Our
'60-Day Challenge'
is an amazing way to quickly improve your practice and jump-start
your health! Even students who
have been practicing regularly for months or years
find they can achieve new levels of health and greatly improve their practice
by taking on the Bikram Challenge.
It's easy to sign-up. You can use any combination
of our class cards and memberships to cover the 60-days. Do Bikram's Yoga every day for 60 days and change your life!
Some Recent Challenge
Graduates:
Shea
Rollins, September 2004
Norbert
Montoya, October 2004
Brian
Claytor, December 2004
Steve
Bachman, December 2004
Lea
Anderson, January 2005
Jeff
Cohen, May 2005
Anita
Parmar, June 2005
Patricia
Knighten,
July 2005
Zia
Telfair,
August 2005
Julie
McGarahan, September 2005
Meg
Cox,
November 2005
Gwen
Walker,
January 2006
Becky
Campbell,
September 2006
Heather
Bradley, September 2006
Anna
Barnett, M.D.,
January 2007
"Everyone
who walks through the door to take their 1st Bikram's class has
some doubts as to whether this might be a good fit into their exercise
program. For me, I was very concerned about my knees. Having had
4 sugeries involving both knees, I am left with advanced arthritis
and a displaced kneecap on the right and surgical removal of my
left kneecap. In addition to doubt, I had fear that doing this
series of poses would result in another surgery. Thanks to the
personal interest and tremendous encouragement from the staff,
consistent practice of Bikram's yoga has healed my knees to a degree
I never thought possible.
"I have had to learn patience, as healing
54 yr old arthritic knees doesn't happen overnight. One of the
most
challenging "knee" poses
has taken me a year to see significant progress. I find it amusing
now that my knees begin to ache when I miss more than 2-3 days
between classes.
"Another wonderful benefit of Bikram's yoga that I wasn't even
looking for is learning how to completely clear my mind. Like
most people,
my professional and home life are full of "multi-tasking" taking
care of my needs and others' needs. For 90 minutes, I have the
opportunity to empty my brain of everything and focus only on
listening to the instructor and doing what is said. It is extremely
difficult
to keep the mental clutter from seeping in. When I get through
a class with close to 100% focus, I feel overwhelmed with the
accomplishment. It adds another level of discipline to my life
that I can practice
at any time. I look forward to ongoing benefits of this tremendous
and consistently challenging class as I live my life."
~ Anna Barnett, M.D., Albuquerque
"Although
I exercise every day, I’d never tried anything
like 2 months of straight yoga, so the 60-day challenge
was truly a challenge for me.
"The challenge was also a series of steps — some
steps were higher than others, but steps forward nonetheless.
In addition
to the welcome physical changes I discovered mental changes as
well. Stress was easier to handle, and I found myself eating
better, too.
"The biggest change was focus, and I learned
not to beat myself up if a pose was harder than it had been the
day before — I
just went in the next day and concentrated more on doing the right
things, listening to the instructors, and learning from the previous
day’s session."
~ Becky Campbell, Albuquerque

"I
finished the 60 day Bikram challenge on my 30th birthday. On
that day I felt like I was walking on air.
"Throughout the 60 days I experienced a multitude
of emotions ranging from fear to exhilaration. Everyday I came
to the studio, everyday
I was greeted by welcoming faces, insightful advice, and an environment
that made me feel supported.
"Having recently moved to Albuquerque, the yoga studio
gave me a social outlet and a sense of belonging. Physically, I
am happier
with my body than I have ever been. I have never found another
form of exercise that works my entire body from head to toe. Mentally,
this yoga is challenging! My mind and body are learning to work
together in a new way. Spiritually, this yoga is helping me to
find a quiet place inside myself. I feel more at home inside my
body than ever before.
"I have always believed that in order to truly take
care of someone else, you have to take good care of yourself first.
Bikram yoga
has driven that truth home for me.
"Overall, I feel that doing the
60 day challenge is one of the best gifts I have ever given myself.
I am so thankful to the instructors
and students there for creating such a peaceful place where I
always feel respected and challenged."
~ Heather Bradley, Albuquerque
"One day David asked if I ever thought about
participating in the 60 Day Challenge. I responded negatively because
I felt I was doing enough yoga by participating 5-6 days/week and
that served as my challenge. David was persistent and felt I should
consider doing the Challenge. I pondered David’s suggestion
for many days and within that time I realized I was facing a couple
of my fears; that the postures would be too challenging, and/or
my MS symptoms would surface and halt my practice.
"October 2, 2004 I went to yoga and committed
to practicing the 60 Day Bikram’s Yoga Challenge. I had faith
in myself and knew I could complete the Challenge, but as I began
the Challenge something felt different. While I was cruising along,
practicing yoga 5-6 days per week I realized that I was becoming
complacent, simply satisfied with daily accomplishments. I began
the 60 Day Challenge and noted that I had relaxed my yoga focus.
I gained a new focus, used the yoga postures to achieve balance
between my mind, body, spirit, and found that I could go deeper
into some of the postures. I am a very proud, 60 year old yogini!
Thanks David for your gentle suggestion!
"Many thanks to David, Shea and Letitia
for their knowledge, professionalism, and compassion. They provided
a unique experience for my first yoga practice, and more specifically,
continue to guide my journey into Bikram’s Yoga."
~ Gwen Walker, 60, Old Town, Albuquerque
"I
started at Bikrams's Yoga a year ago at the age of 61.
For all those years I have been pushing myself to get stronger
- mostly physically, but also emotionally,
intellectually, and spiritually. The need to be stronger and
stronger has driven me all my life. But after 1 year at
the studio and completing the 60-day challenge I feel the
need to
replace my need for strength with something which will last
me the next 30-40 years.
"Doing
the challenge, coming to the studio consistently, finding new
friends, learning to be more open to differences, is teaching me
that strength
alone will kill me. I need to add flexibility and balance to
my life - physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.
Each day as I begin my practice I question why I am doing this,
when will this torture be over - yet each day I come back. If
these
questionings do not disappear after a few postures I remind myself
why I made the Bikram commitment in the first place. The commitment
came during one practice when I was so unhappy with myself that
I was thinking I should just leave. But I did not because I decided
that I only need one reason to show up and to do my best - and
that one reason is my family. The only gift I have control over
is how healthy I can become. My commitment is to do all I can
to be healthy (no strokes) so that I can be present for Jane, my
children,
their partners, and my grandchildren - to not be a burden - to
be energetic - to be caring - to be the person I want to be."
~ Meg Cox, 62, Bernalillo

