Bikram Yoga, Arthritis & me.
Beckys’ BYC hot yoga Journey
I never thought that yoga was the sport for me. I’ve been a gymnast,a hockey player, a gym fanatic and, most recently, an obsessive spinning freak! All of this has helped in managing my type 1 diabetes, but when I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a year ago, I really thought that my life as an active sportsperson was over.I struggled to walk more than a few metres without being in unbearable pain, and my wrists had seized up to the point where I couldn’t even go shopping without having a friend carry my bags …and then there was Bikram!
I was introduced to Bikram Yoga Chiswick by my housemate, who had recently been through the horrible ordeal of Breast Cancer and the rigours of a lengthy Chemo process. She swore by the benefits of Bikram and it only took a couple of sessions for me to understand the amazing difference it could make to me, both mentally and physically.
I’m definitely not the cheesy sales person who will say something just for effect, but if my experience can help even one person, I’ll be happy. After only 3 months of Bikram, the results are just incredible. I’ve reduced my anti-inflammatory drugs from 6mg/day down to 1mg. I have full rotation in both of my wrists as opposed to only being able to move them 45 degrees, and on the days that I go to yoga, my insulin requirement has reduced by at least 50%.
I would be naïve to believe that this was all because of Bikram yoga – but I would also be stupid to think that it hasn’t played a crucial role in making me feel like a real person again. Whether it’s because the cocktail of drugs that I’m taking is finally working, or just because my job is making me happier than I was before…I don’t really care. But what I do know is that BYC has changed the way my body works for the better and I will be forever thankful that I paid my £40 introduction fee to start my Bikram journey!
Thank you so much for making it possible for me to shop without assistance and for me to run for the bus without being in horrible amounts of pain!
A fan for life,
Becky
