Testimonials
Bikram Yoga has improved countless lives. Please share your own experience with us and other readers. Submit a testimonial form. Thank you for your participation!
“I am a new member to San Jose Bikram. I was drawn to Bikram because
of a low back injury that I suffered from being an overzealous
Crossfitter, as I am getting prepared for the Crossfit Games this
Spring. Bikram turns out to be a extraordinarily challenging
practice both physically and for mental fortitude. The instructors
are motivating, challenging each individual. The students are very
friendly and provide a very comfortable atmosphere, which I believe
can be credited to the wonderful instructors. As for my back, it has
been getting significantly better everyday and I am sure it will be
much stronger than before I started Yoga, not to mention the rest of
my body. Thank you.”
- Erik Hayes
After years of dealing with my chiropractor and enduring very painful bouts of back pain, I came to Bikram for a cure. Over the ensuing months I have lost 35 pounds, my cholesterol has dropped from 240 to 160, my blood pressure has stabilized at 120/70 and my resting heart beats at 50. During the winter of 2008’s 60 day challenge I had to drop out of 45 days. I totally felt depleted and went to the doctor were I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Lymphoma. During the following months I tapped that reservoir of health and the teachings of yoga to get me through some painful, humiliating and very trying times. I am blessed to have discovered yoga, because as Michele has said many times, “It’s never too late, you’re never to old to start again from scratch.” – Jorge Helmer
My relationship with my body has completely shifted. I feel stronger and healthier than I’ve felt since I was a child. I feel much more grounded and motivated in all areas of my life. I never imagined that I would actually want to do a 90 minute yoga practice 6 days a week. After the first week or so, I saw such a huge improvement in my overall health and vitality that a natural rhythm developed. I now see Bikram Yoga as one of the most valuable tools for me to stay focused and fit for my life pursuits.- Richard Adoradio
I came to Bikram Yoga simply looking for increased flexibility to balance my heavy lifting and cardio workouts. I’ve come away, in only three weeks, with so much more. Bikram Yoga has greatly enhanced my life in all the centers: mind, body and soul. Body-wise, I’ve leaned out, increased my conditioning, fostered flexibility, gained energy and found my joints and body just feeling great. Mentally, I’ve seen myself glowing with a lot more humor and joy during the day. The investment in time to yoga has paid off in better creativity and an ability to get more done faster while enjoying my work more than ever (and God knows I enjoy my work). Soul-wise, I feel Bikram Yoga is a tremendous compliment to my interests in spiritual and personal growth“ it’s not a doctrine but the practice grounds you in a higher consciousness, organically and with ease. I expect to tell you more in three months, but after three weeks, I’m elated with Bikram. Also, I feel the specific studio of Bikram Yoga San Jose a true blessing as it’s impeccably run and managed plus all of the teachers and staff are truly committed to making the student’s experience special. The vision of the studio is to bring improved health and well-being people’s lives, and they have already succeeded in this and more with me. – Halfdan Hussey, Co-Founder & Director, Cinequest
I felt it was important to express my gratitude to everyone (BYSJ). Up until a couple of months ago I have lived with pain throughout my entire body from full contact sports, being in construction for 15 years, and some life ending injuries. I did not think that I would be able to do the yoga because of my bodies condition. I have found that through concentration, and excellent instruction I can do it! – BYSJ Member, Rex Carman
I have learned to quiet my mind and appreciate the stillness that comes when I do my postures. When I sit in my stillness, I can breathe, be grateful for my health, and let go of any and all distractions that cause me to stress or suffer. - Ramona Percelle
It is surprising to me, astounding really, that at this point in my
life I am willing, eager even, to participate in 90 minutes of exercise that leaves me so exhausted and wet and so very peaceful. Bikram Yoga practice is a gift I give to myself, allowing a connection to my body and my mind in a way that is different from any other experience I have had in my life. As I concentrate on the moment and the posture, the monkey chatter in my head is gone. After 5 months I am told I look better, but that is a secondary gain. I have more energy and with each practice become more confident in what I can do with my body. For 90 minutes I am absorbed in feeling, being present
in the moment. – Kathy Canevaro
The way I approach challenges now is more positive, less defensive and more trusting. I take things less personally. “ Cyd Foley
Michele this place brings me such great peace; I started to come to lose weight, but not that is only 10% of the reason why I am here; This place created a total lifestyle change, I was able to get in touch with a feeling of well-being within myself
- Mansur Kiadeh
My back injuries were the result of fifteen years of hard-core training as a competitive gymnast – which overstressed, misused and abused my body and mind. Suspected vertebral stress fracture at age 17, bone-spurs on L4/5 (probably congenital aggravated by gymnastics) and arthritis diagnosed by a top-notch sports orthopedist at age 23, various seriously pulled ligaments and muscles over the years…Despite the various back injuries that have occurred during Bikram class (usually when I was not paying attention to my body or was pushing myself too hard), I no longer feel like I will have a “bad back” for the rest of my life – a very hopeful and liberating thought. If I practice everyday, keeping my spine and the rest of my body strong and flexible, I believe I will stay healthy and young “forever.” – Jennifer Roberts
