Testimonials

Is it possible I can tell you my short story? Quite some time ago I was in a coma. During this time I had a major organ failure (i.e. all my organs failed – including my brain!). Most of my intestines were cut out cutting right through my core, twice. And my feet were cut into too to attach life support machines. When I finally woke up it took a lot of physio to get me standing and then eventually walking. My balance was affected and my feet were weak and flat having lost the use of the Achilles tendons and several of the toes that help with balance. My core was crazy weak. On account of all my organs failing my body was also weak and my immune system was fragile.

Although some days were better than others I generally considering myself lucky to be alive. I muddled through until a few years later, when my body appeared to begin break down, it became more and more difficult to walk and my kidney, liver, heart etc. were tired. As a result of this I became quite depressed. Then I read about Bikram, attended class and metamorphosis began.

With slow and steady practise at Sohot Yoga, under the tutelage of kind and supportive brilliant knowledgeable teachers, I have begun the journey of putting myself back together. I am now happier and stronger, physically and mentally, than before. Just 4 years ago it appeared I was going to end up back in a wheel chair. Now with Bikram yoga and its seemingly magic effects - I stand up straighter, breathe more deeply, think more clearly, sleep more soundly, have better skin; Not to mention a lovely yoga bum. People say I look younger!!" The phrase is often over uses, but Bikram truly is… Life Changing!

I don’t recognise myself from that girl a few years ago. I am still a work in process. I will always do Bkram and will always be so very appreciative of the day I made the decision to come to class. After three years I am still just at the beginning. I keep wondering with Bikram yoga what else is possible?

PS Every class is different…
Sometimes it is hard to stand up
Sometimes I am so tired
Sometimes everyone is doing it properly except me
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed
Sometimes I feel elated
Sometimes I feel powerful
Sometimes I feel strong
But I always feel glad I came

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Dear Lorraine, Bill and Elaine,  First of all thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating two wonderful studios here in central London and filling them with kind hearted, caring and inspirational people. Your space, these people, this yoga has undoubtedly changed my life and I am still transforming as I go.

Within six months of practising at Soho back in 2009 I started looking in to how to be a Bikram Yoga Teacher, but always thought it would be something that happened in 15+ years time for me.

I changed a lot over the years that followed – physically and emotionally – in ways that I never expected or imagined. I never saw these changes in myself until two years down the line, but friends, family, my teachers, tell me it happened sooner. I realise now how intense and powerful this yoga is, and the huge impact it has on the lives of those who practice it.

In the last year in particular I’ve encouraged people to come try Bikram yoga, who have then succeeded in altering their bodies, opening their minds and hearts. I have also been very fortunate to watch complete beginners start from scratch and get immersed in the practice. To be a part of their change in shaping their lives and their bodies, talking with them about yoga and answering their questions. All of these encounters have inspired me to want to bring this yoga to people through teaching, and I am very passionate about working with people.

Bikram yoga allows me as an individual to unlock myself from all the things that I think and do to hold myself back. It allows me to be the person I always wanted to be. Calm, kind, positive, strong, brave and patient. Ultimately though, it allows me to be happy and at peace with myself and others.

I believe compassion and understanding are essential for teaching this yoga – not every student can perform every asana, due to injuries or even fear. I understand what that feels like 100%. People assume that being under 30 means you can do every asana without difficulty. For me it’s the opposite. I have injured my knees, a misaligned pelvis, tight hips, and pulled muscles frequently. Even now, I still have fear of certain asanas involving the knee (tree and toe stand in particular), but I know I will overcome this through regular practice. This training is not about perfecting my own yoga practice – I hopefully have a lifetime to work on my personal practice. This training is to teach me to help others and guide them through their own transformation that has happened to me, and to help them overcome their injuries and fear as I am still doing in my own practice.

I am a committed student of Bikram yoga, practising over 330 times in 2010, including when on holidays in New York, Paris and Spain! I have worked out my options for financing my teacher training, and the next step for me to gain the support and approval from you guys, my studio owners. With this note I would like to express my intent that I plan to participate in the Fall 2011 Bikram Yoga Teacher Training programme in Los Angeles mid September, and hope that you can encourage and assist me along the way as and when I’ll need it.

Thank you again,

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You are the best Bikram studio in London, Victoria. The only one that doesn`t smell of cheesy feet.  It`s always very clean, well kept. Hygiene is 100% superfantastic. I love that green liquid that smell so nice in the toilet. People at reception, teachers are all marvellous. I am totally addicted to it and after my trial 10 days I will become a full member unlimited.  I am so enthusiastic about Victoria Bikram studio and I am telling all my friends and family. I will bring you so many people.

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In 2002 a misdiagnosed prolapsed disk in my spine, left me almost paralyzed, with a partially damaged left leg, and emotionally traumatized. I had to undergo complex urgent surgery to save my back, and afterwards I was in a lot of pain all the time. I was told that the best thing I could do for my back was to stretch, so I started practicing Hatha yoga. Then a friend told me about Bikram Yoga, and how it was supposed to be really healing for injuries like mine. I took my first Bikram class in the spring of 2004. Little that I know that I was about to embark on an incredible journey.

I must admit, it wasn’t easy getting into it, the heat, the pain…….and I was so stiff, there was no way I was going to be able to do some of those positions! Because of a job that took me travelling around the world, I wasn’t able to practice on a regular basis until 2007. Now Bikram is an integral part of my daily life, I practice 5 to 6 times a week, and with the regular practice I have witnessed my body, my mind and my whole life change. I have regained so much flexibility, I am not in constant pain anymore, I am stronger, I have lost weight; in fact I am in the best shape I have ever been my whole life. I can hardly remember that I was almost paralyzed, and my outlook on life is completely different. I no longer work in finance, I have set up my own business and I am living a completely different life.

Bikram Yoga Soho is for me a real community, I have met some extraordinary people here and wonderful teachers who have inspired me to be patient and to persevere, to respect my body and accept its limitations, to practice with integrity and allowing myself to get to my best yoga practice in my own time. I don’t compare myself to other practitioners in the room anymore, because it is my practice, it is my journey. I have kept on coming, with patience and tenacity, I never left the room (ok, except that one time during Fran’s class, but I really needed the loo!), and I have seen that whether we believe it or not, our bodies get there in the end. Now I practice with incredible mindfulness and the class for me is my daily meditation, my way of checking in with myself, of acknowledging what is there to “just be there!” and to do my best, whatever my best for the day is, always. I have learned that you can’t always chose the teacher and believe me, you certainly can’t choose the lesson, because even though the 26 postures sequence is the same every time, we are not.  Our bodies and our minds are different every time. Just like in real life, some days are good some days are bad, and all we can do is do live through it with as much presence of mind as we can, without judgment, and do our best, and smile!  There are times in which when I practice, I feel that I have gone back many steps and this is very humbling, because it’s made me appreciate never to take my body for granted anymore.  But then there are days in which my body is very responsive and I move forward with my practice, and what a joy!

I am now able to do some positions I never dreamed I could do, and I smile at myself in the mirror, in almost disbelief, because I’m mystified by my own transformation. I have overcome a lot of fears in that room, and I have come to trust my body and listen to its silent and wise language, because it always knows what is best for us, and “that” has given me a lot of faith in myself and ultimately in life. It has also made me stronger and able to face the challenges that are out there, because if we can transform and enhance or bodies in the yoga room, than we can certainly do the same for our lives, and if we can enhance our lives, we are happier, if we are happier we are kinder, and kindness is good for us and the people around us.

And now? Well, the journey goes on. Maybe teacher training is next.

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- Margaret -