I’m brave, resilient, compassionate and believe in peace, love, and wellness!!   I am from Huntington Beach, CA and moved to Tempe late 2009.  In addition to working at BYT, I am an Independent Consultant with Arbonne.  I love helping people and I love practicing Bikram Yoga.  I live with my partner, Zach, and our two kitties.  We love time off together and visiting family.  My goal is to attend Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Fall 2014!!

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

I played soccer and sports for 20 years and have had three knee surgeries.  I had a jalopy of body; unable to stand, walk, or be minimally active without being extremely uncomfortable.  My physical therapist literally told me that they had exhausted all treatment and they could nothing for me. I was depressed and in constant pain, so I self medicated and took up drinking and smoking.  Bikram Yoga has given me cardiovascular exercise, strength, and flexibility.  This practice has enabled me to be active and exercise again, happy and healthy, regain confidence, and regain a strong sense of Self.

What was your first Bikram class like?

It was about 10 years ago.  I had read about the benefits of Hot Yoga to those who over-exercised themselves into injury (that was me)! I recall thinking to myself during class, how much longer did I have to be in here!  Every minute lasted a year.  And, you know what; I lived to tell the tale.  The rewards were both immediate and long term.  I was looking at the big picture; experiencing and anticipating the healing powers practicing offered me.

Advice you would give to any new student:

Be sure to breathe.  Stay in the room.  Listen to the teacher. Have fun and smile!  Re-hydrate and come back tomorrow!

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

Joining the BYT community!!

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

“You’re never too old, never too sick, never too bad; it’s never too late to start from scratch once again.” And of course, the unrelenting and uncompromising, “lock the knee; lock the knee, last chance, LOCK THE KNEE!”

What song best describes you?

“She’s Like a Rainbow” ~The Rolling Stones

What is your most prized possession?

My dreams.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Almond butter and beer!

What is your favorite scent?

Orange blossoms in spring and Arbonne’s Dreamer fragrance.

Why do you like it hot?

It enables a deeper stretch and the body to detoxify through the skin.  Anyway, when else do you find the opportunity to sweat like that…and love it!

If you would like the best values and low prices, take advantage of these Anniversary prices!
Celebrating all things 10! 10 Anniversary Specials:

• Buy The Magical Year Unlimited at $999 ($395 OFF) and we’ll add an additional 2 WEEKS FREE! It’s like buying 7 months and receiving 5 months free! Breaks down to only ~$79 per month! Even if you miss 5 months on this pass, it is still worth it!
• Buy 6 Months Unlimited and we’ll add an additional 2 WEEKS FREE! 194 days for $600!
• Buy the 90 Day Unlimited and we’ll add an additional 10 Days FREE! 100 days for $390
• Sign up for the Auto-Renewal Monthly, $120/mo, and we’ll waive the $49 activation fee!
• Buy the 25 Class Pass and receive 2 FREE CLASSES! 27 classes for $295
• Buy the 10 Class Pass and receive 1 FREE CLASS! 11 classes for $135
• Buy 2 Weeks Unlimited for $59!
• Buy the First Timer Two Week Unlimited Intro for only $15 (take $10 off)! Great stocking stuffer or white elephant!
• 30 % OFF RETAIL- SATURDAY ONLY
• 10% OFF cases of Vitacoco- SATURDAY ONLY

Take advantage of these great deals today!
These offers are only good through this Saturday, December 1st, 2012. No further discounts apply.

I grew up in Utah, graduated from WSU, and moved to Arizona in 1997. I discovered Bikram Yoga in 2010 and went to teacher training Spring 2012. I am the mother to four wonderful children. My hobbies include traveling, hiking, photography, piano, art, literature, and everything/anything my kids are doing.

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

I have always been very active. I enjoy running, hiking, dancing, weight lifting, swimming, and boxing. The allure to hot yoga was to build flexibility and strength. In the Bikram room I found far more than a physical workout. The series has helped me develop physically, but more important have been the mental benefits. The ability to find peace and just breathe in what can sometimes be a very challenging environment has made a huge difference in my life. I have been thrilled to discover the glorious power of Bikram Yoga to heal body, mind, and spirit.

What was your first Bikram class like?

Ridiculous! I had delivered my youngest child six weeks prior, so I came in big sweat pants. When the teacher helped me, he referred to me as “my friend in the long costume”. Besides the fact that I was overdressed and soaking wet, I absolutely loved the yoga! Bikram provides an intensity that no other workout can give you!!

Advice you would give to any new student:

Just breathe!

