Ruthie Perez

Ruthie emailed me: she's never so much as lifted a dumbbell or double-kicked to Billy Blanks. But when she started Bikram back in January, she jumped into her 1st 30DC. She's recently completed her second. On fire. Literally and figuratively.

So, zero exercise routine. How did you hear about Bikram?

My friend Natalia Maldonado told me about Bikram Yoga. She also completed a 30-day Challenge and even went to Costa Rica on a Yoga Retreat. Natalia did not come with me to my first class, but I did bring a friend with me to my first class and she too has continued to practice Bikram Yoga since early January 2009.
 
Those retreats are so fabulous. Tell me about your first class?
I took a class for 1st timers only because I am not very active.  I have never had a gym membership, never done pilates, never done yoga, never joined a dance class, never exercised more than 1 month in my whole 29 years of life.  The teacher was great!  It was a 1st timers class, so she demonstrated and explained each position.  I know I was determined enough to do every posture that 1st day, but I know I did not do them well.

What inspired you to come back?
I came back the next day and the next day because I was not sore and I just felt better about myself.  If I'm sore the next day after exercising...I usually won't continue much longer.

Are you working with injuries?
I don't have diagnosed injuries because I don't like going to the doctor, but I recently began to have foot pains characteristic of plantar fascitis and have had neck/back issues for about 15 years.Bikram would say "piece of cake". Just keep coming to class. What do you like so far about the practice?
I like the heat and I like that I'm not sore.  The heat really helps you push your body to the maximum. I like that I am able to sweat. I don't like to sweat, but I like that this practice helps me sweat.  I have to workout for hours in a gym to build up the amount of sweat achieved from one Bikram class.  Sweating makes me feel like I really achieved a good workout.Yeah, it feels amazing to release all those toxins through the skin. What about your challenge? What made you go for it?
I didn't want to do the 30-day Challenge in my 1st month, but I saw myself going every day and before I knew it...I was more than halfway through to 30 classes in 30 days...so I figured I'd complete it.  This time around is my 2nd 30-day Challenge in less than 4-months...I knew I had the time to do it...so I just decided to do it.  I feel like I'm cheating myself if I have the time to go to class and I do not go.
Yeah I totally know what you mean. What are your desires from this second time around?
I hope to become more flexible and less tired.  One change I am looking forward to is losing weight as I continue to eat healthier and practice Bikram.

Tell me about the postures you dig and the ones you're not so crazy about.
My Favorites are Camel and Rabbit because they make my back feel great and Camel gives me a head rush.  My least favorite is Eagle because by then my feet begin to hurt me and I'm afraid to injure them in the beginning of class (therefore jeopardizing the Balancing Series) that I don't push myself as far as I know I can go. I it annoys me that I don't see myself being able to lock my foot behind my calf for years to come.

Oh honey two years ago i never ever thought i would be able to get my foot behind my calf muscle. It was miles away! But don't look so much as the end product but rather the process. How do you eventually get there? Working with what you can today is all that matters.
I think the practice is great.  It is really helpful when you have enthusiastic teachers that know you by name.  Those teachers make you want to push yourself in class.  I'm just happy I've stuck with it for 4-months (the longest I've exercised consistently in my whole life)...I think that says alot about Bikram Yoga.

For sure. I hear you. And it really helps us to learn your names when we see you often around the studio! We love seeing you guys in, near or around the hot box. Enjoy!!

---