After your first Bikram class, what was your impression?

I came to my first yoga class in November 2006. My father was very ill.  I spent most of my time working and helping my mom care for my dad.  While doing this, I gained 25 lbs. I was medicating myself with food.  I was stressed, exhausted, and broken down. I was one sorry yoga specimen my first class, but I was determined.  Determined to loose some weight and hopefully decompress a little.

At first, I didn't realize the utility of yoga or how I would eventually apply the yoga experience to greater challenges coming in my life. My dad died of pancreatic cancer in November 2007. Near the end of my dad's life, when his suffering was more than I could bare, I would step away from his bedside for a moment, take slow, deep breaths, and the Bikram teachers' dialogue would come to my mind - "pranayama, it's energy, life force", "you can do anything for 30 seconds", or "relax, all you need to do is breathe".  The words spoken by the Bikram teachers, in the yoga studio, helped me focus and they gave me strength while my father was dying.

By learning to control my breath and by breaking the difficult moments down, the anxiety I felt about my dad's experience was reduced to a size I could manage and cope with. In his hospice room, I would practice pranayama breathing, savasana, and half tortoise pose. When the powerful medications prescribed to my dad, the last few days of his life, made him unable to respond, I believe we were still connected, present together, and he was aware of my yoga practice near his bedside.

What drives you to continue to practice?  What keeps bringing you back?

Prior to my first Bikram yoga class, privately my dad expressed to me that he was very concerned about the serious impact his poor health was having on me and the entire family. I'm certain my dad was relieved to know through yoga I discovered a healthy, natural way to care for myself during his illness and through the challenging work of grieving.

What are some of the benefits and changes you've seen in yourself?

As for my physical health, I'm a healthy weight.  My blood pressure and cholesterol are normal, and my triglyceride level is so low it's immeasurable. I'm a healthy yoga speciman in progress.  A "flower petal blooming".

What is your favorite posture?

My favorite pose is camel.  The moment my head goes back, I feel open and free.  For me, camel feels like a great big sigh of relief.  I wish I could stay in that moment forever.  Camel pose clears my body and mind.

What is the greatest challenge about the yoga? Yourself?

Working with uncertainty and realizing unshakeable faith is challenging.

What advice can you give to a 1st timer after they complete the class?

Keep showing up.  Be patient.  See what happens.  Then, share your experience with the rest of us.

Additional:

Recently, Norman said to me, "Gail, you have a beautiful yoga practice".  Thanks! that's very kind of you to say.Honestly, all I do is show up for class.  If my yoga practice has blossomed in to something beautiful, it's because of the dedicated teachers at Nashua Bikram who have been guiding me since my first class.  I'm grateful for each of you.

See you soon.