I started coming to Bikram Yoga 4 years ago. I was a tired marathon runner who came to class on a dare. I came with an ego and left humbled. In the beginning I was the person in the class that wiped the sweat after EVERY posture. I moved because I was uncomfortable and looked around because I couldn't look at myself for 90 minutes. My muscles were tight in my legs because prior to yoga all the stretching I did was touch my toes for about 2 minutes before I ran. My back and shoulders were tight because I hold ALL my stress there.
Four years later and four surgeries later I am a transformed yogini. My balance in the class has improved immensely, but it has also improved outside the classroom. The term breathe is not just a word, it is actually an action I perform during stressful times in my day. It's amazing what the body will do when it gets six seconds of deep, clean air.
After each surgery it took me less and less time to recover. After my first surgery it took me awhile to get my practice back to where it was before the surgery. However, after the second, third and fourth it took less time to get back to where I left off. By the last surgery, I was practicing before my cast came off my leg!
My physical strength is better both in and outside the class. My mental health has been the best it's ever been. Yoga really does give me balance and when any part of my life is out of balance I can see it in the classroom. My yoga practice has been more evident on the inside rather than the outside. I haven't lost tons of weight or gained huge amounts of muscle. For me, my yoga practice has had more of a calming effect. I have slowed down and taken more time for myself and it has been beneficial for me in my sleep, my stress, my organs and my immune system.
Thank you Stacey, Sherri, Sami, Carla, Jay and Jorina for helping me transform my body, my mind and my spirit. I truly couldn't and wouldn't have done it without your helpful words each and every class! I appreciate all the things you do to keep me healthy and sane. I can make it through a class with out getting dizzy, I can look at myself for 90 minutes, and can stand still and even lie still on the floor.
Carrie Hein
