Alison Gowland – Rheumatoid Arthritis

Friday, November 4th, 2011

Since being diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at age 13, followed by rheumatoid arthritis a few years later, I had struggled endlessly juggling combinations of drugs, therapies and operations to combat the pain and inflammation that had engulfed and at times, completely crippled my body – that was until I discovered Bikram Yoga aged 34.

After walking through the doors of hot room for the first time at the old Burleigh Beach studio, I had an enormous sense that I had finally found a remedy for my pain. At this stage I had just undergone four operations within a year on my foot/knees, and took a daily combination of eight types of arthritic medication – however after practicing regularly, within two months not only was I feeling healthy, fit, focused and able to freely move joints that hadn’t functioned in years, I had also rid myself of all the medications, bar one.

That was almost 3 years ago now, and to this day I am painfree the majority of the time from regular practice, and only take the one medication once a fortnight. My rheumatologist says it is the best he has ever seen me!

Additionally Bikram has built up my core strength, flexibility and balance which allows me to pursue my other passion – surfing.

The arthritis will never completely leave my body, but as long as I practice Bikram, my body will continue to heal and I’ll enjoy the active lifestyle I have always craved.

Thank you so much Sean, Jodie and all the wonderful teachers, you have provided so much encouragement and guidance that I will be forever grateful for.

Ali Gowland

Peta Jeffery – Spinal Injury

Friday, November 4th, 2011

In 2008 I injured my lower back, my symptoms progressed quickly from pain to serious mobility issues. In 2010 the doctors went ahead with an Anterior Lumbar Fusion at L5/S1 due to a ruptured disc. The surgery was successful and i was walking (with assistance) within hours, I was so happy. I was still experiencing left leg weakness and nerve compression symptoms along with pain 6 months after the surgery. In April of 2011 doctors found that the L4/5 Disc had collapsed and was compressing L5 nerve root. Doctors wanted to operate again but I did not want them to as I was up and about and didn’t see the point for a 60% chance of getting somewhat better.

I started Bikram yoga in early 2011, before I got the news of my L4/5 disc changes, and my symptoms have only improved since. I have no loss of strength in my left leg any more, Very little Left leg nerve pain and if you saw me you couldn’t tell I have a problem or that there was a large amount of time I spent unable to walk.

Because of the injury, I had very low confidence and had serious issues even voicing my opinion to a doctor or even family member. Through this time I was also having frequent panic attacks, daily headaches and mood swings. Bikram yoga has been amazing for my inner self and has slowly given me a strong mind and the confidence to speak to anyone. Since starting bikram yoga I have not had one panic attack nor have I frozen in public. Bikram yoga has also given me a great body too.

A big thank you to Sean, Jodie and the team, you have changed my life for the better.

Paul Simos – Weight Loss

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

The benefits of Bikram Yoga… Goodness, where do I start?

Bikram yoga has been part of my life for 5 years now and the benefits received have been numerous, not just physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

The most obvious gain has been from a physical nature but by no means the most important. From 95 kilos to 75 kilos, that’s a loss of 20 kilos, which I have struggled with for most of my life. I guess I was like a lot of other people going on crash diets that appeared to work well in the beginning but ending up putting on more weight after the diet than before. With Bikram yoga I have been able to lose weight and keep it off while maintaining a very social lifestyle. The extra energy I now have is fantastic! This is due to working on the other various levels, which has allowed me to keep the weight off permanently. To change on the outside we must first change from within. By practicing Bikram yoga this process will happen automatically.

Bikram yoga gives you results on so many different levels, which are easily sustainable and absolutely life changing.

Many thanks to Sean and Jodie (and the team) who own and manage Bikram Yoga at Burleigh, for their knowledge, support and enthusiasm and always giving so much more over and above the call of duty. Thanks guys

Paul Simos

Tommylee – Words of Thanks

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Thanks Sean and Jodie!

I had a great time – I found it very challenging!

I’ll certainly come as frequently as I can.

Warmest(!) Regards,

Tomylee

Terese Thomas – Words of Thanks

Friday, March 18th, 2011

I am an Osteopath; it is my ‘job’, my vocation, my calling – to help heal fellow humans. The honesty of Bikram Yoga heals me. I honour its wisdom. Release the think about it and just do it.

With Love, Terese Thomas

Luke Miles – Stress Management

Friday, March 18th, 2011

I started doing Bikram in 2000 as a sort of therapy for the rock and roll lifestyle I had adopted as being necessarily associated with playing and touring in bands.  The excess of this fun time was really beginning to show in my overall health and my mental health and well being, and in the wellness of everything connected to me at that time; my marriage, my bands, my music, my art, everything seemed to be unraveling.  It seemed mysterious to me at the time how everything could be falling apart all at once, but it is now clear to me that with myself at the centre of all of these aspects of my life, and myself being really out of control, it was inevitable that my relationships and work would suffer!

Don’t worry, the story has a happy ending… I started doing Bikram yoga, at first as a way to manage my stress, anxiety and wildly fluctuating blood sugar and insulin levels.  And I stuck with it, even though, in retrospect, my practice was a bit of a horror show, and I really struggled.  I went every day I could get to the studio, sometimes two times.  And little by little, my body stabilized and my stress and anxiety diminished.  The need for excess in my life dwindled, and over time disappeared, and with this need evaporating came clarity and balance.  As I found focus in the yoga room, I found focus in my life.  As I found patience in the room, I found patience in my life.  And here I am, ten years later.  I still find my lessons and trials reflecting between the world and the yoga room.  It still is hard as hell. But I am still alive, now in Australia, halfway around the world from my start, hundreds of surf breaks, hundreds of yoga studios, thousands of new friends in my life, none of which I ever would have experienced if I had continued unchecked, without reflection, back in the day.

