"At the end of last season I had incredibly tight hip flexors and a strained lower back. My sister introduced me to yoga and I immediately found the benefits of the hot room enhanced my ability to loosen up. I was able to feel the heat faciliate a deeper stretch than I was used to and helped to release a great deal of muscular tension that I was holding in several areas of my body. In addition, the emphasis on alignment has had a surprising impact on my posture and spinal curve.

Prior to attending my first Moksha class I respected the benefits of yoga but was never interested in the chanting and spiritual aspects that I assumed were present in yoga classes. At the Moksha London studio I realized that each student was there for their own personal reasons, whether they be physical, mental, or spiritual, and the teachers and Moksha class could embrace each of these needs without impinging on the other students reasons for taking yoga.

Over the last four months I have integrated yoga classes into my weekly training routines and untilized the stretches I learned both before and after workouts, on and off the ice. After the first month of training camp I realized that this was the first year I completed the entire pre-season training without experiencing any muscular strain or pulls. I attribute a great deal of this to my yoga training over the summer and plan to continue with my practice throughout the season."

Mark Popovic - Athletic Cross Training: Currently signed with the Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) and two-time member of the Canadian National Junior Hockey Team

Stress Management

"I am an entrepreneur with a North American business in a highly competitive technology sector. I live a very busy life and am consumed with my work all the time. When not working, I think about work and the things I have to get done. I live with constant stress and tension that has manifested itself in a variety of physical and emotional ailments over the years.

I began practicing hot yoga regularly in November 2002 and since that time my life has changed. Literally, I am more self-aware and have learned to listen to my body. I am able to concentrate longer and more deeply. I am able to detach myself from things and let them go in moments where I used to hold on for hours or days. Physically, I am stronger, my balance is much improved and my flexibility elevated. Moreover, the vast majority of the aches and pains have minimized or disappeared altogether.

Hot yoga is helping me push the outer limits of what I can accomplish mentally and physically. It forces me to look at myself, and in the end, that's where all the stress, tension and judgment come from in the first place."

Eric Yuzpe, Vice President, Kaboose Inc.

General Health

"Before practising Moksha Yoga I hadn't practised much yoga and was of the thinking that yoga was easy as long as you were flexible. How I was wrong...I couldn't walk for days after the first class. Now, months later my body is stronger and my balance much surer. This type of yoga is a great form of exercise and stress relief. I would recommend it to anyone, of any age, shape or fitness."

Janice, Trinidad

"I recognize how valuable yoga is to one's health and well-being and I regret in a way that I did not discover this about 15 or 20 years earlier. I know it is never too late but being realistic I recognise all my limitations."

"I am one of those naturally inclined to be lazee. In my younger days, I was naturally skinny and could eat at will everything in sight without pain....Now I'm stressed and no longer size 8. So guess what? I need a beastmaster to exercise. Yoga with Karen makes me realize parts of the body I never knew existed but best of all, I celebrate myself..."

"Honestly, I was not into yoga before because (ignoramus that I am) I thought it was a meditation thing...however, in 2004, I was watching Channel 26 that featured many exercise programs and happened onto a yoga program...and I found that the moves and stretches were quite interesting and challenging...however, I did not know at that time where I could have obtained training like that...so that's when a friend told me about Karen and her Moksha Yoga classes. After subsequent conversations with Karen, I was very interested and then became hooked after the first class. I usually exercise (aerobics and light weights) about 6 times a week and while that prepared me for some of the stretches, I enjoy the entire routine, as I would like to age graciously and therefore, increase in flexibility will assist in that...so thank you, Karen!

"The flow of energy and the exertion from executing the poses is a really physically invigorating experience, that is juxtaposed to the sense of contentment and serenity that I feel at the end of each class. My Moksha Yoga practice has really added a new dimension to both my corporeal and mental well-being...I highly recommend it!

"What I like about yoga is feeling stretched and strong. Sometimes, all I can concentrate on is finishing the class...which is good because usually my mind is on so many other things. I like when the class is fun and doesn't feel too serious and days when it feels like everything is flowing. Karen is a great teacher who helps make the class something you can't really do badly as long as you give whatever you have that day. That's good because with exercise, no matter what you do, it counts!"

"Dear Karen, I enjoyed class today. It was a perfect fit for my present needs - very strengthening and warming. I felt the benefits throughout the day. I appreciate your direct manner and clarity. The guidance you offer based on your own impeccable form and understanding of the postures is key. Very inspiring and encouraging. Much of my recent work has been deeply internal. I really enjoy using my body in a conscious and holistic way. As the body changes with age it is easy to lose an awareness of its ability to continue learning, growing and improving. It was so much fun to recover some of that today. WE are blessed to have you here. You'll be seeing me again."