"In
January of 2005, I made my personal resolution using the motto
'Looking Great @ 48!'. Many aspects of my life have changed due
to my resolution. But the change that had the most impact on my
overall health has been my practice of Bikram's Yoga. At the beginning
of the year my blood sugar level was within the diabetic zone.
It is now in the safe zone. I was having hot flashes and other
lovely middle age womanly symptoms - I don't have these anymore.
My weight is at its lowest point since I was 30. I am wearing a
size sometimes 2 sizes smaller than I was at the beginning of the
year, fitting into some clothes that I thought I would never wear
again.
"I am stronger physcially and mentally than
I have been in years. My stress level is balanced - I am so calm
at times, especially after class, when I am almost comatose. I
don't have regular need for chiropractic or massage therapy, although
I still do them as part of my overall health maintenance program.
I feel so cleansed and toxin-free and have had no illnesses in
6 moths. Besides all of these physical and mental benefits, I have
also increased my social realm with the circle of Bikram Yoga friends,
as we all support one another with energy through our practices
along with motivational words of wisdom from David.
"So what's
next? I will continue to commit myself to Bikram's Yoga with the
purchase of an unlimited one year membership.
I will continue to tell all my friends, family, co-workers, students
and whomever else will listen about the benefits of Biram's Yoga.
And for my 2006 personal resolution I will use the motto, 'Super
Fine @ 49!'."
~ Julie McGarahan, 48, Bernalillo, New Mexico


"So
how did the sixty-day Challenge affect my practice? The changes
were not the dramatic outward improvements
that I might have wished for. In fact there are certain poses that
I'm going into less deeply now due to some adjustments going on
in my body. I do have a sense though of having a stronger foundation
and a more conscious practice overall. I have felt a wonderful
sense of connection with everyone who has done or is doing the
Challenge, and the support from everyone at the studio has been
a delight. I know that the Challenge has effects beyond the physical
that I couldn’t express or am not even aware of. I would
highly recommend the experience!"
~
Zia Telfair, 54, Sandia Heights, Albuquerque

"One
year ago I would have denied vehemently that it was physically
possible for me to carve out two or more hours a day for yoga,
or for anything outside of my home, family and career. Working
my schedule to get to the studio was really the challenge. Once
I was there, the energy of the studio, teachers and fellow practioners
took over, and I felt lucky and happy to be doing this amazing
practice. I felt physical improvements daily. I overcame pain
and limitations from injuries that were still present after years
of
body work and other therapies. I have not felt this close to
25 since I was 30. Bikram Yoga has truly taken years off my body's
history, making room for a fuller experience of my life.
"Completing the Bikram Challenge helped me begin
a lifestyle of yoga practice integrated into my life, creating
balance, health and well-being."
~
Patricia Knighten, 46, Hidden Hills, Albuquerque


"By
forcing me to make time for my yoga practice every day
- even when my life felt too hectic to handle it - the
challenge helped me to rearrange my schedule and
priorities, so that they now accommodate a regular yoga
practice. It is also an excellent way to become familiar
with the Bikram series.
~
Anita Parmar, 28, Nob Hill, Albuquerque

"I
have noticed significant strength and flexibility improvements
in my body since I started Bikram's Yoga.
It has also
provided me with a sense of emotional and spiritual stability
in a trying time. I look forward to practicing for years to come.
This is just the beginning. Thanks, Bikram's Yoga!"
~
Jeff Cohen, 35, NE Heights, Albuquerque

"As
the days went by I felt so much stronger, both physically and spiritually.
I felt more confident,
and during
stressful moments my yoga practice helped me find a deeper
calm to replace the tension. I am now grateful for the painful
experience
because it brought me to practice yoga and to learn the lessons
I needed to learn. Thank you so much to all 10 teachers I have
had class with: David, Bruce, Molly, Letitia, Radhi, Tara,
Tina, Siri-Om, Shea and one from Arizona."
~ Lea Anderson

"Completing 60 days of Bikram's Yoga
has dramatically improved the quality of my life. Some of these
improvements include more strength, flexibility, balance and
energy. Through this process I've tapped into determination
and focus. I'm also seeing more possibilities now in life."
~
Shea Rollins, 46, Nob Hill, Albuquerque
"Bikram’s
60-Day Challenge has tested my determination, discipline, endurance
and focus. Successfully
completing it has given my body new flexibility, strength, and
a higher level of energy. It has also helped me gain deeper present-moment
awareness, giving me more access to inner stillness and the joy
of being. Highly recommended!"
~
Brian Claytor, 41, Nob Hill, Albuquerque
