Favorite posture:
Standing Bow Pulling Pose (left side) 

Started practicing Bikram Yoga: February 2014

Why practice Bikram Yoga:

I started Bikram yoga beginning of 2014 when I moved to Sydney. One of my close friends signed me up for a beginners pass and challenged me to practice the entire month. At that time, I’d separated from my husband of 12 years and had not seen my family in 8. It was a time in my life where I felt incredibly alone and was struggled emotionally each day.
Whilst practicing in the Pennant Hills studio, I wasn’t working and the only structure I had was those 90 minutes each day.
The next 18 months saw some very rocky moments. At that time, Bikram was no longer a part of my world and my coping mechanisms weren’t strong.

It was roughly a month after my 30th Birthday, where I guess you could say, I broke down. I needed to make a change in my life, in particular the path I was on.

I decided I’d sign back up to Bikram and sneak into the back row each day. I was uncomfortable with my body and didn’t want to be noticed by anyone. There were classes I’d cry in, felt angry in, and hated. Even to the point sometimes where I thought the heat would actually kill me. But then there were those classes where a teacher would say just one small thing, that I was meant to hear, that resonated so strongly with me, it forced me back into the hot room the next day. The studio then became my safe place. Somewhere I didn’t want to leave.
The more I committed to coming to class, the more I saw the transformation within myself. The heat no longer effected me in the same way, my mind began to ease, and through the postures I began to feel I was better able to express something inside of me. And that was a beautiful thing.

Some days were and still are challenging but the discipline within the practice helped me get a better grasp on my mind, my thoughts and general day-to-day life. I also gained a new level of self respect and confidence and I felt so proud of the accomplishments Bikram helped me to achieve both during class and in the outside world.

I’d also welcomed so many beautiful people and positive vibes to my happy new world – and for that I am eternally grateful!
Coming to teacher training was naturally the next step for me. It was something that played on my mind from my very first class. I felt like this was my calling. These were my people and for the first time in my life, I fit in. Bikram yoga heals and is accessible to the sickest and saddest people on earth. I once was, but now I know exactly who I am and what I stand for. I love myself wholeheartedly and am able to love others.

It is an honor to take on the role of becoming a Bikram Yoga teacher. Something I aspire to do justice!

Regards,

Natalie Jean