Scoliosis / Back Pain

"I was diagnosed with scoliosis as a child and experienced chronic back pain from age 9 until about six months ago. The daily pain was something I didn't talk about because I found people's reactions never fitting - I didn't want pity. I did speak up when things got bad however and migraines due to neck tension led me (and my wonderful forward thinking mother) to just about every alternative healing technique you've ever heard of - rolfing, feldencrais, shiatsu, acupuncture, naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, psychic healers, magnetic healing etc. I also took the traditional route as well wearing a body brace from age 12-14. At around sixteen I started to experience severe bouts of sciatica. This continued about twice a year until around 2 years ago (I am 27) and left me bed-ridden for 1-3 weeks at a time.

About three years ago while working in a corporate environment I once again experienced a major sciatic bout. Talking on the phone someone asked me what would happen when I have children "won't pregnancy be unbearable for your back." The question made me realize that I wasn't a kid anymore and if I didn't really focus on getting rid of it my entire life would continue to maneuver around pain. I went on the internet and found hot yoga. I had been practicing yoga (mostly meditation and pranayama) for years and couldn't imagine how great yoga WITH heat would be. It instinctively made a lot of sense to me.

I quit my job and practiced twice a day for two months, and then once a day for six months. I had one bout of sciatica but it only lasted for a few days. I have been practicing now for 3 years. In that time I have not only strengthened the muscles in my back and increased flexibility I have learned a lot about how I hold emotions in my body. I have learned about breathing instead of getting scared (that my back was going to flare up from this or that). I feel stronger on so many levels. And for the past six months I am infinitely grateful to say that I no longer suffer from chronic pain."

"I had never heard of Moksha Yoga before, so I did not know what to expect. What a shock to my system!!! First the heat and then the strenuous postures and SO MANY of them. I didn't think that I could last the 90 minutes, but I slept well after and felt great the next day. I come to Moksha Yoga with an injury which has taken over my life for the past three years and I decided that 'enough is enough'. I am taking back my life now and I sense that this form of yoga can help. The first thing I realised was how weak my body is but I can feel it changing already. I have overcome my initial horror of the heat and am learning to love sweating. The hardest thing is patience...persevering, waiting. Oh!!! did I mention that I am "balance challenged" also? Karen, girl, I can't say that it is fun yet, but I will get there!

Bipolar Disorder

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder three years ago. I take a combination of medications that help me manage my moods. But it is really practicing Hot Yoga that has enabled me to manage my illness. I started practicing Hot Yoga two years ago. I have experienced difficult side-effects from various medications, including weight gain, apathy and difficulty waking up. Aside from helping me control my weight, practicing Hot has helped me to motivate myself when I am feeling apathetic, and slow down when I am feeling manic. It also helps when I am feeling down. Through practicing Hot - I quit smoking (used to be a pack a day) and stopped shopping (used to be a thousand dollars or so per trip); two unhealthy addictions that often come along with manic depression.

I have come to see the practice as a microcosm of my life, in that if I can get through difficult postures I can try my best to get through difficult days with the same focus and optimism.

Taking up the practice was challenging at first, but it has become nurturing and fulfilling. I would recommend Hot Yoga to anyone as a stress management tool, an anxiety management tool, and an overall great addition to any mental health program.

All the best to you. Namaste.

Menopause and Hot Yoga
Unexplained emotional intensity, lack of confidence, sleepless nights and hot flashes are only a few of the challenges that menopause has presented to me. On some days a simple decision can be as challenging as programming my new cell phone! On some days nothings seems to be clear.

About 6 months ago my daughters introduced me to Hot Yoga and my life took a different turn. Standing for 90 minutes and looking into my eyes has given me the opportunity to feel my own strength. Each day the yoga presents new challenges that I am shocked my body has met. There were so many postures that I was sure my 56-year- old body would never be able to do. It was a slow process but gradually, I started to strengthen and my muscles started to stretch. My hot flashes slowly diminished and are now gone. Both the chronic pain in my toe and that in my shoulder have disappeared. All these benefits have given me a great sense of confidence and a feeling that I am invincible.

On top of all these physical benefits, and the confidence that accompanies them, I find I sleep better. And best of all I feel more connected to my personal abilities. I highly recommend that every woman experiencing these menopausal times try at least a few classes to see how they go. The rewards are astounding.

Janet Robertson, Teacher

Trauma
I will get straight to the point. I was molested as a child and raped when I was in grade 9, and by the age of 15 a childhood friend had been murdered and my best friend had committed suicide. To say the least times were tough.

Most of the time the toughest challenge was just getting out of bed. Sleepless nights filled with anxiety and fear made mornings overwhelming. Some days I physically was unable to get up out of bed.

In the thick of my depression I found Hot Yoga. I went into class skeptical and came out wide-eyed and hopeful. It was the first time my mind had stopped thinking and spinning for as long as I could remember. My body and mind felt amazing. I became completely hooked. I started sleeping through the nights, waking up well rested, began being interested in trying new things. I even became excited to wake up.

Not only did Hot Yoga keep me from drowning but it made me fly above the waves. To anyone who feels depressed, tired, uninspired, etc, I so suggest you try this. I truly don't think I would be here today if I hadn't found this yoga.

Anonymous, Toronto



Lupus and Kidney Disease
Read Dorna Chee's story in the attached story here.

Toronto, Ontario