Teachers
Beth
I fell in love with yoga from the first time I tried it in 1996. From that point
forward, I practiced yoga sporadically, for fun, until I stumbled upon Bikram Yoga
when I moved to Austin, Texas in 2000. After the shock of my first class passed
(105 degrees? 90 minutes?), I was curious to try it again-- the class was hard,
but I felt so good afterwards. Before I knew it I was hooked, rearranging my days
and weekends to attend class more frequently. Never before had I enjoyed or looked
forward to exercising and never had I felt so good! Soon Bikram Yoga became part
of my week that couldn't be left out; missing yoga wasn't even an option. Regular
yoga classes help me to feel more focused, balanced, and healthy. I heard other
people in the yoga classes talking about similar changes to their lives at home
and at work, and I realized there was something to this! Peoples lives were changing
for the better as a result of Bikram Yoga. In June 2003 my love for the yoga led
me to quit my job, go to L.A. to train to be a teacher, and to return to a new life.
In July 2004, my husband and I moved back to Virginia. I feel so lucky to be a part
of Bikram Yoga Richmond, and I continuously look forward to sharing my enthusiasm
for this yoga with our students!!
Meredith
I began experimenting with
different yoga class while on a project in Asheville, NC. At home in Dallas, I overheard
some ladies at the Y talking about this crazy yoga class where they heat the room
to over 100 degrees. I was intrigued. A couple weeks later I found myself at Bikram
Yoga Dallas for my first class among 50 other students. I knew after my first class
that this was like no other workout around. Due to a hectic job and travel schedule,
I started slowly class here, a class there. Then I had a couple weeks break between
projects and practiced almost every day. WOW, what a difference! From that point
forward I was completely hooked. I started completely arranging my schedule around
when I wanted to take class. I waited for the timing to be right and attended the
Teacher Training in Fall 2003. If you have tight hamstrings, come talk to me! I
love working with students who cannot touch their toes, because that was me 4 years
ago. My husband and I are excited to settle down in Richmond and to explore this
part of the country.
Fannie
My first Bikram yoga class was
in Washington, D.C., at the Tenleytown studio. It was spring of 2003, and a friend
who was trying to lose weight through Bikram Yoga talked me into going. He knew
that I had been taking hatha and "power" yoga classes and thought I might be interested.
I thought he was crazy. "Are you kidding? 110 degrees? Mirrors? No way!" But I went.
A couple of classes was all it took. This was amazing: No more once-a-week yoga
class and then practice at home alone for the rest of the week. No more three-times-a-week
running, pounding my legs to pieces, just to get some cardio into my routine. Now
I could practice yoga every day (and forget the running), in a room full of focused,
enthusiastic people who loved to talk about what Bikram yoga had done for them:
recoveries from knee injuries and back surgeries, pounds and inches lost, figures
regained, upper bodies strengthened, balance achieved, peace of mind rediscovered.
No exaggeration: Bikram yoga changed my life. After a few months of practicing,
I quit the high-stress job I'd had for nearly 15 years (and had wanted to quit for
the last seven), sold my house and went to the Teacher Training in Los Angeles in
January 2004. I've heard it said that when you jump into the void, the universe
gives you what you need. Right before I left for training, I fell in love ... which
is how I wound up in Richmond, began teaching in April and got married in May.
Karen
I took my first Bikram yoga
class in 2001. I had taken a few yoga and Pilates classes before, but I felt like
I still had to work out. Where was the sweat? Where was the increased heart rate?
Well, I found that in Bikram Yoga. I also found a complete release after class --
like the weight of the world had been lifted off of my shoulders. I worked as an
engineer and engineering manager at a Motorola manufacturing facility for 13 years.
The department was a 24-7 stress machine, and by taking Bikram Yoga on my way home
from work, I was able to completely forget about the day and start the evening with
a calm mind. I had a change of life decision at the end of 2004, and I quit my job
at Motorola and went to the Bikram Teacher Training in early 2005. At the training,
I realized that I was absolutely doing the right thing. I had always thought of
Bikram Yoga as a way to keep myself and others healthy (in muscle/lung /heart).
At training, I learned that this yoga keeps EVERY part of your body healthy (including
your digestive, endocrine, lymph, and nervous systems) and can make profound differences
in peoples lives. My fellow trainees shared personal experiences of healing back
pain without surgery, getting off of pain and depression medication, and finding
the inner peace to forgive the events of 9/11. I truly believe Bikram Yoga can help
turn around this country's chronic health problems and dependence on medication
and surgery. I am excited to share my knowledge of this yoga practice with others.
I love meeting the wonderful students at Bikram Yoga Richmond and learning how this
yoga makes a difference in their lives.
Val
I took my first Bikram Yoga class
in this very studio in March of 2003. At the time, I was working as sous chef for
a big catering company. From that day forward, I knew that this yoga would become
a huge part of my life, as I had never experienced anything quite like it before.
Because of my hectic schedule, I was only able to practice once or twice a week
in the beginning, but even then, I started seeing major changes in my body, my attitude,
and my sense of well being. The stresses of catering, both physical and mental,
were starting to disappear. I felt much more focused on myself, and realized how
important it was to remember to feed myself as much energy as I had been giving
away. Bikram Yoga corrected this heavy imbalance in my life. I quit my high-stress
job and started working fewer hours so I could practice as much as possible to prepare
myself for the teacher training. I got my Bikram Yoga teacher certification in late
summer of 2004, and I am honored to be able to share the amazing benefits this yoga
can provide at our Richmond studio. I truly believe Bikram Yoga is a little miracle
you can perform for yourself in ninety minutes. It has changed my life for the better
not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. I can honestly say I
am now happier than I have ever been in my life!
