So Much to Heal

I started Bikram Yoga in 2001 with a history of bronchitis and pneumonia.  The heat, the breathing, the postures, and the sweat all work to keep my lungs healthy.  I rarely get bronchitis now and it's always a mild case (less than once a year).  The breathing at the end still makes me cough sometimes, but I find the yoga/breathing is as useful as any inhaler.

When I was 8 years old, I fell from a tree and landed on my right arm, dislocated my shoulder, and tore my bicep/tricep.  It took 5 years of Bikram Yoga before I could get my right arms up straight, elbow locked.  For several years I felt my right shoulder was close to dislocating as I came out of triangle, but the shoulder joint is much stronger now.

I've healed several whiplashes (from car accidents) and have no pain in my neck as the yoga keeps my neck muscles flexible.  I've healed a torn gastroc muscle (from a sledding accident) and once again have full range of motion in the calf muscle.  My knees, despite 3-4 old injuries from skiing, don't have the "typical junk" (muscle tags, pieces of torn cartlidge, and bone fragments) my doctor ususally sees in an MRI.  My guess is that stuff gets flushed away during the yoga compression/relaxation cycles that we do.

All in all, I am in much better shape at 57 than I was at 50.         Connie B.

SO MUCH IN SUCH A SHORT TIME

Here are some benefits that I am experiencing during and after my first 30 consecutive days of Bikram Yoga:

1. About 3 years ago, at age 60, my knees started to act my age. After the 3rd day of Brikram Yoga, they felt at least 10 years younger!  They even feel good when going up and down the stairs.  Now I can stand for more than 2 hours in the kitchen without any lower back pain or knee discomfort.
2.  After two weeks of doing Bikkram, my blood pressure is up to normal (110/70) and my pulse, previously very sluggish, is much stronger.
3. I am hydrating much better now.  On the 2nd day of classes, my skin (whole body) turned baby soft!  I never had bad skin to begin with, but this is a surprising and very noticeable change.  What's more, the back of my hands looked at least 10 years younger, no longer very wrinkly. My daughter remarked that I looked younger after these 30 days!
4.  My digestion has improved a lot, and I have a lot less bloating too.  Muy appetite has been stimulated and I seem to be hungry all the time.  I eat more than before, but have not gain any weight.
5. I think my heart and lung functions are improving and getting stronger.  I no longer feel something weighing down on my chest when I breathe.  My sinuses' are not 100% 'unblocked' yet, but getting better.                         6. My right elbow has been suffering from 'tennis elbow' for a few years. Now it is at least 70% better. The locust pose really helped.
7. Both of my hands suffered from a mild case of carpel-tunnel after 20 years working in the IT field, losing much of my grip strength.  I can tell my arms and grip are getting stronger . This is indicated by the fact that I can hold my 4 month old twin grandsons much more comfortable and confidently. (Don't forget, they are getting heavier each time I see them, about once every week).
8. Ever since I fell and fractured my right ankle 3 years ago, I had a hard time going back to the lotus pose for meditation, but now, it is no issue at all.  As a matter of fact, this pose is much easier than before!  I guess my body is more flexible than before.  

Wanda Chan
Newton, MA"
April 5th, 2010.
 

Practical Use of Yoga  

I just had to share this with you all.  I got locked out of my house so I had to use a 30-foot ladder up to my bedroom window.  I climbed up, used a screwdriver to cut the screen, pushed up the window and climbed in.  All this without a problem thanks to the flexibility from yoga.  Not bad for a senior citizen.  The 30-foot ladder was no problem either.  --Ann P., 70+

Thank You

I wanted to tell you how thrilled I am with Bikram yoga and your studio.  When I started five months ago my primary goal was weight loss (I have lost 10 pounds and at least one pants size), but I also no longer need bi-monthly massages for neck and shoulder pain.  I have tons of energy, and I feel much stronger mentally and physically.  I also sleep like a baby, and I've been told more than once that my skin looks great.  I love my regular instructors who somehow offer such a unique experience with the same dialogue.  I would like to thank them, and you, for everything.   -- Susan D. 

It's Good to Be Back

I started practicing Bikram yoga in June 2000, after years of struggling with lower back pain.  The back pain, as it turned out, was more stress related than physical.  As I became more familiar with the 90 minute routine and as I chose to practice regularly, the back pain all but disappeared.  My practice was interrupted in March 2007 when I slipped on a patch of ice and totally tore all 4 tendons off my right rotator cuff.  The surgeon was a bit skeptical about my recovery, as the tendoms were shredded and I was 59 years old -- somewhat of a bleak prognosis.  Being determined to fully recover, I followed my doctor's orders to a T, loyally did physical therapy, and 6 months after the surgeryI returned to Yoga for You to do Bikram yoga postures with Diane, a true hero to me.  October of 2008, the surgeon gave me a clean bill of health.  I have 100% range of motion and almost full strength in my shoulder, something no one can believe, given the extent of the injury.  I attribute my almost miraculous recovery to Bikram yoga and the teachers who guided me through the practice as I healed and regained strength and flexibility.  Bikram yoga is both physically and mindfully challenging.  Its practice requires 100% effort.  Listening carefully to the dialogue and staying present in the space is not for everyone.  Yet, for me, it's a time to use the mind/body connection to its fullest.  The benefits extend far beyond the 90 minute sessions.  This yoga is a positive addiction.  Now, I plan my days around my pracice.  --Susan  

Recovery after Surgery

Recently I had laparoscopic surgery.  Recovery time was estimated to be three days.  When I awoke from surgery, however, my left arm didn't work from the shoulder down due to a "positional neuropathy."  As a result of this injury, all the muscles on my left side were tired and tight.  I was extremely uncomfortable.  I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours at a time and walked with (as my physical therapist described it) "a posture of pain."  Afraid to move for fear that I would hurt myself more, I continued like this for more than three weeks.  As a student of Yoga for You for six years, I knew the benefits of yoga and decided to attend a class.  Three breaths into the first breathing exercise I was ready to throw in the towel.  I couldn't lift my arm and felt ridiculous.  Years of yoga had worked their magic, however, and that little voice in my head said, "Just do what YOU can do."  I stayed for the whole class and left feeling so rejuvenated that I went back the next day for more and continued to attend classes for most of the month.  It's been four weeks since that first class back and I am pain-free and have most of the motion back in my arm.  Thank you to the instructors at Yoga for You.  Always helpful and encouraging, Ann Marie, Carol, Deborah, Diane and Ron, kept me coming back for more.     Christine O.

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.

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.

A Healthier Way

I am not a competitive athlete or a 20-something looking for the next trend in extreme fitness.  I am an overweight mother of 2 in my late 30's suffering from several injuries to my spine, joints and bones caused by doing other althletics including running and roller blading.  I have experienced great improvements in my spinal symptoms, mood swings, PMS, nerve damage and strength.  But more importantly I have learned to deal with my particular blessings and limitations.  Doing my best in each class is my goal.  With a health spine, I've now got a much healthier life.  --Elizabeth