Shyam is a business consultant, IT specialist and father of three children. He is the Vice President of Delivery and Solutions for SEAL Consulting, Inc., a leading SAP solutions provider addressing enterprise-wide business and technology needs. He became certified to teach Bikram Yoga in the fall of 2009 in Las Vegas.

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

Bikram Yoga gave me a new life, pulling me out of depression and anxiety disorder.

What was your first Bikram class like?

It was way back in Jan 2005 so don’t remember much. All I remember was that I was in the back row, rested most of the time and was appreciated by the teacher at the end of the class.

Advice you would give to any new student:

Breathe…have fun.

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

Delivering Half-moon in front of Bikram Guruji. He was quiet for a few seconds and said, “You are already good. No need to try harder.” A moment of joy!

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

"Triangle benefits the heart and lungs, forcing them to work together like an arranged marriage in India. They may not want to be together but they have to be. No choice."

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

Home…with my family.

What song best describes you?

I don’t know much about western songs but the one that can describe me well is the one sung by Bikram Guruji – “Pyar karo, pyar karo, pyar karo…” (Love everyone…)

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

My brother…we lost him in 2008. From the living, one of the two – President Clinton or President Obama.

What is your most prized possession?

My three kids.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Eat loads of Indian sweets…..or, a triple scoop banana split at Baskin-Robbins.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

Home always…there is no other favorite place in the valley for me.

What is your favorite scent?

Jasmine.

Why do you like it hot?

It reminds me of home…India.

What is your most embarrassing teaching moment?

Starting the class with the Half-Moon pose…totally missed the Pranayama that day and was wondering why everyone was not moving with my dialogue.

Jeremy was born and raised in Unionville, MO. He is a school teacher by trade and frequently teaches in the Gilbert School District. Jeremy met his wife, Audrey Fairley, while practicing at Bikram Yoga Tempe. They moved to Hawaii to both teach on Oahu for a couple of years, and recently moved back to Arizona to teach where it all started. He became certified to teach Bikram Yoga in the fall of 2006 in Los Angeles.

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

My Bikram practice has taught me how to be patient and introspective without judgement. My job as an instructor allows me to see the world!

What was your first Bikram class like?

Ben Zorensky, co-owner of BYT, nagged at me to come to class for over a year before I finally gave in. He neglected to tell me about the heat, so I showed up in sweatpants with a dixie cup size bottle of water. I was physically humbled before we even made it to Eagle pose! I left class thinking I would never do it again. One year later I came back for my second class with a whole new mindset and decided to go to teacher training so that I could help others experience the transformation of body, mind and spirit!

Advice you would give to any new student:

Be patient and listen to the dialogue in each class.  All of the instructions are perfectly sequenced for you so you don’t have to think!

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

I had the privilege of instructing a 93 year old woman last year at the Honolulu studio. I remember inputting her info into the computer and when it came to the birthdate field it read 1917! She had been practicing Bikram for over 20 years! I was surprised of course, but not shocked because I know this stuff works!

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

“You’re never to sick, never to old, never to broken to start again!”

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

I am a big fan of being by water, wether it be the ocean or mountain lakes and streams. I enjoy spending time with some high quality H2O!

What song best describes you?

“Superbad” -James Brown

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

Siddhartha

What is your most prized possession?

My dad’s Harley Electra-glide Ultra Classic.

What is your guilty pleasure?

The occasional viewing of some trashy reality TV.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

All around cuisine: Pita Jungle Mexican: La Casa Reynoso

What is your favorite scent?

Plumeria trees in bloom.

Why do you like it hot?

I have always preferred hot climates over cold ones, spicy foods to bland, and spirited people over introverts. I like to warm my body from bones to skin to protect my joints, ligaments and tendons. A good sweat is such a great internal cleanser for the body and mind!

What is your most embarrassing teaching moment?

That moment has to be when I was within my first few weeks as an instructor. I was sharing some of the benefits of savasana on your stomach. One of those being that you get a nice passive stretch to your neck by turning it to both sides to rest on your ear. Innocent enough, however when I went to describe it I said “Turning your head to both sides to rest provides balance as well as a great stretch to your cervix!” Instead of "your cervical spine"! Needless to say I got a few giggles. The guys were not sure if they had one or not. I quickly moved on glad that the heat had everyones faces red so mine did not stand out!

Audrey was born in Oceanside, CA and raised in Arizona. She found Bikram Yoga 6 years ago as a personal trainer and long distance runner. She met her husband, Jeremy Fairley, while practicing at Bikram Yoga Tempe. They moved to Hawaii to both teach on Oahu for a couple of years, and recently moved back to Arizona so she could pursue a Nursing degree. She became certified to teach Bikram Yoga in the fall of 2009 in Las Vegas.

