Bikram Yoga Savannah

David Adams | May 2012

administrator — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:01:07 +0000

A few years back, I tore the medial meniscus (cartlidge) in my right knee. I hobbled around for the better part of 9 months, trying to avoid surgery. In the end, self-healing was not meant to be. So, surgery it was. But no sooner had I recovered from that, when I started experiencing upper and lower back pain. Not the normal crick-in-the-neck type pain or lower back muscle soreness. It was the real deal. A MRI confirmed one herniated disc and one moderately compressed and protruding disc in the lumbar spine, and one severely compressed and protruding disc in the cervical spine. Not so good. Clearly, years of sitting in an office chair, stressing out, and then trying to make up for it by over-exerting myself every weekend had taken its toll. Two years, several orthopedic doctors, one chiropractor, one massage therapist and two physical therapists later, the situation was really no better. Not being able to get out and exercise regularly, combined with the lack of restful sleep, and the ever present pain were taking me down the long slow road to insanity.

In February 2011, Laura coaxed me into attending my first Bikram class here in Savannah. I was ready for anything at that point. I had never practiced any kind of yoga before and so didn’t really know what I was in for. Boy, did I really not know! The entire class was like a controlled (barely) crash landing. Dizziness, tunnel vision, unable to breathe……The whole nine yards. I’m quite sure I didn’t try half the postures, or maybe I did but was so far off, the attempts just weren’t recognizable as postures. The thing I do remember most was trying to get out of the room at the end of class. I think I stopped twice to rest. Finally, some kind soul came up and asked if I needed help. I politely declined, but felt…. well… not so good, and probably could have used a hand.

A funny thing happened though once I left the studio. I started to feel better, and better and better. By the time I passed Green Truck on the way home, I could have eaten 5 cheeseburgers. That’s when I knew I had to come back. And when I woke up the next morning, the much-feared return of lower back pain, knee pain, etc… had not materialized (okay, some pain definitely materialized, but it was the normal soreness, not the bad stuff). I was actually looking forward to coming back. I WAS HOOKED!.

So I made a point to come at least 3 days a week, on the theory that my body needed time to recover between classes, and I didn’t want to over do-it, and re-injure something. Most of the time, I found myself sitting out of at least two or three or four postures a class, especially the forward bends. At the time, I had a hard time imaging that I could even attempt every posture during one class. Over time I realized the recovery thing was overrated. Just come as often as you feel like! So I did. Four times, five times a week, sometimes six. The soreness between classes lessened over time, and before I knew it, I had a hard time remembering what it was like to NOT try every posture (“try” is the operative term here). The most amazing thing is the lower back and knee pain seems to have gone for good. I don’t really hold back anymore on forward bends, or other poses for that matter. I still have some limitation in the range of motion in my back, hips and knees, but I’m determined to beat that down…..always more to do.

But another thing has happened that I did not expect. My stress levels have definitely decreased significantly. I am sleeping better (you really have no choice but to crash out after a 6:30 pm class). I feel more balanced, and am better able to cope with everyday problems. My outlook on life and all its trivialities is so very different, so vastly improved, from what it was. The stillness you try to attain in class really does translate to outside world. It is truly almost a spiritual thing. The reset button gets pushed every time I go to class. Once you have that in you, it’s hard not to come to class as often as you can.

