Posted: March 3, 2008

On Sunday February 22, 2009, I completed my 61-Day Bikram Yoga Challenge.

Why 61 days? It was my birthday challenge. Since I turned 61 in December 2008, I wanted to complete 61 classes in 61 days during this birthday year.

This was my fourth challenge since my first 30-day challenge in May 2005. I completed a 60-day challenge in 2006 and one in 2007. My most recent challenge began towards the end of December 2008, which made it my 2008-2009 challenge.

A little more than half way through my second class of my back-to-back classes on Sunday February 15th -- a week before I had finished -- my body and mind "released stuff", and I experienced a deep sense of physical and mental "relief". While I still had to expend lots of effort to complete that session and my challenge, I was enjoying an underlying sense of ease, and that ease has continued, even with my reduced schedule of classes.

Unlike my other three challenges, I really didn't want to stop at the end of this one, even though I had completed two classes per day for six days during my last week to meet my goal. After class 61 on day 61, I was ready to continue. To paraphrase a line in a Luther Vandross song, I had come a long way, but this end was only just the beginning.

I felt like I was at the beginning a new phase in my practice. I was more mentally concentrate and focused. I was engaging my postures more fully, deeply and easily. I was experiencing the therapeutic effects of my practice. I was practicing beginning Bikram Yoga.

My fourth challenge was a charm.

— Jerome S. Paige

Posted: November 6, 2008

It was several years ago that I first heard about Bikram Yoga when visiting Hawai'i, and I did 15 sessions while there. In the past two years, I have discovered the Bikram network here in the DC area. I have committed to creating my own personal health improvement program, and this includes regular sessions at the Tenleytown Bikram Yoga studio. I already have an improved sense of wellbeing. My balance has improved, and I am much more aware of how my choices of foods and activities affect my ability to conduct strong Bikram postures. Bikram is helping me to feel that I have more control over what happens in my life. I am looking forward to reassessing my progress when Springtime 2009 arrives. Thanks, Elaine and staff, for all your encouragement and for the space to pursue my personal healing in such an enjoyable way!

— Ralph Wilson

Posted: December 22, 2007

I have been taking Bikram yoga off and on since 2001, more off than on. I usually bought the 30 days class, then attend a few sessions, then disappear for a year or so - until June 18th, 2007.

I returned to Bikram yoga after being MIA for about 2 years and bought my famous 30-day class, knowing fully well that I may not complete 30 days, but since it stretches out for a year, I figured I may put in about 10 classes or so within the span of the year. Then, I noticed something different. There was a challenge going on - 30 consecutive classes, and you get a free pass for 2 weeks. It was not so much the free classes that got my attention; it was the challenge. For the past 7 years since I was introduced to Bikram Yoga, I have not succeeded in completing 30 classes in 365 (or 366) days, and here I was challenged to do those 30 classes in 30 days. The catch word: CHALLENGE. A challenge? Count me in. I ended up going for 89 days.

— Winnie Labule

Posted: July 17, 2007

Two years ago, I had a serious car accident. I had to see a neurosurgeon and go through months of physical and massage therapy.  Although I did improve somewhat, I was left with a constant neck pain. I tried multiple trigger point injections and other invasive treatments without success. I had reached a point where I thought I had to live with constant pain when my friend suggested Bikram yoga. I was skeptical and took several months to get to a class, but after the introductory week, I felt so much better that I decide to purchase a one-year unlimited package. Elaine (owner) was surprised and suggested that I try some more classes before investing the twelve hundred dollars, but I was certain. It sounds hokey, but ten months and 250+ classes later, I am more convinced than ever that Bikram yoga has helped save my sanity and allowed me to become calm and serene. Getting rid of my chronic pain has made me a happier person, and even when I don’t feel like coming to a class, my husband practically chases me out of the house reminding me why I need to go. Much thanks to the caring, supportive, and knowledgeable instructors at Tenleytown!  Bikram yoga will always be part of my life.

— Susan

Posted: June 28, 2007

After 30 consecutive days of Bikram yoga, I feel amazing! I have a new-found respect for my body. The physical results are fabulous! My friends and family keep telling me how great I look - I tell them it's the "Bikram Glow"!! I was in a horrible car accident last summer, and after months of physical therapy, I still suffered from constant back pain. My doctor told me to "get used to it". Now, I no longer have ANY back pain! I have tons of energy, and I sleep better than I have in years! I also find myself calmer and happier - my road rage has even diminished!! Bikram yoga has given me an incredible sense of well-being! I'm currently working towards completing the 60-day challenge! Thank you SO much to all the instructors at Bikram Yoga Tenleytown - your support, guidance, and encouragement has been a driving force in my success!!

