Student Testimonials

Bikram yoga, yet another hat I tried on in my life. Over one year ago I wanted something more challenging than my morning hourly walk. Why yoga came to mind, I am not sure. I had occasionally watched “Exhale” on the Oprah channel and it reminded me of “The Jack La Lane Show” I watched as a chubby child only with yoga. I looked appealing and had a wide range of people. I might fit in. I Googled “Yoga Asheville” and had a look. Finding Bikram Yoga Asheville's web site, I studied it for a week or so and built up my courage to try it. On September 11, 2009 at 8:00 AM I took my first class. I was so nervous; I am still amazed I walked through the door. I changed in to my shorts and tee shirt and went into that heated room. Puck (well a word that sounds like that) is the only word to describe what happened to me in the first five minutes. I knew I was going to die before I got to the end of class. I am sure I went into some type of black out. A true nightmare for a dyslexic. Right over left, left over right, hands on the inside hands on the outside, top of mat back of mat, focus, breathe, leg up, leg down, hands in prayer, hands clasped. Who in the hell can talk that fast yet alone move? No doubt I looked like Bozo facing the wrong way holding the wrong foot while sitting on the floor, when everyone else was standing ”looking into their own eyes”. Soaking wet from head to toe, beet red, with seat pouring from every pore on my body I heard the words you made it ,” lay on your back.” Sweet words and in good timing because I was about to be there and not by choice. At some point a door was opened, I met God. I did not know that God come in the form of a slight breeze that feels like arctic air loaded with pure oxygen. I had no clue I would feel the way I did immediately after that class, it was euphoric! Never have I felt that good or if I had it was a very long time ago or drug induced. It was the high I have chased my whole adult life. Wondering if such a reward would come again I returned the next day, and some four hundred plus times in the past year. I have not been let down. It's sound so cliché but Bikram yoga rewards in so many ways.

Picking up the Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class book and reading it cover to cover, I got to the back of the book (page 199) “Maintaining Proper Yoga Practice”. I got to the second paragraph, Stage One, I quote “Do the Full Class religiously each day for two months” and “if you have any chronic disease, you should continue daily until your condition is resolved” So I have done just that. Results from a medical view point- STUNNING! I had been plagued by hypertension and on two medications for seven years with increasing dosage each year. I now have eliminated one drug completely and take 75% LESS of the other. My numbers now are that of a baby. Cholesterol numbers are also impressive from a total reading of 170 to 136, with a 10 point jump in HDL the good cholesterol. Weight loss is thirty plus pounds with eighteen of them in the first three months. From a thirty three inch waist to a thirty inch waist All lost in that crazy hot room!

Though not a number, I suffered from Tinnitus daily, to the point of having to go to bed at times, being told that nothing can be done by my doctor. I have found huge relief and now go days without the constant ringing in my ears and have not had to take to the bed in a year. That a big one for me, whereas at times death seemed more acceptable than hearing the screaming in my ears.

Mentally and emotionally, wow! Bikram talks about loose screws in the head, mine were not loose, they were lost. Wound tight, grumpy, sharp, and paranoid has been my state for years. Those around me flabbergasted at the change in my demeanor. I've been told I am calmer, approachable, and even kinder. I am encouraged by them to do the yoga, because my yoga makes their life better. That's very cool! Old deep issues of mine have slowly been rising to the surface over the year. I now have the need and ability to deal with them, not mask or push them back as I did for years. The skeletons are coming out of the closet and they are not so scary anymore. Body image being just one of many deep issue of mine. I had some big relief just a couple of months ago. The only time I have worn shorts in the past twenty five years is in the yoga room and my chest tummy has not been expose at all. Shame and embarrassment has ruled much of my life in many ways. While in St. Augustine I took my first Bikram class without my shirt on. Pools of tears fill my eyes as I type this. Freedom, from such a simple action as taking a shirt off in a hot room melted away years my shame and I was no longer embarrassed. I headed to the beach after class and walked in the warm sun with people all around in just my shorts. Who is this person? I could not wait to get back to BYA to take the test, I passed. Silly to many of you but there is a few who can relate to this. This is the tip of iceberg for me. All the Doctors, psychologists, and clergy ever offered for my mental and physical bondage are pale compared to the results of my one year of Bikram yoga. To quote Sean, “this is BIG medicine”. Yoga works from the outside in for me. Peeling back layers exposing anew at every class. All the help I have had in the past have been attempts to heal from the inside out with very poor results. Just do the yoga- that's it. Breakthroughs are on the way!