So I guess the 60 Day Challenge was next leg up (or down). To prepare, I started doing little mini-challenges, 10 days in a row here, 15 days in a row there, just to get used to the feeling of having no choice. I fully intended on taking a break before the start, but I kept feeling like going to class everyday, so I did, and before I knew it, rats, the challenge had started, so I was stuck. You would think that going to class every day for 60 days would be like one long slow decline into the abyss. It’s not. Some days are definitely not as fun as others (“fun” in a Bikram class? I’ve heard about it, but haven’t seen it yet), but the upswings are there more often than not. One of my biggest fears for the Challenge was getting sick in the middle of it. And that actually happened, a miserable head cold. Sadly for my catalogue of stock excuses, going to class made me feel better, and I think actually shortened the duration of the cold. Rats again! There goes that excuse for not coming. Once I got into the Challenge in earnest, it wasn’t so much a physical, as a mental challenge, for me at least. I think that’s why when I got to the end of the 1st challenge, I kept going. BACK-TO-BACK 60 DAY CHALLENGES!!!! UUGGHH!! But, my mind needed the challenge more than my body needed the rest. It really has re-programmed me to learn to let things go, to drop whatever I am doing and head off to class, or least manage my non-yogi life better, so I don’t have to drop everything. Learning how to actually do that is a very liberating thing.

If healing your mind and body is not enough of a reason to come to class, then the people most definitely are. You can’t practice Bikram by yourself. At least I couldn’t do it. Having lived through even one Bikram class, I just can’t overstate how much respect, appreciation and admiration I have for everyone else in that hot, sweaty room. The positive energy is always there to greet me when I walk in the door, and never fails to sustain me throughout the class. And I can’t say enough about those folks on the podium who are always there to encourage you to do your best, even on those days when you can’t. Leslie, Kris, and Shannon (and the missing-in-action Alexis), I don’t know if there is some degree-associated abbreviation like M.D., Ph.D, M.Ed. that you can put behind your names, but if there isn’t, there ought to be.

Better yet, just feel free to use all three whenever you want because they are well-earned in my book!! Ooops. Gotta go to class now.

Arlene Meyer | April 2012

administrator — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:03:54 +0000

In March of 2011, I decided to give myself a birthday present of a month of Bikram Yoga. A friend from Atlanta kept telling me about it so I took my first class. After that class, I remember thinking. “Why would anyone want to do this?” It was hot, it was humid, the teachers kept asking me to do things that seemed impossible, and it was hard. On top of all that, I had to look at myself for 90 minutes in the mirror! But I had made the decision to take 10 classes and was determined I would somehow do it.

At some point during those 10 days, I became “hooked”. If you asked me then why I liked it or why I continued, I would not have been able to tell you but I made a decision to continue. In April, I became part of the Work Study Program, which has been an important aspect of my Bikram experience. During the past 365 days, I did a 30-day challenge on my own and then during the 60-day challenge I decided to do 69 days for my 69th birthday. If you asked me now what I get from Bikram yoga, I would have no problem telling you!

Bikram is life changing because it has changed me not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually as well. When I started taking Bikram I had hip pain, knee pain, insomnia, RLS, migraine headaches and Adrenal Stress Fatigue. I exercised daily and had been doing so for many years but it seemed to sometimes aggravate these conditions rather than help them. But I believed the teachers – Leslie, Alexis and Kris when they said that it would help and so I continued. There were many postures (and still are today), when I want to scream out while being directed, and say, “Are you kidding?” But I tried to do every posture to the best of my ability each day. And by doing that, my hip pain went away, as did my knee pain. My sleep improved and I have more energy and less fatigue than ever before. But the most amazing thing is that the migraines went away. On the few occasions they would come back, going to class would make them go away!

In Bikram, not only do I get to exercise my body but I also get lessons in life which I can use every day. I have learned that each day, each class, each posture is its own unique experience. I get much more out of it if I do not compare it with another day, another class, another posture, or another person. What is true in class is true in life. When things are not as I would like them, or expect, them to be, I tell myself, just like in class, it is what it is at the moment and the next moment it will be different. I have learned to quiet my mind when negative thoughts pop in. I hear things like, “relax”, “let it go”, or “breathe”. When I have a stressful day, I know I can come into class, and somewhere in the 90 minutes, the day is no longer an issue even if straightening my knee is.

