Student Spotlight: Craig

By Craig Miller

Bikram Yoga came into my life almost by chance.  I had overheard a conversation among some guys regarding their exercise routines. One of the guys said that all he did anymore was yoga, and I thought to myself how strange that was because I had no idea what yoga was all about.  I did some research, and read the great article that appeared in O Magazine about the lady who did the Bikram Yoga 60 day challenge and it changed her life.  So at 50 years old, I decided to try it for myself.  I went to my first Bikram Yoga class three years ago on Sunday morning December 12, 2010 at the old Paradise Valley studio (across the street from where we are now). The room was hot and it was tough but I realized then that I could do it, and it was something that was worth doing.  So I kept coming back, and 3 years later on my anniversary at the studio I had done 593 classes.  The reason that I know how many classes I have taken, and when I started is because I have kept track of every one of those classes I have taken.  I know it sounds a little strange but when I first started it just seemed like the right thing to do keep track of my progress.  I have done that ever since and I am really glad that I did.

Before Bikram Yoga, I tried to keep in shape and work out, but I never found anything that I wanted to do on a consistent basis and also get results.  I used to have a lot of back pain that I just chalked up to being a weekend warrior.  After doing Bikram Yoga for a while, my back did not hurt as much after playing tennis or golf.  I don’t remember any “aha moments” when I realized that I was not having the normal pain, it just did not happen as much anymore.  I know I am stronger and more flexible but the biggest benefit is the confidence that I have now to do all the stuff I enjoy and not worry so much about the nagging aches and pains.  That peace of mind goes a long way towards getting out there and going for it.  When I do the challenges that the studio puts together, I know that hard work and commitment will make it happen and that I have the strength to do it.  That is a good feeling.

Of course the main reason anyone really sticks with a healthy routine for a long period of time is to improve their lives.  I want to continue doing Bikram Yoga because there is so much of this world to see and do, and I want to be in good shape both mentally and physically to do it.  What’s great about BYAZ is that all the teachers make it fun and challenging.  They have made a huge difference in my life.  Oh and one more thing, if an average old guy like me, who keeps falling out of the postures, can be Student of the Month, anyone can.  Keep up the good work, and see you at class.

My Top 5 List:  The Top 5 reasons you should join The Bikram Yoga Paradise Valley Men’s Club -- by Craig Miller

Number 5: You can goof around with Sam Rogers and me in the hall before the 3:30pm class starts.

Number 4: You can be on the ground floor of a small but exclusive group of guys who cause all kinds of trouble.

Number 3: We have great honorary women members, and are always looking for more.

Number 2: Any group whose motto is, “we like our beer cold and our yoga hot” is your kind of place.

Number 1: We have way cool tee shirts – so pick up your shirt at the studio and join the fun!

A Final Savasana Quote

It is only those people who are not rowing the boat that have time to cause problems for the others on the boat.  By doing this yoga you are moving your life forward and making yourself a better person that can do more good things for the people in your boat and in your life.

Student Spotlight - Jody

If you have ever met Jody at the studios then you know, she is an absolute joy to be around and she loves the yoga! Here is her story of how she got to where she is now and how the yoga has helped get her here.

Before I began practicing Bikram Yoga, my life looked very different. I now live in a wondrous world of joy but back then that wasn't the case. I lived in Northern California and was in the middle of going through some very challenging and life changing times. In hindsight, I see these times were all tremendous blessings, but when I was going through them I experienced a taxing toll on my mind, body and soul. I moved to Fresno where a dear friend encouraged me to come with her to a Bikram yoga class. She knew what I was going through and knew it would help. Boy did it ever. Now, I must confess, it took me 2 years to go to my first class after my friend encouraged me. I was afraid of the heat and intimidated that I'd never done yoga. But when I finally went... It was my saving grace. I healed in a very profound way on many levels. I don't think I would have come through what I did, how I did, without my practice. Coincidentally, as I began practicing Bikram I also began studying to receive my M.A. in Spiritual Psychology at the University of Santa Monica. The two together brought me to new levels of awareness that we truly are spiritual beings having a human experience and that our body is a blessing to travel the journey.

