BYP News and Events - BYP Newsletter May/2010

My name is Andrew Li, I am 26 years old and reside in Palisades Park, NJ. Just to give a little background about myself, I currently work in the retail automotive sales business as a manager and on the weekends I work as a DJ playing music at bars and clubs. My day's work is rather dynamic and is very stressful at times. Dealing with hardheaded staff and meeting the needs of demanding customers proves to be more challenging than most people would ever imagine. My workweek is very hectic while trying to earn a living and trying to pursue my passion in music. Throughout the week I work normal daytime hours and on the weekends my sleep schedule gets flipped completely backwards, DJing at the bars until the wee hours of the night and not getting to sleep usually until the break of dawn. Having worked this schedule for well over a year I began to feel the toll it was taking on my body. I began feeling weak, unhealthy, tired and lethargic at work and had a hard time focusing my tasks. I would get cravings for grease, sugar and caffeine all the time and had to fight hard not to give in to the cravings. Needless to say I didn't always win. I'd always tell myself to get some exercise after work but I just couldn't muster up the discipline or energy to do it. I would always fear the pain or soreness that I always felt after either heavy cardio or weightlifting. I knew I had to do something to balance myself otherwise I was sure I was going to go into manic depression or something worst.

All throughout my life up to today, I have always been amazed and fascinated by physically flexible people like martial artists, dancers, and the like. There was something about the energy of these people that exuded expression, freedom and joy. I would always watch in awe and thought that these people were just born that way and that I'd never be as flexible as these people or ever be able to do anything like that.

In the more recent years of my life I have begun to experience a major shift in my aspirations and interests. I guess you could say I began the journey of spiritual enlightenment. I began focusing much more of my attention inward, asking more questions like, who I am? Why am I here? What is my life purpose? I started to do a lot of soul searching, reading, exploring all about nature, the cosmos, human consciousness, spirituality and the like and yet still felt unfulfilled with my life. I definitely felt like something was missing.

I am one those people that truly believes that everything happens for a reason and that deep inside, we tend to attract things and experiences into our lives that we need. Although I have studied and researched various "spiritual" topics, I knew nothing about yoga. This may sound crazy but about 3 months ago I began noticing myself unconsciously becoming drawn to the topic of yoga. I would inadvertently come across various videos on youtube and articles throughout the internet that would mention something about yoga and actually ended up stumbling upon and watching an independent documentary film called "Enlighten Up" that talked about all the different forms of yoga in existence today. After seeing this film I realized that I have neglected my physical body long enough and remembered seeing a Bikram Yoga studio right up the street from where I live. How convenient! I did a little research and decided that I would give it a shot. I began asking a bunch of my friends to go with me and found out a few of my friends actually have been to this studio before! Interesting...

I read about the 90-minute class length and over 100 degree heat and felt like I had mentally prepared myself for my first class. Boy was in for an interesting surprise! This had to be one of the most challenging things I have ever experienced; yet after I struggled through my first class I was blown away to find myself feeling energized, relaxed and calm at the same time! Everything I had ever known about physical exercise had completely flown out the window. I could not help but think to myself, how is it possible that I had exerted all this sweat, strength and energy and feel so good afterward!? I totally expected to feel wiped out, sore and ready to pass out! I was in for another pleasant surprise when I got up for work the next day. I could not believe how happy, energized, and alert I had felt all day! I don't remember the last time I felt like this!

Like most people who try Bikram Yoga for the first time I got hooked and decided I was going to practice at least twice a week. That decision totally got amended the following week as I found myself wanting to go again the next day, and then again the next day, and the next day... I was able to complete 16 days straight before a scheduling conflict and then vacation time broke my roll. I was actually disappointed to go away for vacation!! I was so anxious to continue to my practice that I went out to find a Bikram studio while I was away and attended two 5:30AM classes that they offered to be considerate of my family's time whom I was visiting. I don't remember the last time I got up that early to do anything! I'm usually just going to bed at this time on the weekends haha!

After approximately a month and half of practice, I was not expecting the quick and dramatic positive changes that I have experienced in my energy levels, attitude, mind and physical body. I find myself much calmer and less stressed at work and almost never need any kind of caffeine or energy supplements. I no longer get cravings for any junk foods of any sort at all anymore. I find myself unconsciously being drawn to more natural healthy foods and have practically eliminated red meat and pork out of my diet, and interestingly enough, I don't need to eat as much food to feel full and nourished! I have slimmed down back to a more ideal weight and waistline and my skin has also improved. I feel a greater sense of purpose and clarity and even the energy of my DJ sets have improved!! Bikram Yoga has definitely filled the void that I have been missing from my life and spiritual journey. I am no longer in awe of those flexible people as I feel like I will be able get there myself one day soon!! I cannot stop talking about the amazing power of this practice to all of my friends and truly wish that more and more people discover this seemingly hidden secret to health and happiness! I am so grateful to have Bikram Yoga as a part of my life and am even more grateful for Bikram Yoga Palisades! The studio is super clean; the staff and teachers are incredibly wonderful, caring and loving people! If you are reading this and thinking about practicing Bikram Yoga, all I want to say to you is just try one class and do the best you can. Words will not be able to describe the incredible experience you WILL have! The only complaint I have about Bikram Yoga is: "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE??" Namaste! :)

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