Jamie Cribbs | March 2012

administrator — Tue, 15 May 2012 15:03:00 +0000

Let me start by saying I’m honored to be a part of the Savannah Bikram Yoga family. Everyone here has there own unique story on what led him or her down this path of Hatha Yoga. Mine is no different. It all started with me when I was twenty-eight and my doctor diagnosed me with Testicular Cancer. This is when I realized that I was not invincible and needed to start taking my health more seriously. I started getting into weight lifting and even trained for a bodybuilding contest. I along with my trainer slowly watched my body morph into something I didn’t know I could achieve. I learned a lot of things about my body on this journey to get ready for my competition. In the end I didn’t compete but was thankful for gaining the knowledge from the experience. Since then I have dabbled in all types of exercise and watched my weight and body change through it all. My problem is food. I love it and I’m not picky what so ever about any of it. So exercise is a must.

About three years ago I tore my Meniscus in one knee and had to have surgery then a year later the second knee with surgery following that as well. I finally realized it was time to find a lower impact way of exercising. At this time in my life I had a second round of major tragedies that occurred. Within one year I had lost my Father, My Best friend and my 1st Cousin to suicide. My whole world came crashing down on top of me. I was devastated and didn’t have a clue as to how I was going to pull myself out of such a deep hole. I had been through physiological therapy before and knew what it was about but just didn’t want to go through the whole, “So how does that make you feel?” routine again. I knew there had to be more alternatives out there for me. I’m usually not one that is obsessed with weighing myself all the time but I knew I was gaining the pounds from all the comfort eating I had been doing. When I weighed I was 206 lbs! Close to the heaviest I’ve ever been. It was time for me to get a grip on my Life!
After a few months went by with me still using food as my crutch to sooth the pain. I was on my way home from work when I saw a sign that read YOGA. I’d thought about trying it but was scared to for all the crazy reasons most guys don’t. I also thought my family would think I was really losing it! After a few days had gone by with it staying on my mind. I decided to just secretly go and take a beginners class. Well that was it. During our final Savasana I cried and not just a regular cry the ugly cry! I didn’t care who saw or heard me I was just so overwhelmed with emotion. I knew that from that day forward yoga would be a part of my life. I started going almost everyday. Not long after, a friend told me to try Bikram Yoga. I had tried many styles at the studio I was attending at the time. I even tried their hot yoga (which I really enjoyed). So I thought why not. My first experience with Bikram Yoga was awesome. I loved everything about it. It was unlike any style of yoga I have ever experienced. After the 90 minutes of pushing your body to the max I realized what a challenge it was to just make it through the class. I went home and started reading everything I could about this style of Yoga. I read both of Bikram’s Books and I followed several online blogs of students going through teacher training. I totally immersed myself in it and wanted more. Before long I noticed huge changes in the way I felt about life, my body and my spirit. I slept better. I made healthier choices when it came to food. I could think clearer. I had great energy and although my body stayed sore most of the time I could see more definition in my abs, legs, arms and chest. I was able to finally deal with the loss of my love ones along with everything else life was throwing at me. I tried to practice everyday. I did everything I could to just get in that hot room. I believe this style of yoga not only saved my life but gave me a new one! My only regret is that I didn’t get to experience Bikram yoga when I was younger. I travel for a living and when I get the chance wherever I am. I like to take a Bikram class. I can tell you Leslie has done a great job with this studio. Out of the dozen or so I’ve been to nothing compares to Savannah Bikram Yoga! The Instructors here set a high bar when it comes to the type of discipline it takes to practice Bikram Yoga. When I visit other studios I always try to represent our Savannah Bikram Studio by practicing with good discipline. At 43 years of age I weight 163 lbs and I feel that I’m in the best shape both physically and mentally of my life. I am so thankful to be able to practice this style of Yoga with such great instructors and fellow yogis.
I can’t wait to see were Bikram yoga is going to take my mind and body next.

