I first started Bikram yoga in Grapevine, Texas in February 2007. My wife, Sharon had been participating in it for a while and wanted me to try it. Her reason was that it would help my bad posture, help with my upper back pains and a strange difference of feeling in my hands and legs. I was skeptical and thought it was going to be one of those fluffy Yoga things that you see on television. I finally gave in and said OK. During that first class, as most of you did, I wondered why I agreed to this form of torture.
Towards the end of February, I found out the real reason for the above listed problems, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
I had a chat with Stacey to see what she knew about Hot Yoga and this incurable neurological problem. She called many studios and asked for their advice, and between us, we decided that I would continue the Yoga and see what happens. Stacey was very helpful, showed a lot of kindness, and gave me a lot of encouragement
This turned out to be one of the better decisions that I have made in my life because Yoga is acknowledged to be very good for MS patients. The problem that some patients have is with the heat. Luckily, I seem to be one of the 60% that heat does not cause exacerbations. I visited the studio about 3-4 times a week until May and then took May off. I did this because my daughter's graduation from University as a nurse and a holiday for our family to England.
Since returning from our vacation, I decided that I would do the 60 classes in 60-day challenge. I figured this would really prove if Hot Yoga and MS get on.
So far so good, there have been no problems due to the heat. Like the rest of the Yogi world, sometimes you have bad practices and sometimes you are, as Carla would say a "rock star" My posture has significantly improved, my arms when raised above my head can touch my ears, prior to Yoga they would be about 30 degrees away from my ears. The pains in my shoulders and upper back has vanished, the strength that I have built up in my legs and back is very impressive. The strength part is very important because that will help me keep mobile in my future years.
If you have MS, give Hot Yoga a go, you will certainly benefit from it unless you are one of the 40% that do not get on well with heat.
The other benefits that I have noticed are that while at work I am calmer and stress free. In addition, for the last ten years or so as a manager I would periodically get very painful stomach pains. Since I started the Yoga, I have not had one instance of pain in my stomach area.
Finally, I would like to thank Stacey and her wonderful set of instructors for all of the support and encouragement that they have given me every time that I have walked into the studio. I would like to offer my extreme and sincere thanks to Sharon and other Yogis that have given me encouragement.
Colin Green
