You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Tony Banks

Tony Banks Tony is the operations manager for both schools, where his talent for organization and repair work are regularly put to good use. Originally from Houston, this well known traveling yogi has put his roots back down in Texas. After running Bikram's front desk at world headquarters and then traveling and teaching coast to coast for a number of years, Tony brings extensive knowledge and experience into the classroom when he teaches. Tony is passionate about Bikram Yoga, and has witnessed thousands of Bikram Yoga miracles, along with experiencing several of his own. He considers teaching Bikram Yoga to be an honor and a privilege.

Give a person a fish, feed them for a day; teach 'em to use the Internet, they won't bother you for weeks.

Greg Thibodeaux

Greg is our resident yogi super-nerd, design master & web guru. Although he isn't officially employed by the studios he is considered "one of the family" and he functions as part of our team.

His company, Nteractive Marketing provides website development and marketing services to our business and our website is run on FluidArc, their online business platform. If you or anyone you know has a business that needs an online presence that really sings, contact Greg, he's your man!

It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.

Cathy Athern

Originally from England, Cathy arrived in Houston in 1991, via Saudi Arabia, Holland, and... Massachusetts! Plagued by on-and-off back pain since her early 20s, she had two disks removed from her lower spine in 2001. She followed that up with a car accident which herniated yet another disk. As her doctor (with a gleam in his eye) recommended more surgery, she fled from his office and into a Bikram yoga studio.

Bikram yoga had such an amazing effect on her spine and her whole well-being, that she scheduled her life around it, at one point doing three 60-day challenges in a row (grand total = 180 consecutive days!). In the Fall of 2007, she attended the 9-week Bikram Yoga Teacher Training and became a certified Bikram Yoga instructor.

"Don't let having injuries or an inflexible body keep you from trying this yoga," says Cathy. The joy of the process is the gradual progress you make every day... All you need do is start right now. It was three years before I even touched my toes." As Bikram says: "It's a journey, not a destination.".

Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.

Mindy Hagerman

Mindy discovered BY when a cute drummer in a band from college invited her to come take class. She thought he was crazy for doing yoga, but quickly fell in love with BY, not the drummer. Of her first class she shares “I thought that pranayama breathing lasted like a million years and that all of those people were insane. But I felt so good afterwards, and I knew that if I came to class everyday, I would see results and wouldn’t be wasting my time. Sure enough, that was true!”

Although Mindy did not enjoy working out at the gym because it felt like a meat market, she did enjoy BY. In yoga, she felt like it was just herself in the room working hard, and someone else was motivating and encouraging her. She always liked staying in shape, and knew if she just made herself come to class good things would happen. Of course good things did happen, and they happened quickly. She says, “I seriously believe my hips shrank! I lost two pant sizes. It’s done wonders for my complexion and skin. I drink more water and it has improved my overall health. I can focus more and I have far better discipline then I could ever have imagined. And #1? I never thought I would be able to touch my toes. The day it happened I burst out in laughter and joy in the middle of class.”

After seeing how powerfully BY impacted her life, as well as the life of others, Mindy wanted to learn more about Bikram and how his yoga worked to heal the body. She also wanted to be able to pass along the joy and torture to others. The best way to do that, she decided, was to become a BY teacher. Mindy loves teaching at BY – Houston…. The staff is wonderful and friendly and she feels lucky to be a part of such a great team. The students are open and friendly and genuinely want to learn more about improving their practice. She says she loves teaching where she practices because it’s like working with your friends and family. Mindy’s best advice to anyone reading this is, “be patient with yourself and your body. Everyday is different, so take that into account when you enter the yoga room. And P.S. Don’t drink milk before class. Bad idea….!

Your capacities are trembling to be born.

Cheryl Alexander

Cheryl Alexander began her yoga journey in 1999 with a video tape in her living room. As soon as she finished, she knew, "This is my path; this is my purpose." Cheryl immediately found group classes, began to practice regularly, and then to study to teach. A fellow student invited her to a Bikram Yoga class and again, as soon as she finished the class, she knew, "This is IT. This is THE WAY." From that point on, she dedicated the rest of her life to the healing practice of Bikram Yoga.

