What our students say... I am a type A person, my mind never stops. On the outside people may be impressed but on the inside my focus in life and ability to sleep peacefully have been a challenge to say the least! When I began Bikram yoga two years ago I first felt intimidated at the language, moves, and how different this practice feels versus vinyasa yoga. But I kept coming back. I can do feel my body and soul become grounded after a class drinking water and replenishing myself with positive energy. We do different moves and then must go still (savasana); what a great parallel to life, do my task and become still. Focus on the moment, not on what I should be doing next, breathe, let go and sweat out my fears. Bikram Yoga has changed my life and I am very grateful for the wonderful teachers and community at Bikram South Yoga Kansas City. Kathy L. In terms of years on this planet I am 44. In terms of how my body and mind was feeling…I was 144. In the past I was a professional performer with significant wear and tear on every joint especially feet, knees and entire spine. In my current profession I daily participate in the sport of "power sitting". Likely due to the combination of past and current careers, as well as the old grab bag of genetic goodies I now struggle with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, and arthritis. I also have significant symptoms related to surgical menopause. Every joint in my body ached, throbbed, clicked and popped. Other assorted complaints include hot flashes, weight gain, drooping skin, hair loss, muscle deterioration, fatigue, and I will admit to the tinniest bit of irritability. Just four weeks into practicing Bikram yoga at Bikram Yoga South Kansas City I have been taken off hypertensive medications and my blood pressure has been the best it has been in over 13 years! After three months, and a three week period of daily classes, I have lost weight. But the truly amazing benefits are significant improvements in my energy, stamina, strength, balance, posture, muscle tone, skin texture, and overall well-being. I even have a waistline again! There has been a noticeable decrease in headaches, back pain, and digestive problems. The most profound change I have noticed is a deep sense of peace that with my commitment to a more dedicated practice persists between classes. In other words I am living the truth of the old saying "Rule number one is, don't sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it's all small stuff." ~Robert Eliot. One more note…while I acknowledge that it is MY work in class that is responsible for the amazing mind and body transformations I am witnessing in my life, I cannot say enough about my teachers and their superb guidance. Each instructor has listened and answered every question and concern which has resulted in a deeper and more meaningful practice for me. Namaste, Lea I started Bikram Yoga about one year ago. I heard about it from a friend down in Texas. I thought this was something that I wanted to try. I went on the internet to see, if there were any studios in this area. I found out that Bikram Yoga South Kansas City is right on my way home from work, so I figured I could not use that as an excuse, for not trying it. I went to my first class in November of 2008. I still remember it well. I kept thinking what am I getting into, but at the time I was working out some at a health club and did do some jogging, so I figured this can't be to bad. I soon discovered that working out at a health club and doing some jogging is not anything like being in a Bikram Yoga Class. I remember the instructor telling me to take it easy the first class and watch what everyone else is doing, of course I thought I needed to try and do all the postures right away. I got about what was about half way through the class, this being my first class I did not know, and began to wonder if I was going to survive the class. The instructor had said not to leave the room and just stay on your mat and take it easy. I took it easy for the rest of the class and still tried to do some of the postures, but was pretty much in a survival mode for the last part of the class. I did survive, but then I had to decide if I was going to come back or not. I had paid for a couple of weeks and am pretty stubborn about getting my monies worth out of something, so I did come back. The second class was much better, maybe because I knew what was coming and could pace myself a little more. Anyway after coming back several times the class actually seemed to start going by pretty fast and I started to feel better about myself and my health in general. I started coming at least once a week and tried to make the class twice a week, if possible. In August of this year, I went on a work assignment for 3 months where I did not have access to a Bikram Yoga Class. I was feeling fine at the beginning of this assignment, but by the 3rd month I could tell that my general feeling of health was reverting back to what it was before I started taking Bikram Yoga Classes. I got back into town from this assignment right around Thanksgiving and started attending classes again. I have taken 3 classes a week for the last couple of weeks and have really started to notice that I am feeling good again. I would say to anyone who is just starting to take the classes hang in there. Do not take just one class and decide "Bikram Yoga is not for me". The other thing is to have fun in the class as the instructors are always saying, but don't forget to push yourself in order to get the most out of the classes. The old cliche "No Pain No Gain" comes to mind at least for me after about a year of taking these classes. Derald K I began my bikram yoga practice in January 2009. I feel like a completely different person now! I sleep better, I drink more water, my ability to focus has increased, I'm much happier emotionally, and, of course, my body is reaping the benefits of this wonderful exercise and meditation. It's taken some patience and hard work. Thomas, Brenda, and Rob are there for the students and have created a wonderful community of love and support for all of us. I feel inspired by each person who comes to the studio. Charlene B (11 months of bikram yoga practice) I started doing Bikram Yoga in November 2008. Since then, I've done Bikram Yoga 2-4 times a week. The changes are several. I sleep better, my left knee with bursitis doesn't hurt anymore. My lung capacity is better, proven by my ability to sing a longer phrase without a breath. My back no longer hurts. The most important benefits may be the sense of peace, of being grounded and the patience I feel. Jan C Since I began doing Bikram yoga approximately 2 years ago the benefits have been numerous: It is the only exercise I have ever done where I actually feel energized when I am finished. I have really come to enjoy "sweating profusely" in the heated enviroment as my body releases many of the so called "toxins" you guys all refer to. As a former 3 mile a day runner/jogger, I now feel like I am "exercising and stretching" my entire body in a healthy way instead of just pounding my legs, knees, feet and back with the constant running. Have replaced running 6-7 times a week with Bikram yoga 2-4 times per week. Increased flexibility and upper body strength - I am an avid golfer who has gained 10-15 yards of extra distance due to the increased flexibility. All of the 26 postures represent a recurring challenge each session, some more than others, to push your body to new points of resistance. Everyone in a particular yoga class will have varying levels of experience and stamina and the practice allows you to go at your own pace in a group environment. As a 54 year old male my body does not have anywhere near the number of daily aches and pains that it used to. Yoga instructors/teachers at the South Kansas City location (Thomas, Brenda and Rob) are very positive and encouraging to all students. George M.