While being a certified massage therapist for 20 years plus the single mother of two kids, a friend of mine convinced me to try Bikram Yoga because I was experiencing hip, shoulder and hand pain from massaging. After several classes, the pain began to ease! This is what motivated me to attend teacher training. The certification required an INTENSE nine-week program, committing my mind and body, in addition to finding someone to take care of my young children while I would be in Los Angeles for two months. The risk of a career change plus the difficulty of training would be the hardest thing I had ever done, and leaving my kids was heartbreaking!

After returning to Granite Bay, I worked for the original owner of this studio for two years. An opportunity arose and I was able to purchase the studio. We now serve over 380 students every week, sharing their practice of Bikram Yoga and helping them heal their bodies from the inside out, eliminating chronic pain, aiding in weight loss, and staying healthy!

I center my life around the things that mean the most to me: family, friends, and helping others fall in love with this practice. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced, my advice is to remember that this yoga is a practice. Every day is different. Your body is different, your mind is different, your day might be good or bad. But if you show up and work to the best of your ability for that day, you’ll always reap the benefits that this yoga has to offer.

The most rewarding part of owning this business is when someone approaches me and talks to me about their practice. When I hear Bikram Yoga has relieved their physical pain, changed their outlook on life, or they’ve achieved something that haven’t been able to do before, it truly fills my heart with joy.

I also believe everyone needs to have balance in their life. In addition to this yoga and owning my own business, my other passions include traveling, hiking, long walks, and reading. I’m also an avid salsa dancer!

I began practicing Bikram Yoga in 2001 after hearing about it through the media. I actually started with vinyasa flow yoga at an old studio near Bikram Yoga Granite Bay, and then had heard about BYGB, so I made the switch, and I was hooked! After 5 years of practicing I decided I wanted to teach! I went to Teacher Training in the Fall of 2006. I enjoy motivating people when it comes to health and fitness, so what better way to share my passion for this yoga than teaching it! While I still have my moments of stress, this practice has helped calm my mind so much. I had no idea that would happen! I initially was drawn to the practice for its obvious physical benefits, the flexibility, etc. The mind and emotional aspect was a definite added bonus, and is what inspires me to continue to practice!

In addition to this yoga, I wear many hats! I am a Mom of 2 boys, we live in Folsom. I am a registered dietitian with a private practice, my website is www.nourishwithfood.com. I also teach part time at CSU, Sacramento. I recently became a Fitness Pro with the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (WBFF) in November 2011! Other activities I enjoy are swimming, Zumba, dancing, and walking my Boxer (named Yogi). Next on my agenda is competing in the Fitness division at the WBFF World's Championship in August 2012 in Toronto, Canada!

Advice I would give to someone who is new to this practice is: Give the practice at least 30 days before you decide if it is for you, that is why we have an intro special! New students come in wanting to just try one class, and you really need to give your body a chance to acclimate to the heat, adjust to the postures, regulate your breathing, and know how to eat and drink properly to adequately fuel your body so you can be in the room for 90 minutes and have stamina. This can all take a while, hence the 30 days! For those that have been practicing for a while and want to go further with their practice, try taking more classes per week, practice at different times of the day, and in different spots in the room! Bring a friend or someone who has never done the practice before and accompany them on their first 30 days, seeing what's it's like to be a beginner again - being a role model for them is inspiring!

After driving by the Bikram studio here in Granite Bay, I decided to try it! I thought class was hard, but I decided to stick it out! That was 10 years ago, and I continue to love it more and more. My motivation to attend Teacher Training was to get back in the work force now that my children were becoming more independent. In 2009 I taught my first class!

Yoga truly brings me inner peace and happiness. It has totally changed my life from the inside out! Other than teaching and practicing, I have plenty of things that fill my days – there is never a dull moment! I love to cook, I spend time with my friends and family, plus I love to read, watch movies, walk my dogs, and spend time with my kids. In my daily life, I am inspired by love! Remember to love yourself, love each other, and love what you do.

My advice for someone who is new to this practice would be to NEVER GIVE UP! Come consistently, during good days and bad days, just show up - this yoga works! If you’ve been practicing for awhile, work on letting go of habits like fidgeting, folding your towel, etc. Little changes in bad habits can transform your practice!