While teaching high school at Round Rock Independent School District in Austin Cheryl began a year-long research project studying the effects of yoga in the classroom. She was thrilled to report her findings to the school district, that where teachers implemented aspects of yoga into the classroom, students' performances were enhanced. From there, as part of a grant program, Cheryl was worked with two special population groups implementing yoga into the educational experience. In both cases, students responded amazingly to the yoga and their whole attitude towards school, along with their performance, improved. In addition to being one of the first teachers in the nation to introduce yoga into the public school system as a teaching method, Cheryl also wrote curriculum and had yoga accepted into the schedule as a physical education credit at RRISD.

Since then, Cheryl continues to practice consistently and has taught Bikram's yoga to students at Bikram studios all over Texas. She believes passionately in the Bikram Yoga method of healing the body, strengthening the mind and calming the spirit. She is insightful, inspired and enthusiastic about sharing the yoga that has so beautifully enhanced her own life. When Cheryl is not at the yoga studio, she works as a free-lance writer whose work has been published in magazines and other print throughout the Houston metropolitan area.

Be the person your dog thinks you are.

Liana Jacquet

Liana took her first Bikram Yoga class in October of 2004 in Minneapolis, MN, during a long weekend off from school. She says “A friend of mine had been telling me how it was the best yoga ever and that I should come and try it. She did, however, omit to tell me that it was going to be in a hot, humid room and I showed up in long pants. The only thing I remember, was lying on the floor thinking about low stroke volume and that I was never going to do this again. I took my second class the next day and by the end of it, I knew that I wanted to become a teacher!”

Liana started practicing the yoga every weekend when she went home. She graduated in December of 2004 with a BA in Dietetics, DPD and that January she started practicing every day, mostly because she was unemployed at the time. She noticed at the end of her first week of daily practice that a lot of old injuries (physical and mental) she had sustained while in the Army began to vanish. Over time she lost 30#'s and was able to stop taking medications for depression and anxiety. She also grew an inch! After 3 years of practice, Liana decided she had to get herself to teacher training ASAP. She knew that she wanted to dedicate herself more fully to Bikram and the yoga.

She graduated from teacher training in Fall 2007 and became a traveling teacher, and has since taught in 11 studios. In February Liana decided to take a break and go home to Minnesota while she looked for her next teaching opportunity. She says “I saw that BY- Houston was looking for a new full-time teacher and decided "what the heck?". I didn't really see myself in Texas, but I knew that Mike and Joani were good people and it was a great chance to learn and grow as a teacher. The next thing I knew, we were all in agreement and I was on my way! I arrived on March 9th, 2009 and it's been fantastic! There is an amazing energy among the students/teachers/staff that I've never experienced any place else. I'm am so happy to be here!

We all have potential to dream a sacred, courageous dream that goes beyond serving personal desire and brings beauty to the world.

Joyce Cavanaugh

After many years immersed in nature, living in the rugged beauty of rural Maine, Joyce decided to seek her Bikram Yoga apprenticeship in Houston. Much to her surprise, after overcoming considerable culture shock, she discovered that she loves living in this sultry, WARM, bayou city.

Joyce gratefully credits Bikram Yoga with restoring her to radiant health after nearly dying from heavy metal poisoning. It also restored full range of motion to the parts of her body severely injured in a hit and run accident. Joyce brings compassion, humor, gentle discipline, and encouragement to her teaching. She knows first hand what it's like to be so ill that just getting to class takes super human effort. She also knows it's worth it to make that effort.

Joyce began her formal yoga training in 1993 under the careful guidance of Swami Chidvilasananda, and received her Bikram Yoga Teacher certification in 2002. She is the assistant director of the Fountain View studio, where her many skills and talents are used in the daily support of students, staff, and the Bikram Yoga mission.

Bikram Yoga truly is the fountain of youth, but you don’t sip from it, you drip into it!

Eric Townsend

Eric Townsend began his yoga practice in 2008 after a friend he met at Whole Foods invited him to a class. Eric was ripe for the yoga, and realized immediately that this was what he had been looking for! He was ready to make powerful life changes and knew intuitively that Bikram Yoga was part of his journey.

Eric's experience was similar to that of many students; even one class had a profound effect on his body and mind. Although the class was really challenging, he immediately recognized the benefits and was determined to continue. He knew that rising to the challenge of Bikram Yoga would create the power to conquer other challenges in his life.

Before long Eric’s yoga journey provide him with a yoga job, and he is excited, delighted and grateful to be on staff helping to run the front desk at the Fountain View location. He says, “ I feel like every moment I spend at the studio, either taking class or working, provides me with more grace to face the challenges in my daily life. No matter who you are, please don’t be afraid to come in and get started. Best thing you can do is just come on in and take class today.”

