"After 30 years of running I have found that Bikram yoga provides a
great balance to the stresses that running puts on my body. Through
Bikram yoga I am increasing the range of motion of my muscles,
healing old running injuries, and my mind is more in tune with my
body. I even sleep better!" -Cathy P.
"I have been running for 7 years (and run 7 marathons) -- I have been
doing Bikram Yoga for 6 months and have noticed a huge change in my
level of flexibility and a reduction in the usual minor muscle aches
and pains associated with running (especially my hamstrings!). I
have also lost weight and inches while gaining strength. What I love
about Bikram Yoga is that it is just as individual as running --
it's all about your body and what your body can do (even on a
particular day) -- not what everyone else is doing. Bikram Yoga has
taught me to focus on every aspect of my body and to go beyond my
comfort zone."
-Kathie S.
back to top
"No matter how many times I leave...
I always come back to it. I have been doing Bikram yoga since January, 2003. I started after coming home from Christmas. My brother had told me about this Yoga done in an intensely heated room. I was intrigued
2002 was not the best year for me. Right after 9-11-01 I lost my job as a Flight Attendant, and moved from Baltimore to Richmond. I had only been on the east coast for less than 2 years and was still struggling to adjust. I was severely anxious and depressed. I had always been on the "moody" side as my mother put it, but this was much worse. I couldn't get out of bed, couldn't eat and frankly had very little desire to live. The medicine they gave me helped but not enough. I was desperate and needed something fast. I am not trying to bring anyone down, but this was my mindset at the time.
In January 2003, I started the yoga and took to it immediately. It whipped my butt (and still continues to do so) but I could feel my mood lifting. I felt healthier and stronger mentally and physically too. I was able to catch myself and think things through. I was able to save myself. Bikram yoga and the medicine I currently take are my key to balance. I don't get as anxious or as depressed anymore.
A few years later along with Weight Watchers I used it to lose 45lbs.
I have let life get in the way of my physical and mental health, and I have allowed it to lead me away from the yoga from time to time. A few months back I was "getting back in to yoga" and was talking to one of the teachers after class. I was complaining that I had let myself go, and she said to me..."I think you like to
torture yourself, you really need to learn consistency." It hit home and made complete sense to me. This yoga is about being consistent. Consistency in my practice will lead to consistency in my life. I want to thank that teacher again because it changed my way of thinking and got me back to doing something that is good for me and the people I am around.
This yoga has and continues to transform me. I have been doing it for 5 years now and I am still learning new ways to improve the whole process."
-Jenn C.
back to top
I am in love
"I am in love- in love with Bikram Yoga! What a fabulous way to exercise not only your body, but mind and soul as well. I have taken yoga classes off and on for 15 years but have never experienced something like this. I used to be a runner but had to give it up after being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis after the birth of my first child in 2002. It was like being kicked in the gut. I was 29 years old and was very active and worked out daily. I had to change my whole workout plan and think about other ways to keep in shape. I continued doing yoga throughout this time and it helped. I had heard about Bikram but was nervous about trying it. I was given the opportunity to try it after receiving a gift certificate from my father. I loved it and was immediately hooked! I have finally found an exercise program that fits. The heat in the room eases the pain of my joints. The smooth transitions between positions gives me the chance to take a gentle approach to stretching. I have only been participating in the classes for a short time and the results are amazing! I have been taken off all of my medications for Rheumatoid, the inflammation in my joints is almost nonexistent, and I have very little if any pain in my affected joints. Thank you for feeding my new addiction. I look forward to more positive results in the future." -Mary Margaret R.
back to top
Knee Injury
"You wouldn't expect a love affair with yoga to start on the ski slopes, but
that's how it happened for me. I injured my knee in a ski accident, and while I
was in rehab my doctor suggested that I try this crazy thing called Bikram Yoga.
'105 degrees?' I thought, '90 minutes? Sweat dripping in my eyes? No thanks!' But
at the time I was living in an unfamiliar city, and since I didn't have anything
better to do I figured I'd give it a try. And that's how my sick love affair with
Bikram Yoga began - and now I couldn't extricate myself from the heat's clutches
even if I wanted to! Over the years, I've tried to get my friends to join me in
the heat, but so far I've only been able to convince a few. In fact, some people
have told me that they'd rather eat barbed wire than go back in the hot room. I
figure it's their loss, though, because they don't know that a class is like a trip
to the gym, the doctor, the dermatologist, and the therapist all rolled into one.