I have read that teachers are not to take credit but to pass it to the yoga. For me I look at teachers and the yoga as equal partners. My testimonial has to include a little of my journey in my daily class. I feel so fortunate to go to a yoga studio with such a large a diverse group qualified teachers. Each so special to me for you have guided me through my amazing transformation. My class begins as I pull into the parking lot, looking for your familiar cars or bike. Who will be teaching? Who do I get the honor to practice with? As I walk through the door and look behind the desk, I'm so glad to see you. I feel like I have not seen you in a long time even if you taught yesterday. I know you must have days that you just don't feel like teaching but never have I ever seen you show it. That's incredible! I now know who I will turn MY CONTROL over to. Yet another yoga lesson- control. I cross the threshold into the “hot box” to choose my island for the class. The anticipation kicks in, and trying avoiding that, though process still eludes me. The journey will soon begin. Where will your song take me today? I can never second-guess that. How close can you guide me to getting my body and mind work together today? Tall order, but you are always up to the job. How do you know? It's as if there is a billboard above my head that says push or back off. Rewarding with a verbal butter cookie even when not necessarily deserved but just at a moment of need. Your timing is impeccable. Who in the hell am I to think you can't count in Awkward, Standing Separate leg, or Triangle! Damn, you know that I need to and can hold it a little longer. But I don't until you test me. I truly trust you, I'm clay in your hands confident you will mold me into the best yogi I can be. Ninety minutes is so short with you, though ten seconds can be so long. It's magic what you do! If you don't mind when I grow up I want to be a Bikram yoga teacher just like you!

I was working for an osteopath who was also a yoga teacher and was a big believer in the power of yoga to heal the body. She taught me sun salutations to do in between clients to keep my body open, but I never had a practice. As a lifetime athlete, I have had many injuries. In my 32nd year, I started to feel injured and “old”. I saw a flyer for Bikram Yoga and decided to try it. I thought it was the most challenging thing I'd ever tried and was immediately hooked. Beyond all of the healing I've received in my body my main achievement through yoga has been the calming of my mind, OUTSIDE of the studio. I've found that the more I didn't wipe and fidget and fix in class, the more able I was to not react outside of class. The breathing has helped me as well. I find myself to be a more centered balanced mother, partner, and friend. I like myself and how I relate to others so much more. I hope to one day save enough money to do the teacher training. This is the most transformative practice I've ever done and I'll be doing it for life! Teri Zukaitis, 33
Rolfer

Two friends from work suggested I try Bikram last July (2008) and after almost passing out and really believing I would never come back, I found myself thinking about the experience constantly. How I felt during class, how challenging it was, how mentally and emotionally rich the experience was… like many others, I was hooked. Changes in me include improved confidence, greater courage when facing challenging situations, awareness of breath, greater tone/some weight loss, greater self awareness- many things have improved! Also, I so appreciate the instructors and their many gifts- they all are so skilled with helping us to improve ourselves! Katie Green, 28
Admission Counselor

I had knee problems that started after an auto accident about 5 years ago. I could not sit in Indian style or put weight on the knees. Most noticeable change since starting Bikram Hot Yoga is

• Knees more flexible and less pain sitting Indian Style
• Thighs are toning and side bulges are lessening, especially “saddle bags”- which had no change in this condition with any other exercise.
• Teachers are especially very friendly

Vijaya Chapala, 60
Physician

I have only had about 15 classes. I have noticed more strength and energy in my body. The heat feels extremely healing and I sense that it promotes longevity. Lyn Marsh (59) Dream Consultant and Artist

I started doing Bikram yoga at the suggestion of a physical therapist who said that in order to get at that pesky middle body fat (at 50 we all know that one). He said the action of stretching along with the heat; it would emulsify the stored fat! That sounded great! So I tried a class- and WOW, it was hot, but not, undoable. 4 times later, I was hooked. 3 ½ months now and I am down a full dress size (22 to 20) and still shedding inches. Love it! No judgment from the other participants, and nothing but support from everyone. Leslie Clement-Bonner, 50
Naturopathic Doctor, L.M.B.T.

