Bikram Yoga Heals, Yoga Champions Inspire

Bikram Yoga was awesome today! I had a great class, there was lots of energy in the room and Joseph Encinia taught class! The 2009 US Champions were also in the studio today providing a discussion on their yoga journey and they both demonstrated some amazing postures. It was an inspiring day for sure.

Courtney Mace, the 2009 Women’s US and International Yoga Champion, talked about her many ailments and challenges that brought her to yoga and how Bikram Yoga really healed her and helped her overcome not only physical challenges but she also learned so much about herself and how to honor her body. I love hearing how people found Bikram Yoga and what it has done for them, everyone has a different story and path but they all find Bikram Yoga and benefit from the healing qualities.

Joseph Encinia, the 2009 US Men's Yoga Champion, has a story that is not too dissimilar to Courtney Mace. He too had many health challenges growing up, more so even than Courtney. Joseph had a heart attack at the age of 13, had rheumatoid arthritis and struggled medical other issues most of his life, until he found Bikram Yoga. Now he is healthy and his arthritis is in remission, and he looks amazing! I met Joseph 4 years ago when I first started taking Bikram Yoga and he looked great then but now, if it is even possible, he looks even more amazing and the things he can do with his body just blows the mind.

Here are some of the postures that Courtney and Joseph performed today.

Full Standing Head to Knee

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Bow Leg

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Standing Bow

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Full Standing Bow

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Full Standing Head to Knee

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Bound Lotus

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Handstand Lotus

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Crane

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

From Sat.ChampionWorkshop

Here is a slide show of the full posture demonstration.