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Yeah, I know. That’s a big statement. Especially for me.
I can have some bandwagon tendencies. I jump on and ride along for about six months until a more interesting wagon rolls on by.
This is different. Bikram is a keeper. Yoga is a lifelong practice for me and if I ever stop doing it, someone needs to kick my ass back on to the mat because I’ve temporarily lost my mind.
The spiritual aspects of the practice are infused so strongly into my life, that sometimes I forget to pay homage to the physical piece.
When I was 11 years old, I broke my back. I crushed three vertebrae between my shoulder blades and I got whiplash in my lower back. I was encased in a metal brace and I had to use a wheelchair if I needed to walk further than a few steps.
In time I healed, but some issues remained. I had suffered nerve damage and had lingering pain. My left foot would drag when I got tired and the lightest touch to my lower back would cause spasms to shoot down my legs. I was generally stiff and sore but I just accepted pain was part of my life; I was grateful I could walk.
I exercised and tried to keep my back healthy. I went to the gym, spinning and kickboxing and lifting weights. My back pain was managable. It was mostly fine.
Then, at the age of 30, I walked into a Bikram yoga studio. It all changed.
I know people have all kinds of opinions about Bikram. Opinions about the heat, the unchanging routine or about Bikram’s posture trademarks.
I don’t care about any of that.
I care that I am now in my 30s and for the first time in over 20 years I have no back pain.
Bikram makes me strong – mentally, spiritually and physically. This yoga gave me back my spine, in more ways than one.
I was ready for a life with a “bad back”, I was prepared for constant ache and various restrictions. One of those things I shouldn’t be able to do, is this:
But here I am anyway.
It changed my normal. It changed what I could expect from life.
Go ahead and call it a cult and make fun of the Yoga Girl but when yoga is no longer cool, when the world has moved on to the next big thing – I’m still going to be backbending.
That’s why it doesn’t bother me that I have a hard time getting my forehead to my knee in Dandayamana Janushirasana after two years of solid practice. I know I’ll get there eventually. I’ll still be doing this when I’m 84; two years is nothing.
I don’t take complements well. I shrug them off and explain them away. But when someone praises my backbend, I do my best to fight that habit and simply say thank you. Because it’s the purest and most genuine way I know to express gratitude – to my spine, to this practice and to this life.
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Miss copsey said:
And this is why I love Bikram yoga, to practice and teach. You are an inspiration!
Lisa Jones said:
You are too kind. Thank you. (See, I’m working on that complements thing! I actually want to write a monologue about how I’m really not…) Thanks for reading, and for teaching! Passionate teachers are what get the rest of us through class. Namaste.
Helen Currie said:
I have been teaching Bikram Yoga since 1998 and I am still to this day moved and inspired by people. Thank you for sharing your story, honest, and very inspiring. Helen x
Simmm said:
Wow, what a story! I am so happy that you found something to help you heal… after 19 years! Bikram yoga really is amazing. I knew that before, but your story is fantastic proof. Would you mind if I linked to your post (facebook or my blog)?
And I agree 1000% percent: “… if I ever stop doing it, someone needs to kick my ass back on to the mat because I’ve temporarily lost my mind.”
I’ve never stuck with any workout (even though yoga is so much more) for longer than a year. Sometimes I worry that I will give it up in the future for some silly reason. I hope I’ll have somebody to “kick my ass back on to the mat” 🙂
Take care!
Lisa Jones said:
Thanks so much for your comment. I would be honored if you linked to me! I’m lucky because my husband is just as hooked on Bikram as I am – so there is a lot of mutual ass-kicking at my house. : ) Thank you for reading!
cityhippyfarmgirl said:
Geez, your post makes me want to go find my nearest class. That picture is amazing. Good on you girl for doing it, and finding something that works for your body… wonderful!
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so much! It really is an inspiring and healing practice. I think you are totally right, it’s all about finding what works for your body…it’s certainly not right for everyone. Thanks for reading!
