Everybody has a story...

Recently at Bikram Yoga Woolloongabba Benn Lees the teacher was telling us about some of the health breakthroughs that some of the students had experienced.

He then said something like "...everybody has a story..."

I have thought somewhat about what my story might be.

I can't lay claim to have had any healing miracles. My journey often appears to be one of progress, plateaus, setbacks and then more progress and so on.

I often do not see any progress and some days, honestly, it feels like I am starting all over again and the body feels like I am made out of concrete and, yes, I sometimes get sore after I practice.

So, I have been thinking a little about my story, because of a few things that have happened recently.

My wife and I went back to Wollongong, a city in New South Wales, where we both grew up as my father is unwell.

We had the opportunity to practice at Bikram Yoga Wollongong and catch up with two teachers Marc and Christina who had taught us for a period of time at Bikram Yoga Capalaba. Louise made the comment that they would see big changes in my practice, that I poo-pooed, because I felt like I was going backwards. She told me that she wasn't making up stories and that they would see it for themselves.

Also, recently another teacher complimented me on my postures and said that she would like to get me to  demonstrate Half-Moon one day, and before I could think I already heard myself say "Thanks, but please don't today...."

Another teacher recently, gently, suggested I should stop hiding towards the back of the class and practice in the first two rows because as a more experienced student I should be towards the front assisting newer students by them observing the more experienced students.

I have had the opportunity to explain to family, friends and colleagues why I willingly go into a room heated to 40C for 90 minutes several times a week...

So my story is that:
Over the last four years I have willingly participated in hundreds of Bikram Yoga classes in various countries. It is something that my wife and I enjoy doing together. We have met some wonderful, dedicated teachers and students who have become friends.

I have progressed physically over the last four years and my postures are steadily improving as I try to stay more present and put the dialogue into practice.

I have been able to deal with the stresses and strains of my work and life in general a lot better.

I am much more flexible than I was when I started. I am still progressing, and learning to overcome my mind and my personal challenges and obstacles.

Being more aware of my body means that I am more committed to my health and this has flowed on what what I eat and how I nourish my body.

It amazes me that after 4 years, I still go to Bikram Yoga yet I don't like the sub tropical summer heat and humidity of Brisbane, although I do deal with it a lot better thanks to Bikram Yoga.

If I can do it...anyone can.