Sabine McNeill [German Petitioner about UK]

I have now transferred this blog to Wordpress because I'm more familiar with that platform and love its 'tagging magic' besides fascinating access to statistics about how people found you and your blog.

So updates of my story can be found on http://bikramyogastory.wordpress.com

Dear Michele

For weeks I've had a huge bunch of giant white chrysanthemums in my head as an expression of THANK YOU for your courage, commitment and perseverance to get Bikram Yoga established in London. Every class is a pleasure and privilege on my journey towards eventually recovering the kind of body I had when that accident happened. I am confident that I'll get there for Bikram heals what nothing else can reach!

All the various trainers have left their imprints on my experience: you with adjusting my standing head to knee pose and watching the most fascinating spot on the carpet - besides pointing out that anybody who does Bikram must be a bit crazy... One other practitioner said: it's for people who like challenges!

My first trainer was Anna which means she can best comment on how my body has changed. Since she stretched my back in half tortoise the other day, I turned her into my "Bikram angel". Rachel's dialogue always feels like champagne to me. And most recently she seems to lecture just for me: everything to do with ALIGNMENT.

First I got rid of my chronic pain which was replaced by occasional discomfort. Then I gained functionality, and now I'm realigning my body big time. Completely fascinating how that has become so much more important than ever before. Already I feel slimmer, fitter, stronger and more flexible. Every time I come out of class, my left leg seems to feel better when I walk with renewed energy.

Emma and Rachel gave me my after-class exercises. Adrian taught me not only to smile to my shins (and on other occasions), but also to use the awkward pose to make my left leg stronger.

Given my extensive experiences with psychotherapy and healing, I love Sanjai's way of teaching with emphasis on awareness and joy. In fact, the other day I really felt the deliciousness of the practice and expect "deliriousness" next!...

So, while I continue to be most curious when the day will come that I can honestly say that my left knee doesn't crunch any more and my left hip is as 'good' as my right one, I shall keep coming and shall continue even after that!

Meanwhile, I remain yours gratefully for ever,
Sabine

35 Years after the accident

3.5 years after starting with Bikram Yoga and I KNOW I shall feel like I felt when I was 29 and it happened... My left hip and knee have made such progress! My spine is bendable again! I am virtually pain free and while regaining more and more functionality and flexibility, the real challenge is re-aligning my right and left side.

I am committed to Bikram Yoga until the end of my life. It energises me to do my work which is my life: the professional aspect is on 3D Metrics and the social aspect is on In the Spirit of the Forum for Stable Currencies.

From that followed the online petition Stop the Cash Crumble to Equalize the Credit Crunch.

It's long overdue that I hail the effects that my commitment and perseverance to Bikram Yoga have brought about. It's also interesting to compare my body feelings between being in London where Yoga is my only 'sport' and Brandenburg where I walk in the wonderful fields and woods to try my latest feelings of knees, legs, hips and back.

Of course, when I experience my body in bed, it doesn't matter where I am. The best is, of course, that chronic pain has changed into occasional discomfort. The real challenge is now to get the full functionality back of the left knee and hip. And thus I shall continue to experience my body in those 26 postures, marvelling most gratefully at the miracle I have been experiencing.

And learning to smile more and more often!

Today I practised for the 300th time - in 2 years and 2 months.

Why do I keep doing it?

Because the energy with which I move has changed. Because the confidence with which I move had multiplied. Because the joy with which I experience my pain-ridden body continues to increase and grow - from class to class to class.

One would have to call it magic if it wasn't completely for real!

Comparing Legs

I don't go for walks any more: I go to compare legs. For the progress I'm making continues in subtle and strong ways. It moves up and down between leg and hip, across bum and back and keeps catching my attention.

Also, my overall energy is wonderful: get up and go. Do it. I feel ELASTIC - not just strong and flexible as is promoted in Bikram classes.

And thus my inner odyssey continues as my outer progress unfolds.

Long live Yoga in hot rooms!