Meet Shannon! She’s our March Student of the Month!

Shannon is quite the inspiration! So many people start to make a healthy change and often fall short. Not Shannon! She recognized her life was leading her down a path that wasn’t the healthiest. Against others’ advice, she took charge and made the best decision for herself. We’re so happy to be an integral part of this lady’s journey to her best and healthiest self. Hopefully she can inspire you to follow in her footsteps. Read more in her own words:

Maryland native, balance is an essential part to this libra’s life. I have been practicing Bikram Yoga on and off since 2014. Initially, Bikram Yoga was a way to loosen up tight muscles, as I continued to practice it became a way to release the daily stresses of life and relax my mind. In 2016, I decided to attend Pharmacy School in Nashville, TN, and I was hopeful I would continue my practice. My search for a Bikram Yoga studio in Nashville was a disaster! Unable to find the right studio or instructor, I stopped practicing.

Going into my third year of pharmacy school there was zero mind and body balance in my life. In addition to the lack of balance, pharmacy school had introduced new health concerns I had not yet faced previously in my life. Morbidly obese weighing 200 lbs., experiencing daily aches and pains in my shoulders and neck, and lower back spasms that resulted in many days on the sofa not being able to move. Concerned about these health issues I sought out the help of health care specialists. Their solution, muscle relaxers, and a lift to put in my shoe because one of my legs was shorter than the other. Having been an athlete for much of my younger life and having yearly physicals this diagnosis completely surprised me!

Extremely overwhelmed by this diagnosis, I considered taking a break from school. Loved ones and friends advised me it was just a part of getting older, and as I progressed into my thirties my body would change. Professors, some of whom are pharmacists, advised me to try and “white knuckle” my way through because I was almost done. It was truly eye opening to hear health care professionals and loved ones advise me to try and finish regardless of the pain I was enduring daily. I kept thinking what price would my mind and body pay just to complete the program on time? Upon completion of the fall semester, I decided to leave school.

Since leaving school I have made changes to my diet, put effort into staying hydrated, exercising twice a week, and attending yoga four times a week. The constant pain I felt daily has decreased greatly, and I have seen a dramatic change in my skin, weight, posture, and even my height! I have also had the opportunity to help my parents transition into retired life, witness my twin sister grow into her role as a wife, and watch my brother find time outside of his job to work as a community activist bridging the gap between the police and community, in addition to working with the homeless. And most importantly making up for lost time with my 6-year-old Yorkie. I consider myself blessed and I am grateful for the support I have in my family and the Bikram Catonsville community helping me heal from the inside out!

Namaste”