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

My first class was so horrible I barley remember it. I realized how much I had beat up my body while trying to stay healthy. I was pretty much hooked after that. I have always been infatuated by the human body and how it will always respond to us good or bad with everything we do, so I was determined to heal my body from the inside out and with that came the “marriage between the mind and body” Yoga to me, is my miracle so I plan to share it with the rest of the world for as long as I can.

What was your first Bikram class like?

Well, like I said it was like a horrific experience. I can’t even recall all of it I do remember after pranayama breathing i needed a break. By hands to feet pose I thought the teacher was crazy and the lady next to me had to be a 60 year old gymnast…. I thought, is that what a Japanese ham sandwich looks like? My mind was everywhere and I couldn’t do any of the postures especially savasana. I was beat-up!

Advice you would give to any new student:

Embrace the discomfort…. you are changing your body and healing your afflictions. Like Bikram would say, “The right way is the hard way!”

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

At teacher training he would start dancing for no reason sometimes. He loves to dance and sing!

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

Well, I have a few but my favorite is “Don’t be sad. Don’t be lonely.” He would like to say that around Triangle pose.

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

Outside and when I’m fortunate enough, near water.

What song best describes you?

“Change” -Blind Melon

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

Siddhartha

What is your most prized possession?

My wedding ring.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Beer.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

At home when my husband cooks!

What is your favorite scent?

Rose Oil.

Why do you like it hot?

It’s better than cold!

What is your most embarrassing teaching moment?

There are so many to choose from! I was teaching in Hawaii and I had just finished speaking about staying still and silent for the first savasana, just then I went for my water bottle and awkwardly fell off the podium and dropping my water bottle on a student’s shoulder….. yeah, that was awesome.

Karla was born in Wichita Kansas and grew up in San Diego. She has her associate degree in Health Services Management from Gateway Community College, and is currently finishing her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ottawa University; Karla also has her Life Coaching Certification from SWIHA. She published her first book Grief the Universal Emotion of Loss and received the book in her hands the same day she graduated from Bikram Teacher Training in San Diego the fall of 2010. Karla has office space at Wellspring Holistic Center where she sees client’s one on one as a Grief Recovery Specialist. Karla does public speaking on grief and loss throughout the valley.  You can view her website www.enlightenedpathways.com

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

Bikram yoga has changed my life in so many ways. Through self realization I know that anything is possible in life. I have a deeper understanding of who I am through connecting the mind, body, and spirit into one, I am whole again. This yoga has also helped me through my physical injuries I sustained in a car accident where I was given a 50% chance to live.

What was your first Bikram class like?

Hot, sweaty, and oh soooo good!

Advice you would give to any new student:

Don’t give up, take a deep breath and know you are in the perfect place at the perfect time in your life.

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

When Bikram yelled at me to sit my hips in the chair in Awkward
Pose not a bar stool, and when he handed me my teaching
certification!

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

“A healthy spine is a healthy mind.”

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

Anywhere by water, with family and friends and on the dance
floor.

What song best describes you?

“I Can See Clearly” -Johnny Nash

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

Toss up between JFK and MLK.

What is your most prized possession?

My body, it is my temple and the only one I have.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate and Red Wine.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

The Tuck Shop

What is your favorite scent?

The ocean and rain.

Why do you like it hot?

I love the feeling of releasing and letting go.

What is your most embarrassing teaching moment?

Oh dear which one? Not sure you can print this… In wind removing pose instead of saying, “Interlace your ten fingers and get a nice tight grip”, I said,”Interlace your fingers for
a ten inch grip.” Oops! I was so embarrassed!

I grew up in San Jose, California and moved to Arizona in the summer of 2005. Graduated from ASU with a BFA in dance and have been dancing with Dulce Dance Company for the past two years. I live in the west valley with my husband and our cat, Monkie. The drive to BYT is worth it – the people here are amazing and it makes for a nurturing, safe, welcoming place to practice this craziness!

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

I have exercise-induced asthma and would have to use my inhaler before working out but ever since I have been practicing, I have not used my inhaler once! Plus now when I go running my breath is easy and I feel as though I can run so much longer and farther than before. I still enjoy traditional weight training and running, but nothing gives me the same feeling that I get after I’ve finished a Bikram class.

What was your first Bikram class like?

I thought I was going to die! I did not prepare properly – pretty much woke up one day and said, “I think I’ll try Bikram Yoga today” Not a good idea! But I powered through, nearly passing out, and stayed in the room the whole class. When I walked out of the room I was already excited to come back the next day – I was addicted.

Advice you would give to any new student:

HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE – and come back even if you hated your first class.

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

Anywhere with my hubby and my gato.

What song best describes you?

“Alive’” by P.OD.

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

Don’t know.

What is your most prized possession?

Not really a possession, but my marriage.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chili-cheese fries and anything with dark chocolate.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

Pita Jungle and Lee’s Sandwiches.

What is your favorite scent?

Campfires and pine trees.

Why do you like it hot?

I love to sweat.