I have been teaching now for 8 years, and have worked with almost every senior teacher in the worldwide community of Bikram yoga.  I have owned and run my own Bikram studio in NYC, USA.  I worked with Bikram Choudhury extensively over the course of 10 of his teacher training programs. I have worked with folks that have had issues ranging from sports injuries to chronic disease, obesity, mental illness, addiction and chronic pain, amongst other things. And yes, I still play, I still write, and all of it without being a tragic rock and roll cliché.

Come say hi.  I look forward to meeting you.  Thanks again for having me. Luke

James Kadry – Neck Injury

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Hi Sean & Jodie

I would just like to let you know since starting your classes, introduced by my daughter Jasmine Kadry over 1 month ago, how much better I’m feeling. I’ve been training every day before work for the last 10 years, then go to work and train at home at times. I’m 52 & to cut a long story short Bikram yoga has fixed my neck problem I sustained from doing a swimming drill in the pool 6 months ago. I’ve been getting my body massaged twice a month to try and shift the stiffness out of my neck no success. My back has improved with strength. I rode down to Bryon Bay from Burleigh on Saturday 6th Nov and not once did my back & neck seize up (usually it does from this long distance riding especially only riding once a week). I could go on & on with some of my niggling issues. My fitness has improved so much. I’m part of the Friday Warriors training group here on the coast and I’m slowly but surely trying get some of the boys involved. Sorry for saying so much but my pains have disappeared so much.

James Kadry (Kadrys Carpet Cleaning)

Cathy R – Cancer

Friday, March 18th, 2011

When we heard the news, “Cathy you have cancer, Non Hodgkin’s Follicular Lymphoma Stage IV”, my first words to the doctor were “As long as there is something you can do for me we will fight this. I will choose to keep my mind and body in the best state possible to work with whatever medicine you give so we can fight this together, but if you tell me there is nothing you can do for me, then I will go home and spend quality time with my family with whatever time I have left, only then will I have time to cry”.

That was then, before I was blessed with the empowerment of knowledge, which has brought me to my journey of healing, combining both orthodox medicine and natural healing. I had cancer 35% in my bone marrow, around my pelvis and windpipe and a 12x7cm mass in the abdomen area wrapped around my aorta. Now I have 0% in my bone marrow, no cancer around the pelvis or windpipe and the 12×7 mass has almost halved. Diagnosed February 2009 we are now in September 2009.

So why the big smile? The best chance in fighting cancer is to build your immune system. That is not possible if you are feeling stressed and worrying all the time. I know that many will not understand but I have never felt more at peace, fitter, healthier or happier. My body is thanking me for eating the right foods, exercising the way I should be and in return giving me the energy to keep going, to enjoy quality of life and reduce this cancer.

What continues to help me through this journey? Bikram Yoga, meditation, living in the moment and eating organic, high antioxidant rich foods. Meeting the most amazing people, who have inspirational stories themselves. Support from my family and friends and the kindness from those who don’t know me, yet want to help me.

At Bikram Yoga I felt overwhelmed by the support staff provided. They are not only very supportive but also provided professional guidance. They have created a feeling so strong that it contributes to my healing. I could never thank them enough except to let them know that their kind gestures and guidance are contributing in giving me strength and motivation to keep going on and to follow the path I am on. Thank you for this gift you have given me.

Next time you see someone out there who looks like they need it, maybe give them a simple smile or a hug, it really could make such a difference to someone’s life. Be happy within yourself and then share the love with others, it really is a beautiful thing.

When diagnosed with this cancer I had to make a choice. I chose to live. We don’t know what the outcome will be but what we do know is that we are living in the moment, my family live in the now, happy, excited about life and appreciating every breath that we take. What an amazing thing to awaken to from the touch of cancer.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I hope it makes a difference to someone’s day. CathyR.

Paul Nanscawen – Depression and Anxiety / Weight Loss

Monday, February 8th, 2010

They say you have to reach bottom before you can come back up. I’m 50 yrs old and in August 2009 I hit rock bottom. I’d lost the latest round in my battle with alcohol, I was suffering extreme depression and anxiety, I was badly overweight, I hated my job, my life and myself. Thankfully I sought help.

I started seeing a psychiatrist and on my second visit she mentioned Bikram Yoga. I was very open to the suggestion at this stage, so I checked it out on the web and attended my first class the next day. It was pure torture but the elation I felt at the end of the session got me back the next day. I’ve been doing at least 4 classes a week ever since.

Something about Bikram Yoga struck a chord like nothing else has.

This is what I feel it has done for me.

  • I don’t know if you’re ever totally rid of depression but for me it is no longer an issue, the same goes for anxiety.
  • Bikram Yoga has filled the void giving up drinking created. I haven’t had a drink since August and have no desire to.
  • It has raised my self-esteem. I now like the bloke who looks back from the mirror.
  • I’ve lost about 14kg and I am the fittest I’ve been since my 20’s.
  • As a bonus it has improved my golf game by increasing my strength and flexibility.

Bikram Yoga may not suit you but if you have any of the issues I had you really should try it. Sean, Jodie and the other teachers will support and encourage you and who knows it may just change your life, as it surely has mine.

Yours Truly

Paul Nanscawen