My name is Kevin Greenspan and I'm a chiropractor in Black Mountain for 16 years. I have always maintained a certain level of fitness through most of my adult life. I did gymnastics and track in high school and later competed in Slalom water skiing with my children for about ten years. I've also done quite a bit of mountain biking and downhill snow skiing over the years. I'll be 50 next summer. I've had 3 arthroscopic surgeries on my knees and have undertaken several different nutritional regimes over the years for joint health and a fairly consistent battle with Psoriasis on my fingertips, hand and face. Through regular spinal adjustments, exercise and nutrition...I have been able to maintain a fairly high level of activity, and have been able to actually compete in Tennis the last couple of years. But... I have never felt as healthy as I have been since starting doing Bikram Yoga for the last couple of months. I try to get in at least 3 or 4 days/week in general (I wish I could come daily but I work 3 -12 hr days) Results: obvious loss of body fat, dramatic increase in flexibility and joint ROM, less knee pain, less joint crepitus (cartilage "crunching") Psoriasis 95% gone, better bowel function, reduced appetite, more alert... I feel truly younger. I have been genuinely amazed, impressed and delighted. I have been suggesting to most of my patients that they incorporate this into their lifestyle for true whole body wellness. I also just love the way the leaders all bring different strengths to the classes. The social aspect of coming to class is really fun as well. You typically see the folks that come at the same times/days as you so you slowly build relationships with like-minded/valued people. Chiropractor

I have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. For the last year and a half I have been keeping everything under control by gobbling a handful of pills twice a day(Lisinopril, Lipitor, Niaspan, Glipizide, Metformin and a host of others) while checking my blood sugar and blood pressure everyday too.  Three weeks ago I started Bikram Yoga at Janet's and Adi's lovely studio in Asheville. Well waddaya know...my blood pressure and blood sugar dropped like a rock! Actually, I had to cut my meds in half because both readings were too low. I've lost 8 lbs so far and I have a feeling that if I lose another 25, I'll have to cut my meds out completely. I thank you and my liver thanks you.  The additional pleasure is the wonderful people I meet at the studio every time I go there. This holiday season, I'm giving one week passes to all the people I really care about.  Real Estate Broker

Since starting the 60-day challenge, my mom has said I've never sounded happier. I have struggled with eating disorders my entire life, but ever since I've started Bikram my self-esteem has risen, along with my mental and physical strength. I've ever been more confident or joyful. This yoga has saved me from a life of anxiety, depression, worry — it has allowed me to love and accept myself. It isn't always easy to drive into this parking lot, but it was much harder to feel like I did before this yoga.

I never thought I had the time or energy to commit to something as daunting as the 60-day challenge. I only knew that when I had gone to Bikram regularly in the past, my outlook on life shifts and there is calm clarity to life. So here I am in the middle of the challenge, telling everyone I know and feeling incredibly proud of myself for allowing myself the chance to make a change in my life. I am becoming addicted to feeling this way. I think my family is too!

At first I wasn't interested in doing the challenge; it seemed like it would be an additional stress to my life to come to class everyday and to find the time and energy for it. But it happened naturally and I found myself coming without thinking about it. I started before everyone else and I am on day 55. I won't say it has been easy because it hasn't, but I will say that I feel so much stronger, both mentally and physically. The changes in my body have been slow to happen, but they are there. I feel proud. I feel strong. I feel like a warrior.

I used Bikram Asheville as part of my training for The Coastal Challenge, a six-day expedition run in Costa Rica. We covered 136 miles and climbed 30,000 feet. Bikram was essential during preparation and throughout the week of the race, keeping me centered, and my muscles and mind open to the challenge. It is an important part of my lifestyle as an athlete and lover of life.