I'd like to begin by saying how humbled I am to be chosen as the December student of the month. Each time I walk into the yoga studio I am surrounded by an incredible group of people that are all deserving of this honor. It never ceases to amaze me how much positive energy can be created at 5:30 in the morning. I have never been one to be committed to an exercise program for very long. Sure, I have always tried to stay healthy but I have to admit to being pretty inconsistent with a work-out routine. That all changed when I started practicing Bikram yoga in Grapevine. When I started telling my family and friends about Bikram yoga they all thought I was nuts for wanting to enter a room that was heated to 105+ degrees and do anything, let alone endure a 90 minute class. I might have agreed with them during my first few classes, but soon after starting my practice my body began to crave the heat and the detoxification process that followed. It really is like "taking a shower from the inside out." I think it is safe to say that I am officially addicted to Bikram yoga now. One of the things that sticks in my head from the teacher dialogue is "a healthy spine is a healthy life." I might not have thought this to be true before practicing Bikram, but I now find myself quoting it to everyone I know. My back has never been stronger than it is now and I owe it all to the spine strengthening series. Those four postures have made a huge difference in my life. We all carry our stress in different spots on our bodies, and mine happened to be my neck and upper back. I can remember being at work and just holding my neck for hours at a time because I was in such pain. I can happily report that I do not suffer from that pain anymore and it is not because I have reduced the amount of stress in my life, but because of the 26 postures I do in the yoga room. In addition to the physical benefits that Bikram yoga has brought to my life, I can also say that I feel emotionally and mentally centered each time I leave the yoga room. My students would say that same thing as well. I am high school math teacher, and as funny as it may sound, my students can tell when I don't make it to yoga class in the morning before school. I am just a little bit grumpier and slightly less patient with them on days I can't make it to yoga. They have been known to ask me, "Ms. Pizzuto, you didn't go to yoga this morning, did you?" What more of a testimonial do you need than that? I also find myself inspired by all of the instructors at the Grapevine studio. I live for their positive comments like "beautiful rabbit pose" and "nice correction" each class. I try very hard to carry that positive attitude over to my classroom so that I may motivate my students to work hard in class the way I am motivated to work hard in the yoga room. I am thankful that even if I attend the same class every day I have the chance to experience all of the different instructors. Each one of them brings a little something different to the table and that makes doing the same 26 postures a totally different experience…..it just never gets old. I look forward to the continued transformations that I know will occur in my body and my mind as I practice Bikram yoga. I am grateful to have found such a wonderful place to embark on this journey. Namaste, Beth
