 Simply put,
the community of students and instructors at Bikram Quincy
makes a great yoga practice extraordinary!
There truly is a great sense of commaraderie
here. You'll always find smiling, happy faces when you
come to the studio. Everyone encourages one another, making
that tough posture suddenly seem like
a piece of cake! The instructors are always ready and willing
to give you helpful tips to perfect your postures, and
the students love to hang out for a few minutes to chat
before and after class.
Come and join us! We'd love to meet you!
For me,
Bikram Yoga is the entire wellness package. You can
cancel your gym membership, stop dieting and quit
weight watchers, and fire your therapist! Seriously
folks, I came to the Yoga class at the age of 48
not expecting much more than the local gym could
provide. I was going to the gym about 5 days per
week, using the weight machines and running about
2-3 miles a day. I was beginning to experience lower
back pain and leg cramping due to the running. My
first Yoga class was a killer, WOW 105 degrees, what
are these people crazy? I gave it a few weeks as
suggested. I attended class 2 days per week. I saw
within the first month a small weight loss and increased
energy. At the end of six months, I hadn’t
really changed much else and the studio was about
to do a 30 day Yoga challenge beginning January of
07. This means attending class each day for 30 days.
I decided to put my name on the board and give it
a try. Well I’m happy to say that
I completed the challenge with 17 other dedicated
people. I noticed a big difference in the way that
I looked and felt while I was going through the challenge.
By the end of the challenge, I had lost 14 pounds
and looked as toned as I did when I was 25. I also
started eating and sleeping better without even giving
much thought to it. It’s hard
to do anything bad and go back into that room the
next day.
The big revelation happened to me last week while I
was on a ski trip. I took up skiing at 45. Some said
it was not a good idea at my age to take up this sport,
but I had always wanted to try it. I skied for 4 years
doing pretty well for a beginner, but not really advancing
beyond the beginner stages. I decided to kick it up
a notch as I was feeling real strong after the 30 day
challenge. I decided to take some runs on some more
difficult trails and take myself out of my comfort
zone. I also watched some advanced skiers and noticed
some of their postures resembled yoga postures. I decided
to apply what I had learned in Yoga to my form. While
I was heading downhill I decided to go into awkward
pose, bending at the knees and reaching arms forward.
I then applied the cobra pose to my turns making one
leg out of two, which kept my skis together making
the turns a snap. The balancing postures are also very
helpful in skiing. Well to make a long story short,
I had improved my ability in one short afternoon leaving
the beginner slopes behind forever!
You don’t have to ski to appreciate
the benefits. It can help you in everything that you
do. Whether you play sports, dance, run or just want
to be well and free from pain. Give it a try, you won’t
be sorry! Those of us that go to the class regularly
are very happy we found this Yoga and special thanks
to Charlie and all of our teachers for guiding us along
the way.
Teresa V. Huntington |
Bikram Yoga is a series of 26 hatha yoga
postures (asanas) done in a specific order over 90 minutes
in a room heated to just above body temperature. The series
was brought to the US over 30 years ago by Bikram Choudhury,
and is now taught globally by hundreds of certified instructors.
Having participated
in the 30 Day Challenge, I thought the 20 Camels a
day for 30 days would be a breeze. I was also a bit
skeptical about how much my body would change by concentrating
daily on just ONE posture.
The first week was pure torture. I had serious doubts that I was going to be
able to complete it and thought "I'd rather do 30 classes in 30 days than this
Camel thing". But I stuck through it and now could not be happier. Any doubts
I had about my body NOT changing were shattered. My back feels stronger than
ever and I discovered mobility that I hadn't felt since I was a kid. I have tons
of energy, better concentration and mentally feel soo happy. My abs looked better
after just 2 weeks of Camels than it did doing 100 crunches a day for a month.
I found that the Camels really opened my chest, lungs, neck and throat. Which
as a singer, is such an added bonus. As if all that weren't enough, doing 20
Camels a day really helped my regular Bikram practice. Rabbit pose was once my
nemesis but is now becoming my best friend.
When at first I didn't think I'd make it the 30 days, I can now say I don't want
it to end. I will continue to do Camel postures every day. I've seen and felt
what this posture can do and I'm hooked!