Joan DeBlasio said:
I started Bikram this summer. I average about twice a week, a good week is when I get there 3 times. For three years I have had trigger finger in 2 fingers on both hands and of course surgery was the answer from doctors. I started sleeping with wrist bands on and splinting my fingers for some rest. During the day I unlocked my fingers when they locked.. Well since starting Bikram one finger locks up not nearly as bad or as much as before. I sleep with wrist bands only when I over worked my arms. Every pose requires your arm strength from the start you are massaging your knuckles and lifting the elbows. It is an amazing journey. LOCUST is my favorite ….. I felt the movement in my arms and if that is as far as I get for the class I am so HAPPY. It is hard to explain ….. The first couple months my arms hurt to where I could not lift my coffee cup …. Now the discomfort is in the elbows. I have not even gotten to my shoulders. I LOVE BIKRAM!!!! I did not pay for the year of yoga I to jump on a band wagon and usually fall off. All I can say is that Bikram is the hardest goal I have set.
Thanks for sharing.
Lisa Jones said:
I’m so glad to hear that Bikram is working for you! I think it can be an amazing practice for working out injuries. It’s certainly not a quick fix, but the rewards are wonderful in the long run.
Thanks so much for reading!
thedancingj said:
Ok, all the Bikram teachers are now sharing this on Facebook, which is how I found you… this is GREAT! Your story is wonderful and you write about it so well. Beautiful backbend. 🙂
Lisa Jones said:
Ah ha! So that’s the explanation for the astronomical number of hits from Facebook! : ) Many thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you found me!
thedancingj said:
Yup – currently 19 of my Bikram friends have links posted to this blog, and I’m sure there are MANY more out there!
I realize now that you’ve been commenting on my blog for ages and I’ve only just discovered your page. I don’t know HOW I missed this – sorry about that! Am following you now. xo Juliana
Lisa Jones said:
I love your blog! I think yours was the very first Bikram blog I ever discovered. Thanks for the follow!
sanchari said:
I am a Bikram Yoga Teacher. I feel honored to teach it. Amazing story.
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so much. I can imagine standing at the front of a class must be an incredible experience! I’m glad you stopped by!
The Missus said:
Right on, sista!
Before you know it… You’ll be itching to become a teacher. It’s students like you that make the best teachers.
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you for your kind words! And…um…yes. I’m afraid the itching has already begun…. ; ) is it weird to talk about your itches on the Internet?? Hmmm. Oh well.
Hema Parmar said:
I love your story and its so motivating! Thank you so much.
I started Bikram Yoga about 5 years ago, and I loved the routine postures and the itchiness to practice as much as I could, however due to continuing back pain I stopped after couple of years as I felt I wasn’t improving.
Reading this has now got me itching to start over.
Thank you and your back bend is beautiful!
Lisa Jones said:
Thanks so much! I hope you find it works for you!
Rachel said:
I’m printing this one out and will have it on the bulletin board at our studio. Thank you for writing about your journey 🙂 You are truly an inspiration!
Lisa Jones said:
Oh, I’m so flattered! Thank you.
MK Matson said:
This is so inspirational! And I agree your back bend is seriously amazing. I have been dealing with horrid back pain for a long time myself…disc degeneration, and two herniated discs, etc. in my back, but nothing has helped my back so much as Bikram Yoga. I have been attending since the end of September last year, and I too am hooked for life. It has become so much more than just an exercise to help my back though..it’s a spiritual path that will never end. It’s always finding something else about myself in every class. It’s learning to breathe, and finding peace in stillness.
Lisa Jones said:
You put that so beautifully! There is an incredible depth to this practice, I feel like I am only at the beginning, physically and spiritually. I’m am so glad that you found something that works for you and alleviates your pain.
Mary Christenson said:
I am a Bikram teacher – started my Bikram practice at just short of age 54 and went to training at age 59. I have been practicing for 9 years and teaching for almost 4 years. I, too, will be doing this practice for the rest of my life – and that life will be long, because I swear I am getting younger every year.
Lisa Jones said:
I love this!!! Thank you so much for sharing. I know you will have a long, bendy, and happy life!! Namaste!
t said:
your story really touched me. I too always say i would do it til i die 🙂 i was in a car accident and was in pain for years. this yoga was the only thing that could manage it. thank you for sharing your wonderful story and the picture of your awsum back bend. you are a beautiful person and i agree w/ the above posts, you’d make a great teacher!
Lisa Jones said:
I can’t thank you enough for your sweet, encouraging words. I’m so happy to hear that you were able to manage your pain with Bikram. What a blessing that is, huh??? Namaste!
