My journey to yoga began just over 4 years ago when I was living in Brooklyn, NY. A studio opened 4 blocks from my apartment, and I was told that it would be "amazing". I thought to myself, I'm from Houston, I know what heat and humidity are. Bikram ain't for me. Plus, I couldn't even imagine what it would be like to go into a room and try to balance on one leg or "meditate" - pshaw! After a little coaxing I went into the room, and have been going back ever since.

The short time that I practiced in NY really changed my life. It taught me that I could face things that on the surface seemed insurmountable. However, with determination, I have learned to deal with, and take things as they come. It has also taught me that I could, can and do adapt to change, and in adapting, I grow. Now don't get me wrong, sometimes that growth hurts, but the end product is well worth it. My practice has evolved so much since I started, and it never stops changing. Just at the moment when I think I've reached my limit, my body shifts a little telling me that it can do more...or, it says no Geoffrey, not today. But, that's why I keep going back into the hot room. Even with the same postures, the practice is always different and challenging.

The challenge has come again, and this time it's in the form of a carpet covered box at the front of the room. I never thought that 4 years would bring with it so many wonderful blessings and challenges, but becoming a teacher is something that I feel will benefit me both in and out of the hot room. From reluctant first-time student to nervous first-time teacher, Bikram Yoga has changed my life...AGAIN! I'll see you in the room.

Namaste!

What?!! Me, student of the month??? But Taz, there are so many other students that are so much better than me! I can't do Standing Head to Knee or Toe Stand! These thoughts went through my mind when Taz first asked me to write about my yoga experience (really, honored is the better word).

When I first started in 2002, I was a 1-2 times a week practitioner for about 2 years. I saw physical benefits, but I was not highly committed. When the studio closed down, it was very easy to find excuses for not seeking another studio. Over the next 6 years, I gained weight, and ended up on Thyroid medication. Each doctor's visit saw an increase in dosage to a final high of 150 milligrams per day. Fast forward to 2010, when an upcoming trip to Italy finally motivated me to get off my butt and get into shape. I had practiced at Pearland Bikram Yoga a few times in 2009 and early 2010, but again, I was not highly committed. It was hot, after all, and uncomfortable, and a thousand other complaints. But for 2 months before my trip, I was a regular. I was committed. I lost weight. I felt good! After the trip, I wanted to keep feeling good, so I kept coming. I kept working. I kept sweating, and it paid off. Since July 2010, my Thyroid dosage has dropped to only 88 micrograms, a huge decrease! My clothes fit better. I feel better. I have more physical and mental energy. I exercised my determination and completed my 3rd 10-day challenge in 3 months, something I once believed I could never do.

All of this by being in a hot room for 90 minutes and allowing certain words to direct my body and my mind.

There are a lot of words spoken in class. Some are fun like "Party Time". Some are almost unpronounceable. Some I hear everyday, but don't always give much thought, like "breathe". One of those words is "Change", a word I tend to resist. For some reason lately, it has really been going through my mind as I struggle to hold a posture, or even to peel myself off the mat for a second set of Camel. Maybe what I need to change is my perspective on the concept of "Change". Is it only a directive or command, or could I see it as an invitation to something new or better? As an invitation, my whole attitude shifts. "Change" becomes a positive, empowering opportunity for me to respond to. Plus, the natural response to any invitation, whether accepted or declined, is "Thanks". Yes, thank you, I would like a healthier, stronger, more-fit body. Yes, thank you, I would like to breathe and keep my cool in stressful situations. Yes, thank you, I would like to challenge myself by doing something new, different, hard, and outside of my comfort zone.

A thankful heart is a grateful heart, and a grateful heart is a rich heart. So when I hear "Change" 26+ times in class, I now try to see it as an invitation to be rich in blessings.

I pray you too will be richly blessed, and I hope to meet y'all in Toe Stand very soon!

Namaste!

Although I was relatively healthy, I realize that my health started to degenerate in my 20's. I managed to stay slim and maintain my energy levels, but I had problems that I could not get rid of. I struggled with some digestive problems, PMS and frequent migraines. I took aspirin daily.

All of this changed when I became pregnant. My pregnancy was difficult. I had a lot of bed rest that increased as the pregnancy went on. I gained a lot of weight right from the beginning. Towards the end of my second trimester my doctor told me that I simply could not gain any more weight so I did what I had always done. I cut back on my eating. I developed pre-eclampsia. I then went to total bed rest and 2 weeks later I was induced as the baby was getting too large. After the birth I felt terribly weak, but the doctor said that was normal.

My frustration with my weight and my fatigue both continued. In trying to eat less to lose the weight, I struggled with even worse fatigue. I soon became depressed. I hurt all over and exercise made it worse. I was having trouble sleeping and felt like I was living in a fog. I went to several doctors who all said I was fine and that my labs were normal.

I started to look for other options. I prayed and searched. Although I had never included meat or fish in my diet, I tried a strictly vegan diet, then a raw diet, alkaline diet, herbs, Noni, minerals, many kinds of juices, cleanses and the list goes on. I did feel a slight improvement, but not anywhere close to where I was prior to the birth of my son.

I went to 4-hour hydrotherapy treatments once a week for 3 months which did help the most, but I could not keep that up financially. My husband's cousin introduced me to Sunrider foods and their philosophy of regeneration. She explained their basic foods and the function of each: cleansing, nourishing and balancing.

I began taking the Quinary and the Fortune Delight and could feel the effects the first night (it kept me awake, so don't start at night!). I now realize that I needed to dilute the tea.

I have since added all the basic foods, Calli, NuPlus, Sunectar/Sunny Dew and Sunbars to the Fortune Delight and Quinary. Now, 7 months later, I feel wonderful! I have more energy than I have had for a long time. I am losing inches and pounds (28 pounds and 2 dress sizes). My muscles are more relaxed than after all of the hydrotherapy combined. My digestion problems are nearly gone. My hormones are balancing. Migraines are a thing of the past. I do not hurt all over , and my mind is clearing. I can remember things again! My skin is clear, soft and smooth. I go right to sleep, sleep well and wake up feeling rested. All signs of depression are gone. Although my body is still regenerating, I am headed on the right path!

~Karla K.