Today is September 19, 2017. 30-Days ago I wasn’t sure this day would ever arrive….you see on August 21st I signed up for my first Bikram Yoga class- in hopes of restoring my body, mind and spirit.
I know many people, men, women and even children love yoga and have encouraged me over my lifetime to give it a try, but up until a month ago I had no interest. It sounded boring and overly repetitive, at best!
Then a month ago I had a heart-felt talk with myself and asked my body, mind and spirit (soul) what it needed. I was tired, I had ‘tennis elbow’ due to overuse playing tennis, using the computer and lifting weights and I was discouraged. I was looking for something- and had no idea what that ‘something’ would be.
When I heard the loud “whisper” back telling me I need BIKRAM YOGA I wanted to ignore it, only I couldn’t. Why ask if I don’t want to hear my inner truth- right? So I looked up local studios in the Burlington VT area, dusted off an old Bikram for Beginner’s book (not sure why I still had it after a few classes back in the early 2000s) -then I made a personal commitment to do (or try?) Bikram yoga for the full 30-Days. 
When I signed up there was a new student special, as is with most- if not all Bikram studios throughout the world. $30 for 30-Days. You can take as many classes as you want or physically can, in those 30-Days. I had no idea if that would mean 1 class, 5 or 20….and I certainly never thought I would or could do 30 classes in 30-Days.
Birkam Choudhury says to give Bikram 30-Days and it will change your body and give it 60-Days and it will change your life.
When I signed up for the 30-Day pass I had no other goal than to do one day at a time. The Bikram studio is 105 degrees of ‘heat’ and 40% humidity!!!!!
Day 1 I was petrified…. and although I had no idea what I was doing, with great instruction I did each of the 26 poses as best as I could, never sitting one out…. and I survived. (barely I may add, but I kept coming back!)
Now looking back Day 2-30 is a blur….but if you want details you can check out the MANY blogs I did during those days at www.WorkWithDaveandJoy.com. Some days were easier than others and there were those amazing days that I felt extremely strong….and then some days it was all I could do to complete the 90 minute class and keep my arms straight and glued to my ears, which for someone with ‘tennis elbow’ was a challenge!
On September 1st, the studio I go to (Queen City Bikram Yoga, which I highly recommend) started their OWN 30-Day Challenge. http://www.queencitybikramyoga.com/ Now I had a decision to make. Do I continue on with my own 30-Day Challenge AND then add on and begin a full 30-Days in September? If so, that would be 41 days in a row and that seems daunting!
Today is Day 30- for ME and my personal 30-Day Challenge… and I haven’t yet decided if I’ll continue on, but for sure I’ll CHAMPION MYSELF on doing what I once thought was 100% impossible. My husband has been ultra supportive in every way possible, even so much that he did 8 classes with me!
Today my husband Dave gave me a sweet CARD with a gift certificate in it for a pedicure and manicure combo. A nice treat. 
Looking back, I am so happy that today is Day 30 and that I accomplished what I thought was impossible! I do love big challenges in life…. AND along the way, I had FUN, challenged myself, made new friends and found a new ‘sport’ aka “practice” that I know I will continue.
From this day forth, I am thinking I’ll let my body decide how often to do Bikram Yoga. Right now it says 3-4 days a week, mixed in with my familiar activities of weight lifting, occasional tennis and ‘walks’ will be a beautiful balance….but only time will tell.
In conclusion, I highly recommend everyone trying Bikram Yoga and doing an introductory package so you can do as many (or few) classes as you want in 30-Days. I heard so many people in class share their experiences on overcoming physical challenges and injuries and how the THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS of BIKRAM made a huge difference in the quality of their lives. That’s what its all about!
For me, my ‘tennis elbow’ has improved and my flexibility and my balance is MUCH better than before! I breathe differently, which is great as I have always been a very shallow breather.
I melted many inches of FAT off my body, in particularly off my belly area, as well as legs and hips.
I did NOT lose any weight on the scale as of today, (bummer!) which shocked me as I thought I look like I dropped 5-8 pounds, but ya know what, my clothes fit better, I can wear my ‘tester’ jeans now and I feel like I am getting my ‘sexy’ back, after menopause. (Yup, my men-o-pot is smaller, thanks to Bikram!)
Make an investment in your health. Try something new, take a risk, even if you are not good at it- trust me here, I have never felt so incompetent in my entire life as I have while doing Bikram yoga!
Although I now KNOW the poses and am 100% better than when I began, it is a life-time ‘practice’…. and there is NO competition – other than against yourself.
Care to share YOUR feedback with your Bikram Yoga – or if you ever ever done 30 days or 60 days in a row? I’d love to hear from you! Thanks for reading and supporting me on my journey!
Joy Edgerton
802-846-7530
joyedgerton@gmail.com
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