As a long-time yogini, I was appalled with the injuries that had happened to me since I turned 50!  My left knee was badly "blown-out" ... physical therapy, acupunture and other modalities did nothing to repair the damaged ligaments or tendons ... I didn't want to do surjery.   Also, my left toes were crossing, due to very severe scholiosis I've lived with (and alleviated thanks to life-long yoga asanas) that has pained me since childhood.   My body was falling apart.  Discovering Bikram in the fall of 2000 began my adventure to healing with these troubling injuries. 

At first I couldn't do any of the asanas using either "hyperextension" of a strong knee -- a lot of the standing poses, and especially fixed firm pose.  I kept at it because a friend of mine, another yogini, told me Bikram's would "cure all of my problems."  She was right!!

Within six months I was strong and steady with all the standing poses.  In another few months, after slowly trying, I achieved total success with fixed firm pose.  And then ... miracle of miracle ... I began with the second version of tadasana ... the toe stand, which I'm happy to say is my latest challenge and I'm happy to take all the time in the world to perfect.  My toes, by the way, uncrossed themselves as a result of time and effort in creating balance, especially with the standing poses.  At first I had to use a "toe seperator" ... a device that kept the toes flat so I could at least stand.  Now I don't use that helpful gadget.

Immediate improvement ... a sense of well-being first told me to continue, and the straightening of my spine has been gradual ... knee strengthening increased daily, until after six months I felt no pain after two solid years of relentless trouble in that area.
                     

Zlord@aol.com