Jennifer Stevens |
This full body workout positively affects every muscle,
every joint, every organ in your body.
Bikram
yoga… It’s 90 minutes long, it’s
105 degrees (and no, it’s not a dry heat- it’s
humid as well). You become drenched in sweat, you
put your body in strange positions; it just ain’t
pretty. Yet, it’s strangely addicting. It forces
you to take an honest look at your body, not to judge
it but to really understand it. It also forces you
to take stock of all your mental garbage. (Oh, the
tricks our minds will play on us when our bodies
are uncomfortable!)
I took my first Bikram yoga class on August 17, 2006.
As early as two weeks later, I could have written a
hefty testimonial extolling the virtues of this particular
brand of Hatha Yoga. Like many others I have read,
it would have listed benefits such as better concentration,
improved posture, stronger metabolism, super soft skin,
a hugely improved body image and an overall heightened
sense of well-being.
Four months have passed and what finally inspired me
to write this is, oddly, footwear- girly footwear,
to be precise. You see, I have ankles that roll out.
Because of this, I have sprained, strained, twisted
and broken my ankles countless times. Both ankles had
become very weak over the years. My left ankle in particular
had become misshapen and extremely enlarged from scar
tissue and calcification. This kept me away from those
skinny tall boots because they felt tight on my ankle.
I was forced to opt for chunkier, more practical shoes
because I didn’t like the way my ankles looked
in slinky high heels; plus, my ankles were so weak
I was afraid I would topple over trying to walk in
them.
Since beginning Bikram yoga, the improvement in my
ankles has been nothing short of miraculous. They have
become much stronger, my gait is steadier, and my ankles
roll out much less. They even look better- the swelling
has gone way down in the left. I see them getting back
to their former slender selves.
A couple of weeks ago on a whim, I decided to try on
a pair of those high-heeled tall boots that I would
normally stay away from. I effortlessly zipped them
up and they felt great! My first thought was, “I’ve
gotta write about this!” I also finally have
the confidence to wear high heels again because I know
they look good and I won’t be worried about twisting
my ankle in them.
Thanks to Bikram, I danced the night away at my work’s
Christmas part in my new high heels.
Franca DeVito |
For 90 minutes you are giving your mind and body the best
therapy possible!
My name
is Margie and I am 55 years old. In 1994, I was diagnosed
with the onset of Type II diabetes. Needless to say,
it scared me tremendously. I changed my eating habits
and started exercising daily. Over 11 years, I lost
75 pounds and kept my blood sugar under control.
In 2005, my sugar started to rise and my body started
to ache. I was not getting the good feelings I used
to get from exercising and running. I hadn’t
changed anything in my diet or routine, but my blood
sugar was rising.
At this point, a friend suggested I try yoga. I laughed
and told her I thought yoga was stupid. Well, I am
now eating my words! In 2005, I took my first Bikram
yoga class. Now, I practice it 5 days a week; and I
have never felt or looked so good. I have been able
to cut my diabetes medication in half while still keeping
my blood sugar under control.
Bikram yoga has changed my life both physically and
mentally. I plan to practice Bikram yoga for the rest
of my life- yogis and yoginis live long and healthy
lives and I want to do the same.
Margie |
Many of the most valued benefits are beyond the body -
such as helping with concentration and relieving depression
or anxiety. Your practice will truly benefit you, inside
and and out, top to bottom. And although it is a serious
workout - it really is fun!
I am 64
years old. I suffer from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
in both knees. I also suffer from a thyroid condition
which impacts my energy level. Though I had always
been physically active in my earlier years, these
diseases prevented me from continuing any type of
meaningful exercise program.
In July 2005, I tried Bikram yoga at the urging of
an old friend. In the ensuing year and a half, I have
noticed considerable improvement in all aspects of
my health. My knees feel stronger and the pain from
the arthritis has lessened, my thyroid condition has
moderated, resulting in a lower does of medication
and increased energy.
Moreover, I have a new sense of well-being that encompasses
all aspects of my life- physical, mental and spiritual.
I look to Bikram yoga to keep me on this healthy track
for years to come.
anonymous |
Bikram yoga, done faithfully (minimum 3x week), can increase
your wellness in many areas. |
