What an honor it is to be Bikram Yoga Dallas' student of the month! I feel so lucky to be part of this extraordinary studio, where I happily go to get my butt kicked almost every morning.

It was a long road, literally, that led me here. I had been a runner for many years, enthusiastically pounding away at the streets, trails and tracks of our city with marathons being my race of choice. I had a lot of wonderful experiences and even won some trophies along the way, but I eventually wound up with some things I didn't want: a cracked disc in my spine and constant pain in my lower back, hips and hamstrings.

I began a search for a cure, one that went on for about two years. I saw doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists and acupuncturists. I tried prescription drugs, herbal remedies, warming ointments, cooling ointments, heating pads, ice and a cortisone shot in my spine. Some of the treatments gave brief relief and some didn't work at all.

An orthopedic doctor gave me an article about yoga and pilates. They seemed worth looking into, especially since I was desperate to avoid surgery, which was starting to look like the only option I had left. I began trying different yoga classes around Dallas. They were pleasant but never felt like real workouts and did little to relieve my pain. However, it was at one of these classes that I first heard about "hot-room yoga" and the Bikram studio in Dallas and for that I'll always be grateful.

My first Bikram class was a miserable, panicky experience. I had trouble breathing and felt certain I was going to pass out. I was clumsy and weak in the postures and sat out most of them. I aggravated the teacher with my wiping, fidgeting and heavy breathing and she let me know it. As I lay in a clammy pool of sweat at the end of class, I swore to myself that I'd never, NEVER return. But a funny thing happened as I dragged myself out of the hellishly hot room and into the cool air. I noticed my body was completely free of pain and I felt as relaxed as if I'd had a massage. It was a wonderful feeling. Even though the pain eventually crept back to all the usual places in my body, I knew I'd found a way of taming it without surgery or drugs. So I broke my promise never to return and I've been a Bikram student ever since.

With time and with dedication -- my own and that of my wonderful teachers --I got back the healthy body that I'd thought was lost forever. After about a year of steady practice, my back, hip and hamstring problems were gone for good. I saw my posture improve and I noticed I was sleeping more soundly. Learning to relax in the yoga room also helped me learn to relax outside the yoga room, a big plus when things get stressful at my job. I eventually hung up my running shoes, a big step for me. But I had found in Bikram yoga a form of exercise that challenged me and inspired me just as running had, plus it was one that did not require trips to orthopedic specialists.

Thank you, Karen and David, for keeping the standards at the studio so high, for balancing the discipline with a sense of fun and for the encouragement you give to me and all the other students.

Thank you, all my wonderful teachers (Denise, Todd, Tim, Sharon, Carol, Erin, Erica, Sue, LaMott, Yassi, Becky, Ashley, Renato, Lauren, Sherri, Teel and, again, David and Karen). In sharing your knowledge you share yourselves and each of you has given something special to my practice.

And thank you to all the 5:30 a.m. regulars, the elite special forces unit of Bikram Yoga Dallas. The energy, dedication and discipline you bring to the yoga room always inspires me and it's a privilege to share rug space with you.