— Elizabeth

Posted: March 15, 2006

Bikram, Backs and Bullets

Mr. dodge-bullets in the third world was scared of YOGA: his voice squirmed on my voice mail. “Uh, John, I don’t know. We’re going to have to talk about this Yoga. My friends say it’s really intense, I am not sure I should go.” The birthday gift – a week pass to Bikram Yoga would go unused. My war photographer friend was scared to sweat in a roomful of mostly young ladies.

But he’s right in a way: Bikram Yoga can be misery. During the hour and half class there are no candles, no incense, and no chants. In the minimum of 105-degree heat oxygen feels like a scarce commodity. A new-age drill sergeant (usually in a deceptively nice voice) commands a sweat -drenched class to move in unison into painful contortions. The founder Bikram Choudray, often says “you must suffer.”

Why endure such I thing?

Well my business, the camera business, is strewn with broken backs. Years of shouldering electronic slabs of metal and glass, lugging cases of gear, standing through rain or snow, and slugging out twenty hour days registers in the strongest beast’s back. Jim’s got a crushed disk, Bruno has had his hip replaced, Rodney’s got debilitating back spasms, and Gary’s had a calcified chunk surgically shaved off his shoulder.

I keep going back to Yoga.

At the beginning, in a sea of limber bodies, I felt like a feeble wobbling drunk geriatric. With blurred vision I clenched around one thought – can I live to breathe one more breath? But the stress toxins poured out, and some endorphins pulsed through me. And after a long three years, I’m taller and my back is changing.

This yoga practice emerged from injury. When he crushed his knee as an 18 year-old power -weight lifter, Bikram was told he would never walk again. Bikram arranged his own sequence (the positions are a millennium old). But, I’m not 18. Is the regenerative force of an eighteen-year old body and crushed knee easier that shifting the flesh and bone of decades of compacted -stress?

How does anybody loosen flesh viscously guarded by pain? While I lunged forth competently into a few positions and struggled with most positions, I still grinded against pain. Pain I did not remember having before doing Yoga. The constant instruction to “pull, push, loosen, tighten,” bounced around my head in a jumble. Till one day, “form before depth, build your core strength,” echoed in my hollow skull like a fog horn.

I changed my tact to avoid the rocks. Yes, sweaty grasshopper, the loosed strands, the gelatinous middle, and the painful lumps are all connected. I have started to tighten my core, and focus on my form. I am gradually pushing into the tightened pain. I have even relaxed on occasion.

Muscle memory is the foundation of demanding camera work and the basis of a strong yoga practice. It is thinking with your body. Both depend on micro adjustments. And both can keep you young. (The world unfolding in front of a camera lense is fascinating.) But there is a lot of swagger in the camera game. There are a lot more men than woman. Bikram’s the opposite.

I bought five Bikram passes for male colleagues. Only two have been used. The last friend I offered a pass to has survived 25 years in the camera business. He often reminds people he was paratrooper in Vietnam before he was a cameraman.

Guess I am doomed to tough it out with the ladies. I’m in the business for the long haul. Bikram is the only game plan I have for a strong back on a long road.

— John Monte
      www.thefullmonte.com

Posted: February 21, 2006

I started coming to Bikram about 4 years ago w/several friends who knew that I had a bad back because of a motorcycle accident and complications from a C-section delivering my now teenage son.  I used over the counter meds almost daily but was frequently in discomfort.

When I first walked into the class I thought, "My God, I will never be able to stand this heat." But after a few exercises I began to notice that my back pain was less noticeable and I am too competitive to give up - especially with my friends there.

My back got a lot better and even my skin cleared up and I felt great - so naturally, I stopped coming.

Well, needless to say, I am back to stay - I can't come as often as I would like, but I do feel a remarkable difference in my body and my mind when I am able to come on a consistent basis. I am an A type overachiever, but for 90 minutes I am forced to slow down and focus on the movements.

I will be doing this for the rest of my life because of the quality of health I have now  -- I know that I owe to the Bikram experience.

