Community

Davide Bernard
Studio: Grapevine

First off I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone at the Bikram Yoga Grapevine Studio. From the owner Stacey, all her wonderful staff, and all the fellow Yogis & Yoginis. You make it a reward for making it to the studio for my class. My journey in Bikram is a little different in that I had no respect for yoga. Man, was I in
for a shock. Being a hardcore athlete my entire life, I thought yoga was for women and ballet dancers.

Over a 21 year military career, I had worked hard and played hard with some of the top soldiers, sailors, and marines in uniform. I had competed against Navy Seals and Army Rangers in Base Sports Day events which consists of pushups, sit-ups, 13.1 mile runs,
and weightlifting competition. In addition, during that span of my career, I had competed in full contact football, boxing, basketball, and Tae-kwondo while overseas. In the last 10 years I have completed 9 marathons. Needless to say, I consider myself to be an extreme athlete. However, after finishing my 9th marathon in 2002, I suffered severe damage to my right knee and was diagnosed with 3 herniated, bulging disks in my upper back. I went to 6 neurosurgeons in the span of 7 years and they all told me that fusion surgery was my only hope of stopping the pain in my neck and back. They all told me that the surgery would not correct the problem but it would only prevent it from getting worse. Also, I would lose any range of motion in my neck and back that I once had. Well, after that statement, I knew I would never have surgery. I would rather live with the consistent, agonizing pain. However, in an effect to attempt one more marathon, I decided to have knee surgery which was a bad idea.

After two years of rehabilitation, I suffered swelling, tightness, and soreness in my knee. Not only could I not run any distance on it, I could not bend it 45 degrees or sit in a vehicle for over 2 hours without stopping and stretching out. In my attempt to recover, I tried steroids shots, chiropractors, physical therapy, and strong medications. While sitting in my local fitness center's sauna recuperating and massaging my swollen knee and aching back from a workout designed to get back into marathon training, a group of members came in after finishing their yoga class.

Desperate to try anything at this point, I asked them about the class and what they got out of it. They told me and I explained my condition. One of the them told me I should try Bikram Yoga. They said it's different because it's like doing yoga while in the sauna. I thought to myself, now I am going to try that just because it seems like somewhat of a challenge.

Upon entering the Bikram studio for the first time in March of this year, I was well received and noticed that all the instructors went out of there way to learn my name. Before the class the instructor acknowledges all first time beginners to Bikram yoga. The instructor then explained how the course of the class would proceed and asked only 2 things from us on our first visit, stay in the room and breathe. After, 30 minutes into the class, I regrettably found out why she made those 2 requests. I wanted to run out of there top speed. I thought I was going to die but I was too ashamed to allow all those women in the class to see it. The class quickly humbled me and erased all my initial beliefs of yoga. This was the single hardest thing I had attempt since my marathon and boxing training, mentally and physically. Of course my ego got me through the class. I stayed in the room the whole time and only skipped about half of the postures. After the grueling 90 minutes, the instructors congratulated the first timers and highly recommended to return for our second class within 24 hours. I thought to myself the only way I am coming back in here anytime is by gun point. When I finally made it back to the men's dressing room, my fellow patrons kept asking me how I felt. I couldn't verbally answer; I just grunted and issued some distress gestures. It felt like I had been in the ring with Mike Tyson. Finally, after about 25 minutes, I was able to get dress and leave. After showering and making it to work that night, I just sat at my desk and pondered about attending the second class. After the passing of another hour, I got this second wind or total recuperation. I felt the same euphoria or rejuvenation I had gotten from running. Needless to say I returned for the second class the next day and I did better. It was still grueling but better. In the following weeks, I tried to attend at least 3 or 4 classes weekly because I started to experience amazing benefits. For example, more energy, better sleep, muscle tone, weight loss, mental alertness, a healthier diet and my favorite, detoxification.

Today, not only do I look forward to my practice but I have been able to do 2 classes in one day and I am able to attempt all 26 postures. It is still a challenge every time I enter the studio but the benefits far outweigh the pain in the classroom. As Stacey says, "kill yourself in the classroom so you can live better outside of it". I stopped taking my pain medications because I no longer need it. I long distance cycle now and my knee is getting stronger with more elasticity in it. My
urge to run again has been replaced by my Bikram yoga practice. Everything I got from running, I am getting in my practice except the knee and back pain. On the contrary, I am receiving healing, strength, and flexibility in both areas.

The more I practice this yoga the better, healthier, and younger I feel. I have made a conscience decision to make Bikram Yoga a part of my everyday life. It makes me feel good about myself and a better person to be around. So now I am telling all of my friends and workout buddies about Bikram yoga and have challenged them to try it.

Finally, I would recommend Bikram to anyone, but especially to someone with nagging injuries, back pain, or highly competitive athletes.