Discovering the practice of hot yoga five months ago has improved my quality of life in ways I never thought possible. After years of severe migraines, muscle and joint pain, anxiety and fatigue I was no longer able to work and was struggling to get through the day. Having a background in healthcare I turned to conventional medicine for help. The medical approach focused on treatment of my symptoms using prescription medications such antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications along with strong pain relievers. I was convinced this was the best way to treat my health issues. After many years, almost a decade, of trying several medications without any improvement it was becoming clear that this approach was not working for me and was in fact making things worse as I often had adverse reactions to the medications. I was desperate for help.

This desperation left me searching for alternative solutions I would not have considered before. I knew I had to try something completely different and decided to keep an open mind.

Having heard about hot yoga my initial reaction was, "no way" . This was way out of my comfort zone. I was not flexible at all, had very little energy, and the thought of being in a hot room for 90 minutes was daunting to say the least. I also was dealing with recent weight gain and a poor body image. The thought of wearing "yoga clothes" in public was frightening. I was intimidated.

I also realized that to make any kind of change, you must start with how you think. I bought a mat and decided to give it a try.

The first time I walked into the studio, I knew this was going to be different. The staff were welcoming and the facilities were great. Entering the heated room I immediately felt my body relax as I started to warm up. Looking around, the first thing I noticed was the different variety of people in the class. Young and old, men and women, both in shape and not so much. Real people, with real bodies who appeared very comfortable. This was definitely not a "gym" atmosphere but a much more inclusive place for those wanting to improve their health.

The first class was unlike any form of exercise I had done before. A systematic approach to every muscle, joint and organ in the body. No impact, no equipment, no competition. A practice designed to focus on your body's own ability to heal itself. It was challenging and relaxing at the same time. A perfect balance between mind and body. The required concentration allowed me to focus on my body and breathing which gave my mind a break from all the thinking I like to do. Ninety minutes of not worrying about anything, just breathing. I was not expecting this. I actually didn't think it was possible to go 90 minutes without thinking about all life's little problems. I actually understood for the first time what the concept of meditation was. Not analyzing your issues, but taking a break from them by being fully present in the moment. Not doing, just being.

After class I was expecting to feel like I used to after other forms of exercise. Tired and sore. This was not the case at all. I felt like I had a good cardiovascular work out but also felt like I had just had a massage, with all my muscles relaxed and not aching for the first time in years. Instead of being tired, I felt energized. My mind was clear and calm, and my ability to concentrate had improved dramatically.

I knew this yoga practice was what I had been searching for. I practice five days a week now and have never felt this well. My headaches are much more manageable and less frequent, I no longer ache and do not need to rely on medications for the relief of anxiety. This practice has done what conventional medicine was unable to do for years, improve my health. The changes were so impressive my conservative husband was intrigued to try it. Needless to say, he is just as hooked as I am and it is now something we do together to improve our health and quality of life.

Sometimes we have to try everything that doesn't work before we are willing to try something completely different. My only regret in starting this practice was that I didn't do it sooner. I will be forever grateful to staff of Bikram Yoga Sidney for showing me that sometimes the greatest chances we take in life offer the greatest rewards.