I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes at the age of 30. Diabetes is an imbalance in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other foods into energy needed for daily life. I have come to learn that maintaining the glucose in your blood at the right levels is all that has to be done to avoid health complications. But it is easier said than done. Having a disease that requires a major lifestyle change and constant monitoring can be very stressful at times. I am lucky that I have a doctor who doesn't believe in "A pill for every ill." He was supportive of my decision to make Bikram yoga part of my diabetes treatment. Any type of exercise is a highly effective part of diabetes treatment because it increases insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar. But Yoga as I learned more about it seemed to call to me. I believe that Bikram yoga is a perfect complement to the lifestyle changes necessary to keep diabetic symptoms in check.
I first learned of Bikram yoga in a Fit Yoga magazine article called " A Pose of Your Own" which talked about finding the yoga style that's just right for you, and all the benefits they charted by Bikram yoga Energy & Stamina, Flexibility, Stress Reduction, Strength, Aerobic workout, and weight loss were exactly the benefits I was seeking from my yoga practice. I started Bikram yoga in February 2004 and on average come to class 4 times a week, and since that time I have been taken off my blood pressure medication, I have lost 30 lbs, and my last HA1C level which is a test that measures your average glucose level over a two month period has dropped from a 9.6% to a 6.1% which is pretty close to the normal target of 6%.
I have come to see my yoga practice as my apple a day and I really believe the phrase should really read "A Bikram yoga class a day keeps the doctor away". Many people have asked me why do you practice yoga and like many others I started for the physical benefits, but I have come to realize yoga is much more than just the physical it helps me be a whole person in the widest and truest sense of the word. My goal is to live the rest of my life in complete health, in mind, body and spirit, and Bikram yoga brings me closer to my goal. It has opened a new way of life for me. I love coming to class and enjoy having so many positive people around me. Everyone I have met has been very encouraging. Thank you Stacey, Sherri, Erica, Jay and everyone at Bikram Yoga Grapevine.
Juan Villegas
