Community

Sarah Crouch
Studio: Grapevine

How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga?
I promised a friend (Kevin Harmon) that I would meet him at 5:30 A.M. for my first Bikram yoga class, back in January of 2009. I sat in a dark parking lot waiting for my friend, or anyone, for that matter. I decided to drive around to all the studios near Main Street that I knew, looking for cars, lights, anything. I knew I could not be late and as the clock passed the 5:30 mark, I gave up and went back home and to bed.

What was your life/body like before you started practicing Bikram Yoga?
What motivated you to take your first class?
Kevin told me about this yoga many times before, but I just was not open to it. The idea of heat and sweating terrified me. (I grew up in the sport of swimming, here the water is cold and the sweat washed away before you noticed it...) after having my third child, I needed something new. Armed with directions, I went the next morning to the 5:30 am class. Ladonna welcomed me to the torture chamber and we started the class. I remember watching Mimi (not knowing she was a teacher) early in the class and I thought, if she, an older woman, can do this so effortlessly, than I, a young athletic woman, can do this. WRONG. I had so much to learn. 

Humility was my first lesson. After spending my first class on the ground, suffering, I vowed to myself that I would never come back. As much as I hated the first class, I could not stop thinking about it. My second class was a few days later. IT got better and better and better and I was hooked.

How often do you practice?
I practice 4-5 times a week. I have done mini challenges (30 in 30, etc.) but never the 60 day challenge. But I will someday!

 How has your life/body changed since you started practicing?
I learned how to sweat and remain calm and to do the impossible (I could not touch my toes when I started).  The challenge kept me up at night. I could not wait to get back to the studio to try the poses again.  As I made progress in the poses, I noticed my body changing.  My back doesn't hurt (I have scoliosis).  The muscles running down my spine look balanced and even.  My three-times stretched to the max belly is tightening up again. I feel young and strong and flexible.  Locking the legs for the first time or holding all four bows is an indescribable feeling. The wave of emotion that hits after camel is overwhelming, but it is so necessary. And so I made a new vow to myself to never go back to the way I was before this yoga.

Is there anything else?
Although the physical changes are miraculous and wonderful, the mental and spiritual growth that flows right out if this yoga has changed my life.  I love the universality of Bikram yoga. IT is truly for anyone. And when we walk into the room, we are equal. Age doesn't matter, race, religion,sex, class, whether you are weak or healthy...it doesn't matter. Because when you start the breathing, it all goes away.  Nothing that you've done before matters.  You hear about the journey...yoga is a journey. Well, taking each pose one at a time is my struggle.  Learning to love where you are at that moment and not look ahead is difficult for me. I know this practice keeps me healthy.  I know I'm a better mom, coach, and wife. Most importantly, yoga keeps me flexible. Flexible in mind, in heart, and in the body. Bikram yoga has brought sweat, the never-ending struggle to perfect the posture, and extreme beauty into my life.

Thank you to all the students and teachers who continue to inspire me every practice.