Bikram Yoga has connected my mind, body and soul, and created deeply fulfilling change and growth on every level. From my Practice, I am discovering and getting to know myself and my body in ways I never imagined possible. Bikram is not simply a physical sport; it is a gift to bring balance and harmony while offering a great way to stay in shape. My Bikram practice has helped me to lose 53 pounds and bring my body more fully into balance. Even though Bikram Yoga can be challenging and there are times in the room that I am being pushed to my limit, I find NOT doing Bikram to be more of a challenge. In my off times from practicing, even though I was still working out in other ways, I have found my self out of sorts, off and feeling rather miserable. With my commitment to regular practice, I am able to clear my mind and connect with my heart in a way that flows into my everyday life and that brings me such joy.

Bikram yoga has healed my mind body and soul and continues to do so every time I practice. I have so much gratitude for my practice. It has given me back to myself. I have learned so much about who I am. I have become stronger, both physically and mentally. What happens for me at the studio is healing, releasing and growing in ways that impact me in every aspect of my life. From my Bikram practice I have cultivated gentleness, patience, kindness, clarity, devotion and dedication to myself. I have deepened my awareness of the body as a temple and treat my body and myself kindly with thoughts and actions. This is huge for me since I have a past of being REALLY hard on myself. I have awakened to a new way of being and for that I am thankful.

My encouragement to new students is: "You can do it! Give yourself one of the best gifts you ever could and begin your Bikram practice. When it gets challenging, keep coming! It's worth it! You're surrounded by a community of love and support. We're all in this together. "

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us."

Student Spotlight - Chris

By Chris Schmidt

In August of 2012, a girlfriend invited me to "Free Friend Friday" at the Bikram Yoga AZ Old Town Scottsdale studio. I had taken a class earlier in the year at a different studio after hearing about it on a local radio station, but never returned for one reason or another. My friend's enthusiasm for the practice was contagious, however, so I figured I'd try it again. Something clicked. Maybe it was the energy emanating from the other yoga practitioners around me, or maybe it was the caring, helpful instructors. But I felt like I belonged.

A few days later, I signed up for a month-long package and I've never looked back. In January of this year, I participated in a 30-day challenge conducted by the studio and, following 40 days of uninterrupted daily practice, I dropped my gym membership and made BY my go-to discipline for all things physical fitness (in addition to a few hikes thrown in). But, it is so much more than that. It has become a way of life, an extension of who I am.

When I first started, I figured the yoga would be a great way to improve my flexibility, which was pretty non-existent to begin with. But once I regularly began attending class and listening to the instructors' dialogue, I learned about all of the different benefits BY offers-from regulating the sleep-wake cycle to managing migraine headaches, warding off arthritis, helping with depression and anxiety and maintaining a healthy digestive track (to name a few). And then, when I personally began reaping the benefits of my own practice, it became a no-brainer.

I've written several blogs and articles about the practice of BY and what it has done for me personally. I'm a walking Bikram Yoga advertisement. When the instructors talk about the benefits of BY during their dialogue, they could be describing me. I have scoliosis, high cholesterol, osteopenia (the precursor to osteoporosis), IBS, migraine headaches, anxiety, mild depression, insomnia and asthma (for starters). Since practicing Bikram Yoga, the curvature in my spine is less pronounced, my cholesterol level has been maintained without medication, my bone density has increased and my digestive issues have been nearly eliminated (no pun intended). I can honestly say that my overall health has improved dramatically.

I believe that BY has literally given me a new lease on life. Physically, I've become more toned and flexible, and my energy and stamina have improved significantly. Mentally, I've used the 90 minutes of moving meditation to work through emotional issues, as well as calm my racing thoughts. Not only have I discovered that I'm stronger than I ever believed possible (both physically and mentally), but I believe BY saved me from an emotional breakdown after a traumatic family event earlier this year. I was able to step into the hot room each day and leave my burdens at the door and, for that hour and a half, I found unconditional acceptance.

