One benefit in particular is successfully overcoming an eating disorder that plagued me for years. I became bulimic when I was a freshman in high school. A few years back, I realized that I couldn’t continue to abuse myself with weight loss pills, laxatives, and purging techniques, because my body was suffering terribly. So, those practices lessened, I put weight on, and adopted an “I don’t care attitude”. At least I was alive and not purging. I was frightened of diets and other weight management techniques, for fear of slipping back.

Bikram Yoga has helped to manage my weight. I am more aware of what I eat, and how it affects my body and energy. Looking at myself in the mirror — not at my hips or waistline like before, but into my eyes — has helped my to see myself in an entirely different, and healthier, way. The twenty-six postures manage every cell, tissue and muscle, from your organs to your skin. With the confidence I have found, I don’t worry or wonder if I’m doing all I can. Repeating the same postures every time releases the distracting worry over unfamiliar poses. The best part: all I have to do is show up. Continual practice produces continual benefits, and newer benefits present themselves all the time, so keep it up. Whether you’re short, tall, weird lookin’, handicapped, whatever… it’s the only body you’ve got. The only one you’re gonna get. Take care of it. Love it. Do it.

D, 2003