Ros said:
I just want to tell you that I share your sentiments to the last drop. This article eve. Made me tear as does my practice – I just can’t find the words so I just let the emotion out. Gorgeous backbend. Thank you for this, made my morning a lot nicer.
Lisa Jones said:
I’m so happy to hear that you could relate. It is an incredible practice. Thank you for your comments – much peace and happy practicing to you!
Dina F said:
Awesome, thanks for posting this! I have been practicing since I lost my job over 5 years ago. It is the place I go for mental clarity many times a week. I am glad it is helping you mentally and physically, it is a beautiful practice.
Lisa Jones said:
I think the mental aspects of the practice are limitless. I actually started my first 30 day challenge the day that my dog passed away, and I am not sure how I would have gotten through without the support and mental clarity that I got from my studio and my practice. I’m so happy to hear that you have found similar comfort in it! All the best to you – namaste!
Lynn Ruiz said:
You inspire me more Ms. Lisa…. Back in January 1997, I gave birth to my one & only child…a beautiful baby girl over at St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, NJ via emergency C-Section. After a few weeks, I had on and off fevers and the doctors could not figure out where the infection was coming from. I finally decided to bring my baby back home to my parents until the doctors figure where the infection was coming from. They finally said that my aortic valve was destroyed by a certain bacteria. Hence, I had difficulty breathing and I could not walk three steps without resting. I was on a wheelchair on a flight back to New Jersey for my open heart surgery. Surgery was done sometime June of 1997. I had bacterial endocartitis and the doctor used a tissue valve for the replacement. I had difficulty recovering… it was very traumatic….
Full recovery took about a year or so… I could not exercise much except to be on a treadmill. Soon after I gained so much weight… I was a size 16 going to size 18. I was almost 200 lbs. Perhaps due to the trauma from the surgery and all the other emotional aspects that went with it. The valve lasted until 2006, I guess I didn’t take care of myself. It should have lasted around 10 or so years. I returned to Virginia Beach, Va at the Sentara Norfolk Heart Hospital for my 2nd valve replacement in 2006. I opted for another tissue valve because a mechanical valve entailed taking blood thinners. I hated taking medicines after all the antibiotics they injected my body with.
After the surgery, my parents decided to send me back to school for my master’s degree in entrepreneurship. After I graduated, a friend introduced me to Bikram Yoga here in the Philippines. I have been practicing Bikram yoga since 1997. This is my 5th year and I am now a size 6 and down to 135 lbs. My daughter is now 15 years old and she practices Bikram yoga every summer with me. The yoga has kept me going, the breathing techniques, the commitment to the practice, the discipline, the mental focus… I love it… I practice everyday… I am not complete without the yoga in the morning. 6:30AM class I am always there in the torture chamber… I don’t do back bends like you do but I try my best… The teachers always say the hard way is the right way… I got taller by an inch… love that rabbit posture… Bikram yoga has changed so much in me…
I am still praying that my valve will never need replacement. The doctor said the 2nd valve is good for 15 years…. perhaps longer than that if I continue to be healthy. None of my teachers know I had the open heart surgery (I signed a waiver)… I don’t want them to treat me like a baby in class…. I am strong and the yoga is keeping me sane and healthy. This is the first time I am sharing this… I hope I can make a difference to other people….
Namaste…
Lisa Jones said:
YOU are inspiring!! Thank you so much for sharing your story –I know it can be a difficult thing to do. I grew taller, too! Isn’t that an incredible thing? I am so thrilled for you that you found something that is so wonderful for your mind, body and spirit. I love that you are sharing that gift with your daughter as well. I wish you a lifetime of great health and happiness. Namaste.
Nandra said:
You, your backbend, your story, are all beautiful. When you’re ready, I highly recommend teacher training. I’ve been teaching for 6 years. It’s the best job ever.
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how many teachers I know have used those exact words, “It’s the best job ever.” I’m starting to believe all of you!! Namaste.
Patrick said:
Been in bikram for over two years….i lost 50 lbs……Now Im in pretty decent shape and need (read want) a bikram girlfriend to eat wholesome foods, practice diligently and have kids….Im in early forties…is that too old?
