Rowena M. Brown, Studio Owner
So, this story begins in 2003. I like to think of it as my new beginning. I had suffered from Fibromyalgia for years. I suffered severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrom in both hands and wrists. Severe joint pain made sleeping for more than a few hours at a time impossible. My declining health lead me into the arms of a deep long term depression. After 15 years of gradual encroaching health issues I was finally diagnosed as “ disabled “ After spending tens of thousands of dollars , hoping for a “miracle”, I was devastated to hear the diagnoses, “disabled”. It seemed so hollow, so absolute, so unfair. It seemed that the message was, there is nothing more that can be done for you. Stop spending your money on doctors and tests. Just go home and accept your fate. Surrender. Stop enjoying life. I felt like I had come to an abrupt and unprepared stop. I had no idea what to do next. Then, my new beginning. At the suggestion of my good, dear friend, Carol Atkins, I decided to try Bikram Yoga. Hot Yoga. 26 poses and breathing exercises. Believe me, it seemed brutal at first. It was really difficult. My body protested in every way it could. My mind tried to trick me into quitting. But, I stayed and I practiced, and suffered for the greater good. Much to my pleasant surprise, after just a few weeks of going to Bikram Yoga six days a week I started to see improvements. Subtle improvements. Fleeting realizations of improvements, but defiantly improvements. After 6 months of daily practicing Bikram Yoga, my symptoms were in near complete remission. My severe pains and discomforts were much much improved. My carpel Tunnel, both hands, was virtually 100% gone. I had found my “miracle” My miracle I now know was really two miracles. The miracle that is Bikram Yoga, and the miracle that is within me. That’s right, the miracle in “me” The ability to heal myself, thru Bikram Yoga. No machines, no treadmills, no special diets, Just me practicing Bikram Yoga every day for 90 minutes. I now can see. For 15 years I went around paying doctors for answers that were to never come. I spent money on prescriptions that would never address the cause and effect of my illness. All that time. All that time the answer was within. Once I took control and responsibility for my health, thru Bikram Yoga, my body, and mind, began to heal. Well, I soon realized that I was going to have to practice Bikram Yoga for the rest of my life. My old career was over. It was time to embark on a new frontier. I decided to become certified in Bikram Yoga. I knew what Bikram Yoga had done for me. I knew it would do the same for others. I wanted to help others to accomplish what I had done. To take control of their life, take control of their health, and live life on their terms.
Fast forward to Los Angelas Ca. April 2006. Bikram’s Yoga College of India. Brutal twice a day yoga classes. Study classes all day long, 9 weeks of 14 to 18 hour days. Constant self doubt. Constant worry. Can I do this? Can I hold up thru this? It is a brutal pace, in an unforgiving environment. Some people went home before it was over. Would I have to surrender? Would I graduate? Even staying and working thru it all does not ensure graduation. Nine weeks never seemed so long.
June 10th 2006. I not only made it thru, I graduated. I honestly can say, I have never worked so hard and wanted something so much, and at the same time had so much doubt about actually accomplishing it.
So, here we are now. I want to help everyone that wants to help themselves. That is why I call my studio, Hot Yoga Therapy, and I encourage people, all people, to let their miracle out, to “COME HEAL THYSELF…”