When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.

MK McCallum

MK took her first Bikram Yoga class on Dec 15, 2005 after hearing about it from several people. She thought she would check it out and see what everybody was talking about, however, just the word “yoga” made her a little apprehensive. She was very concerned about the possible religious side of it. She had her own church and beliefs and was concerned that all the different things you hear about meditation and yoga, i.e. people chanting and incense and the like would be pushed on her. “How wrong I was!”, she now laughs. “There is nothing remotely like any of that in Bikram Yoga.”

When MK started practicing BY she was training for the Houston Half Marathon (January 2006). She hoped the yoga would help balance the constant pounding of the many, many miles she ran while training. She noticed the yoga helped her body recover from the mini triathlons that she completed that summer, but by August 2006 she could no longer run. Her sacroiliac joint had become unstable; if she continued to run she would soon have great difficulty even walking. So she began to focus her competitive strengths on increasing her yoga practice and soon was practicing 4 – 6 times a week. She began to see amazing results. “I often struggled with depression in my adult life so I began taking anti-depressants in 2000.”, she shares. “Through the yoga I found a balance that I never had before, and in January 2007 I stopped taking anti-depressants (of course with my doctors supervision). I am happy to say that I have not gone back to them. This was a personal journey and victory for me, as I did not want to be dependant on anti-depressants forever.”

MK says the greatest gift she’s received from BY is freedom. Freedom from her fears, and her worries. It has truly has given her an inner peace that she is deeply thankful for. She would like to become a BY teacher and with patience and time she knows this is a goal that she will attain. She began working at BY Houston in Feb 2009 and loves it! She says “every day we see some sort of miracle. Whether it is someone who has locked their knee for the first time, an old injury that healed or someone bringing a friend to take their first class, these are all little miracles; when you put them together it’s easy to see why the people who practice Bikram Yoga are so passionate about it.” She has one simple piece of advice to give anyone reading this, and that is “to come back tomorrow!”

Gratitude is the natural response to opening ones eyes!

Mike Winter

Mike Winter is Bikram Choudhury's senior teacher in Texas and the director of our South Blvd. location. He is also the founder of the original Bikram affiliated school in Texas. He is a Bikram Certified Therapeutic Hatha (Hot Yoga) teacher teacher and was intensely and personally trained by Bikram Choudhury at his Teacher Training School in Beverly Hills, Ca. The extensive, three month training consisted of a minimum of three hours a day of yoga and six hours or more a day of posture clinics, plus lectures by doctors and specialists on anatomy, physiology, yoga philosophy, and the integration of medical and logic systems.

Mike began studying natural healing, nutrition and yoga in 1978. He has been a student of Bikram style yoga since 1990 and regularly spends time with Bikram, assisting at the various workshops and training that Bikram offers around the country.

Dharma (right action) protects the dharmic. ~ Bhagavad Gita

Joani Nunez

Joani is one of Houston's most loved and respected alternative healers and intuitives. She has been in private practice in Houston since 1983, and brings a vast body of knowledge to her teaching. She began studying yoga and meditation in 1971 while still in high school, has been a student of Gurumayi Chidvilasananda for many years, and grew up near the Siddha Yoga ashram in the Catskill Mountains of NY.

Joani discovered Bikram Yoga in 1999 and soon experienced miraculous results healing long standing and debilitating back, neck and shoulder injuries. Her personal experiences with the powerful healing effects of Bikram's Therapeutic Hatha Yoga are what led her to take the Teacher Certification Training.

Joani is both delighted and grateful to be able to offer to others the same healing that she herself received practicing Bikram's Therapeutic Hot Yoga.

PEACE doesn’t mean…. there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.

Sheri Goodland

About 5 years ago Sheri ran into a long time friend who had always been a beautiful woman inside and out, but she looked so fit that Sheri had to ask what she’d been doing. Her friend explained that she had lost weight, and Sheri replied, "losing weight alone does not make your body look like this!!" Her friend’s husband chimed in," It's from doing Bikram Yoga"! Her friend added that she did the yoga because of how it centered her, she did it for the mind, body, spirit connection......At the time, Sheri thought..."FINE WITH THE MIND BODY SPIRIT CONNECTION.....I WANT WHAT ITS DONE TO YOUR PHYSICAL BODY!!"