Lisa Jones said:
Congrats on getting in great shape, Patrick! It’s a wonderful bonding experience to have a partner to share in the Bikram journey with you. My husband and I attend class four times a week together! : )
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virginia said:
wonderful story – thank you so much for sharing ! This can help so many people out there that are in pain- physical and emotional! I will also do yoga until I am 84 🙂
Lisa Jones said:
I was not sure I believed it when I heard Bikram could help my “broken body and screw-loose brain” – but it has indeed done both! Glad to hear you have found something healing there, too! Thanks for coming by!
Buzzz Bizzz said:
Love Yoga & adore Bikram. Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story. “Bikram is a keeper” 🙂
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you! I’m so glad to know there are so many hardcore Bikramites out there!
Alex said:
Your story is inspirational. But reading all your comments below shows you really are a beautiful person as well! You should definitely
teach. You’ve got the heart!
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so so much for your sweet comment! I’m so honored by all the people that have come by to connect. Thanks for reading!
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Nancy said:
I get what your saying, my back has never felt better along with all the other part of my body. I too will be doing Bikram Yoga forever.
Lisa Jones said:
Fantastic! So happy to hear it works for you, too. Thanks so much for reading!
Bre said:
Wow – amazing. Although my back bend looks nothing like yours, I feel as though Bikram has changed my life too. And you know who introduced me…my dear friend Lisa Jones. So…think about how many people’s lives you have changed just through your honest, open communication. You are a wonder.
Lisa Jones said:
Aww, girl. Thanks so very much. Can’t wait for us to go do some back bending together!
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fitnessoversixty said:
Reblogged this on fitnessoversixty and commented:
Perhaps this will help you understand the benefits of Bikram yoga.
K said:
I would love to know if your foot drop is improving? I have heard such different reports on nerve regeneration and it would be great to hear a success story (or your experience). My back injury and nerve damage are about 8 years old and yoga is definitely what keeps me moving, but I would like to heal also.
Lisa Jones said:
In my experience, yoga has absolutely helped me heal, even from the nerve issues. I really hope that it is helpful for you, too! Thanks so much for reading!
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Jessica Sideways said:
Yeah, I know my friend gives me shit for wanting to do Bikram Yoga when I could “just do yoga at the campus rec centre for free”. Humpf. That’s like saying why go to a MD when a ND is willing to do sliding-scale?
Lisa Jones said:
There is something about that hot room…. 🙂
Jessica Sideways said:
Agreed. I know Colorado is famous for pot but why do pot when we could get Bikram Yoga? Additionally, better bodies and healthier minds to boot.
Bikram’s got it all! ^_^
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Christina said:
Amazing story! You are my hero! After 2 c-sections, my second resulted in a uterine rupture that nearly took my life, I had extreme back pain from weakened abs. Everyday at certain times it felt like I got hit by a 2X4 and would paralyze me for at least 5 seconds. I heard about Birkram and was curious yet nervous since I’ve never done yoga. I thew myself into the fire and after 3 weeks I was pain free. Here I am 2 years later still pain free, I am also a yogi for life!
Lisa Jones said:
What a fantastic story! I’m so amazed to hear about the wide variety of things that Bikram has helped with. Thrilled to know that the hot room has made you pain free!! Wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing and reading. Namaste!
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Jan said:
I would like to tell you that I started bikram few weeks ago, this is my 20th class. I have a very sensitive gall bladder. Before I was practicing yoga – it was impossible for me to eat something with fat – like ice-cream, cream, dairy products, fried meat, pan-cakes, etc. The first classes were a complete challenge for me, the beginning was hard. And suddenly I discovered that it is becoming a necessary part of my life. I definitely like it and I feel better. Today I can eat whatever I want, what hasn`t been happening to me in the last 3 years. I feel more downtoearth and I developed more telepathy with my fiance, my mother and my mother and law. Few days ago I woke up, wanting to prepare natural grapefruit juice – she told me that she was thinking few minutes before I woke up that she wanted that juice. Bikram so far is one of my best experiences in my life.
Lisa Jones said:
What a fantastic story! I’m so glad to hear that you’ve had such a wonderful Bikram experience. Keep it up! Thank you so much for reading and sharing! Namaste.
williamryans said:
You have all the same benefits you have in a regularHot Yoga
practice. There’s benefits of
calming the mind, that mind body connection… With the hot, you get the added benefits of
detoxification for our body systems, all of our organs, our circulatory system, our
lymphatic system.practise are maiy way to developed hot yoga otherwise no man connot reached his hot yoga.so practise very carefully and always feed your body.
