What was your motivation to starting this challenge, and how many times a week did you decide to take class?

I felt so bloated and sluggish after Christmas that I made the decision to really work hard to feel comfortable and confident in my body again by the summer.  By April I decided that enough was enough I needed to feel active again and I knew from previous experience Bikram could give me the results I craved. I decided I was going back and I was going to do a 30 day challenge to kick start my new fitness buzz. I made a  plan I asked my friend Viviana to come with me and we agreed  30 days as often as possible4-5 days minimum if we could and we signed up on April 24^th 2014. I decided to take photos of my shape the day before I started & kept a photo diary every Friday for the month for motivation.

What were your goals?

To loose some fat and inches if possible, to de-bloat, tone my stomach arms and thighs in particular. Regain my flexibility & improve my joint range of motion especially my hips & spine.

Do you think you reached them?

Definitely, I lost about 7lbs and I’m noticing definition in my abdomen & thighs  and in my waistline, my hips have really loosened out.

In the first two weeks what were the biggest changes you saw?

I lost a lot of the excess fluid, I was clean eating and drinking loads of water and I noticed my muscle tone and strength really starting to develop especially in my thighs.

How has doing class so regularly effected your…

Sleep: I always sleep like a baby after I do a class, especially if I do an evening class, it really tires you out to the point you feel you’ve earned your rest

Mood: Feeling better in my body has had a knock on positive mental effect, I’m more enthusiastic and energetic and generally happier in myself

Fitness: This 30 day challenge I set myself has pushed me to want to achieve even better results than I originally thought possible. The stronger I see myself getting the stronger I want to become.. its addictive.

I’ve rejoined the gym now. But I wouldn’t like to choose one over the other I think they compliment each other so well. Yoga helps recovery after the gym, relieves any muscle pain and helps improve depth in all exercises. In June I decided to sign up to do a part time course in gym instruction personal training & nutrition which I may not have done had I not bitten the bullet.

Weight: To be honest the scales don’t bother me too much as long as I like what I see in the mirror and my clothes fit my body comfortably I’m happy. All my jeans fit way better since May.. Horrray!

Im 5ft 4 and my weight has fluctuated between 10st – 10st 11lbs  in the last year really..  Today I weighed myself and I’m 9st .12lbs.  I’m chuffed!

Posture: This is the first thing I noticed in my photo diary. I’m holding my shoulders  much straighter and standing taller . I’m sitting up straighter too as my core is starting to strengthen.

Diet: I’m definitely watching what I eat & drink way more.  The more I see results the more motivated I am to eliminate junk

What were the most unexpected changes you noticed in yourself?

Really it has given me a whole new outlook about fitness in general and the unlimited possibilities for my own level of fitness and body shape.  If I can see my body change that much in 30 days imagine what regular long-term practice and exercise will do. It’s exciting.

It has motivated me to pursue a new direction getting into fitness instructing & personal training,  classes & nutrition.

Did anyone around you notice a difference?

Ya Vivi my 30 day challenge buddy really noticed the difference initially, even before I did. I would collect her in the mornings ready in my gear and she would say wow I can really see the change starting in your body. I sent my photo diary to a few close friends and family and they were shocked at the results in only 30 days and gave me really encouraging feedback.

Tell us one thing that you have taken from the experience that you will bring forward into the future?

Exercise is crucial for your health & wellbeing, and Bikram yoga is so effective at improving your muscles strength & endurance, joint mobility  & flexibility that it enables your body to do any other form of exercise to a better standard. You won’t understand how effective this is until you start practicing.

Tell us, what were your reasons for starting Bikram?

June bank holiday weekend 2010 I was driving along the flyover in Douglas heading towards the Kinsale road roundabout when some lunatic swerved in front of me and jammed on his breaks.  I stopped short of crashing into him but an elderly man driving a 4×4 pulling a cattle trailer wasn’t so fortunate and slammed into my stopped car.  The impact of the crash severely damaged the muscles at the front and back of my neck, all down my spine and ruptured several discs in my spine.  Additionally, the force of the impact damaged the glands in my neck severely; apart from the pain, I experienced constant recurring glandular problems.

