The Studio

I started practicing Bikram Yoga just under a year ago. Me: an out-of-shape chubby-asian guy with bad hair who could barely see his feet from his stomach, much less 'lock-the-knee'.

In my dri-fit tank and shorts (embarrassed at the damage I had done to my body through poor eating habits, sugar-ladened beverages and lack of exercise), I struggled to STAY in the room those first few classes... my feet and fingers were burning, copious amounts of sweat coming out from places I never knew sweat could come out from! Gasping for breath, I looked around in amazement at the form of the regular practitioners; originally thinking "I could NEVER accomplish that!".

Stayed in the room I did - and kept coming back. Nothing worthwhile in life ever came easy - with the positivity, encouragement and guidance from all the amazing instructors - I started to gain little improvements... and the benefits.

I came to the realization that all the damage I had done for the sake of money and material things was not going to be easy to undo, that it was going to take time, and effort.

I was THAT someone in his first few classes who NEVER thought his forehead would ever touch his towel, or that he would ever be able to suck in his belly to have his face touch his knees/legs, but over the months that followed - my forehead DID touch, my chubby face got to see the sweat coming down from my knees, and for a few seconds I LOCKED MY KNEE. With continued practice over the months; the improvement from teachings, I gained more and more of the benefits.

This is coming from someone who once was a 36-waist (with the jeans and pants to prove it - not to mention the picture that appears every time I sign-in to remind me of where I once was), who's now down to a 32-waist.

Someone who would drink two triple-shot Venti lattes and a grande-pick-me-up in the evening every DAY for years and years. I no longer drink coffee. Mind blasting eh?

I found Bikram Yoga at the right time in my life, and there's no question in my mind how much this yoga - especially with the most wonderful inspiring instructors and students at BYR - has helped and continues to help change and challenge me.

New student: you inspire me. I know how much your feet, face and fingers are burning. I know because I've been there and I feel it too. I also know how much of a struggle for you to stay in the room is. If you are doing it, I sure am!

Regular practitioners: you inspire me. You show me how much I can improve, and where my practice can go forward.

There's always a place to improve - something new to learn - about my Bikram yoga practice, and myself - with each and every class.

I have good practice days, and days that are a constant struggle.

I know that I have much more to learn, and improvements to make.

After all, we're all sharing in the positive energy of the experience.

Namaste.

"It was late 2005 the first time I heard of Bikram Yoga as I sat in the waiting room for my scheduled massage therapy. My therapist was always recommending that I follow the massage session with stretches during the week to help alleviate the pain I experienced for tight muscles in my neck, shoulders and upper back. As New Years 2006 approached I thought I would try this new hot heat yoga. To my surprise I truly hated almost every 90 minutes! At the end of class I verbally let my feelings be known to the owner, Dave. His response was "Great, they usually make my best students. " I knew I was in the wrong place! However the cost at the time for new students was $20 for 2 classes. Wanting to get my money's worth I would try it ONE more time. I still hated the heat and challenging poses but not as much as the first time. I was prepared to give this new type of exercise (for me) a chance. The bonus was I noticed my ability to stretch deeper each class. Now at the age of 55 and 5 years later I am still a student, however, my massage therapist is down one client. The stretches have provided me with the ticket I needed to help myself. Thank you Bikram Yoga!"