August Abundance

Discovering Myself through Bikram Yoga
By Shannon West

When I was first asked if I would consider writing a testimonial about Bikram yoga, I laughed...out loud...in Beth's face...I have so much work to do in my practice, in my life, I haven't 'arrived' yet. Then I thought about how much my quality of life has improved thru Bikram Yoga, I thought about how much I talk about Bikram and my friends at The SweatBox everyday to anyone who will listen...here is my testimonial:

I love food. Mostly I love sugar. I have used food most of my adult life as a method of coping and dealing with the stressful, difficult times...even the celebratory times I always made sure there was some sort of delectable treat(s) around. I always knew I had an unhealthy relationship with food, and I had tried over the years to deal..I read books, I went to support group meetings, I went to therapists. I'm not going to say those methods didn't work, I did see some progress...they just didn't fit with me, I didn't feel like myself in those situations.

The first time I heard of Bikram Yoga was about 5 years ago. I was watching a TV program about health and exercise, and my ears perked up when I heard the person on the TV saying Bikram was equivalent to a 4 mile run cardiovascular...she also mentioned all the health/detoxing benefits but I didn't care so much about that other stuff...I was looking for cardio to help with the weight issues I have. I was a huge fan of jogging and hiking, but my knees are shot from years of extra weight and the knee wrenching activities I was doing. I liked the sound of this Bikram Yoga, I searched online and living in Shoreline the closest studio was in the University District. The first time I tried Bikram Yoga I was hooked! I had never experienced this sort of exercise before. The next day I had sore muscles I never knew existed! I continued to go for a few months, but unfortunately life gets in the way and I couldn't maintain my life as a wife, mom and business owner with that studio's schedule of classes. I noticed The SweatBox on Capitol Hill and other studios, but I knew it wasn't going to work with my schedule.

Throughout the next few years as I continued on my way through the daily struggles and joys of life, I never forgot about Bikram Yoga and on one gray, cold February day I did a random search of Bikram studios online and found The SweatBox had opened up a second studio in my neck of the woods...oh glorious day!! I walked into The SweatBox Shoreline and never looked back, I am home!

I am learning so much about myself through Bikram...I have a place where I can truly be with myself and see myself for who I really am...while I'm standing there trying to grab my foot and sweat is dripping in my eyes...and I kind of like what I see. I continue to learn patience with myself, self acceptance and my listening skills have improved. Inside the yoga studio is one of the (if not the only) places where I can get out of my head, let go of my anxiety, stress, insecurities and fear.

I can see and feel my body being healed from the inside out...I don't have the joint and knee pain that I used to have, I have seen the lab results from my doc of my blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels dropping and last September, I let go of sugar. I have a new way of coping with life junk, and that is walking in the doors of The SweatBox and entering that 105 degree room.

I see that I never will 'arrive', that each day is an opportunity to do the best that I can with the body and mind that I have. I continue to have my struggles and frustrations, that's life, right?! I look forward to progressing with my practice, I have adjusted my work schedule in October so I can complete the 30 day challenge, I am so inspired by everyone who commits to this amazing challenge!

I am so grateful to have found a community in Bikram Yoga and The SweatBox and I look forward to a lifetime of Yoga!

Shannon can be found practicing at The SweatBox Shoreline.

Do you have a personal story to share? Please email Laura.