Words cannot describe how honored I am to have been chosen as the November student of the month!
I started my Bikram Yoga journey a little over 2 years ago. At this time I was working 70 + hours a week, eating junk, struggling to get to the gym twice a week, actually considering taking up smoking to control my weight and relying on anti-depressants to keep it all in balance. Even though I was excelling at my career, I was a basically a hot mess.
A colleague suggested I try hot yoga. I was a little unsure how stretching could fix my situation, but at this point I would try anything. So I marched my butt over to the Mockingbird studio and signed up for one month. I walked in that first morning after just polishing off a latte and was on the floor after the first breathing exercise. I realized immediately this was just the challenge I had been looking for; I was instantly hooked. I guess you could say it was love at first breath.
I noticed changes immediately. I was more confident, more energetic, more fit and getting mentally tougher with each class. I weaned myself off the anti-depressants, cut back my coffee intake, began craving healthier foods and drinking more water. For the first time in awhile, I liked who and what I saw when I looked in the mirror.
I also had some professional breakthroughs. I directed my focus and determination on facing the CPA exam and my fear of public speaking. Last year I passed the exam and successfully delivered a presentation to a group of 250 people. (Talk about needing to breathe.)
After achieving all this, I knew I had to attempt the 60 day challenge. With my work schedule, doubles were a must and frankly that scared the daylights out of me. But if you want it, you make it happen. I signed up for my first challenge in 2007. I didn't get the t-shirt but I busted out 45 classes in 60 days and felt awesome. I tried again in January and this time I got the prize: a new perspective on life, a new body and oh yes I got the t-shirt. I recently began my 3rd challenge and each day presents new hurdles, some physical and some mental. As I crawl over each hurdle, I slowly peel back the layers of my weaknesses and in that find strength.
Thank you to all the AMAZING teachers and students at Bikram Yoga Grapevine for continuing to inspire me. I know I could have never gotten this far without sponging off the power and energy you freely float around the yoga room.
