Introducing . . . . the little brother's ex-girlfriend

Hello everyone,

My name is Ashley. I have been a practitioner of Bikram Yoga for the past four years. Amber mentioned me as one of the people who helped pique her interest in this incredible yoga practice.

But first, some background.

I am an actress, living in New York City. Just before I started incorporating Bikram into my life, I had some major personal upheavals. I was looking for something that I could count on, that would continually challenge me, and help me with the health problems I was dealing with. When I was 17 I was diagnosed with a cyst the size of a plum on my right ovary which needed immediate surgery. After the surgery I was left with 1 1/2 ovaries, four incision sites, a lifetime prescription of birth control and debilitating migraines that struck almost every day. O, and lets add a little more. I was never told to attend physical therapy, so my incisions never healed properly, and would give me some really intense pain that I can only describe as a 'pulling' sensation. I turned 20 with many of the same problems I had directly following the operation.

I needed to change something. Coming to the realization that you no longer have to live with your pain is a very interesting place. Whatever your pain is, in your knees, your back, your blood pressure, you heart, we as humans need to see that our pain is NOT what defines us, and letting go of it brings us closer to who we are then keeping it ever could. And I came to the point to let go of the bullshit. But how?

My dance teacher and a follow classmate at the time where both Bikram yogis, and they urged me to give it a try. I remember very little about my first class, other than the teacher was a man named Luke who was covered in tattoos and who remarked that I had a very flexible back. And I remember calling my mother right afterwards and saying, 'I think I like it.'

That first week I went back to class every day. I was hooked.

Since then I not only have become incorporated into the Bikram Yoga NYC family as a student and a studio sub manager, but my practice has become quite advanced. So much so that the owners of my studio are badgering me in earnest to take part of the Bikram Yoga Competition.

I will explain the competition some other time.

However, what is more, I no longer get migraines as often as I used to. As opposed to every day, I now get them maybe once or twice a month. I only get a pull from my scars once in a blue moon, but I still only have 1 1/2 ovaries. I am stuck with that one.

Bikram really changed my life. I am healthier, stronger and feel more myself then I ever have in my life.

A couple of things I would like to highlight from Amber's previous posts.

1. Not leaving the room.

The room is hot. I mean really hot. And, in all honesty, as a New York City Bikram practitioner and having take class in other cities I can safely say that the NYC studios are consistently the hottest studios. However, if you leave during class you are telling your subconscious that what you are going through is bad and wrong and it will be harder for you to stay next class. If you feel nauseous, light headed or overwhelmed, simply taking a knee or sitting down completely is perfectly acceptable. Just don't be lazy.

2. Wiping sweat off during class.

Amber mentioned in one of her blogs that she needed to constantly wipe off sweat. Hate to say, but doing that will only make you hotter AND make you sweat more AND dehydrate you faster. Your body sweats to cool off, and when you wipe off the sweat you body says, 'Shit, we have to cool down again,' and uses more of your water to sweat. My advice, LET IT FLOW! Enjoy the dripping!

3. Don't dwell on the negative.

Amber mentioned in her last post that she didn't go to class and she made some choices that could be considered as taking a step backward, but that she wasn't going to dwell on the negative. Everyone, including myself, should take this mantra and run with it, in the studio and out of it. One day off is not going to kill you. In fact, Bikram himself advises one day off. When you develop flexibility and change the muscles you are actually tearing muscles a little. Thats why your body hurts the day after a workout/yoga class/whatever. And your body does need time to absorb your work.

But I have strayed from my point.

You may feel like you are going backwards, but you are not. You achieve more on those crappy days when you push through the crap then on the days you feel like a rock star. So don't be hard on yourself on the crap days, and don't let yourself off the hook on the awesome ones.

Ok, I think thats all from me tonight (this morning?). Please post questions, I would love to answer them.

Namaste, my friends!

Axxx