After taking her first class Sheri was sold. She had always been very interested in physical fitness, lifting weights, teaching aerobics, running etc. Bikram Yoga had ALL those things....cardio, strength, training, stretching and balance work. She immediately came back because she felt so awesome that night after class and wanted to have that amazing feeling again. Sheri first came to Bikram yoga for how it improved her body on the outside. She was very surprised when she went for her annual check up (she has Lupus) to see how Bikram yoga had improved her body on the inside. The news was fantastic! Her immune system was better than it was 20 years ago, testing at 3.9 (4.0 is a normal healthy immune system)... It had never been above 2.7! Her kidneys were better than they had ever been…. Her Lupus numbers were at remission levels. Because Lupus can be triggered by uncontrolled stress levels, Sheri began to realize that practicing BY also helped her to learn calming techniques and conscious stress control.

Sheri says “How could I not become a teacher?? I had to learn all I could about Bikram yoga so I could share ALL its great benefits with others. I LOVE teaching for Bikram Yoga Houston!!! Sharing this awesome yoga is such a gift…. And it is so great meeting all the wonderful people that come to get the benefits of this yoga. I love talking with people (if you know me , I know that is surprising Ha Ha) and the people that come to Bikram yoga are so friendly, kind and fun. My advice to everyone is to let go of what you think Bikram Yoga SHOULD do for you, just do the yoga, and see all the amazing benefits you were not even expecting.”

Sometimes it’s not important which way you jump. Just that you jump.

Naomi Arnold

Naomi Arnold is the special projects and communication facilitator for our schools, where her creative ability and organizational gifts are employed on a daily basis. She offers administrative support, restores order to chaos, and provides a deep well of warmth and caring to both students and staff alike. Naomi runs the front desk weekdays at our Fountain View school, where her open mind and loving spirit infuse the school with great, uplifting energy.

Growing up in the Montrose area of Houston, Naomi was surrounded by artists, musicians, and other free spirits. This infused in her a love for travel, new ideas and adventure. Periodically living on the West Coast, she always returns back to Houston with a grateful heart, because there’s no place like home, and Houston is home!

Naomi has been a student of Bikram Yoga since 2001. She says “ Bikram Yoga has dramatically changed me, physically and mentally. But equally as important, I am grateful to have been a witness to, and a part of, helping our students create miracles in their own lives with this yoga. There is no greater joy than helping others change their lives in such a positive and uplifting way”.

To handle yourself use your head. To handle others use your heart.

Mauri Moyer

After years of volunteering in the community and substituting in the Clear Creek School District, Mauri began to look for new directions to explore in life. In 2005, she discovered Bikram Yoga through a dear friend who was battling an illness. The discovery turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Although uncertain about what to expect, it was important to her to support her friend and so she decided to venture into the unexplored territory of Bikram's Hot Yoga. I can't say I liked it the first few times I walked through the door, but my new yoga partner made sure we were there each week, like it or not!" After some time, I started seeing and feeling the benefits and the healing. I loved the way it made my mind, body and soul feel. It was, and still is, life changing. And somewhere along the way my thoughts shifted from doing Bikram Yoga FOR a friend, to doing Bikram Yoga WITH a friend... I finally realized the beautiful gift I had received. She had given me the gift of Bikram Yoga, and for that I am eternally grateful!

I love being able to share this yoga with people. I love seeing the impact it has on other students and hearing what it has done for them. Working at the studio allows me to see how the lives of others are changed, just like mine was. It is truly inspiring!

Do your best, don't sweat the rest, and everything will take care of itself.

Marshall Trenckmann

Marshall took his first BY class in February 2006 when his cousin came to guest teach for BY-Houston. He says “She told me that I would not only be dropping her off at class, I would also be taking class.... ‘Yeah right’ was my thought at the time. I still remember my reaction to that first class…. ‘What the f#*+ is this?’!!!”

Although class was extremely challenging, Marshall liked how you moved slowly into and out of the postures. He could immediately feel the benefits and loved the increased control the body. At first he continued coming to class because he had no choice. He had to drop his cousin off to teach! Soon, however, he looked forward to class, enjoying the way it helped to keep him balanced out physically and mentally. Not even sleep can relax his mind and body like a BY class does.