Kimberly
I started practicing Bikram
yoga in January of 2001. It was by far the most difficult workout that I had ever
done, but I felt wonderful. At first it was not about the workout, it was about
how it made me feel inside, the sense of well being that I felt when it was over.
I had never in my life felt so calm and peaceful than I did that day. That afternoon
after class, I decided I was going to become a teacher. It was such a life changing
experience for me and I wanted to share that experience with other people. Of course
shortly thereafter I saw physical results. I needed to lose 20 pounds after the
birth of my son. The weight melted off very easily and at the same time I felt wonderful.
I attended the teacher training in spring of 2003. Since then I have taught for
my sister in Delray Beach, Florida before moving to Germany with my family. Two
of my sisters as well as my sister in law are all certified Bikram instructors.
My family and I have recently moved to the Richmond area and I am very grateful
to have had the opportunity to meet such wonderful people at the Bikram Yoga Richmond
studio.
Pavida
I had wanted to practice yoga
for a long time because my mom used to practice yoga regularly and she kept tell
ing
me all of the benefits yoga provided her. I first started with Hatha yoga in 2002.
But due to my long hour working schedule (I used to work as a Marketing Analyst
for Chanel, Thailand), I could practice yoga only during the weekend. Even though
I loved Hatha yoga, I felt that I still needed to add the cardio workout and weight
lifting into my routine, which ended up making me spent too much of my weekend time
in the gym. Until one day in 2004, I got a free pass for the grand opening of the
Bikram yoga in Thailand. I went there and tried it. After my first class, I fell
in love with it. I loved the fact that I could get cardio workout, muscle strengthening,
and stretching at the same time in just 90 minutes. I could work out for my whole
body and it was not boring at all. I didn't have to keep looking at the timer like
I did when I was on the treadmill. But at that time, my schedule still
didn't work
out for me to do Bikram yoga as often as I wanted to. Until I moved to Richmond
to live with my husband in July 2005, I have had a chance to practice Bikram yoga
on a regular basis. What a different I see for myself!! I feel healthier and my
body is in a better shape. Because of all the benefits I got from Bikram yoga, I
want to make it as a part of my life. So I decide to go to the Teacher Training
in Fall 2006. I am so excited to come back and share the knowledge and benefits
with all of you at the Richmond studio.
Caty
Bikram Yoga has significantly transformed my life. I started taking yoga at work to deal with job stress. A friend brought me to my first Bikram class in 2004. My preference to continue to practice Bikram yoga stemmed from the discipline and challenge of the practice, as well as the heat. The heat was so kind to my body…eased my tight and aching muscles and joints. The aerobic challenge of the practice amazed me! Over time this yoga became an integral part of my self care and recovery program. When I look in the mirror I am forced to see things...for example, fear…the discipline of the practice makes you face these fears head on. I would be happy to share with anyone the particulars about what I have been able to overcome with this yoga, and specific metrics of health improvement. My overall health and well being has improved dramatically as a direct result of this practice, and with the help and support of all the Bikram Yoga teachers and students. One of Bikram's senior teachers calls it 'the prescription that has zero side effects'. Bikram's philosophy has inspired me to truly believe that is 'never too late to start from scratch once again'. I decided that teaching needed to be part of my life plan. In order to keep what you have (i.e., health and serenity) you have to 'give it away'. To teach Bikram yoga is to choose a life of service to help others. I wanted to share the gifts of this powerful practice with as many people as possible, and what better way than to teach? I also wanted to prove to myself that regardless of my own perceived limitations, anything was possible. In Spring Training 2007, Bikram reinforced for me many fundamental life principles. Have zero expectations so that you do not create your own limitations that limit possibilities in your life. The Bikram community is worldwide…training with over 300 people representing over 40 countries taught me that there is hope for goodness in this world. I am grateful to be able to teach and share my journey with the Bikram Yoga Richmond community. My plan is to practice and teach this yoga for my lifetime!
Garland
I first started Bikram yoga during a very stressful period in my life. It was midway through my first year of teaching middle and high school Spanish. I had one hundred and ten rebellious adolescents that were constantly complaining, arguing, and fighting. Every day was a constant struggle just to get them to behave and do their work. Yelling seemed to be the only way to get their attention. I was very depressed and felt like a failure as a teacher. I didn’t know how I would finish the school year. I heard about Bikram yoga from a good friend, and in January of 2007 I attended my first class. I was immediately hooked. It made me feel so strong, confident, focused, and relaxed at the same time. Every time I took a class I felt as if I had spent the day at a spa. My attitude at work changed immediately. I became so much more patient and loving towards my students. While they were cussing and pulling each others hair out, I was able to look at them and tell them how special and beautiful they were. The students noticed a change in me immediately. It was truly an amazing transformation that took place inside of me, and I still continue to transform every day from this yoga. I love not only what Bikram yoga does for me, but how it affects all the people around me. It’s the greatest gift I have ever received. I love teaching yoga and look forward to sharing this gift with the Richmond community and the rest of the world.
Tighe
I first tried Bikram Hot Yoga in March of 2004, and I went to the training
in the fall of 2007, to become a certified Bikram Yoga instructor. What's
the best thing about hot yoga? The best thing is the heat and the way the
sequence of postures makes each cell of the body hum afterwards. What's the
best thing about becoming an instructor? I get to learn more about this yoga
and why it works so well by teaching others. We may never completely
understand why Bikram's yoga series makes people heal but believe me it
does. I can speak for older people since I was born in 1951, when yoga was
unheard of around Richmond. I predict we are going to change bodies and
brains by doing yoga. Who wants to be old and sick when we can be young and
active? There's nothing that says we need to be infirmed and feeble before
we die. What's bringing me back to yoga again and again? It's a science
that I want to study and live with for as long as I can.