Community

Michelle Schmidt
Studio: Grapevine

Lots of people feel that Bikram Yoga has changed their life. I am one in the long list of beneficiaries of this wonderful yoga. I have always been a "type a" personality trying to squeeze as much as possible out of my days. Like most people I don't like feeling out of control.

After giving birth to my second daughter, I suffered from post partum depression. Not knowing what was wrong with me, I threw myself in to caring for my baby and my older daughter. I was going to rid myself of the baby blues by praying or exercising myself back to a healthy state of mind. Unfortunately, nothing worked and I turned to antidepressants. I felt relief immediately, my head cleared and I was back to my old self again. Over the years I had tried to stop taking the medication only to feel miserable and subsequently returning to the antidepressants.

Then I was introduced to Bikram Yoga, it was the day after my birthday and my daughter was now 5 years old. I entered the hot room looking to find a way to relax and stretch my tight muscles. What I received was a sense of calm and peacefulness I have never known before. After several weeks, I decided to begin taking less medication. While I was experiencing dizziness and headaches from withdrawal, I continued to practice to make myself feel better.

As the weeks passed I was able to stop my antidepressant completely, something I couldn't accomplish by any other means before. Now I have replaced my medication with Bikram. I am always so happy to arrive at the studio knowing in 90 minutes I will have a refreshed state of mind. I leave the studio ready to be the best wife, mother and friend to those I love. Thank you to Stacey and the staff of Bikram Yoga Grapevine for changing my life.