"Yoga is like music:
the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind,
and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life"
- BKS Iyengar
the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind,
and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life"
- BKS Iyengar
I became a Bikram Yoga teacher in Spring 2011. There are certain events which happen in our lives that shape our future in major life changing directions and going to LA for 9 weeks with 428 other yogis was one of those moments. Not only was I practicing something incredible that saved my life; I can now share it with others and share this healing therapy. This page is all things yoga, from pictures, to inspirational articles I have found helpful, to short blogs I have written for other sites.
Prior to starting Bikram in 2010 I had never exercised in my life. At the age of 14 I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome which turned my life upside down. The pressure in the muscles builds to dangerous levels because the fascia does not stretch, so blood and oxygen flow to the muscles and nerves are cut off - this leads to constant acute pain. I had operations in both arms, but after a few years the pressure came back and the doctors wanted to keep operating and 'cutting' me up, I decided against it and instead sought alternative therapies. Due to the Compartment Syndrome I developed fibromyalgia, which is simple chronic pain. At my worst I couldn't even pick up a glass cup because the muscles in my arms and shoulders were so inflamed the limbs stopped working.
I held the surgeries off with the help of SCENAR therapy, which also relieved some of the pain but my life was suffering. I had chronic fatigue because my muscles were so tight they would never relax even when I slept, my digestive system was not working at all, I was in constant pain every day, not able to do much around the house or at work. I couldn't exert any effort to exercise, mentally I was giving up as well and the doctors cleared me for disability benefits. My future wasn't looking too bright. I was also very closed up about telling people, since I didn't physically look sick; most people couldn't understand what was wrong with me, so they'd make jokes if I made comments about pain, I remember one girl I worked with suggested I must have aids because I was sick all the time. Over time I became withdrawn and depressed, retreating from the world.
I do think most people take their health for granted. You truly do not appreciate how much you have until you lose it. Some days I would wake up and take a breath - if my chest didn't feel like it was about to rip open, then I consider that a bearable day. I was so lucky that when I was 21 I found a natural healer who guided me on a path towards healing, from the inside out, emotionally and mentally first, until I was in a much better place. Then in 2010, I came across Bikram Yoga.
It was a total game changer, yoga in a room that's 40˚C and 40% humidity for 90mins. I hated my first class. I perspired at best before that, in class I began to sweat... from my shins and palms, I couldn't breathe, I could barely get through the postures, and I swore I would never go back. Yet as I got home I felt this serenity and calmness, and just so I could prove it was a fluke, i went back for a second class... I haven't looked back since. Even though it hurts to move in class and I'm still in pain all the time, the pain is now manageable. I can function normally and have mobility in my body - I can lead a normal life. There are still bad days, but they are nothing compared to how I use to feel. Mentally I'm in such a better place too, it's given me confidence and belief that I can do anything. It's a moving meditation to bring mental clarity and strength, emotional release, physical awareness and supports the whole system in healing. Whether I'm practicing or I'm teaching, I'm often reminded that "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!"
Prior to starting Bikram in 2010 I had never exercised in my life. At the age of 14 I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome which turned my life upside down. The pressure in the muscles builds to dangerous levels because the fascia does not stretch, so blood and oxygen flow to the muscles and nerves are cut off - this leads to constant acute pain. I had operations in both arms, but after a few years the pressure came back and the doctors wanted to keep operating and 'cutting' me up, I decided against it and instead sought alternative therapies. Due to the Compartment Syndrome I developed fibromyalgia, which is simple chronic pain. At my worst I couldn't even pick up a glass cup because the muscles in my arms and shoulders were so inflamed the limbs stopped working.
I held the surgeries off with the help of SCENAR therapy, which also relieved some of the pain but my life was suffering. I had chronic fatigue because my muscles were so tight they would never relax even when I slept, my digestive system was not working at all, I was in constant pain every day, not able to do much around the house or at work. I couldn't exert any effort to exercise, mentally I was giving up as well and the doctors cleared me for disability benefits. My future wasn't looking too bright. I was also very closed up about telling people, since I didn't physically look sick; most people couldn't understand what was wrong with me, so they'd make jokes if I made comments about pain, I remember one girl I worked with suggested I must have aids because I was sick all the time. Over time I became withdrawn and depressed, retreating from the world.
I do think most people take their health for granted. You truly do not appreciate how much you have until you lose it. Some days I would wake up and take a breath - if my chest didn't feel like it was about to rip open, then I consider that a bearable day. I was so lucky that when I was 21 I found a natural healer who guided me on a path towards healing, from the inside out, emotionally and mentally first, until I was in a much better place. Then in 2010, I came across Bikram Yoga.
It was a total game changer, yoga in a room that's 40˚C and 40% humidity for 90mins. I hated my first class. I perspired at best before that, in class I began to sweat... from my shins and palms, I couldn't breathe, I could barely get through the postures, and I swore I would never go back. Yet as I got home I felt this serenity and calmness, and just so I could prove it was a fluke, i went back for a second class... I haven't looked back since. Even though it hurts to move in class and I'm still in pain all the time, the pain is now manageable. I can function normally and have mobility in my body - I can lead a normal life. There are still bad days, but they are nothing compared to how I use to feel. Mentally I'm in such a better place too, it's given me confidence and belief that I can do anything. It's a moving meditation to bring mental clarity and strength, emotional release, physical awareness and supports the whole system in healing. Whether I'm practicing or I'm teaching, I'm often reminded that "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!"
