Bikram yoga has changed my life in so many ways.  Having played in the N.F.L. for almost a decade as a 6’5 320 pound offensive lineman, saying my body was beat up is an understatement.  I was physically a mess and without the aid of pain medication I was unable to perform daily tasks that others take for granted.  I discovered Bikram yoga over five years ago and that decision has transformed me physically, mentally, and emotionally in all aspects of my life. I am now 230 pounds and am able to do most physical actives without the need of medication.  Although I still have some physical limitations, I am more flexible and in better physical condition then I ever have been.  The days when the room is hottest and the class is the fullest and the teacher holds all the postures a little bit longer are the classes are most satisfying.  If you can endure the suffering and do your best for ninety minutes, you are mentally and physically ready for anything that life throws your way.  I am better in tune with my body now and am able to self medicate myself when I feel like problems are popping up. 

Blake Brockermeyer

Dear Kristyn and Greg,

Being one of your older, 68, and a more active participant coming 4-6 times a week for the past 4 ½ years to the Bikram classes I wanted to thank you for changing my life.  I have been active all my life starting roping calves at the age of 14 being active to inactive for over 40 years,  playing football in High School, boxing for 3 years in College, and being active in Tae Kwan Do for 20 years.  Needless to say I beat myself up pretty bad over the years and can unequivocally say this is the most beneficial thing I have ever done for myself.  In fact I went to a sports Chiropractor for an adjustment 3 years ago which required x-rays.  After the examination he asked what I did for exercise and I told him mainly the Bikram Yoga practice and golf being informed that if I didn’t do what I was doing that I would become immobile.  Also another aspect of the practice is becoming a member of the Bikram family.  It is one of the nicest most dedicated group of people that I have ever been associated with day in and day out.   In closing this is something that I intend to do on a daily basis for the rest of my life.

God loves you and so do I!

Sincerely,
 
J. (Jerry) Ottie Thomas

Well, I’ve been doing bikram yoga for about 4 months now. I have tried other types of exercise in the past like weights and aerobics, but I have never done anything that works like this yoga does. Not only has my waist trimmed down, but my legs have actually bulked up. My calves have even gotten bigger and I never had much luck at that even when I was trying to build them up with calf raises and such.
 
Of course my flexibility has also improved, and my back which had always given me problems feels great. My only complaint with this type of exercise is that it is almost impossible to coast through the class. Sometimes you don’t feel like busting your butt for 90 minutes, but the postures are designed in such a way that you pretty much have to. So needles to say, if you come to class, you will get results!
 
Stephen Capra

Ironically, I’d spent most of my life avoiding anything that required the slightest degree of flexibility.   Even as a child, ballet classes were torture.  In my early 20’s running became my Prozac.  I could run a marathon in under 4 hours, priding myself for spending less than five minutes stretching.   Fast forward twenty years…a back surgery w/ complications and two foot surgeries; I reluctantly began looking for an alternative way to get my endorphin fix.  Traditional yoga was nice, but I had major issues with downward dog and I always lost count with Pilates.   After one Bikram class, I knew I’d discovered something truly unique.  I could stay in one small space for 90 minutes and leave feeling like I’d just finished a 6-8 mile run.  The bonus was that it was actually constructive (versus destructive) to my wreck of a body.   So now I crave the total opposite of pavement-pounding; this twisting, bending and contorting in a good way.  Equally priceless is the internal peace, the knowing that I am guaranteed the ability to make the absolute most of what I’ve been given.

Pennie Ellis

When I started Bikram yoga it was to lose weight, I was sick of going to the gym.  What I have gotten out of practicing yoga is much more than weight loss.  Bikram yoga has helped me lose weight, but also has given me a confidence in my physical strength and ability that I couldn’t have imagined.  Before I started Bikram yoga I would find myself overwhelmed by my daily life, and the sheer number of things I had to do.  Well, by making time for a 90-minute yoga class I no longer get bogged down with daily stress as I did before.  Yoga has helped me physically, and mentally and I highly recommend it to anyone!
 
Thanks-
 Mira

I started Bikram Yoga almost 5 years ago due to a hip injury I acquired while training for a marathon.  I found that with Bikram Yoga, you can receive the "Runner’s High" with no injuries.  During my yoga practice, I get that same endorphin rush that running used to provide me along with many other benefits –
building strength and flexibility, receiving a body detox due to the heat factor, and I’m able to relieve  stress and have a much more restful sleep after class.
See you Friday.

Angie

For any of you that experience chronic back pain, Bikram yoga is the answer.  I have scoliosis and thus struggled with back pain my whole life.   I have been laid up for days, unable to even put on a pair of socks.  I have spent many days at work with an ice pak behind me, barely able to stand up from my chair.    Money has been wasted on physical therapy with no long term changes.  I was told to put a lift in my shoe because one of my legs was "shorter than the other".   Now I know that my leg isn’t shorter, my muscles are simply tighter in that hip.   If you take this yoga, you will know your body better than any doctor could tell you.  I started taking Bikram yoga just over a year ago and have not experienced a day of back pain since.    As a natural klutz, after a year of practice, I still fall out of poses and struggle with moves.  It doesn’t matter.  This is the best thing I have ever done for myself.  I truly believe that it will save me from surgery later in life.

Cheers!

Amy Hunt

Having been a student of Bikram Yoga (on and off) since 2002 I had  witnessed several pregnant women practice with great success. So when I planned to become pregnant I committed myself to preparing my body for pregnancy with a consistant pratice. I easily became pregnant (I believe because my body was conditioned for it) and practiced the first trimester at home with Rajashree’s home video and then returned to the studio practicing into my 9 th month. It was a wonderful experience to watch my body transform physically in the mirror each week. My practice definitely changed as my body grew making some postures, eagle and spine twist, very challenging! But I felt so strong, connected with my baby and prepared for labor. And did I need it - Our healthy baby boy was born after 31 hours of intense labor! The breathing and meditating that Bikram conditioned me for is the reason, I believe, I was able to avoid the operating room.

Other amazing benefits occurred upon my return to the studio. I dropped the 30 pounds I had gained by my 3rd month postpartum. My body quickly remembered the posture depths I had attained before my pregnancy and my mind and body continue to transform. I encourage anyone who has been practicing and becomes pregnant to utilize Bikram Yoga for a healthy pregnancy and birth experience!
Angie Bulaich

5 years ago I took my first Bikram yoga class with an asthma inhaler in hand and several running injuries.  Click Here to Read More.