The Teachers of Bikram Yoga Rockville Centre, Long Island

Bikram Yoga was the 1st real exercise I had ever done. I honestly thought I would never try it again. It was the hardest thing I had ever done physically and mentally in my life. For me, being still was hard. John encouraged me to try it again and so I did. I am so thankful because with this yoga, it has help me look inward and see my strengths and weakness and grow. I appreciate myself more and never felt so young and alive. This presence has inspired me to teach Bikram Yoga to others and help them as it has done for me. I attended the Spring 2002 teacher training. In August 2003, my husband, John and I opened up our 1st Bikram Yoga School. My life is filled with great joy doing what I love the most.

Coming from a blue collar background of physical labor is what led me to Bikram Yoga. I have 1 herniated disc in between (L4-L5) which became so severe that I even at times had difficulty walking. Also, due to this work, I developed tension in many areas of my body. Not only has Bikram Yoga giving me more flexibility and left me pain free, but it has also open new avenues in my life. Since my Bikram Yoga Training in 2001, I had a thirst to learn more about anatomy. I am very passionate and find joy is spreading this yoga and also the amazing work of Structural Integration. I have studied with Joseph Heller, Tom Myers, and I am a graduate of The Guild for Structural Integration. I am a proud father and enjoy spending a lot of time with my amazing children, Ryan & Ruby.

To learn more about the Structural Integration practice of John Nash, visit johnnashSI.com.

Thanks

I started taking Bikram Yoga about 5 years ago. When people ask me what I love about this yoga my response is always the same, EVERYTHING. I love how it makes me feel, physically, mentally & spiritually. I lost my job in Sept 07′ that’s when I decided to become a teacher. Everytime I practice I learn a little bit more and I improve a little bit more. This practice stays with me both in and out of class, and having the chance to share these bene fits with others is a great feeling.

In the past, I had trouble sleeping and was drinking 2 to 4 cups of coffee just to make it through the day. I’ve always heard that yoga is great for all ages and body types. However, I’d pictured yoga as a bunch of super-fit people contorting their bodies into crazy, intimidating pretzel poses or just the opposite, where people are sitting and meditating with their eyes closed. After some research, I came across Bikram yoga. It seemed intense but I was intrigued. I nervously entered the ‘hot box.’ While in class I heard my teacher say, “come everyday even if you’re sad, happy, sick, busy, or stressed. This yoga will help you.” 90 minutes later I came out drenched, disoriented, unable to speak but felt so amazing! Realizing that the class was better than a cup of coffee, I became instantly hooked! After several classes, I felt as though I found a hidden secret that everybody in this world should experience. With that in mind, I enrolled in Bikram Yoga Teacher Training and graduated in Fall of 2009. I am excited to be able to share this remarkable practice with all the yogis.

See you soon!

I took my first Bikram Yoga class in December 2004 during my junior year of college. Between my course load and work schedule, my level of physical activity was virtually nonexistent. I found myself driving past a yoga studio everyday on my way to school and once winter break began, I decided to take my first class. I had no idea what Bikram Yoga was and also no idea that it was going to be hot in the room. Immediately, I fell in love with the vigorous workout that Bikram Yoga provides and noticed that I had more energy at school and work. I practiced consistently for the rest of my college career and then I was encouraged by John and Yolanda to attend teacher training. Initially, I thought the idea was crazy but eventually went to Los Angeles and completed Bikram’s teacher training in the Fall of 2006.

Yoga is a very important part of my life, but I am also a musician and I love the balance in my life that I recieve from the two. My level of physical activity has increased tremendously since starting yoga. I now like to spend time on the flying trapeze, rock climbing and I have even started running, something that I never thought would happen. I truly believe that yoga can really enhance anything you do or want to do in life. I look forward to seeing you in class!

