I’m not a keep-fit fanatic by any stretch of the imagination, my job often keeps me late at work and fitting a routine of yoga around it can be difficult at the best of times. However, every once in a while I really like to throw myself into Bikram and go to as many classes as I can in a week, or month.
So, I always keep my yoga shorts stuffed in the bottom of my bag on the off-chance I can run out to a evening class at the wonderful Sohot studios. Getting back into it after a while off is always a little bit of a challenge, but I do find it instantly rewarding. Usually by the third or fourth session I’ll have shed a few pounds, my sleep will have improved, and overall added a spring in to step! I’d recommend it to anyone to try a few sessions in close succession and see the difference it makes.
Jim
You are not what you think you are! That’s one big new awareness I have after doing Bikram yoga. You are in fact much better! Physically, spiritually and mentally.
Is it possible I can tell you my short story? Quite some time ago I was in a coma. During this time I had a major organ failure (i.e. all my organs failed - including my brain!). Most of my intestines were cut out cutting right through my core, twice. And my feet were cut into too to attach life support machines. When I finally woke up it took a lot of physio to get me standing and then eventually walking. My balance was affected and my feet were weak and flat having lost the use of the Achilles tendons and several of the toes that help with balance. My core was crazy weak. On account of all my organs failing my body was also weak and my immune system was fragile.
Although some days were better than others I generally considering myself lucky to be alive. I muddled through until a few years later, when my body appeared to begin break down, it became more and more difficult to walk and my kidney, liver, heart etc. were tired. As a result of this I became quite depressed. Then I read about Bikram, attended class and metamorphosis began.
With slow and steady practise at Sohot Yoga, under the tutelage of kind and supportive brilliant knowledgeable teachers, I have begun the journey of putting myself back together. I am now happier and stronger, physically and mentally, than before. Just 4 years ago it appeared I was going to end up back in a wheel chair. Now with Bikram yoga and its seemingly magic effects I stands up straighter, breath more deeply, think more clearly, sleep more soundly, have better skin. Not to mention a lovely yoga bum. People say I look younger. The phrase is often over uses, but Bikram truly is… Life Changing!
I don’t recognise myself from that girl a few years ago. I am still a work in process. I will always do Bkram and will always be so very appreciative of the day I made the decision to come to class. After three years I am still just at the beginning. I keep wondering with Bikram yoga what else is possible?
PS Every class is different… Sometimes it is hard to stand up, Sometimes I am so tired, Sometimes everyone is doing it properly except me, Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, Sometimes I feel elated, Sometimes I feel powerful, Sometimes I feel strong
Elly
Discomfort was the first reason I began to do Bikram yoga. I had back problems and my knees were achy. Additionally, I weighed the most I ever had in my life and I didn’t like this, particularly given most of my life I was athletic and considered myself to be in relatively good shape. It is amazing what a couple of kids and a hectic work schedule can do to the body. My practice began in November 2008, and not surprisingly since then, all my aches and pains have subsided and my weight has dropped dramatically. Another reason I started going to Bikram Yoga was for the excitement of a new challenge and to find an opportunity for some personal development. I have always enjoyed intense exercise, but to be able to find something I wanted to do regularly without putting strain on the body was challenging. I had tried various forms of yoga via DVDs, but had a desire to try a more structured practice. The hope was to find something to devote myself to for spiritual growth and self-improvement, in addition to mental and physical exercise. I’ve found that Bikram Yoga gives you the best of all worlds.
For the first year, I was a casual Bikram yoga practitioner but something more was happening. Over this period, I began to notice changes as I was making small advances in the postures each week. Advances I made in class include being able to pay more attention to myself, and not look around so much. Learning to stand still between poses was difficult, not doing the dance of pain between instructions. This is in addition to the myriad of points in attention required by each posture. Additionally, my lifestyle was changing is a very positive way. Little by little I have seen dramatic improvement in my mind, body and spirit, and now practice Bikram yoga regularly. My class attendance has gone from a casual 2 times per week to at least 4-5 classes per week. There are some days, I do not feel like going, but I go anyway and I am ALWAYS glad that I did.
On the surface, I do Bikram yoga because I think it helps me physically, but I know it has helped me mentally and spiritually as well. It has helped to teach me about how my mind and body work. I can’t think of any other exercise or activity I wish to do. I have further decided to take my commitment of Bikram Yoga to the next level by committing myself to the teacher training in the Autumn 2010. I very much look forward to sharing this wonderful practice with more people in the years to come.
P. T.
Bikram Yoga flows through my veins making me a better person from the inside out. It makes me walk taller, look sharper and think clearer in everything I do.