I've been doing yoga for 3 years at BYR, and recently completed my 500th class.
Those 500 classes have changed my body inside and out, and I'm looking forward to
seeing what the next 500 classes will bring! " -Anita G.
back to top
Amateur Triathelete
"In my job, I spend a great deal of time sitting, whether at my desk, in a
plane, or in a car, I am always sitting. Couple this with my very active non-work
life of swimming, biking, running, and family, it has given my hips and legs a reason
to cry uncle. I had hip-flexor and sciatica issues that never seemed to disappear.
I tried all the home remedies only to find that the pain never faded. It was at
that point that I discovered Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga has changed the way I view
stretching and body alignment. I always considered stretching the exercise I did
for the last 30 seconds before I got into my car, but not anymore. I have found
that spending 90 minutes in the hot room focusing on nothing but body alignment
and stretching has improved my core strength and in turn my fledgling amateur triathlon
career. The heat of the hot room allows you to stretch areas that are normally very
difficult to stretch, it flushes all the toxins from your body, and I burn close
1000 calories. I would recommend this to anyone who is doing triathlons or any other
sporting activity where you find very little time for stretching. This will not
only improve your flexibility, but also help prevent over-use injuries. I think
you should judge the results for yourself, spend 90 minutes in the hot room with
the expert instruction, and I think you too will be hooked. I did and now I am believer.
" -
John R.
back to top
Most challenging form of exercise
"Here is my story. A friend of mine convinced me to try Bikram Yoga. I did
not know quite what to expect. I have vague memories of the first class, but something
drew me to come back again. There are many attractions when I reflect on where I
am now versus when I walked in the door for the first time. Bikram is the most challenging
form of physical exercise I have experienced. Prior to Bikram I practiced many forms
of exercise because I got 'bored' with any routine. I was perplexed by the idea
of the same 'routine' for each class. Now I understand that every day is unique
for me with its own sets of challenges, both physical and spiritual. Interestingly
the focus on the physical aspects of the practice allowed me to let go of constant
'chatter' and 'stress' in my mind. My time in class gave me peace from the outside
world. When I started in Bikram I did not like to look at myself in the mirror and
I longed for dim light and corners to hide. I am learning to like what I see and
how I have transformed. I am in my mid forties and have struggled for years staying
centered though life's challenges. Bikram has taught me focus so
that I am able to take with me an ability to better handle what
comes my way. I am a person who for years stressed over finding 20
or 30 minutes a few times a week to exercise and here I am finding
90 minutes even with my demanding job and long commute. A turning
point for me was the yoga challenge. This is the first time I put
taking care of myself first, doing what I wanted to do and to see if
I could possibly keep up. I can't express the feeling of
accomplishment and boost in confidence, and the constant
encouragement of the staff and my new found friends. I look forward
to continuing my practice and learning to take care of myself...my
hope is for a lifetime." - Caty C.
back to top
Ashtanga Yoga Student
"My lifestyle has always been active: biking, running, swimming, skiing, hiking
and camping. In the 1990s, Ashtanga yoga became my passion. I loved every headstand,
handstand, twist and turn as I used my ujai breath to cultivate heat and power my
way into poses. I paid scant attention to the snaking pain that wound its way into
my previously injured and genetically mutated low back. After several years and
several classes, I could not get out of bed, the car, a chair, up stairs or lift
anything without back pain. I tried gentle yoga and a home practice to no avail.
Hmm, this was not good. The doctor, in a stroke of brilliance, diagnosed my searing
low back pain as, well, chronic low back pain. The recommendations were rest (I
gained weight), prescriptive medication (fun for a time) and physical therapy (the
therapist was none too happy to listen to a whining middle aged woman). I decided
to take responsibility for my own health and self-prescribed two weeks of Bikram,
the pain be damned. Well, let me tell you the pain was damnable! It really, really
hurt. From the very first posture, my back began to pinch. I thought I would throw
up after the spine strengthening series. I was certain that the final Savasana (corpse
pose) was really my final Savasana. But wonder of wonders, after class I was pain
free all day and slept through the night without pain. Practicing Bikram three times
a week is, as Beth analogized, like a vitamin. Bikram has made the rest of my
life much better. I am calmer. I happily bike, swim, ski, hike and camp without
fear of incapacitating back pain. Additional Bikram bonus benefits include reduced
menopausal symptoms and slow weight loss (approximately pound/month)! I highly
recommend Bikram to anyone who is willing to suffer a minimal amount of pain to
resolve their long-standing back issues and drastically improve their life. Just
one last word6:00 a.m. Bikram is the best! " - Jayne R.
back to top
Tendonitis, knee pain, and backaches - GONE!