Robyn Schildkraut | December 2011

administrator — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:51:10 +0000

I am honored to be the December Student of the Month at Bikram Yoga Savannah. I first walked into the studio on January 26, 2010. I knew it would be hot and humid in the room and I knew the workout included 26 postures and lasted 90 minutes. I also knew that I desperately needed to do something just for myself but I was not sure what that was. What I experienced in that first class was a warm (haha) welcome and an instructor who was knowledgeable, motivating and compassionate. I will always appreciate Jaime for that. Even though I was sure I was kept in that room for much longer than the 90 minutes and I thought I was going to die most of the time, something drew me back. I think it was the challenge and knowing that I was going to be guided by caring and intelligent people.

When I tell people about Bikram Yoga they ask me many questions like, “Have you lost weight?” and “Are you more flexible?” I answer is “yes” to both questions but that is not what it is all about. To me Bikram Yoga is about retraining my brain. It is about putting things into their proper perspective and not always reacting to every trigger. It is about choosing to do something just for me and to leave others judgments and criticisms to them. I view the changes in my physical appearance as a representation of the changes that are going on deep down inside of me. I am proud of the 150 classes I have made it through thus far and look forward to carrying that accomplishment with me where ever I go and no matter what I do.

I want to thank Leslie, Kris and Alexis for all of their encouragement and guidance. I also want to thank all of my fellow work study students who have covered shifts for me. Lastly, I want to thank of all my fellow yogis for their good energy and for just being there each and every class. It does help to have others suffering along beside you and to know that together we are all going to be alright.

My 60 Day Challenge: Robyn Schildkraut

administrator — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:28:02 +0000

I never set out to do a 60 Day Challenge. I never thought I could. In fact I used to think that people who did a 60 day challenge were nuts! I mean, even God had a day of rest for goodness sake! I am not athletic. I am not skinny and flexible. I have big arms, a tummy and thick legs. I have done aerobics in the past as well as walked and did a variety of machines at the gym but I have never pushed myself to the limit. I did not know how. That has changed. When you push yourself to the limit physically you are going to change mentally. It just needs to be done safely and the safest, most effective way of doing it is in Bikram Yoga. That is my opinion anyway.

I made the decision at the end of October 2011 that I was going to start going to that studio every day. I knew it was the best place for me at this time in my life and I had the capacity to make the time for myself so why not? There were no expectations. I did not tell anyone. Whatever it turned into, it turned into. I did not focus on that. I really wasn’t too worried about the laundry from it either, which was honestly one of the dumb distractions my mind had come up with to keep me from doing a challenge in the first place. Shall I run off a list of reasons why doing this was IMPOSSIBLE for me to do?

I just can’t.
I don’t have enough clothes to wear to do it.
I don’t have the time.
I am too weak.
A 60 Day challenge is stupid. Why would anyone do such a thing?
That is for other people, not me.
What do I do when I have cramps? I will miss those days because I cannot go to yoga.
I don’t want to wash all those towels.

I never thought about what an amazing journey it might be. I never thought I would be this proud of myself. I never thought I could inspire others. I simply never thought I could. I was sorely mistaken.

I have done so many things that I never thought I could do during this 60 day challenge. For instance, on November 15, 2011, I took my first double! I mean really? Me? Doing a double?! But I did. And you know what? It also was not THAT bad. I survived. In fact, I laughed about what a huge dramatic deal I made about it for so long. The worst part was that I had to take another shower and all the towels I had to wash in one day. There I go with the laundry again! You would think I have to take my clothes down to the river and beat it against a rock to get it clean. In fact, I have done 2 doubles since this challenge began and I have survived. I am also the December Student of the Month which is also another thing I NEVER dreamt I could be. To me, all of the students that have been given that honor are super flexible, have a high level of endurance and are frankly much BETTER than me. There I go again, telling myself every reason I cannot do something instead of telling myself why I can.

