Thank You

I attended two of your classes that you taught in Portland, Maine and today I finished my 7th class.  For the first time I feel I've found a physical practice that I will stay with.  --Michelle 

Quit Smoking... Get Healthier

I was a smoker for 31 years. I always feared if I quit smoking I would gain weight. On January 10, 2004 I received the sad news that my loving Aunt Virginia had inoperable lung cancer. I crushed my brand new pack of Newport Lights without having a last cigarette. That was it. The one person I thought was invincible was not. The first three days were tough. I replaced cigarettes with food and started packing on the pounds. I knew I’d better do something quick. That’s when I went to Yoga for You. I couldn’t wait another minute. I had my first class with Ron and loved it. I could hardly breathe but I knew my lungs were healing. With each class my lungs grew stronger and so did my will to stay healthy and smoke-free. Bikram Yoga is such a part of my life now. It has given me such a positive attitude about everything. I can proudly say that after the 31-year love-hate relationship with cigarettes, I have finally overcome the addiction thanks to Bikram Yoga and Yoga for You. Thank you Diane and all the great teachers you have. I have actually maintained my weight and look better than ever. --Karen G.

A Drummer's Life

From the first time I did this yoga, I knew immediately that I was going to make this yoga a cornerstone of my life. I have maintained that commitment. I am a musician, a drummer, and the mental and physical benefits have been immeasurable (deeper levels of focus, physical relaxation, expanded endurance, etc.). I'd like to offer my utmost praise and affection for Diane and her current teaching staff. Diane and her staff bring a level of dedication, compassion, humor, spirit, love and focus that keeps me coming as often as I do. --Yuri Zbitnoff

Lots Of Changes

When I started yoga in November 2003 I had several health problems which have all improved. More importantly I am better able to deal with stress, and have a much better quality of life. I'm more emotionally stable, less reactive and more observant. I'm a much better listener, more focused, more grounded and HAVE a better life. --Sam G.

Increased Bone Density

A bone density test recently done in May (after 9 months of Bikram yoga) showed improved bone density from a 1999 test. Also improved is a problem with a varicose vein in my left leg and edema in both feet. The varicose vein is reduced with no discomfort now and the edema in both feet has disappeared. --Ann Phelan, Nurse

Healing From A Tramatic Accident

In October 2002 I was involved in a terrifying bus accident in Ecuador, South America. It is a miracle I survived the crash and was blessed to suffer ONLY a crushed right lower leg. My doctor here told me it would be a year before I would heal enough to run or hike. Three months after the accident I was cleared for activity and went back to Bikram yoga. Diane took one look at me and said "come every day, don't think about it, just come." And I did. I had the best teachers. Everyone encouraged me and praised even the slightest progress. Bikram yoga cured my imbalanced posture, relaxed my tense back, and gave me back my leg. My circulation improved, and my foot went from being bright purple and cold to being warm and flush. I went for my first run 6 months before the doctor said I would and I climbed Mt. Washington 7 months after the accident! Bikram yoga has also calmed my nerves, improved my sleep and sharpened my focus. I am eternally grateful to all of the teachers at Yoga for You for giving me back my pre-accident level of functioning. Thank you. --Angela M.

Bone Density Improvement

My original bone density test was March 2000 (2 months before starting Bikram yoga). The latest test (September 2002) showed an improvement in my lumbar spine of 3.7% which is "statistically significant." There was a slight improvement in my hip. It's amazing to me that I am going through memopause and my bone density is improving!!!! I attribute this to Bikram yoga. --Susan S.

My Happy, Smiling Baby

This yoga got me pregnant! I have never used birth control and was never able to conceive a child. Six weeks after beginning Bikram yoga I got pregnant. I'm sure it was all that fresh blood to the reproduction organs and stimulation and regulation of hormones. --Ann Marie V.

Adding Yoga To My Fitness Routine

Thank you Yoga for You! I've been coming one to three times a week for four months, mainly to get and keep loose as I trained for my third marathon in twelve months. I had no injuries during my training, no shinsplints, no hamstring pulls. While training for the other two, my shins and hamstrings occasionally bothered me. I stayed more comfortable (no leg cramps or severe "butt bite") while running the race than I had in the previous two, and best of all, I could walk up and down stairs with a minimum of effort afterward (I felt like I was floating up the steps as I left the finish line area). My family noticed that I could stand up and sit down without groaning a few hours after the race and was walking almost normally by then. It took me several days to reach that point after the other races. I came to yoga the next day and was only a little tighter than I've been on any other day. Thank you, thank you. Yoga has found a permanent place in my fitness regimen. --Linda Ozier (age 51), runner for 25 years