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

One class at teacher training, Bikram was in true form – truly defining “torture chamber”. Towards the end of the class he mistakenly skipped Rabbit Pose and started Head to Knee with Stretching Pose. A few students yelled out his oversight. In his silliest tone, he sang, “Excuse me for living!” I have never laughed so hard. Maybe you had to be there

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

“Never too old, never too sick, never too late to start again from scratch and change your life.” ~ Bikram Choudhury

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

Anywhere as long as I’m with my precious family.

What song best describes you?

There are far too many songs to pick just one, but at the moment it’s “California Dreamin”. (Go Lakers!!)

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

Again, too many to pick just one. But with the Olympics just finishing up, Oscar Pistorius is my new hero. He is the South African who was the first amputee to compete in track and field at the Olympics. What an amazing and inspirational man!

What is your most prized possession?

My life.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Passion fruit iced tea and shopping.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

Olive & Ivy.

What is your favorite scent?

Vanilla.

Why do you like it hot?

It’s hard and super intense! Plus, after class my body feels like it just received a massage … only on the inside!

What is your most embarrassing teaching moment?

As a new teacher, I’m sure the moments are forthcoming! I feel so fortunate to be part of the BYT family and look forward to sharing the gifts and benefits of Bikram’s Beginning Yoga.

Prizes for completing the 10 Week Challenge:
-free 10 year t-shirt
-10% off your total purchase coupon
-10 chances to win a 10 Day Unlimited
-diploma
-name announcement in class and at the concert
-limitless intelligence, unbounded clarity, happiness, and camaraderie

Rules:
-start between Aug 13th and October 10th
-attend at least 4 classes per week
-if attend less than 4 classes one week, make up the others before the last day of the challenge
-if attend 40 classes before the 10th week (like if you practice every day), you still need to practice consistently for 10 weeks
-at the front desk, ask for a a navy string to wear on your wrist
-make sure you sign up on the new 10 Year Anniversary Challenge poster

Cost:
Use your current unlimited membership or purchase one of the following passes:
-10 Week Challenge pass: $335
-Auto-Renewal Monthly: $120/mo
-90 Day Unlimited: $390
-Year Unlimited: $1395

I grew up in Albuquerque New Mexico, then moved to Denver Colorado in 2002. I moved to Phoenix in the summer of 2003. I am a certified dental assistant and a Dj on the side. I have been a vegan for over 2 years. Some good friends recommended I try it. I was over weight and my doctor was getting ready to put me on cholesterol medications. I read a book called “The Kind Diet” by Alicia Silverstone and it changed my life! I have been vegan ever since. I lost over 70 pounds the first year and I lowered my cholesterol and didn’t need to be put on any medications. I was introduced to Bikram Yoga from a co-worker who begged me to try it. She thought I would like it especially since I am such a healthy eater. I thought she was crazy when she told me how hot it gets. Another friend told me how it got him through his cancer treatments. I decided to try it one day. I signed up with the 2 week unlimited special and I was hooked immediately. After my two weeks was up I signed up for the unlimited monthly membership. You can catch me in class sweating it out at least 4-5 days a week.

How has Bikram Yoga changed your life?

There are many ways Bikram Yoga has changed my life. For one I used to be addicted to marijuana. Since I began practicing I have quit smoking and have completely cleared my mind and body. I sleep better at night. I have less stress in my life. I feel healthy and I get compliments almost daily on how good I look.

What was your first Bikram class like?

Intense! I thought to myself “This is yoga, how hard can it be?” Boy was I wrong. I got sick half way through my first class and threw up in the bathroom. I went back in the room and finished the class. Once I finished class that day I was immediately hooked. I came back the next day and completed a 30 day challenge within my first month of practicing.

Advice you would give to any new student:

Breathe and keep calm. As simple as that sounds it’s easy to feel anxious and overwhelmed during yoga practice. Don’t be hard on yourself. Drink lots of water the day before practice and the day of practice. Remember that it is just a practice, you don’t have to be perfect.

What is your favorite Bikram memory?

Getting to meet him after his lecture in Scottsdale Arizona. He spent time with me and answered all of my questions. He didn’t rush me or anyone who wanted to ask him questions or get their pictures taken with him. I thought that was awesome that he did that.

What is your favorite Bikram-ism?

“Nothing is more important than your life.”

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

At home snug on the couch reading a book. Also, working on anything music related.

What song best describes you?

“Flashback” by Calvin Harris

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

It’s a toss up between Madonna and Bjork.

What is your most prized possession?

My life. Period.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I know I’m vegan, but I will occasionally have a piece of cheese pizza from Jimmy and Joe’s pizza as a guilty pleasure. That is the only time I will give into any dairy products.

Where is your favorite place to eat in the Valley?

Pita Jungle or Swaddee.

What is your favorite scent?

Aqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani

Why do you like it hot?

It is relaxing for my muscles. Plus it helps me to concentrate on keeping a clear and calm mind in and out of class.

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.