Before pregnancy, Bikram helped me to develop strong abdominal and back muscles, which proved to be critical as my belly expanded and I had more weight to carry around. Many pregnant women find themselves easily off balance, but the balancing series significantly helped me with my center of gravity and sense of balance. “ Susan Malone, during pregnancy
Being in my 40s, I wanted to add discipline and new challenges without risking injury. I felt Bikram Yoga would help build concentration while increasing flexibility and stability. Bikram Yoga has done all that for me. “ Tracy Reifkind
I’m really happy with how much progress I’ve made and overall I just feel much more alive and healthy.- Rod Hines
“Since I have started doing the yoga, I have shed about 8 lbs, a few inches here and there.- Karen Burbano
Over the last year and a half, it amazes me how my body has transformed. Subtle changes with toning, increased flexibility, balance and concentration. There is always something new to integrate. I love the practice. “ Mary Cole
I had previously been seeing a chiropractor on a somewhat regular basis for back stiffness. I can see improvements in that condition already. – John Heinlein
Bikram Yoga has changed my life and has helped me transform into a healthy person - Joelle Maletis
I have had the luxury of practicing more this year and the yoga has been instrumental in improving my physical and mental state. I am 24 pounds lighter than I was a year ago. (You can’t help but lose a few pounds during the 60 day challenge!) The Bikram yoga cleansing prepared my body for more extensive cleanses that I have focused on this year as well. I made the decision to tone my body with yoga rather than with weights in the gym. I am more fit today than I have been in years. I have met many fun and interesting people at the studio and I look forward to checking in with them before and after class. The discussions range from family vacations, organic foods, recent surgeries, cleanses and personal growth. It is a special place that has become an integral part of my life. The most recent profound impact has been a sense of “finding” myself again. It is so easy to get caught up in life’s daily challenges that the fundamentals of who you really are become clouded or lost. Yoga has created a path and a means to rediscover my root energy which is an amazing enlightening feeling. – JA
“I have lower back pain and have had 7 cortisone injections. I have seen three different physical therapists and two chiropractors. It was the 2nd chiropractor that suggested Bikram Yoga. It took about 6-8 weeks to feel improvement. But, I have more flexibility in my lower spine. I am able to sit for longer periods of time. I am more optimistic about recovery.” RJ
Within 10-20 days of beginning my yoga practice, I started to feel happier, more open and loving. I see a definite improvement of clarity, strength, flexibility and I feel more relaxed.“ Homa Goodzari
“I was diagnosed with Psoriasis 12 years ago. Doctor’s had me use hard core steroid creams, and felt this was a long term chronic disease. After only a short time doing Bikram yoga, my skin was so much better. For the first time in many years, I can wear dresses and shorts!“Zackie Leshchiner
“I started Bikram Yoga November 2002 and within 6 months I felt all around better. My immune system improved and my mental outlook was better and more focused on what I needed to make my life and lives of others better“ Gail Sachs
“I have had scoliosis for twenty-four years. I have an uncorrected curve in my lower spine. Another curve which was corrected through surgery in the 1980’s (bone marrow was taken from hip and rods were fused to my spine). Ironically, there should be some inward curve in the neck, but mine is flat.
My back has always been tight, especially my lower back and neck. I know that my back feels more comfortable and flexible since I’ve been coming to yoga. My lower back rarely bothers me now. I’m not sure how much improvement I can expect to see in my middle spine. “ Betsy Fitch
I have felt the benefits of yoga two hundred percent throughout my body. It has really helped my running. My first priority in life is running with yoga a close second. I have very tight muscles, not even daily massages can help ease the tightness. The Bikram Yoga makes my muscles more relaxed. – Arlete Sam
Bikram yoga and all it encompasses (people, studio, support) have encouraged and cheered on my path to a healthier one. Of all the ailments, (asthma, sciatica, work-exhaustion) I have a chance to succeed. – Diana Hirahara
I tend to be a shallow breather, something that doesn’t tend to lend itself to being calm. Bikram yoga has given me the tools to change that – again another challenge and wonderful reason to practice. – Carrie DiTullio
In the Spring 0f 2006, after about 2 years of practice 2 days per week, my arthritis became a real concern, resulting in swelling of the knee, weakness, pain and a limited range of motion. I determined that I would “take a break from running” and focus more on alternative sources of exercise, including riding my bicycle and practicing yoga. My yoga practice increased to approximately 5 days per week. I never thought I could stop running and not suffer severe withdrawl/depression. However, yoga has more than compensated for what I expected would occur. In addition, to the taxing nature of the practice, the more I practiced, the better my body felt, and the more balanced I felt my strength.- Pam Helmer
I suffered from sciatic nerve pain from snowboarding and went to a chiropractor 3 times a week to help with the pain at $25 copay per session. I started doing Bikram yoga and within a month my sciatic pain was gone. Sometimes, it would come back if I didn’t go to yoga regularly, but now it’s basically gone. And at $10 per class, I have to go less and spend less than half of what I did at the chiropractor. – Jason Parry
