When Julie asked if I would be part of a feature for the fall newsletter I was flattered and excited. In March 2009 I went to my first Bikram Yoga class after many years of persuasion by my friend Deborah.
I'm not gonna lie, when the door closed and they said I was in this room for 90 minutes at a temperature of 104 degrees, I thought I would die. In 2009 I was turning 50 and I knew I had to make some life style changes. I also had several signs it was time to make that change, so I started a weight loss program, started attending yoga and working with a trainer.
I attended a few times in the summer, and in September 2009 I signed up for unlimited practices. The yoga has done so much for me; I now love it and miss the times when I am not able to attend. I try to attend at least twice a week and I wish it could be more than that. I have learned how to relax and be more in the moment when dealing with difficult situations that normally would have left me very stressed. I have worked on my breathing and that has helped me in many areas of my life.
After 6 months of practice, I was able to be removed from all medications for High Blood Pressure. This is very much a part of my family history and I had been on meds for this for many years. I was ecstatic. With the lifestyle changes I am now down 50 lbs. and I am continuing to work on all areas. I find my results are much better after attending Bikram practice.
In my first few classes as I observed and attempted the postures, I often thought "I`ll never be able to do that". After a lot of practice, I can do most postures. No they are not perfect but I push myself to try a little harder each time. I have learned it doesn't have to be perfect; do what you can and listen to your body. My favourite postures are the camel, standing separate leg stretching pose and fixed firm. I think these are my favourites as they were the ones I felt most successful with soon after starting. 
I have been suggesting Bikram Yoga when buying at Lululemon to the staff there, friends who say they want to try yoga, sometimes to anyone who will listen. I have even convinced one of my doctors to attend and give Bikram a try, and she is. As I said, the benefits have been many.
I have brought my son, Adam, to do some poses, which will assist him with breathing, digestion and movement. My son has Cerebral Palsy and he tries to assist with the wind removing pose and he loved doing the cobra. He showed he could do that one again and again.
The staff and the yogis who attend Bikram West Edmonton are an amazing group and I am very thankful that Deborah persisted. I could not imagine how I would be feeling now without it.
As a result of my wanting to do Bikram, I attended class while in Maui during a vacation last fall and I actually did 2 yoga practices with Dr. Wayne Dyer. That was a wonderful experience. Such incredible energy during the practice as well, and of course they close with one of his quotes each time.
A special thank you to Jan for her helping me to try some postures with my son Adam. My best to you in Victoria.