— Janie

Posted: February 02, 2006

I injured my neck, back and shoulder badly 7 years ago. I went to doctors. I went to physical therapy and a chiropractor. The chiropractor prohibited me from doing yoga any more. I was doing Yoga for more than 10 years. It was very painful at that time. 5 years ago I have lost my health insurance. I decided to quit every physical therapy and chiropractor and to stop going to see Dr. I couldn't afford the sickness anymore. I decided to try to fix myself. I found the Bikram yoga which doesn't have head stand. The temperature helped to stretch more. I was very careful not to do too much. I began Bikram almost three times a week. But in order to get back in the best condition, I needed to do yoga every day. Like Jim said I didn’t need to sleep much. I pushed myself harder and went back to school every day. I had gotten a new career. My body is the greatest situation more than ever since I was a kid. I still have a bad neck and back and shoulder but my neurologist said I will never get better than 80%. I had to have severe pain all the time. But now maybe more than 90% I fixed myself doing Bikram yoga. If I quit muscle training, immediately my nerves pinch and cause pain. So I had to train myself very well. But doing Bikram Yoga helps me physically, mentally and still I am keep going to finish my mission. Someone said Bikram yoga is not spiritual. I think the person finished searching spirituality find Bikram also. 90 minutes of meditation kept me great physically and mentally. I am a 56 year old esthetician and Usui Reiki & Karuna Reiki master practitioner/teacher. I am healthier and can work harder than any young girl in Spa. I appreciate great teachers help very much.

— Hitomi Hayashi

Posted: February 02, 2006

I had a gym friend that when I met her she looked to be a size 12 -14. She disappeared to our regular gym class and came back six months later and was about 5 – 6 sizes smaller. I asked her what she was doing and she said hot yoga. I was like I don’t understand I come to the gym all of the time but how can hot yoga do this to you? She told me to come with her and I said ok. In my head I was thinking this hot yoga thing will be a cake walk and then I entered the hot room. I could do most of it but at the end I was like oh my goodness the feeling my whole body had was just so good. My back felt loose and my body felt so relaxed. After this I started going periodically and I wasn’t getting the extreme benefits and I told myself I am going to commit to going consistently. This is my fourth year of doing yoga and every time I do the practice I truly hate going through it but my body thanks me for it when I am done. It instantly relieves me of my stress and all of my pains from the wear and tear of living an active life.

— Cheryl

Posted: January 17, 2006

"During a conversation in late January 2004, a fellow “club yoga” practitioner shared with me that he, like many in our class, was not satisfied with the “club yoga”. So, I told him about the Tenleytown Bikram Yoga Studio. I shared with him my first Bikram Yoga experience, attending a weekend retreat led by Bikram in October 2003 in Arlington, VA in a heated hotel ballroom. I had attended the weekend session, and after that attended one class at the Tenleytown Studio. However, for a number of reasons, I decided to return to my “club yoga”.

He was somewhat reluctant to try Bikram Yoga. To encourage him to give it a try, I arranged for us to attend a session together. I emphasized that Bikram was a “yoga practice'. It was not some “cult” where one was put in a room, the door was locked, and the temperature was turned up high and humidity was pumped in. If he found the session uncomfortable, he was free leave at any point during the class.

He took me up on my offer, and my goal was to do a class with him and return to my “club yoga”. Well during the first week of February 2004, I got “hooked on” Bikram Yoga, and I've been going to the Tenleytown studio ever since.

After a Bikram Yoga ninety-minute session, I have such a since of peace, energy, and well-being.... It's amazing.....The sensations rival those of having completed a long-distance run, or completing a bodywork session, or... completing whatever fitness activity in which one engages.... I'm left with a feeling of mental and physical completeness and satisfaction that I enjoy “on the mat” and that is extended “off the mat”. It's those ever-deepening states of completeness and satisfaction that keep me returning time and time again."

— Jerome

Posted: January 4, 2006

Compliments on your website. Great. Professional. Terrific graphics and
text. User friendly and completely idiot proof.

I thrive on challenges. Although I've power walked all my life and been a
gym participant, Bikram yoga is the only activity that has given me a
complete workout and helped repair my body from my first 58 years:
reduced/eliminated chronic lower back pain (discs L3 and L4 damage) that
required chiropractic maintenance; developed significant muscle mass and
strength and tightening of sag and paunch all over; increased my energy and concentration; relieved work and family stress; increased my overall balance and flexibility; and most heartening, led to the retirement of my bottle of Viagra to the back of my medicine cabinet. I've improved my focus and concentration--sorely needed over my life. Looking forward to the next 58 years of Bikram yoga!

As important, I've met a great set of new friends and acquaintances-what
kind of people will spend an hour and a half together at 105-110 degrees F
stretching in yoga positions? Come and see for yourself! I tell my non-yoga friends and the rest of the "great masses of the unwashed" that Bikram yoga is a life changing activity, for the good.

See you soon,
— Mike

Posted: January 4, 2006

I have been doing Bikram yoga for 8 years(started in San Francisco, also went to schools in London, Seattle, Connecticut)here in Dc for about a year 1`/2. Benefits-No more back pain! I had recurring pain in my lower back, neck and shoulders. After doing Bikram yoga, it has gone. I also have the best muscle tone of my life (47 years old).