"Having heard about Hot Yoga, I wandered into the Richmond studio about six
months ago the idea of daily classes seemed impossible to me after my first class.
At the time, I was doing about 3 classes of yoga per week. I am now fully an enthusiast
and really enjoy the days when I can do 2 classes in one day. [I would encourage
you to try doubles, the second class has you pre-stretched, opening your mind and
body to take it to your next level.] Here's what I like about Bikram Yoga:
- Lots of opportunity to take the class 21 classes per week, so you can progress in
your practice.
- The heat that detoxifies you and enables deeper stretching. I am a believer in what
they teach about various internal organ function improvements.
- The sense of always being at your personal edge and making your own progress.
- The detailed instruction and positive voice and corrections offered by the teachers
[I literally learn or re-learn a number of details in every class, taking me closer
to my best].
As I near the end of the Yoga Challenge (25 classes in 30 days), let me tell you
about some of my results in terms of health benefits and Yoga mini-goals reached
(for a man in his fifties, although I think age is irrelevant to this practice):
- Lost 8 pounds this month, 20 over 6 months. [For you Weight
Watchers , each class
credits you 5 points or about 250 calories]
- Achilles tendonitis-Gone!
- Left knee stiff from old injury Gone! [I still cant always do Japanese-style kneeling,
but I am literally 4 inches closer in a month!]
- Backaches-Now nonexistent! My inherent core strength and balance are
different. I
feel like I actually walk and sit differently more upright and in control.
- Sleep- greatly improved! My energy has now become higher after class than before,
even after doubles.
- Mental outlook: 'Breathed' my way around an argument, avoiding it and reaching a
great solution. Envisioned new possibilities for my start-up business.
I have a dozen more mini-goals and a long way to go, yet feel enthusiastic about
making some small progress each class and encouraged by the teachers to stick with
it. My special thanks and appreciation to the teachers: each of you has said something
positive to me that truly encourages and motivates. Thank you. "
-Dave J.
back to top
Dance Cross Training
"Bikram Yoga is unique because it combines the meditation of Yoga with a cardiovascular
workout. I have never done anything that made a more profound physiological change
in my body. It feels like a bath for your entire internal physicality. In the practice
you build strength and stretch, along with powers of concentration and focus. I
have found it to not only be a wonderful stress release, but also an effective tool
for coping with stress. It is a great cross training tool for a dancer, especially
if the dancer needs extra cardiovascular conditioning, strength, balance, toning,
or even concentration skills. I would also recommend it to anyone who has a high
stress job and who is looking for a centering, transforming physical practice. "
-Martha C.
back to top
New Addiction
"Bikram Yoga is strangely addicting! In the past, I always made excuses for why I couldn't fit exercise into my day - but with Bikram I find myself not worrying so much about my ever present to-do list because Bikram comes first. When I'm not taking classes regularly, I feel like my life is slightly out of control - I don't eat right, don't drink nearly enough water and find myself complaining about my aches and pains all too often. After preaching good health practices to my massage therapy clients for the past 15 years, I finally feel like I'm practicing what I preach!
Since each Bikram class covers all the types of exercise we need to stay healthy and fit, I feel like I've found the perfect exercise regimen as well as one that gives me the butt-kicking I need. Aside from feeling better and toning up, Bikram Yoga will bring a glow to your skin and improve your sleep. The concentration required to maintain each pose certainly helps us Type A's stay in the moment. Think about anything other than the task at hand and you'll lose the pose.
I'm usually drawn to the slightly off beat and do love a challenge -and Bikram fits the bill!
One note about the teachers at BYR - they are all THE BEST - always encouraging and supportive when you give your best effort!"
-Michelle P.
back to top