I first entered Bikram’s ‘torture chamber’ in September of 2009 where I was equally and simultaneously ‘broken’ and ‘saved’ at the same time. I attended Teacher Training in the spring of 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bikram Yoga has proven to me over and over again that absolutely anything is possible. If you can think it; you can do it, you can have it, or you can be it. Through Bikram Yoga I have realized that each human being, myself included, has infinite potential and that every human being has absolutely everything they need within them already.

In each class, in each posture is the opportunity to kill my limiting thoughts, especially the thoughts “I can’t”. Bikram yoga is the process that helped me to tighten my ‘screw-loose-brain’, regain my power from any external force, and empowered my body to harmonize with the highest frequencies of health and life. Every practice is an investment in the future of my body, mind, and spirit, and continues to be the most powerful way for me to change the world because I am changing the only thing I truly can - myself.

Approaching middle age, affected by a background in running, weightlifting, competitive riding and motor biking, my joints were beginning to groan with a little feedback. Increased flexibility was the primary goal at the onset of my practice. I had no idea that in addition I would be awarded a complete lifestyle change. My Ontario real estate career had left me charged with a Type A personality, and almost immediately I was infused with a peace and contentment that was almost inconceivable. Growing constantly is a greater awareness of my work, social, recreational, and nutritional environment and how I have the power to choose improved health and wellbeing on all levels.

Bikram yoga provides the challenge and struggle necessary to keep me enthralled with the physical training, meditative and introspective aspects of the practice. It has immeasurable cross-training benefits that allow me to enjoy my other sports and activities more fully. Guiding others on their very own personal path to overall health is at once humbling and an honor. I look forward meeting you!

Hi everybody! It's never too late to practice Bikram yoga, but the earlier you start the better. At 25 years of age, I have been practicing for roughly 2 1/2 years. I first started because of injury and am happy to say that Bikram yoga has resolved most of the problems in my ankles, wrists, knees and lower back. Although it is complete sequence of the 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises that helped me, my favorite postures are currently camel and toe stand. Get this - when I first started doing the yoga I hated it but now I love it and am looking forward to my life - long practice. I keep up my practice because it works: because of my deep belief in this yoga, I have become a teacher.

Prior to Bikram's Hot Yoga I did seven years of martial arts training leaving me with strength but with little to no flexibility. By my first class I knew I wanted to be a teacher and in the fall of 2010 I put my world on hold to pursue certification. What inspires me most about this yoga is that no matter what has happened in life, no matter what state you are in, through the effort of trying you can create great change. When we walk into the hot room we are unavoidably confronted by ourselves and to work with what we are at that time, on that day, to create the change we need be it physically, mentally, emotionally. This yoga has changed my life, it has made me far less self-critical and with time helped me to overcome years of depression. Bikram's Hot Yoga asks you not to have the perfect posture, to always be at your best, but instead for you to never give up on yourself. I am what I am, and what I am has beauty and strength...

All you have is right now. This is one of the most valuable things I have learned through my Bikram Yoga Practice. I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to share this choreography of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises that is accessible and beneficial to anyone now that Bikram has gifted the world with his series. Also my thanks to the Academic Instructors, Teachers, and Staff of Teacher Training without whose knowledge, experience and expertise this opportunity would not be realized.
Through correct form of practice since March 2005, the anatomical benefits I have received are profound, as are the emotional and spiritual transformations that are consistently evolving in my life. I strongly believe that Bikram Yoga is the key to the Kingdom of Health. Human energy centers around the bodies greatest nerve mass - the spine - and as a result of the healing that has taken place in mine, and in the observance of the same in so many others, Bikram Yoga has demonstrated to me that latent power lies within every human being to become our real self.

Namaste

I started practicing Bikram Yoga in 2006, while I was living in California. A friend of mine that was practicing at the time suggested that I give the yoga a try. My response was that I didn’t want to waste 90 minutes and not even get a workout. Clearly I knew nothing about the yoga...

I still remember my first class....So, of course I went in thinking ‘no sweat - I got this’. I was working out about 6 days a week and have an athletic background and I thought that, although it would be challenging, I would be able to make it through no problem. Well, I did stay in the room but I certainly wasn’t able to do every posture. After leaving the studio and taking a deep breath I realized that I felt like a million bucks – I was so confused about what had just happened and at that point I knew I was hooked. I went back the next day and the day after that and then the day after that. And, from there it is history.

This yoga has confirmed for me that we are capable of so much more than we give ourselves credit for. We have infinite potential when we have our health. Some days I struggle in the hot room and other days seem like a breeze but no matter what comes my way I know that I have the tools to deal with it. I am extremely grateful to be able to maintain a personal practice as well as guide others on their journey to optimum health.

I graduated from teacher training in the Fall 2010 - San Diego. I look forward to sharing this yoga with everyone and anyone. Some days I just want to run around town shouting out about how great this yoga is - but, I know people will look at me like I'm crazy! We’re all in this together so if there is ever any doubt just get to the studio and we’ll support you 100% of the way.

“It is never too late, you are never too sick and you are never too old to start from scratch once again.”

I've started practicing the Bikram yoga in Dec. 2003. Through practicing the yoga, I've notice I have more energy and mental clarity. I went to teacher training in the fall of 2004 in LA. As a teacher for the last 5 years, I love guiding and inspiring students through their own yoga practice.

With 24 years in television, radio and newspapers under her belt, Darlene decided to follow her husband to Seattle for something different -- 5 years of diplomatic service.

In September 2004, a year after returning to Canada, she took her first Bikram class, and was instantly challenged to keep going. Darlene says, “Some people go directly from the world of work to the loony bin. I chose yoga.”

Soon after, she responded to an invitation to join Bikram on stage in Vancouver to observe her twisted spine. She has degenerative lumbar discs and arthritis. A medical doctor had told Darlene that her shoulders would probably take 2 to 3 years of yoga to open up. Intrigued by yoga’s restorative promise, Darlene took teacher training in 2006 and now is among the oldest yoga teachers on the island!

“Yoga has saved me physically. At 56, I’m in better shape now than after years of health clubs and marathons! My spine has never felt better.

“In my teaching, I emphasize the importance of breath and form of posture. And, for me, laughter is an essential teaching tool”

Darlene’s favourite yoga posture is savasana –- “because I’ve come to understand the importance of lying still, focusing on breathing and allowing real healing to take place.”

Darlene guides her students with passion and with compassion for their bodies. Ever the philosopher, she counsels, “Hang in there yogis! The journey is lifelong -- and life-changing.”

I love Bon Jovi.

During my very first Bikram Yoga class, I thought to myself "Why in the world do people do this? Its hot, sweaty, and really hard! This isn't for me..", but I came back the next day to give it another chance since all the teachers told me not to judge the yoga by my first class. After the second, third, fourth and fifth class I started losing count because I was practicing so often and before I knew it I was at teacher training!

I have been practicing Bikram Yoga for 15 months now and to say that the yoga has changed my life completely would be an understatement. Before I started practicing yoga, I was depressed, had very low energy, always getting sick and I felt like I wasn't living the life I was given. Coming home after my second class, I felt on top of the world, ecstatic about being alive; this is when I knew I had found something that worked! Bikram yoga gave me back my love for life, energy, vitality and mental strength and stability! I am a completely changed person on the inside as well as the outside and I am a huge believer that Bikram yoga can drastically change your life for the better too.

'I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it' - Bikram Choudhury