I started Bikram Yoga about 3 years ago. It has helped me live day to day with fybromyalgia. My weakest spot is my lower back, and I suffer from sciatica on both sides. I struggled with discomfort in certain positions and couldn't figure out why some postures irritated my sciatica more than others.  I used to tweak  postures in order to get into them.  At the suggestion of our yoga teachers, I eventually stopped using a hand towel to do postures.  I realized when I stopped using my hand towel, the sciatic pain eased. By building my own strength,  my sciatica has not been aggravated nearly as much.  I am able to move along better with all my daily responsibilities.

Listen to your body and your instructors.

Thank you

Elsie Sanchez 

MEDICAL BENEFITS

Perfects control and balance by improving physical, psychological, and mental powers;

Increases cardiovascular circulation, especially to heart blood vessels;

Strengthens the heart muscle, and stretches the capacity of the lungs;

May help clear blocked arteries;

May prevent future cardiac problems;

Brings traction to the spine;

Builds strength in the legs and good for varicose veins;

Firms hips, buttocks, and thighs;

Exercises pancreas, spleen, liver, nervous, and circulatory system;

Provides good blood circulation to the brain;

Strengthens the flexibility of latissimus, deltoid, and trapezius muscles; and improves the flexibility,  strength, and muscle tone of shoulders, upper arms, spine, and hip joints.

One of the best exercises for bad posture.

Good for stamina and discipline, and increases your ability to deal with stress.

All of that in 10 seconds and by perfecting control and balance, it strengthens your powers of concentration.

TIPS

Breathing is 80/20 BREATHE           

Use all of your strength and determination

Keep your hips level and muscles tight

Start with arms and upper body back, and chest puffed out

Keep abdomen, arms, chest, head, and leg lifting up during the posture as you stretch forward and backward