If you would have told me 3 years ago I would be a yoga teacher I would have laughed in your face but here I am. I spent most of my teenage years just beating up my body by just not taking care of myself at all. Eventually decided to turn my life around and starting eating healthy and working out by running the boardwalk everyday, lifting weights at the gym and eating healthy. After a while all the running and weight lifting took a toll on my body, I totally destroyed one of my knees and just had all sorts of back and muscle pain. I had heard about Bikram Yoga through some good friends of mine that owned a studio and recommended that I try it out. I went there figuring if anything I would just use it as my cardio. My first class was so hard I remember looking around the room and think these people are crazy that they do this all the time but I made myself go back the next day and next few days after that and I just started getting stronger and stronger as time went on. After awhile I started getting so many benefits out of the class not only physically but mentally also. After about 5 months of practicing I lost 30 pounds and just feel better and also think a lot more clearly about decisions I make and things I do on a daily basis. This yoga is for everyone no matter what life path you come from you just have to put the effort to work hard in class and the rest will come to you.

My first Bikram yoga class was in October of 2005. Having been a serious smoker, two packs a day for 14 years, I had quit smoking about 6 months prior, I couldn’t breath, climb a flight of stairs or run around the block. I had gained 20 extra pounds from the non-stop eating. So I thought to myself, “I’ll take this hot yoga class and melt the weight off. When my lungs get stronger and I get a bit healthier then I’ll move on to a real activity like biking or running.” Little did I know that this was the first and last activity I would ever need or want! I loved it! I’m strong, fit, and healthy in mind and body. I feel great! How did I ever live without this practice?!

I moved to New York from California in 2004 and have been in the hospitality industry for 15 years, working and managing restaurants and night clubs. I went to Bikram Yoga teacher training in the Spring of 2009 with the sole intention of strengthening my own practice. However, I decided to teach and know that I’ve found my calling. So here I am teaching this yoga that changed my life!! I know it will do the same for you! Stick with it, and keep coming! See you soon.

I pulled a muscle getting ready for a Tae Kwon Do tournament and gave Bikram Yoga a try to help stretch it out. Being from a sports background, I love the physical and mental challenge that this yoga offers. I really feel like I‘ve done something significant for myself after taking a Bikram class. Two years ago I shattered my shoulder getting hit by a car while riding my bicylce in the city. They put a metal plate in my shoulder and two weeks later I was back in the hot room rehabbing my body. This healing process inspired me to go to teacher training and become a Bikram Yoga teacher. My dad started Bikram two years ago while taking cortisone spinal injections. Needless to say we‘re both doing great with no pain and a happy life. Who would have thought? One of my favorite Bikram sayings “Never too late, never to old, never to bad, never too sick to do this yoga and start from scratch again”. Bikram Choudhury

I was first introduced to Bikram yoga by my sister, a certified instructor, who thought I would enjoy the physicality of the class. She was right, Bikram is a serious workout! I practiced for two years and then drifted away from the studio. My job for the past 10 years was very physical. I managed a CSA, growing organic vegetables for a cooperative of local families. I love growing my own food and I loved being out in the garden planting, pulling weeds, and turning compost. But 10 years of physical work had taken a toll on my body. My joints were stiff and I had developed chronic back pain that numerous visits to the chiropractor and pain management office were unable to heal. I realized that I needed to heal myself and that is how I ended up back at the yoga studio.

Regular practice has helped to heal my body. But, Bikram goes beyond the physical. It has made me more calm, focused, energized, and happy. My dual interests in healthy eating and regular Bikram practice has helped me to create a life that is more grounded and balanced.

It is critical, especially as we age, to take care of our bodies if we want to lead healthy and productive lives. We need to be mindful of what we eat and we need to work hard at staying flexible and fit. Bikram says “the more you do, the more you can do,” and I believe it. I went to teacher training in the fall of 2010 and now I can stand up on the podium and teach my students that it is possible to take your health and well being into your own hands. That it is possible to look good and feel good and live well for years to come.