Hot yoga testimonial: I completed 60 Bikram Yoga classes in 62 days!
Hi there. My name is Laureen and I recently successfully completed a pretty major personal challenge. I can't quite believe it myself, but I did it - I completed 60 Bikram Yoga classes in 62 days! This was not my goal when I began, but rather it evolved into something that I never would have thought I could do. I started practicing at SSHY in December 2012. Prior to this, I practiced at another studio but after taking a long break from Bikram Yoga, I decided to start fresh at a new studio. And boy, did it ever feel like a fresh start! The beautiful studio, the amazing instructors, and the very accepting and welcoming community at SSHY helped me to feel like a regular in no time - like I had found a really comfortable home where I could be physically, emotionally, and mentally renewed whenever I wanted.
When I heard that the studio was offering the chance to do a 28 day challenge in January I knew I really wanted to do it. It seemed like the perfect post-Christmas cleanse and something that would help me deal with the winter blues. It felt great, but it truly was a challenge. Of course, the heat and the yoga are challenging enough, but could I really find the time to make it work? With my career being its most busy and stressful during the winter months and with several other life and relational commitments, could I really do this? I found out I could. Somehow, after making the commitment to myself, I could always find the time. And then, when I successfully completed the January challenge, Amanda put this crazy idea in my mind to continue and double my challenge. I actually thought she was crazy. When I ran it past my husband, he thought she was crazy too, and that I was crazy for considering it. But somehow it felt like a good kind of crazy. So here I was…suddenly in the middle of a 2 month challenge. Then, after doing some math, and somehow wanting to say I did 60 classes, I tacked on a few more.
During this challenge, I learned so much about myself. One of the biggest things I learned is that I can be committed to taking care of myself. In my line of work (counselling) I am constantly taking care of others, and even though I know that self-care is important, it’s easy for this to slip. Without Bikram Yoga and SSHY, I am not sure how I would have managed the stresses that came my way during this time. When life got overwhelming for me at my workplace in Jan/Feb, I often found myself thinking, “well, at least I get to go to yoga today.” It was the perfect way to shake off my day and get home feeling renewed. Practicing everyday really helped me balance my emotions and feel positive during a time that I could easily felt anxious and depressed.
With my flexibility and strength increasing I could take pride in my progress as well. I can honestly say now that I crave the heat and look forward to back bends! I could not have said this when I first started practicing, that’s for sure. My back has never felt so good. I still struggle with the postures in the standing series that require me to lock out my knees. I often wonder how long it will take for me to feel comfortable and strong in these postures. But little by little I am seeing improvement and strength and one day I hope to look forward to these postures as much as I do my back bends.
One thing about practicing at SSHY that I need to mention is that it is a place of safety, a place without judgment, a place where everyone can feel accepted wherever they’re at. That is so meaningful to me. Yoga can be thought of have an individual exercise. And it is in many ways. But I do feel like the community vibe is very strong at SSHY. In the room I really do feel like I feed off of the energy of others which encourages me to work hard. It often feels like a team effort to me and that for sure, is inspiration for me to keep coming back. ☺
I would definitely do another challenge and would even take one on for another 60 days. Winter, for me in the perfect time for this, so I’m already thinking that in January and February 2014 I’ll be walking through the doors of SSHY every day. For now, 4-5 classes per week is my goal. Thanks to Amanda and all of the amazing instructors at SSHY for helping me meet my goal and making every class unique, challenging and so rewarding.
I must also say a special thanks to my husband. Without his strong support and encouragement I could have felt guilty for taking the time to practice every day. He even started coming with me! Thanks BJ. You’re the best.
~ Laureen Janzen, SSHY Bikram yoga student, Winnipeg, MB