I attended physiotherapy at least twice a week every week for 18 months and was receiving pain control injections into the top of my spinal cord every 3 months on top of taking strong painkillers every day.  I gave up coaching rowing and any time I exercised I had to take it easy which for someone that was involved in competitive sport was extremely frustrating.

In January 2012, on my birthday, my partner walked out.  It deeply affected me at the time.

A few weeks later I had reconstructive surgery on my nasal passages.

After that I had the court case for the car crash, which wasn’t particularly nice.

Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse one of my best friends, cousin and business partner Nader Fares, started suffering from liver failure.  He started going downhill rapidly and by April 2012 it was clear he would need a liver transplant pretty soon.

All of these things, no matter how small or petty they might sound, they added up and they were taking their toll on me both emotionally and physically.

One evening I started chatting to someone about yoga. To be honest, I thought it was a load of bollix but I was willing to give anything a go at this stage.

I went to my first class the next evening.  The pain relief was the first thing that hit me.  There was instant relief.  Second to that, my head just felt much clearer afterwards.  That night I stopped taking painkillers.  The next day I cancelled my physiotherapy session and went for another class.  Since my first class, I haven’t had one session of physiotherapy, I haven’t needed to take painkillers and I no longer need pain injections.  When I travel, I check online for a Bikram Yoga class near my destination and after my meetings, I head straight for a class for some instant pain relief.  I’m now beyond using Bikram for pain relief because my pain is gone.  I go now because I love the challenge of the hot yoga room and as exercise go, it’s probably the best workout I’ve ever tried.

Sadly, my friend Nader passed away on the 11th September 2012 at the young age of 38.  Bikram Yoga helped me get through this emotionally tough time and kept me positive.  Your health is your wealth after all.

What are your memories’ of your first class?

The instructor welcomed the newbies to the class and told us what to do and what not to do in order to get through the class. I remember giggling to myself thinking this is a load of rubbish.  About 15 minutes later it was more like… Jesus Christ…I want to go home!!!  I was absolutely annihilated

What are your strengths and weaknesses in the hot room and how have they changed since you began? i.e, how has your practice developed?

Strengths:  I’m stubborn enough not to give up.

Weaknesses:  I can barely balance on one leg but I am improving.

What are the main differences you see in yourself from one year ago?

Aside from my back pain being eradicated, I’m much more productive at work, my posture is incomparably better, my diet is much improved and I no longer drink coffee (I used have about 12 mugs of brewed coffee every day).

How is Bikram different from other activities you do?

It almost forces you to look after yourself better.  If you go into the hot room after a heavy night out or if you’ve been eating junk, not eating enough or simply not drinking enough water, the hot room will let you know.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking about taking their first class or anyone in their first few classes who is finding it challenging?

Anyone thinking about starting…Just Do It!  Age doesn’t matter.  Concentrate on your breathing and drink plenty water throughout the day before the class.

Everyone finds Bikram Yoga challenging no matter how long they’ve been doing it.  It’s going to take a few months before you really feel the benefits so just stick with it.  Keep listening to the instructor’s advice and you will improve and reap the rewards.

Donal Cronin  www.animalhealthmonitoring.com

Interview by Jane McNamara

When you discovered you were pregnant how did you feel about continuing your exercise regime?
On discovering I was pregnant I immediately went on the search for advice regarding my practice. I had been practicing a year at that stage and really didn’t want to stop. As far as I can remember I came to practice the very next day and spoke to Dia and she was incredibly kind and gave me advice on how to continue my practice safely. At that stage the only people who knew were Joe and my parents so it was quite emotional sharing the news with someone else but Dia was so calm and lovely that I thought I can do this and I’m in a safe and nurturing environment, so I actually felt really blessed! From that day on my yoga changed and I became more mindful in my practice. Kate asked me shortly afterwards how I was doing and I remember saying, I’m not just doing postures anymore I’m doing yoga!