I recall one day, when I entered the studio after a particularly challenging morning. One of the instructors immediately saw the tear stains on my face, wrapped me in a hug and whispered in my ear, "The great thing is that in there, everyone will think it's just sweat." And beyond the physical, mental and emotional benefits, I've also made friendships with some wonderful yogis who I'm blessed to share the hot room with. It truly doesn't get any better than that.

The other day one of my friends asked me what my favorite Bikram Yoga pose is. I have three of them. One, Bow Pulling Pose, because when everything comes together in the posture-from my balance to my concentration to the form-I feel very feminine and sexy, a powerful combination. Two, Triangle Pose, because I feel incredibly strong. And three, Cobra Pose, because I used to dread it until I was able to achieve final expression. This taught me that practice, along with discipline, really works.

The biggest piece of advice I would give a new student is not to take yourself too seriously. BY is a practice, not a perfect. This is something I need to remind myself every day. If you want to receive the full benefits of BY, it's important to allow yourself to be broken and vulnerable each time you step into the hot room. This way the BY can build you back up and teach you what you're there to learn that day. It's true what our instructors tell us: our bodies are different each time we practice. Oh, and I would also tell the new student to come back. Speaking from experience, I sometimes struggle with the love-hate relationship I have with the discipline. But I promise, you will not regret it.

If I could submit a quote to be read by my favorite teacher (and this is whoever happens to be teaching when I attend class) in final Savasana, it would be this one by C.S. Lewis: You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. Bikram Yoga is the catalyst to keep us young ... so that we can.

Student Spotlight: Necco

Bikram Yoga AZ Student Spotlight: Necco “Good, better, best never let it rest until your good becomes better and your better becomes best.”

After a little over a year of practicing Bikram Yoga, Necco has had some tremendous results. My mind before the yoga was chaotic and always racing. I now live with purpose and intention. With prayer, Bikram yoga and changes to my diet I have lost over 80 pounds. She has not had to heal any physical injuries but has worked through emotional wounds that the yoga helped her to acknowledge, allowing her to heal and move on.

It wasn’t quite love at first sight for Necco with the yoga. “I came with a few of my co-worker's and loved the way I felt after the 2nd class. After the 1st class I questioned the friendship of the people that thought it was a good idea to bring me to such a place!” But after sticking with it, she has really experienced the benefits of a consistent Bikram Yoga practice. She advises new students, “Continue to come even when the voices in your head tells you not to. What's good for you is not always good to you!”

She took her own advice when it came to camel pose! Camel is now my favorite posture for many reasons. It took me months to even attempt the posture without feeling sick to my stomach. I meditated and realized that I had some un-resolved issues that needed to be dealt with and some un-spoken words that needed to be said. Once I took care of that business I was able to get into the posture with ease. I no longer dread camel but now use it as my emotional thermometer.

Student Spotlight: Sue

This month, Sue will celebrate her 3-year anniversary of practicing Bikram Yoga. In just 3 short years, Sue has taken over 1,050 classes! That's amazing!

Over the past year, she has been practicing every day, at different times during the week. "It is challenging, cleansing and healing", Sue says. She continues to workout, bike and keep active as she did before yoga. Now, she does all with less intensity yet more ease.

Bikram Yoga hooked me gradually, as it "worked for me and was a changing structure, it gave me purpose and inner joy."

"I no longer have as many minor aches and pains. My body heals from injuries quicker and cleanses itself from the inside out, flushing both mental and physical toxins more rapidly. While doing Bikram Yoga, I healed broken ribs and even did the series with a broken bone in my foot!"

Sue says asking her which posture is her favorite is not a fair question! "Camel heals the spine, thus everything else because as we all know, everything is connected to the spine. Throughout the day I break out into backbends, both mini ones and full ones. They instantly rejuvenate me!"

When Sue talks to new students about BY (even random people on the street, haha), "I froth at the mouth because it encompasses everything positive for your well-being. I tell people to just give it a try and then come back a few times, to really give it a chance."