I think everyone needs to know what an amazing journey a 60 Day Challenge is. You will learn so much about yourself. You will learn how to let go. You will learn how to breathe. You will have pride in your accomplishment. You will be an inspiration to others. Your body will change in ways you could never have imagined. You will get through each and every class and you will make it! You can make it. All you simply need to do is decide to show up each day. It sounds so simple and yet we make it so complicated.

Around 2 weeks after I started this journey another yogi, Tom, who was also doing a 60 day challenge, came up to me and asked if I was also doing a 60 day challenge. I responded quite abruptly and probably sounded very rude when I said, “ABSOLUTELY NOT! I came today, I came yesterday and I am coming tomorrow.” Then a few days later, I counted up the number of days I had gone in a row and the number was around 20. Then I knew I could make it for 30 but 60 days was still too much for me, or rather that was what I was still telling myself. Then I took my first double and I was so excited. So when day 30 came, I told myself that I was just going to keep coming. I mean, it wasn’t like I was going to stop. I also got more comfortable with the idea of others knowing what I was doing because I started telling people at the studio. It was also at this point that Leslie told me that I had been nominated to be the December Student of the Month. So here I was doing something I NEVER thought I could do; I was nominated for an honor I never thought I had the ability to earn and you know what? I felt really good about what I was doing. I was changing mentally and physically and it was all for the better. Yeah, I did not want to get up and do it every day and I was still doubted myself but I now knew it was just my mind trying to convince me of something that was false and I had the ability to think something else. All I was doing was telling myself the same things that every Bikram Yoga instructor has been telling me since January 26, 2011. I just chose to give myself over to that way of thinking. And why wouldn’t I? It feels good to tell myself positive things. It feels good to focus on what I can do rather than always feeling so helpless over everything I cannot do. It felt so good to be putting myself and my spiritual, emotional and physical needs over everything else. That is not selfishness. It is self care and I deserve it just as much as the next person.

I want you to know that you deserve it also. We all wrestle with negative thinking and self doubt. I know I am not the only one. But giving oneself the benefit of the doubt can allow us all to accomplish the “impossible” and be better for ourselves and the world around us.

Brian Billings | September 2011

administrator — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 10:51:13 +0000

Bikram Yoga Savannah’s first official student of the month is Brian Billings. Brian started practicing with us on July 16, 2010, and has attended an amazing 308 classes (in 14 months!) since then. He completed our first 60-Day Challenge in early 2011 and didn’t miss a single day.

Anyone who has taken class with Brian knows how much fun it is to practice with him. He’s the one giggling when he falls out of postures, occasionally laughing out loud at his own reflection in the mirror and working so hard that you’re inspired to work a little harder yourself. It’s a pleasure to have him as a student at BYS.

Not only is he a wonderful student— listening intently and always, always striving to improve his practice—but he’s just a really nice guy. It brightens our day each time he walks through the doors and we’re all lucky to have him here inspiring us every day.

Brian’s Testimonial

“I had never taken a yoga class until I attended a class at the Bikram studio in Savannah. That was in mid-July of 2010. A friend of mine invited me to attend a hot yoga class with her and I have attended regularly since then. I was 47 years old, a smoker, non-athlete and non-exerciser. I had old fractures in my neck and some lower back pains that I had seen a chiropractor for. I had also done damage to my knees as a former runner.

I don’t know what happened in that first class that I attended but I left feeling euphoric. I believe I got the ‘runners high’ that I had never gotten from running. I got so much encouragement from Jaime and Leslie and all my fellow students that I just kept coming. I found that certain postures actually caused me some fear and anxiety; back bends of any sort were cause for near panic.

A previous abdominal surgery had left me very sensitive to any postures on my stomach as well. Lying on my arms during Locust Pose made me feel nauseous. With a lot of support and encouragement I have resolved some of those issues. Oh, and how can I forget that being still and meditative was absolutely impossible for me. My mind and body were always twitching. I have a long way to go in these areas.”

Links

administrator — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:48:34 +0000