On all my initial visits to my midwife, GP and hospital consultant I told them I was doing Bikram yoga and all were advocates of continuing, especially as I had a regular practice prior to becoming pregnant. They of course advised caution and to listen to my body but I think they were more concerned with my karate practice! And as I have gone through my pregnancy I truly believe Bikram yoga has contributed greatly to a very positive experience overall. Initially I had no sickness or lack of energy as I continued into the second trimester and changed to the pregnancy series in class, I had none of the usual complaints. I am now in my third trimester I am still doing very well and still practicing! The bump does get in the way a little now as I have only a few weeks to go and my standing head to knee pose has taken a back seat……. For now!

How has practicing Bikram affected your pregnancy? How has pregnancy affected your Bikram?

Bikram has had such a positive effect on my pregnancy in every way really both physically and emotionally. The general systems of my body, digestive, immune, circulatory and respiratory are all working away as normal and I attribute this overall wellbeing to my continued practice. Also in pregnancy you have lots of appointments and a thousand things to buy and get ready and in all of that running around is really difficult to get time to yourself or time just to be with the baby and try to connect on some level. I have used my Bikram classes to do this, to take complete time out of the madness and also it’s nice to have time just me and the baby. I genuinely think although it may sound mad that the baby likes his/her Bikram classes. When the kicking started initially I always felt it strongest during savasana after the standing series. I am hoping after listening to all the instructions in class the baby will have a far more beautiful bow pose than me!

Do you hope to continue your practice until full term?

Yes absolutely! You learn in pregnancy to really listen to your body and as long as I listen to my body I can practice safely. I may be a little less dynamic and certain postures need further adjustment as I go on but as long as I can do something and have enough energy I will continue to practice!

Please tell us a little about how the Bikram Yoga postures are modified for pregnancy.

The Bikram series of 26 postures + 2 breathing exercises essentially doesn’t change. When I practice in a class, the teachers teach the same series but what I can do in some of the postures has to be modified to accommodate my expanding belly. There are photos on the Bikram Yoga Cork website that show most of the posture modifications for pregnancy. Essentially any posture that causes a compression of the belly (Hands-to-Feet, Standing Head to Knee, Separate Leg Head to Knee, the four postures of the spine strengthening series, Half-Tortoise, Rabbit, Head to Knee with Stretching, and Spine Twist) are all modified to varying degrees to allow me to work around my belly. Some of the modifications result in a lessening in the intensity of the posture, but overall the same groups of muscles are worked and I’m able to move with the class. Many postures aren’t modified at all.

What benefits are you seeing for yourself as you continue your practice throughout pregnancy?

I sincerely believe that my practice and the time I spend teaching in the hot room are having tremendous benefits for me during pregnancy. I haven’t had any swelling in the ankles or any water retention (no huge surprise there!). My back feels pretty good so far – all the work I’ve done through this practice in the past, as well as currently, to strengthen my back muscles are really paying dividends now! I feel my leg muscles working harder than usual in the hot room these days, as the extra weight forces them to work hard in postures like awkward and eagle. My sense of balance and center is maintained, despite the massive changes to my body – I don’t feel like I’m top-heavy either in or out of the hot room.

Would you recommend pregnant women practice Bikram Yoga?

It is really important to have a regular practice before doing this yoga while pregnant. I recommend at least 6 months of regular practice before becoming pregnant. You have to know your body and be familiar with the yoga so you can work safely and effectively in the room while pregnant. There are other types of pre-natal yoga out there if you’re new to yoga and want to start while pregnant. If you have a regular practice, there is no reason not to continue. All the research I’ve read indicates it is important to continue your regular physical activities when you’re pregnant and that anything (within reason) you did before you can continue with now.

Is it recommended to practice Bikram Yoga while in the first trimester of pregnancy?

There is some concern about the first trimester of pregnancy in general, as it is a very delicate developmental time for the baby. Doctors are often concerned with rise in body temperature during this time, but much of the research I’ve looked at relates to prolongued fevers and spending lots of time in the sauna or a hot tub. This is a personal choice really, but if you are at all concerned, there is no harm at all to take the first trimester off your practice and then return after your first scan. Rajashree has recommended taking time off during the first trimester as a general policy, just to be on the safe side. But again, this is a personal choice as science has not come up with a definitive answer to this question. Personally, I practiced throughout my pregnancy.

Inspiring women who are loving the hot room through out their pregnancies. Thanks to Aileen and Dia.

Interview by Jane Mc Namara.