“You’re never too old, never too bad, never too late and never too sick to start from the scratch once again.” - Bikram Choudhury

Head - hangs low, eyes do not look forward, generally looking down, chin towards chest, frequent migraines and head aches
I feel that I stand taller and have better posture.  I think this influences the way I carry myself now.  There are a few postures that strengthen the neck and we are always encouraged to stretch as tall as we can be, which I think has really helped.  I have had one headache and no migraines since starting this yoga.  The headache that I did have surprised me as it didn't last very long and wasn't as debilitating as the headaches I've had in the past. Hopefully this is not just coincidence.


Mind - lack of clarity, poor confidence, depression, anxiety, unable to focus on one task, doesn't always stay present (mindfulness)
The change in my mental state was apparent after only a week of this yoga.  I couldn't believe how quickly my negative feelings dissipated.  Almost immediately I noticed that I was much calmer in situations that would normally make me anxious. I feel very happy, peaceful and pretty cool with what the future has in store with me.  This yoga also helped me heal from my recent breakup, I am so proud of my resilience. I'm still not able to focus on one task at a time, but I can handle that.  I also struggle to focus a lot in yoga, go figure.   

Face - oily skin, blemishes, large pores, skin congestion, dark circles under eyes, lack of facial muscles, especially on the forehead, fine lines
I need to be honest, this is the area I really hoped yoga would change, and although I have seen significant changes, I can't say that the chemistry of my skin has changed all that much.  It is still oily, and I still break out from time to time (but not as severely).  My skin is not congested, however, and therefore my pores are as obvious.  My eyes are much brighter, but I still get dark circles when I'm tired.  There are some facial exercises online that my roomie was telling me about, so I'll try them for my facial muscles... lol.  Fine lines, I'm not too worry about them.  

Neck - propped forward, blemishes, skin congestion
ballin'

Shoulders - tense, rolled in towards chest and up towards ears, weird shoulder fat, lack of tone
My shoulders really look amazing.  They are my new favourite feature.  They are still tense, but they look good.  I still have this shoulder fat thing.  I look forward to loosing that.

Back - spine misaligned, poor posture, blemishes, skin congestion, dryness, weak muscles, lack of tone
There is an entire series of back strengthening postures in Bikram yoga.  These postures have really helped me.  My posture isn't at 100%, but I know it will be.  The people who have been practicing for a while have beautiful backs.  My skin has also benefited from the heat and sweat.  Ok, this is going to sound really gross.  In my first class I had an itch and I scratched it.  I couldn't believe how much dead skin I had under my fingernails.  This was a cue that my skin would change.  After a few weeks my skin was glowing.  I'm thrilled!

Chest - slight concave, blemishes, skin congestion, does not lead with heart
See above regarding my posture.  My chest is stronger.  I still probably don't lead with my heart, I'll work on it.  

Arms - lack of tone, weak muscles, skin congestion
My arms are very strong near the shoulders, but they will need more work.  I dream of having perfect triceps.  But they look good!


Belly - spare tire fat, no visible abs, ribs appear to be shaped differently
I am still holding on to a tiny bit of tummy, but nothing to be worried about.  I've noticed that most women hold on to a little belly fat.  I hope I won't always, I don't think I will.  But if I do, whatever.  My ribs are totally shaped differently.  I would know, I've spend 90 minutes every day for the past 30 days sucking in my stomach (we're told to) while looking at myself in a tini tiny bikini top in the mirror.  I have a good feeling that after a lot of practice (years?) they will balance themselves out and heal from whatever the hell happened to them.  Oh and I totally have obliques, amazing...

Butt - tight glutes, fat, lack of tone, cellulite
My butt is shaping up nicely.  I swear the cellulite is gone... nuff said.

Upper Legs - fat, lack of tone, weak muscles, cellulite
My legs also showed results in the first few days.  They are so much stronger and they look great.  I'm still holding some cushion on them, but I don't think I will forever.  Cellulite is improved.  Lookin good.


Knees - recovered mcl injury on left knee is still favoured, over-extension
My knee really hurt the first week.  Soon after I noticed that the muscles on my left leg were less developed.  I do not favour this leg anymore, but it is a bit weaker.  The knee is fire, it doesn't hurt and there is no reason to favour it anymore.  I learned in this yoga that ALL of my joints hyperextend.  I need to be careful with this and build up lots of muscle.  I have gained a lot of bodily awareness and this has helped me to avoid over extending.  Also, see above - that helps.

Lower Legs - weak muscles, appear to be shaped differently
My legs are shaped differently because I've favoured my left knee.  It will get better.  My legs are so much stronger.

Feet - in bad shape, need surgery for bunions and generally fuckedupness, hard to balance, weak muscles
A true testament to how messed up my feet are is this story.  On my 2nd last class we were in Standing Bow Pulling Pose when the teacher stopped us "Everybody stop! Some of you are scrunching up your feet.  When I say 'point the toes' I mean do it softly, make it pretty.  Ok, try again".  Moments after I re assumed this beautiful pose that I want to master so badly (I am so far from making it pretty) the teacher stops us again, but this time she says "Caitlin! Look at your feet! Everybody stop.  Caitlin, show everyone your Standing Bow Pulling Pose". Fuck. My. Life. I can't point my toes pretty, I will never point my toes pretty.  Nothing humbles you more on day 29 of a 30 day challenge as doing your least pretty pose in front of 40 other people.  

Overall Health - poor balance, lack of endurance, limited strength, poor cardiovascular health, 12-15 pounds overweight, low to average lung capacity
My balance is a lot better.  I am amazed at how balanced I am in general.  I am so much stronger too!  My cardiovascular health has improved and I breathe easier.  I can inhale for about 10 seconds and I will continue to work on filling my lungs entirely.  I am not overweight... lookin good.




Overall Assessment


My results are amazing.  I am so proud that I have finished this challenge and look forward to doing another challenge soon (maybe 60 days?).  It took a lot of my energy and was never easy.  I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I am all of a sudden perfect though, I still have a lot of work to do.  I would still like to be a little bit slimmer, stronger and healthier.  However, I have lost quite a few inches.  All of my work pants seems to hang off of me, I have a few pairs that I can actually fold over that the waist!  Someone mentioned to me the other day that I was glowing since my challenge.  Many people have told me I've lost weight.  My skin glows, I stand taller and feel more beautiful. I feel so much more confident and ready for this next chapter of my life.  I have a new shiny membership at my Bikram studio and will continue a steady practice and try to go daily.  


If you are looking for a change, if you are unhappy with yourself either inside or out (or in my case, both) then I really urge you to try this yoga.  Bring lots of water, eat good food and try as hard and you possibly can.  I promise you will see a change in everything, your life will be different.  Mine is.