Steph's Story
For years, I have always been pretty intense with my working out -- I danced for fifteen years and then switched to running. I ran a lot, and then started to marathon. Unfortunately, as I got within two weeks of the marathons, I always hurt myself -- bursitis, tendonitis...the list went on.
In 2004, I decided to get physical therapy and really try to run through any pain as I trained for the NYC marathon. I put a lot of effort and time into my training. I was also going through a really hard time in my life, and the running was helping me with that. Just like the other marathons, however, one and a half weeks away from the race, I blew my IT band -- it was awful! I went to an orthopedic surgeon who convinced me to go through cortizone shot therapy. That was a HUGE mistake, as it made my leg so much worse. I went back to physical therapy, and haven't been able to run more than a mile at a time since.
I still needed something more for my body and soul, and the gym alone did not cut it. I found out about Bikram through a very good friend, and after my first class, I was hooked. The combination of physical and mental challenge, as well as the healing aspect for my leg, are amazing.
After moving from NYC to Jacksonville, planning a wedding, settling into a new job and a new home, yoga is helping me find some sort of stability amongst all of the changes. I wish I could go more! Hopefully, that will change in a few months after things settle down, but I am happy to be able to go a couple times a week to find some peace!