My journey with Bikram yoga began last November in the midst of training for a marathon. My running partner and dear friend suggested we try it to complement our running as well as to add another challenging component to our fitness regimen. I was slowly recovering from a knee injury from a previous marathon and was determined to train smarter and to keep my knees healthy; thus I agreed to give it a try. I initially came to Bikram yoga for the physical challenge and to add some 'stretching'. I had no idea the profound impact it would have on my life.
I quite often hear horrible stories of one's first class. I can honestly say that I don't remember much about mine other than attempting some strange breathing technique at the beginning and promising myself to never come back! I'm still not sure why I did. Perhaps it was my competitive nature or the positive energy that emanates from the studio, but the little voice inside of me told me to not give up and to try again. I don't recall much from my second class either, but I will never forget the undeniable feeling of euphoria I experienced both physically and emotionally after walking out of the class that next day. I made a vow right then that Bikram yoga would become a significant part of my life.
I continued to come to class 3 – 5 days a week during my marathon training. As my knees got healthier, I became stronger. I ran my second marathon with not only a faster time, but I was amazed at how quickly my body recovered. With the success of the marathon, I closed the running chapter on my life for the time being and opened my next chapter as a yogini. My practice increased to 5-6 days a week and when I heard of the 60-challenge, it was an obvious and desirable goal that I set out to achieve.
As I made Bikram yoga a daily practice, I started to uncover layers of myself that led me through an emotional journey of self-discovery. Staring at myself has been a transformation of building a new inner relationship: to accept the gifts I have been given and to dismiss physical judgments or irrational insecurities. I have begun the life-long journey of learning how to treat my superficial imperfections as my genuine perfections.
This practice has allowed me develop the mindset that my happiness begins with me. Love and acceptance of myself has given me the understanding that I am ultimately in control of my feelings and my happiness. What begins in the mentally and physically challenging yoga studio continues throughout my day. Bikram yoga has been significant to learning that love for myself is the foundation to building healthy relationships around me thus enabling me to live my best life as a wife, a mother and daughter, sister, friend and employee. Such a simple transformation has been an instrumental part of becoming the woman I am today and is an essential component to who I am evolving into tomorrow.
There is something truly special about Bikram Yoga Grapevine. I am so honored to be chosen as the student of the month and so grateful to be a part of such a fantastic studio. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the teachers that pour their hearts and souls into helping us achieve our goals day after day. Each of you brings a unique sense of character that when blended together make an unparalleled group of individuals. I can only hope I can touch others in my life the way that you all have touched me.
