Ahhhhhhh! 50+, hot flashes and Bikram Yoga. Can it get any hotter?
I am honored to be student of the month for July. Be aware new yogis, you do not have to have perfect postures to be student of the month.
My journey to improved physical fitness began after the death of my mother in 1996. For most of my life, my mom's mental health prevented her from recovering from physical ailments she suffered from. The last 6 years of her life, she gave up on living, making her life and everyone around her miserable. I'm not sure when I made the decision but during one frustrating period I told my self I would make changes in my life so that my children would not experience the anger, frustration and sadness I felt during her illness and after her death.
I smoked for 20+ years and although I did not have any physical problems at the young age of 43, I was an emotional wreck. I learned I would become a grandmother soon after my mom's passing and I remembered the vow I had made. I consulted a hypnotist who helped me stop smoking. In March of 1997, I joined Bally's Health Club. Early on, I found I am much more motivated participating with a group. My workouts prior to coming to Bikram Yoga consisted of two 45 minute spin classes each evening twice a week with an hour kick box class in the middle. On Saturdays, I arrived at the gym at 8:00 am and participated in a 45 minute spin class, an hour boxing, an hour of weight training and an hour of Pilates mat. I continued this routine for years until I learned of Bikram Yoga.
No matter your fitness, I think age will eventually make you modify your routine. The boxing was killing my knees from jumping and kicking and my wrists/elbows from punching. I wore wrist protectors for carpal tunnel on both arms while at work to ease the pain. I would wake at night and both arms had that tingly feeling you get when your hand falls asleep. Advil became part of my daily intake. I knew I needed a change but I was not sure where or what I wanted to move to. Another Bally member who had been out a few weeks due to a knee injury mentioned Bikram one day in a spin class. It sounded great. I loved Pilates mat and my perception was the yoga would be similar. Not!
I came to Bikram for the first time at the end of May last year. I took a week of vacation to give it my best shot. I thought I would do yoga in the morning and continue with my spinning in the evening. Sherri was the instructor that first day. I remember her telling me she didn't get many newcomers in the 5:30 class. Once class was over, I knew why. I was amazed at the intensity. I thought I would surely pass out from the heat. My heart rate went up as if I were doing an uphill climb. I couldn't breath and as much as I complained at the gym about sweating during workouts, I had no idea I could sweat even more. I did not get back to Bally's until Bikram Grapevine closed for a day due to remodeling. It was a one day visit.
Bikram Yoga is still an intense workout for me. It's as mentally challenging as it is physical and that's what I like best. It's been a little more than a year since that first day at Bikram and almost ten years since my fitness journey began. Lots of things have changed. I've changed my routine from the afternoon to the morning class 5 days a week and I love it. I'm more calm and relaxed at work and home. I don't take Advil every day or wear wrist protectors. My strength and balance have improved so much during this year. I am able try each posture twice, focus more and not beat myself up if I do have to take a break. I'm excited my daughter, son-in-law, son and husband have recently joined a health club to begin their fitness journey (I see future yogis coming). Sherri will tell you it is normal these days to have new students in the 5:30 class. The best part…I'm not angry any more.
The ladies and gent at Bikram push me to try my hardest in class. Their encouragement throughout instruction is sometimes the extra oomph I need to hold those few seconds longer or focus more. Thank you, Sherri, Sami, Stacy, LaDonna, Carla and Jay. Thanks for keeping the instruction dialogue flowing and providing enjoyable tales when my mind is desperately seeking relief from the heat.
Thanks Michael G for introducing me to the tasty green shake at the nutrition seminar. It looks ghastly but tastes great. It has really helped me keep my energy when sweating so much in class.
Thanks also to my fellow yogi's. Every yoga day I hear "Your strength is My strength" and it is so true. I stood next to Kylie on a rare day that she was not on the front row and I wowed myself.
Special thanks to my family for understanding how much I value maintaining a fitness program. I don't do yoga for my children's benefit anymore. I do it for me. I've learned how important it is to take care of me if I want to be around to enjoy my family. My grandsons, Chance (8), Colt (5) and I are already discussing their high school football/baseball games and season tickets to the Rangers. I'll be their biggest fan! We've established the most important rule for the Rangers baseball games. Chance will drive but no girls except Nana and their newest cousin Taylor (almost 1).
- Donna Wartelle
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