I was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. My father was in the Army so we moved around a lot until we finally settled down in El Paso, TX. When I was 21, I moved to San Diego for college and ended up managing one of the busiest boxing gyms in Southern California. I recently moved to Tempe, AZ to start a new chapter of my life.

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

I found Bikram yoga about 10 years ago and it has made a significant impact on my life. When I committed myself more to my practice I felt as if though I became more aware of myself, my thoughts and my body.

What was your first Bikram class like?

My first class was hot, hard and water never tasted so good, but I was determined to make it through the entire class (I’m stubborn like that). After class I didn’t think I would be able to drive home because I was in such a haze. When I finally did make it home I showered and took the best nap I had ever had. The next day I went back (I don’t even know why). I felt so sick but something felt right and I continued my practice.

Advice you would give to any new student:

Stay in the room, stay still and calm your mind.

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

Not so much a place, but a favorite person to hang out with – my nephew, Xavier.

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

Paulo Coehlo

What is your most prized possession?

My two chihuahuas: Bloo and Pinky.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Shopping.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

The Blue Nile

What is your favorite scent?

Jasmine and Ylang Ylang

Why do you like it hot?

It makes my joints juicy!

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

There are so many ways Bikram Yoga has changed my life. I started practicing because someone in my “Mothers of Multiples” club told me it would help me remain calm in stressful situations. She must have seen the “crazy” in my eyes and knew I needed the help. I thank God for her because my practice has brought me back to sanity and kept us all (my family) from utter chaos. Bikram Yoga also helped me to be more aware of my body and emotions. I am continually learning how to take better care of myself. I have been practicing since 2008. In 2010 I was able to get completely off the medications I was taking for depression, anxiety and thyroid issues. I have made so many friends and enjoy my practice and our studio so much. The teachers all bring something unique to the practice and have really touched my heart. It’s so true that you get what you need in each class and even though every class is the same, no two are the same. It’s, how shall I put this…Rad.

What was your first Bikram class like?

Well, Reba taught my first class. She was so kind to me and called me Alicia Keys so she could remember my name. I wore a shirt that was too loose and fell over my head during the inversions. There was another guy in the class who was there for his first time too. He wore jeans shorts so I didn’t feel so bad. He also farted audibly which I thought was awesome. It brought such levity to my first experience. I never saw that guy again and if he reads this and knows it’s him, I hope he would give class another shot. I remember I kept thinking it was hot, which was true but it did not serve me well to focus on that. I tried instead to focus on that guys fart, so I could keep smiling. That fart saved my life.

Advice you would give to any new student:

Breathe. It’s not a competition. Breathe. Listen and do the best you can. Breathe. Take care of yourself. Breathe.

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

“Full Lungs!” Thanks to Jon Knoche.

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

I am in a season of my life where my favorite place to hang out doesn’t much matter…young children do that to you. So besides BYT, which truly is my carved out space for me, I suppose I am enjoying the playground. I bring a big blanket and lay it under a tree. I always bring a book to read while the kids play. Sometimes I even get to read a little of it.

What song best describes you?

“Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

Jesus.

What is your most prized possession?

My life.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Jim Beam and Coke… It’s like candy.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

Cornish Pasty

What is your favorite scent?

My kids. I love to hug them and breathe them in. I would like the smell of them better if they rolled around in jasmine first.

Why do you like it hot?

Cold is bitter. Sweat is sweet!

Ron is a husband and father of two daughters and became certified to teach Bikram Yoga in the fall of 2010 in San Diego.

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

I no longer have to take medications to battle depression and to get a full night of sleep. Every other exercise I’ve tried over the past 40 years I’ve always injured myself. I’ve had shoulder and knee surgery and numerous visits to the chiropractor. I’m happier and healthier now than I’ve ever been.

What was your first Bikram class like?

I came to Bikram because I was holding my breath while I was reading the Sunday morning paper. My wife told me “you should try a yoga class maybe that will help. JohnJay on the radio does Bikram yoga and he said it changed his life.”

Advice you would give to any new student:

Keep coming back until your miracle happens. It will when you least expect it.

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

When I was at teacher training at age 57 and Bikram looked at me and said, “If you MUST die at least die with dignity.”

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

“If you can you must.”

Where is your favorite place to hang out besides BYT, of course?

Rocky Point Mexico or Foothills Golf Club.

What song best describes you?

“Crazy” -Gnarls Barkley

If you could meet one person, who would it be?

My wife Kay’s mother.

What is your most prized possession?

They aren’t a possession but they are my most prized: my daughters Ali and Kiley.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Cold Stone Creamery Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

It’s a toss up between Rosati’s Pizza and Pita Jungle.

What is your favorite scent?

Vanilla.

Why do you like it hot?

Because it feels so good later…..

What is your most embarrassing teaching moment?

When I said in one of my first classes “stretch your elbows to your ti*s” instead of “stretch your elbows to your hips”.