posture.

What amazes me about Bikram Yoga is that one day I could feel like a superstar and have the best class ever, then come back the very next day and have the most difficult and challenging class ever.  Yet regardless if it was my best class or most difficult class, I always leave feeling proud of what I was able to achieve.  Each class leaves me with a great sense of accomplishment knowing that I did something so good for my mind and body.  The milestones I reach each day in class, whether big or small, are what really motivates me to keep coming back, because in the end I know that it is all paying off.

Since practicing, I’ve experienced such a vast improvement in my overall physical and emotional health and vitality.  For me, the benefits are many: weight loss, improved muscle tone and strength, enhanced concentration, motivation, relaxation and stress-relief.  I now see Bikram Yoga as one of my most valuable tools to maintain a healthy and vivacious life.