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Amy said:
I love your blog! Great job!
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so much!!
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how to do yoga backbends said:
Howdy! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Keep up the fantastic work!
Amber has spine problems said:
Thanks for sharing. I’ve been looking for ideas on different things I can do to help with my spine problems, and you gave me hope! I can’t wait to research this so much more and try this. Thanks for your multiple posts on it as well 🙂
C. F. said:
I have a similar experience as yours. I’m also very active…surf, ski, tennis and snowboard. I’m a mailman and developed back problems over the years from carry heavy loads of mail everyday. According to a MRI I had a disc bulge and almost opted for surgery. Instead I just learn to endure the pain and tried to stay active. For work I was able to use a push cart and for my sports I would use a back support. It didn’t take much for me to aggravate my back where I would have to take a few days to a couple of weeks off of work to heal. You get so use to the pain that you really don’t notice it anymore unless it increases too much or decreases where there is no pain, which always was only temporary. At 57 after decades of back problems I took a Bikram Yoga class. I didn’t think I would make it through the class, it was torture. I went to 3 more classes. I honestly have to say that I really did not enjoy doing it but I did feel great afterwards. I then just did the 26 postures at home with no heat and only one set. After about a month and a half I noticed that my back was beginning to feel normal. I had almost forgotten how a normal back felt like. I was afraid to give up using back supports for fear of reinjuring my back. After about 2 months I surfed without a back support and have not used once since. It felt so great not to have any back pain. To me it was like miracle, I never had expected I would ever be pain free. I llke you am so grateful that Bikram had figured out a sequence of postures that would be so beneficial to our overall health. And like you expect to be doing these same postures in the same sequence until I die.
Enid said:
You go girl!
Clark Knowles said:
I with you. For a while, friends and family were asking me: “How long do you plan to keep doing that hot yoga?” My answer? “How long do I plan to keep breathing?” It’s perhaps the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I wish I could go right now.
Lisa said:
Perfect answer!
Morgan said:
Lisa,
First, thank you for your story. Bravo for your efforts to eliminate back pain!!
I (also 30 years old) have been experiencing back pain for the past two years, which has become more and more consistent over the past six months. About two months ago, I noticed sciatica-like symptoms down my left leg (not severe) flaring up fairly frequently.
I have always been active (soccer, biking, running, weight lifting), which I view as a necessity considering my career as a CPA (too much sitting!!) and the inherent back problems that come along with it…
However, with my back pain/symptoms starting to resemble more and more a herniated disk, I finally took my wifef’s advice and began attending Bikram Yoga classes about two weeks ago. Today was class #10 and while I feel great during and immediately after the class, the soreness and tightness in my entire back is pretty intense, especially when I sit.
I know I am in the early stages and Bikram is very intense; however, I wanted to see how your journey was when you first began and when you remember feeling the benefits on a consistent basis in your back?
Just trying to keep my head up… 🙂
Thank you!
Lisa said:
Keep that head up! Good for you for starting the practice – I know how overwhelming back pain can be. Personally, I would say it took a couple of months of 3-4x/week practice before I really saw some changes. And at about 6-9 months in, that’s when it felt miraculous. So, it’s a long journey, but so worth it.
I’d encourage you to keep trying, and just really listen to your body.
I wish you all the best and please keep in touch and let me know how it’s all going!
Peace,
Lisa
Miss Nutralicious said:
Thanks for the inspirational story! I just completed my 30 day challenge this past week…today will mark my 33rd consecutive class. I just can’t stop! I don’t plan to quit visiting my local Bikram yoga studio anytime soon. Great job keeping that back strong, and thanks for the reminder to never take ‘being fit’ for granted.
rahayumatruno said:
Reblogged this on Life and Learning.
travelswithslippers said:
Less dramatic, but here are my comments… :https://travelswithslippers.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/why-i-will-still-practice-bikram-yoga/
freemoviesonline2uran said:
The first helpful tool for a total yoga beginner is to build basic familiarity with yoga … I am so glad this post was helpful to you. …
yoga for beginner
Jordan said:
Your backbend rocks, amazing lady! I hope you are still enjoying the best place in the world: your mat. I’m 6 years in Bikram, and I can’t imagine ever quitting.