10/01/2025
In another episode of “Where are they now?”, we catch up with former student of the month, Dave.
As the years tick on, Dave has encountered some health issues, but his determination and steadfast nature has continued bringing him to his mat day after day. While he uses a chair for some assistance with balance, his form, focus and postures are to be recognized and applauded! It’s easy for some to come to class and turn on autopilot. For Dave, it’s essential to be completely focused and present to the moment. Read more in his words about how his yoga practice continues to progress and help in his everyday life.
““Choosing comfort over climbing a mountain is all too common in our society. When done over a long period of time and consistently, this class isn't just climbing one mountain once. It's tackling small hills day in and day out…”
A Quote from our studio’s owner and longtime instructor from her introduction to my first Student of the Month selection and honor a few years back. I am once again humbled by being highlighted in the “Where are they now” SOTM series.
Well, I am right here, in the studio, 5 days a week now that I have “time on my hands”. A brief recap: I began practicing Bikram Yoga, somewhat reluctantly, when it was suggested by my wife and daughter in 2009. My practice over the years was on and off, as many others have been, and I struggled with the heat and all the other psychological challenges of most students. But I continued, and little by little the heat became my friend, and I learned how to get my ego out of the way, and actually listen to the words of the dialogue spoken by the teacher(s).
It was a slow process and after many years, I found how to make my practice, my own; moving to the “fullest extent” of MY capabilities in each of the postures. It wasn’t my ego’s competition with the person next to me, or behind me, or someone new in the class. But my willingness to let go of ego, and actually DO what had been instructed to do over the years…only the best I could at that moment in time. I think the biggest challenge for me was letting go of what I did the time before, and taking each day for its own.
Bikram Yoga’s 90-minute moving meditation was instrumental in helping me be in the moment. Not only critical to my practice, but to everyday life.
So, here I am today, a few years later, now retired and taking the opportunity to practice 5 days a week. Those “small hills day in and day out” have actually become huge mountains in my life, as I have since diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, vertigo, and now prostate cancer. I am grateful that my MS diagnosis is of the relapse-remit type (and not a secondary or primary progressive). My daily practice has strengthened me both physically and mentally, and has improved my balance.
Pause here for a great shout out to the instructors at Hot Yoga Baltimore for their expert assistance in posture modifications, suggestions, and even the use of a chair (by my side) for me to catch myself when the balance isn’t quite there! Their coaching, corrections and encouragement has helped me to get the most out of every single one of those 90 minutes! Thank you ALL!!!
I am also fortunate and grateful that my cancer was found in its early stages, and the prognosis is good with the upcoming surgery. Yoga in combination with daily walking, jogging and weights have put me in the strongest position going into the surgery, and hopefully will aid in a swift recovery so that I can “get back in the room” quickly, to continue my work on the long game, MS.
The Hot Yoga Baltimore community of practitioners is a tight knight group, ever welcoming to the new-comer, and reliably there for the long time “friends”. We care about each other, that’s what this practice does for us!
Lynne’s offer for this SOTM check-in is timely as there have been significant changes over the past couple of years, and the ability count on practicing at Lynne’s Hot Yoga Baltimore studio has been a cornerstone in my health; physical, mental and emotional. So, after a brief (I hope!) recovery, I will continue attacking those small hills, creating mountains of health and well-being!
Thank you, Lynne, all the instructors and all those who keep the Hot Yoga Baltimore studio a continued place of community and well-being!
I am once again, gratefully honored to share my story.”
