My journey with Bikram Yoga started nearly four years ago, shortly after the opening of the Grapevine studio. Like so many new yoga initiates, I had no idea what was in store for me on that first day… a dark room, silence, 105 degrees … but I was not encouraged. In fact, I remember my first class on a Friday afternoon at 4:30 and feeling somewhat afraid of what might happen me. I hadn't told a soul I was doing this, so what if I had a heart attack and died in the heated room? Who would know? Well, of course I didn't have a heart attack, but I point out my fear because this yoga is so foreign and much different than most things we do in our lives. Foreign because where else do we challenge ourselves for 90 minutes in a 105 degree room? Different because what other activities do we undertake that give us the determination, focus, persistence, strength, flexibility, and balance that Bikram Yoga provides? What has kept me coming back over the past four years and 700+ yoga sessions? It has taken the determination, focus and persistence that this yoga provides to bring me to where I am in my practice to date. It has not been easy. I've had problems with lower lumbar spine degeneration and associated hip pain from years of running and general wear and tear that have made many of the yoga postures nearly impossible to execute with any amount of grace and ease. But, over the past six months, I've felt my body getting increasingly stronger and I find myself more capable of doing all 26 postures with energy to spare. This hasn't been a miracle cure. It's been a commitment to trust the process. The many, many benefits of this yoga do not all happen overnight. But they do happen. I can attest to that. Of course, none of this happens without the guidance, support, and enthusiasm of Stacey, Sherri, LaDonna, Teresa, Sami, Jay, and Carla. Thank you all! It doesn't happen either without the energy and support of each and every fellow Yogi and Yogini. Thank you!
- Sarah Drake
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