— Doug

I am a 50-something woman and I've been doing Bikram for almost three years. The changes in my body, and in my happiness, are measurable. Not an athlete by nature, I may never perfect all of the postures. But I imagine I will be doing Bikram well into my 80s and maybe even my 90s.

My boyfriend likes the changes too--a flexible body is more fun in the bedroom--and the heat has done wonders for my skin. In short, the fountain of youth turns out to reside in a steamy Bikram yoga class.

— Jo

I actually have two testimonials:

1. It has become common practice for women of 50 or so to have a bone density scan of both the pelvis and the spine.  I believe that it is without exception that each of my same age friends has been advised that she has osteopenia and that she should take one of the new bone-building drugs. Meanwhile, I began my twice a week practice of Bikram yoga almost four years ago and at about that same time I had my first bone density test and recently I had a follow-up test.  Not only do I not have osteopenia but my bone density has actually increased.  I am of course delighted and have no doubt whatsoever that I owe this to the Bikram yoga practice.
2. I have had scoliosis or curvature of the spine since pre-adolescence.  Bikram yoga is the best antidote that I have ever found - I don't have back pain and have never felt better.  I only wish that it had been available back then since I believe that it could have stopped the progression of the condition.  Likewise, I hope that Bikram yoga will be brought to the attention of the young people with beginning scoliosis and the physicians who treat them to see if they might be spared some of the many complications of the condition.

— Marcie, age 57

I have been practicing Bikram Yoga for 3 years, averaging 3 times per week. This is phenominal since I dislike the heat, despise sweating and generally avoid exercise. When I first started, I commited to doing Bikram for 30 days(vs. the 60 recommended by Bikram). About the 3rd week, I realized that the only way I would survive in my stressful job( at the time) was to continue doing Bikram. For me, Bikram today is almost like dental flossing. It's just one of those things you do. Cheers!

— Bonnie

Yoga at DC Bikram has been a wonderful experience. The entire staff are knowledgeable and kind. Everyone is made to feel welcome regardless of her or his level of proficiency. Moreover, not only is the experience"fun," but it has definite health benefits. In my case, it helps me cope with Parkinson's Disease.

— David

The human body is truly amazing. No matter how much abuse you've done to your body in the years of living on this planet, your body has the capacity to heal itself. I'm a 47 year old woman and I've only been doing Bikram for just over two years but the changes in my body are incredible. I never thought I would be one to do yoga, but my youngest brother is a Bikram teacher and had been trying to get me to try it for years, and so I finally gave it a try and now I'm hooked. I've always been a competitive runner and loved the fact that I could just go outside and run, not matter where I was. When it started hurting to run, I started going to yoga more and more. I used to run on the balls of my feet. Now I walk correctly, heel to toe, because my body is able to do that now. Years of running had taken a toll and my low back, gluts and hamstrings were a mess. I was regularly hurting my low back doing stupid things around the house. My back is so strong now that I can't remember the last time I hurt it. The things I've learned in yoga, I've learned to apply to my daily life, so that when I bend over now to do something, I automatically engage my abs so as not to hurt my low back. Also, before I started doing yoga, I had started having a terrible pain under my right rib when I would get my period, that would literally keep me up all night with a knot under my rib that felt like it was going right through to my back. Not only did it hurt, it was usually accompanied be nausea. My doctor said it was most likely endometriosis, but that he'd have to do a laparoscopy to be sure. Since I started doing yoga on a regular basis, I have not had the problem at all anymore. Stretching out the insides of the body, as well as the outside, means that you get benefits that you might not even be aware that you're receiving. Other than having a full body massage every day, doing Bikram yoga is quite possibly the nicest thing you could do for your body.

I was moderately skeptical to say the least when approached about taking a bikram yoga class. I knew people that had taken classes and their descriptions were simply beyond belief. Indeed, I thought that the comments were so over the top that I felt I had to avoid it on principal.  After some discussions with my doctor, however, about how I needed more exercise I  gave it a try. In short the hype was legitimate. I feel restored after every class and, in fact, I feel that my  health has been improved dramatically. I now swear by it and in this case, swear for it as well.

- Christian

I started Bikram Yoga four years ago at age 63 at the suggestion of one of my sons. The old body was sore from arthritis in the knees and back, and prone to injuries when playing tennis and skiing. One of the best things about the program is that I have regained a lot of lost flexibility. Cardiovascular exercises and weight training are good, but they don't do much for flexibility. The old hamstrings tightened from years of running are slowly being stretched out. And it's been a while since I've experienced lower back pain the I used to about twice a year.

I'm hooked on hot yoga. It has given me a new appreciation of my body and has helped me play tennis and ski better. I may never be able to get into all of the positions the way I would like, but I do experience minor breakthroughs and little milestones that keep me going.

— NJC