On September 10th, 2001 I worked what I thought would be my last tour of duty as a New York City Fire Lieutenant.  The next day, the man who replaced me was killed along with 342 co-workers and good friends.  I went back to work and retired a second time in January 2002. By then I was a changed man.  Along with the rest of my Fire Department brothers and sisters, I was filled with anger, sadness and grief.

I took my first Bikram Yoga class in January 2002 while visiting Maui.  The practice of Bikram’s Hatha Yoga has guided me to a place of peace that I never could have envisioned nearly four years ago.  I am still unsure why spending 90 minutes in a hot room doing Yoga produces such stillness of mind for me.  I just know that it does.

In the spring of 2005, I took the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training course.  During the nine weeks of intensive teacher training training practice I experienced an amazing catharsis.  A lot of old anger and sadness arose at the beginning, but toward the end of the nine-week course, a sense of serenity, peace and forgiveness overtook me.

I spent twenty years of my life doing something that I felt was important—being a Fireman.  I worked at the busiest fire companies on the planet, and I absolutely adored my job.  But for the past four years, any time I talked, or even thought about my beloved vocation, I would think of someone I loved who was no longer here and become grief stricken.  I resolved to avoid thinking and talking about my past. I tried to bury twenty years of my life.

My experience with Bikram Yoga, especially the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training, has brought me to a place of forgiveness and acceptance.  Bikram Yoga has given me back my stories.

I am now teaching Bikram Yoga.  Teaching yoga is filling a void for me now.  Once again I feel like I am doing something important, making a contribution. 

This Yoga changes lives.

I would like to include my e-mail address. Please email me at: kerrinkris@juno.com

Sincerely,

Charlie Hubbard