After a series of injuries, I've had physical challenges. In 1978, I was hit by a car.  This broke my left femur and  put me in a coma for 3 weeks and set off an imbalance pattern in my body.   In the '80's and 90's, I had whiplash  4 times and had a dancing injury when I fell from a partner's shoulder and ripped all of the muscles from the base of my head to my sacrum.  I also blew out my left ACL  and MCL in February of 1999.  At this point in life,even though I've practiced different  kinds of yoga and healing arts, I still get kinks and owies that can be difficult to maneuver through. 

Recently, I was in Berkeley, California for ten days and decided to try Bikram Yoga.  The top of the back of my head had been hurting a great deal for about a month.  The pain was debilitating,  but I told the instructors and throughout the classes  they would suggest alternatives to certain head positions for "those who have neck injuries."  On the last day  of my visit, in one of the final positions of the sequence, a seated twisting position, something slid into place.  It was quite a surprise: I heard a sound and my neck pain went away.   Now, over a week later, I am still free of  discomfort!!  Wonderful!   All that and I felt incredibly invigorated after every class! 

Nobody knew if I would live or be able to walk after the  original accident.  For every injury, I have received excellent medical attention and no guarantees.  I've been in traction, a body cast, had surgery, had pain killers and physical therapy.  Independent of the Western Medical establishment, I have also received  lots of acupuncture, naturopathic and chiropractic care as well as plenty of massage.  Everyone tells me that I  will always have left to right imbalance, that I may have  a leg length difference and that I may always be subject to muscle spasms, neck problems and headaches. The main key is to keep fit and elastic and to work toward balance.  I find that Bikram Yoga offers all of that.