Marshall says, “I have great respect for how Joani and Mike run the schools; it just feels right (and like home). It’s an incredible environment to be a part of. I love being able to directly help people.” Marshall shares, “As far as class goes (and life for that matter), “you're here for a reason, whether you realize it or not. And of course, stay hydrated. Seriously.

Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live.

Lynn Ferguson

was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and has lived in Minnesota, New York, Maryland, North Carolina, Miami and Virginia Beach. After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Elon College in North Carolina, she became a professional ballroom dance instructor, a career she has enjoyed for 30 years-20 of those spent as a competitor!

Lynn first experienced Bikram Yoga in May 2003 when she read about the classes in a magazine article. She learned that firemen, construction workers, policemen and even a heavyweight boxer were using BY to heal a variety of injuries. After learning that the practice was created by a man named Bikram, a former weight lifter who healed his own knee injury with yoga, she was intrigued by the athletic challenge the class presented, and the fact that she herself was recovering from knee surgery.

Lynn admits "Initially I did find the class daunting, but kept coming back because of the way that I felt after class. I believe that in order to truly experience something you have to give it a chance, so I went to class as often as I could. My knees got stronger, and the body parts that were tight quickly loosened up. I received more healing from BY than I had with countless physical therapy sessions".

The teacher within Lynn compelled her to share her discovery with others, so she attended teacher training and is now able to combine her love of teaching with her passions of health and exercise to guide, nurture and inspire others. Lynn's physical activities are diverse, but no matter what she chooses to do, she says, "Bikram Yoga will continue to be the "super glue" that holds me together."

Larger questions lead to a larger life.

Carol Theilen

Carol practiced yoga at various studios around Houston starting in 2005. A friend suggested she try BY because it might fill her need for a continual challenge and her desire for balance between the physical and mental components of yoga. She took her first BY class was in 2007 and it was indeed the challenge her friend said it would be! After finishing her first class Carol says “I was spent laying there in final savasana, but I also felt the most amazing peace…. I knew I had to figure out how this fit into my life because it was obvious to me from my very first class that this should be an integral part of my life.”

Carol loved the studio. She felt like she was in a safe, friendly non-judgmental place. She shares “Marvin learned my name the very first day and greeted me by name every time I walked through the door, it felt like home. She says she found an amazing balance between strength, flexibility and gracefulness, and although she didn’t take off pounds she did reshape her body dropped a couple clothing sizes. Additionally she noticed more lung capacity, fewer colds or allergy attacks (she used to have a terrible time each Fall and Spring), better posture, and her friends say she glows!

“I grew up being a pleaser” she says, “pleasing others while at times sacrificing my own desires and happiness. Everyone else came first and I came second. However, taking time for myself everyday to go to yoga has been the best thing for me. It is a gift to myself but also to those close to me as it affects how I act and react. Many people say Bikram yoga is such a huge time commitment. Perhaps some sound advice is to encourage everyone to take time for themselves in their yoga practice because it is a gift to everyone in the end.”

My actions are my only true belongings.

Kat Kearns

I discovered Bikram Yoga from my friend Kimberly, who treated me to a yoga class for taking care of her plants when she was out of town. I immediately fell in love with the heat before class even started, once I finished the class I knew it was something I had to do.

I have recently come back to my practice after a year or so hiatus after having ACL, Meniscus surgery. Bikram Yoga has brought me both physical and spiritual gifts such as; balance, strength, patience, acceptance, unity and mindfulness. After leaving the yoga room for the first time sweaty and hot, I became keenly aware of the fragrant scent of the incense burning in the front lobby; it was like an awakening of my senses, and I knew I was home.

Working for Bikram Yoga has allowed me to express the creativity awakened by my practice. To me, as my body begins to accept and process the physical challenges of the asanas, my mind is able to open itself to the mindfulness of my practice. This is my goal this year in my practice.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Kate Henninger

It may have been Kate's good karma that brought her to the doors of Bikram's Yoga College of India, or it may have been simple good luck (is there a difference?) But there is no doubt that it is her good karma and great good fortune, developed these past five years practicing Bikram Yoga at the FV studio, that is carrying her forward into her future.

Kate is an anthropologist and student of international relations by education, and a bilingual 3rd grade teacher by trade. She gratefully shares her life and dreams with her dear husband, Peter, to whom she has been married for over 25 astounding years! She is the mother of two very precious daughters - Mary Kate and Meg.