Bikram Yoga has taught me to focus my mind through challenging my body. The result; a mental clarity that has changed the world around me and an ownership of my body that has enhanced the way I think about myself. Bikram Yoga is my new Rock ‘N’ Roll.
Matt
In 2002 a misdiagnosed prolapsed disk in my spine, left me almost paralyzed, with a partially damaged left leg, and emotionally traumatized. I had to undergo complex urgent surgery to save my back, and afterwards I was in a lot of pain all the time. I was told that the best thing I could do for my back was to stretch, so I started practicing Hatha yoga. Then a friend told me about Bikram Yoga, and how it was supposed to be really healing for injuries like mine. I took my first Bikram class in the spring of 2004. Little that I know that I was about to embark on an incredible journey.
I must admit, it wasn’t easy getting into it, the heat, the pain…….and I was so stiff, there was no way I was going to be able to do some of those positions! Because of a job that took me travelling around the world, I wasn’t able to practice on a regular basis until 2007. Now Bikram is an integral part of my daily life, I practice 5 to 6 times a week, and with the regular practice I have witnessed my body, my mind and my whole life change. I have regained so much flexibility, I am not in constant pain anymore, I am stronger, I have lost weight; in fact I am in the best shape I have ever been my whole life. I can hardly remember that I was almost paralyzed, and my outlook on life is completely different. I no longer work in finance, I have set up my own business and I am living a completely different life.
Bikram Yoga Soho is for me a real community, I have met some extraordinary people here and wonderful teachers who have inspired me to be patient and to persevere, to respect my body and accept its limitations, to practice with integrity and allowing myself to get to my best yoga practice in my own time. I don’t compare myself to other practitioners in the room anymore, because it is my practice, it is my journey. I have kept on coming, with patience and tenacity, I never left the room (ok, except that one time during Fran’s class, but I really needed the loo!), and I have seen that whether we believe it or not, our bodies get there in the end. Now I practice with incredible mindfulness and the class for me is my daily meditation, my way of checking in with myself, of acknowledging what is there to “just be there!” and to do my best, whatever my best for the day is, always. I have learned that you can’t always chose the teacher and believe me, you certainly can’t choose the lesson, because even though the 26 postures sequence is the same every time, we are not. Our bodies and our minds are different every time. Just like in real life, some days are good some days are bad, and all we can do is do live through it with as much presence of mind as we can, without judgment, and do our best, and smile! There are times in which when I practice, I feel that I have gone back many steps and this is very humbling, because it’s made me appreciate never to take my body for granted anymore. But then there are days in which my body is very responsive and I move forward with my practice, and what a joy!
I am now able to do some positions I never dreamed I could do, and I smile at myself in the mirror, in almost disbelief, because I’m mystified by my own transformation. I have overcome a lot of fears in that room, and I have come to trust my body and listen to its silent and wise language, because it always knows what is best for us, and “that” has given me a lot of faith in myself and ultimately in life. It has also made me stronger and able to face the challenges that are out there, because if we can transform and enhance or bodies in the yoga room, than we can certainly do the same for our lives, and if we can enhance our lives, we are happier, if we are happier we are kinder, and kindness is good for us and the people around us. And now? Well, the journey goes on. Maybe teacher training is next.
Lia Lalli
It is surprising to me, astounding really, that I am willing, eager even, to participate seven days a week in form of exercise that lasts 90 minutes, leaves me exhausted, wet and so very peaceful. Bikram Yoga practice is a gift I give to myself, allowing a connection to my body and my mind in a way that is different from any other experience I have had so far.
I expect to tell you more in three years time, but I’m elated with Bikram. I feel the specific studio of SoHotBikram Yoga a true blessing as it’s impeccably run and managed. All of the teachers and staff are truly committed to making the student’s experience special. The vision of the studio is to bring improved health and well being to people’s lives and they have already succeeded in this and more with me.
Natasza Taylor
Having experienced some major challenges over the past 3 years in my life, I would say Bikram Yoga has allowed me to develop the mental strength to deal with these setbacks. Because your body receives a full work out inside and out, you as a person develop more body awareness. You are able to see where your strengths and weakness are and with this insight, develop more.
Advice I would give to anyone wishing to start this practice? Don’t be quick to judge one session, as I hated my first few. Lucky the excellent teachers at Soho (like Jo) had the patience and time to explain what was happening to my body and mind and for that I am forever grateful.
So don’t be shy, give it a go. The teachers and all at Bikram Soho staff are really friendly and easy to get on with; trust me your in safe hands. Also they also have clean toilets and bathrooms. These things are just as important to me as my physical and mental wellbeing, LOL!!!!
Kervin Darvies