Patience. It’s not a quality I’ve always been known for, and even now, my husband will say I’m still “Miss Impatient.” He’s not wrong; patience doesn’t come naturally to me. But after 12 years of Bikram Yoga, something in me has undeniably changed.

Every 90-minute Bikram class held in a 40°C room is a test of patience and resilience. From the start, there’s nowhere to hide – you’re facing intense heat, discomfort, and the mental struggle to keep going. Bikram Yoga doesn’t let you rush through postures or force progress. Instead, it requires you to be present with each breath, finding calm in discomfort and acceptance of where your body is on any given day.

Some days, when I practice next to my husband, I feel the heat building up, frustration simmering, and all I want to do is escape. But then I look at him. He’s so calm, so steady, as if the heat and intensity don’t touch him. In those moments, I try to channel that same stillness he has, letting it guide me through my own discomfort and impatience.

Over time, I learned to breathe through these moments, slow down, and approach my practice with respect instead of frustration. Now, my students often describe me as a “patient teacher,” which always makes me laugh. While I know I still have impatient days, it’s humbling to see how much my patience has evolved because of this practice. Bikram Yoga taught me that growth takes time, and genuine transformation isn’t about speed; it’s about consistency, resilience, and embracing the process.

For anyone working on patience, I can say this: sometimes the most challenging environments cultivate the qualities we lack. Bikram Yoga has shown me that, no matter how impatient I feel, there’s always room to find a little more grace and presence, even on my most restless days. Watching my husband’s calm has become a reminder that stillness is possible – even when the heat feels overwhelming.