Cervical cancer is caused by severe abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Most precancerous or cancerous cell changes occur in the cervix at the transformation zone because the cells in this area are naturally undergoing change. This process of change can cause cervical cells to become abnormal when infected with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
The most common cause of cervical cell changes is infection with HPV. High-risk types of HPV infection increase the chance that a woman with an HPV infection will develop abnormal cervical cell changes that may need further treatment.
| Jodie Robertson |
| Brookvale, New South Wales, Australia |
There I was nine years ago walking up the stairs to my first Bikram yoga class, towel and water in hand. I approach the desk both nervous and excited. The teacher points me in the direction of the yoga room, I go in, put my towel down feeling out of place and out of my comfort zone. People are stretching and warming up so I decide to do the same. I sit on the floor to stretch my hamstrings and in that moment I realised that although I was physically fit my body was tight, stressed, overworked and unhappy. The class starts and the teacher is saying “move your thoughts away, let them go” and that was the first time in my life I became aware I |
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had a mind and it wouldn’t shut up! My little voice inside my head was saying “it smells in here… I wish that person next to me would stop breathing so heavy… I need water… when is this over??? that’s impossible… ouch!!! you gotta be kidding… did I turn my computer off??? tell her she’s dreaming…what’s for dinner???”and on and on and on.
From that first class my life changed. The voice is still there but over the years I have learnt to control it rather than it controlling me.
Having been diagnosed with abnormal cells on my cervix at the age of 19 and undergoing numerous treatments, I decided to look for alternative answers and my naturopath suggested yoga. It was the first time in my life that I actually stopped and took a deep breath. My body became free and my mind calm and within three months of starting Bikrams yoga I was completely clear of any abnormal cells.
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My discovery of Bikrams yoga showed me the importance of looking after my health physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Because it had such an impact on my life I knew I wanted to share it and teach it to others. That was my inspiration to follow the Bikram yoga path. I was the first Australian to open a Bikram studio and I currently operate the largest and longest running studio, located on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. I have been teaching for eight years and my commitment and dedication to the cause shines through in my passion, enthusiasm and knowledge. |
I use my intuition and my heart as a tool to support others with their personal growth, health and wellbeing. I love spreading the benefits of this amazing system.
The beauty of this process for me is that my students are my teachers.
(Editor's note: Since Jodie Robertson's Brookvale Bikram Yoga Studio in north Sydney opened, 15 more Bikram Yoga studios are now in operation with 3 more scheduled for this fall. The matriarch of Australian Bikram Yoga, she is also the producer of the Australia Continental Regionals of the International Yoga Asana Championships. You can email her at: