Suzette DeMent

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sister. I enjoy playing golf with my husband several times a week. I am a better yogi than golfer, but I apply my “yogi powers” and visualize golf as a “practice” which enables me to disregard the score card! I read several books a week.

What brought you to the Bikram yoga practice?
I had been practicing yoga at home for two years (BKS Iyengar) and my English bulldog determination was flagging!

How often do you practice?
Five days a week

What specific physical issues, if any, did you have before taking your first class?
None, or so I thought! Then I had my first class…with Liz! My body was totally out of balance in strength and flexibility. It was hard to stand with my heels and toes together…keep my palms together “like the glue”…control my breath…My first class was like child birth. I was not sure how much the human body could take!

What are the greatest benefits of your practice?
My body does not limit my moment by moment choices. My mind, I am still working on! The goal is “union” after all.

How has this practice changed your health and life? Any emotional or other benefits?
I feel that I am aging gracefully. My life is in no way restricted by physical limitations and that brings me great joy. It is true that a consistent practice makes you bullet proof, etc., and with that comes confidence, optimism and peace.

What is your favorite part of Bikram yoga?
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways: the warm greetings each time I come into the studio, the surprise of seeing who will be teaching, the heat, the breathing, the asanas, the slight physical or mental improvement when you least expect it, the personal corrections and encouragement from the teachers. Although the dialogue and asanas remain the same, our fantastic teachers keep each class interesting and challenging because they, too, love the yoga.