Sweating half naked with folks and looking at yourself for 90 minutes does have an affect on how you view your body and others. And Steven tell us how finding his light is of the utmost importance to his practice!

See Davis W’s story:
T’ruth offers some tips to learning to Appreciate and accept yourself- it’s just a start on a long road but every journey begins with one step!

Heather Hausenblas University of Florida exercise researcher: “ When you take a look at the Superman now versus the Superman 20 years ago, I mean he’s hyper muscular now and you know action figures have hyper muscular even children’s costumes, you take a look at Superman or Spiderman they’ve got the built-in muscles so I think it’s here to stay. It’s what we see, and what kids see, what adults see, and that’s what they think, ‘okay this is what I need to achieve.’

It’s true I thought that the muscle padded Halloween costumes were an indicator that some males have inadequacy issues!
click here

Adam, Chad, Myrna, Veronica, Makeda and Steven share what Bikram has done for them. From weight loss to patience, tolerance, and acceptance of themselves and others listen to how this seemingly extreme practice is a great equalizer- all ages, colors, sizes and backgrounds come together and sweat it out. They are a cast of characters for sure. I thank them greatly for sharing their unique stories. oh I shouldn’t forget Sabastian!!!

Check out the pics here:
Real women have curves and wear clothes!

Click here to see Photo 1

Click here to see Photo 2

Take a tour to In Your Words and meet David W. who tells his story of trying to find peace with himself in his new slimmer body. His struggle is a human one and though at times because of the media and commercial focus on women’s shapes and forms we tend to forget that men indeed inhabit bodies that they are less then pleased or comfortable with. We are all in this together and I sincerely that more men enter into the discussion. Thank you David.

I have been an avid Bikram practitioner for about a year and a half now. Though I do it begrudgingly most days it is the ONLY thing that has worked for me. It of keeps me lean, and flexible with the added benefit of leveling off my weight by acting almost like an appetite suppressant- or more that it makes me desire better- cleaner foods. T’ruth be told I am a bloater- I mean there are days were I can sink the Titanic I expel so much water. I’m naturally muscular so the gym is not an option for me unless I want to look like a competitive body builder. And it’s a challenge, it’s 90 minutes where you battle your body, mind and the elements after which I always feel like there is nothing I can’t do!

Come and meet the owners of the studio I attend in Harlem.

Bikram Yoga Harlem
518 W 145th St, NY, NY 10031
tel : 212.926.0753

When I heard that 23 year old reality television star Heidi Montag (The Hills) had 10 plastic surgery procedures at once ( forget that she previously had rhinoplasty and breast augmentation) I was astounded. First, I thought “Wow” that’s a lot of work at one time for such a young woman” (who wasn’t in a horrible accident and in need of reconstruction) and second “What doctor in his right mind would agree to do that?”. But it was my third thought that prompted this gathering- All the media talking heads kept saying “What kind of message does this send to young girls, she’s a role model?” It was a good question but I had one more.

Are these women who are marketed at the “Tweens” and young women in their early 20’s really their role models? Are they really holding them up as a “way to be” or does the media create the concept that they should and so we all start to believe it? It’s like a chicken and egg dilemma.

I started to casually ask around and the feedback was not what I expected. So I gathered a group of young women together to gain some perspective on what their perceptions about the images of women marketed to them: The “It” girls like Beyonce, Lady GaGa, Kim Kardashian, and Blake Lively etc. And how those images made them feel about their bodies and their image- did it shape or re-shape their concept of beauty?
It’s really interesting stuff.

Lateefah, Dominique, Ali, Jessica and Christine share their thoughts on the subject.
Here is part 1