Kate is honored and deeply grateful to have stumbled upon one of the very best things in this world, and, to be in the presence of some of the kindest people she has ever encountered. This includes the staff at both schools as well as the students who practice there. Bikram Yoga has changed her life, for the better, to be sure. Kate currently helps run the front desk at both schools, and she recently graduated from the Fall 2008 Teacher Training! She says " I look forward to continuing to develop my yoga practice, along with my understanding of life, karma, and universal law. It is my heart's desire to open a Bikram Yoga studio in the near future - I long to give to others what I have received myself. I am deeply grateful to Joani and Mike for their kindness, wisdom and guidance."

You can’t control the wind but you can adjust the sails.

Jack Cooper

Jack, a "naturalized" Texan, after spending years in the health care and programming worlds, retired from corporate America to pursue a simpler, less-stressful life. He is the General Manager of the South Blvd school, and he runs the front desk, school, with unflagging kindness, a great sense of humor, terrific attention to detail, all of which are invaluable! Jack's good natured spirit infuses South Blvd. with a gentle yet enthusiastic energy, and his love for Bikram Yoga transmits itself to everyone who walks through the door.

You must be present to win.

Inga Alanne

our resident massage therapist, has enjoyed the camaraderie at the South Blvd. studio for over seven years, and Bikram yoga has been part of her life for more than 10 years. A native of Finland (the birthplace of the sauna), Inga's decision to office at the Bikram yoga studio was a natural choice, where sweating is available at all times.

Inga's understanding of yoga and its effects on the human anatomy are a bonus for the yoga students who get bodywork from her. She combines this profound knowledge with two decades of experience in massage therapy, deep tissue therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy and spa therapies to name a few. Several of her clients have shared how a combination of yoga and massage has increased the quality of their lives and sense of wellbeing even more.

Visit Inga-Land as soon, and as often, as you can! www.IngaAlanne.com 713-621-1112

If at first you don't succeed, try reading the instructions.

Christy Gayford

Christy began to practice BY because of her family. Mauri (her sister in law) and Misty (her sister) had been coming to BY for 2 years and had tried over and over again to get her to come to class. She moved back to Houston in October, and decided that she needed to start healing her body instead of abusing it. She says, “I had some health issues, pancreatitis (twice), high blood pressure and stress. I managed a hotel in Kerrville for 2 years and before that I was an apartment manager for 12 years. The hotel job put me under tremendous stress…. I worked 65-80 hours a week and I lived on site. I was consumed by stress”

Christy took her first class on Nov 1, 2008 with Mauri and Misty by her side. The first class was difficult for her, but she stayed in the room. She loved the feeling of detoxing and stretching, but not so much the heat :) Cheryl told her that she would come to crave the heat, and she thought Cheryl was crazy, but before very long she discovered that she was right! It was the most amazing thing she had ever done for her body, and she had to have more. She knew that she was on her way to a better life, and after her first class she slept the night thru for the first time since June. She shares, “I love the concentration and strength and flexibility that I have gained. I am more confident, patient, and happier, my pancreas has healed 80% with out any treatments or meds!!! I am a different person; I am a better friend, wife, sister, mother, and daughter.”

She goes on to say, “I loved being at the studio, and was thrilled when a job opened up. I felt at home. I wanted to be in my healing environment as much as possible and help others feel like I did…. Welcomed, not judged, cared about. I wanted to be in this wonderful energy, with my wonderful new yoga family as much as possible.” Christy shares, “I love working at BY-Houston !!! Seeing the change in people, when they say they could never make 2-3 classes a week, then you see them there every day…. It's very rewarding being a part of something so powerfully healing.” She has simple advice for everyone reading this, “just keep coming back, and breathe!”

Give me beauty in the inward Soul; may the outward and the inward man be at one.

Ana Saldana

Ana Saldana began practicing Hatha Yoga and meditation in 1994, a path that led her to Bikram Yoga in 2000. In 1999 she was involved in devastating a car accident that fractured her pelvis. She saw a variety of medical specialists for pain but prescriptions only brought on new symptoms and they could not heal her body. Ana began practicing Bikram Yoga twice a week, and although she regained her strength and flexibility, she continued to experience chronic, debilitating pain, anxiety, and despair.

Finally, in 2003 a specialist prescribed deep, diaphragmatic breathing to diminish pain, along with mental techniques for controlling anxiety. Ana realized that he was essentially describing Raja Yoga, an aspect of Bikram Yoga that forms the foundation of the class. She understood that by mentally controlling her anxiety at the onset of pain she could control these symptoms and eventually erase them completely. So Ana increased her Bikram Yoga practice and successfully banished pain from her body! She simultaneously increased her happiness and peace of mind.

Ana completed Bikram's Teacher Training in November 2005 and has been teaching ever since. She says “I'm continually impressed by the vast number of people and ways this yoga is a distinctive vehicle for healing the body and mind. Witnessing this variety and volume of healing, along with attending teacher training (where lectures from doctors, therapists, scientists and authors all demonstrate its effectiveness) actually inspired me to deepen my knowledge of healing and medicine. I hope to always practice and teach Bikram Yoga and contribute even more to the greater understanding and usefulness of yoga as a healing method.”

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions

Andrea Bahry

Andrea discovered Bikram Yoga while living in New York City in 2005 and recovering from a running injury. She was blown away by the challenge of the 90 minute class. Thinking she was a runner, not a yogi, she put the yoga on hold, but the yoga was always in the back of her mind.

When she moved to Houston in 2006, she was training for a half marathon and once again, injured herself. The first thing she thought about was the incredible healing effects of Bikram Yoga. This time she put the running aside and decided to commit herself to a regular yoga practice. That continuous practice made her realize that she not only got a great workout, but she gained flexibility, she slept better, and she felt much happier.

The friendliness and support of the staff at Bikram Yoga Houston caused Andrea to approach Joani and Mike for a job, one month after starting her practice. She has been working the front desk at SB since Jan. 2007 and is continually amazed at all the transformation she sees. “I truly believe in the benefits of Bikram Yoga. I not only see and feel these benefits in myself, but I see them every day in the students. I feel so proud to be part of something that can make people feel better about themselves and that can bring people health and happiness. I am thankful everyday for finding Bikram Yoga and for being part of the Bikram Yoga Houston community ”

The best way out is always through.

Beth Whittemore

At the urging of a friend Beth walked into the South Blvd Bikram Yoga studio here in Houston with no expectations. Ninety minutes later she walked out of the studio looking like she had been submerged under water for the entire time but feeling like she was walking on air. The next day, after completing her second class, she resigned from her gym and never looked back.

Beth watched in astonishment as her body and mind transformed completely over the next couple of months. Her kids without any urging began to join her on a daily basis. Her husband, David, began to practice in secret over at the Fountain View studio. His secret was out quickly when the logistics of laundry overwhelmed him.

With the complete support of her family Beth went to teacher training in the fall of 2007 and became a certified Bikram Yoga instructor. Since returning Beth has discovered that her love of the yoga has expanded to include teaching Bikram yoga. She says, "I consider Bikram yoga to be the best gift I have ever received, and I believe that sharing the yoga through teaching is my way of giving that gift to as many people as possible."

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

Buffy Metler

Buffy took her first BY class 3 years ago in Vancouver, Canada. She absolutely loved it, and has been hooked ever since. She could not wait to come back and take her second class! The challenge and focus were exactly what she had been looking for, and she’d never felt anything like the way she felt after her first class.

Along with that incredibly euphoric feeling that descends after class, Buffy also lost weight, banished insomnia, improved her posture and developed a deep appreciation and love for herself. As she practiced, she became aware of the many miracles occurring in the lives of the other students in class, and when a position at BY-Houston opened up on staff, she jumped at the opportunity to join the team. She shares “I love the teachers and the students…. It’s wonderful caring for such wonderful people in such a great environment : )”

After three years of dedicated practice, Buffy has simple and straight forward advice to offer, “Never take a break from it!!!!”

Atman is the Higher Self; be still and know your power. The spirit of man has unlimited potential. Nothing is out of reach.

Marvin Nunez

Marvin discovered Bikram Yoga after finishing a 3 year tour of duty in the army. While his military experience had many benefits, it also left him with a stress fracture, as well as knee and shoulder injuries that never seemed to heal.

He took his first class thinking he'd be bored out of his mind, that yoga was a wimpy kind of thing, but that maybe it would help his injuries. He finished his first class humbled by the incredible challenge, bursting with energy, already experiencing less pain. After just six weeks of regular practice he no longer needed his knee brace.

He recently completed 120 consecutive days of yoga. "Bikram Yoga has completely changed the way I look and feel. I have a new attitude, and I've become a well rounded person. Bikram Yoga is a part of my life, and I will practice it for the rest of my life."