In 2006 I began running with a group of ladies and was having trouble with my lung capacity. One of them suggested Bikram Yoga, and I began my practice. I was so overwhelmed in my first class! It was the hardest, strangest workout I had ever done! In 2007 I went to training - in Hawaii! Nine weeks in Honolulu, ahhhhh! This sounded like a dream come true! Little did I know - training was going to be one of the hardest experiences I have ever had. No Mai Tai's and sunsets, just long yoga days! I’ve since learned that life is about living, not worry and stress. Take one day at a time and enjoy the moment. I can do anything I set my mind to! Besides yoga, my days are filled with work, husband and three kids. My youngest is 15 – I can't wait for him to get his license! :)

My advice for new and seasoned practitioners alike is to relax and enjoy the practice. It’s hard, it’s time consuming, sure. But, it will change your life! Many students enter the yoga room with a singular focus, typically to lose weight.

I see and hear their frustration if that does not happen quickly. The trick is - there is no trick! Yoga is a MIND-BODY connection. Stay with the practice and you will change. It is not an overnight transformation: this is a life altering process. Don't let daily discouragement take you off your path. The journey will take you many places you never expected and voila! You have lost the weight and re-shaped your body! And remember: what you put in your body is what comes out. Junk is junk! Eat healthy! Good clean food shows on the inside and out.

I find inspiration in everything new and different. If there is a new challenge or experience I automatically want to do it. In 2005, I was not a runner or a yoga instructor. I was a full time working Mom with three extremely busy boys wondering what happened to my life - it was non-existent. Working was for money and life was all about my husband and kids. Then I joined running group and challenged myself to run a half marathon - with 5 months to train. That was the spark! Since that date my life has changed! I have since run 8 marathons, 20 half-marathons, various other races, and become a Bikram yoga instructor. I am loving life!

In 2009 I got a call from an old girlfriend who was in Teacher Training for Bikram Yoga. She said it was the hardest thing she ever has done, so I had to check it out. I took my first class at Bikram Yoga Chicago in Wicker Park. When I finished class I felt awesome! The teacher told me that Bikram says to take class every day, and during training students take 2! So, I decided to do another class and from then on I was doing 2 classes every day! Three weeks later, I went to visit my friend at Teachers Training and was able to practice with 400 yogis from all over the world! Also, I had done 63 classes in 30 day! It was then that I decided that I was going to quit my job as a DJ to go to Teachers Training.

During this time, my friend Brooke was suffering from Lupus. I spent a lot of time visiting her in the hospital when she had a stroke at only 25 years old! Her courage, strength and faith have changed my life. I knew then that I had to do something to help. When I got back to Chicago, I started a 365 day challenge called "Yoga for Charity" to raise money for the Lupus Foundation of Illinois. I sold everything I owned, got a van and moved into it. I started traveling all the country doing yoga and raising money for the Lupus Foundation. I even created a yoga Facebook profile www.facebook.com/yogaforcharity. I went to Bikram Yoga Teachers Training in the Spring of 2010. I finished my yoga challenge after the 2nd week of training. I completed 10 single classes, 287 double classes, 36 triple classes and 2 quadruple classes in 365 days! I also raised over $3,000.00 for Lupus and helped 2 families purchase food and medicine for 6 months.

Yoga has changed my life. Now I spend my days teaching and practicing yoga all over the country and the world. If you are new to Yoga I suggest you try as many classes as you can to fully get into the depth of what yoga can do for your heart, mind, body and soul. Eat healthy and stay hydrated and love yourself. Soon you will love your yoga life, like me!

You can find me on Facebook: Joe Garrido-Bikram Yoga and I have a company & website launching soon:

www.ilovemyyogalife.com

My name is Shannon M. Robinson, was born in Richmond, Virginia to David and Cynthia Robinson. Both of my parents worked for the U.S. Department of Defense and their job required a vast amount of traveling. Through their travels I was exposed different cultures and ways of life. We lived in Germany for nine years, the east coast and eventually settled down the greater Northern California area.

I discovered Bikram Yoga in September of 2007, I needed a change in my life at that time. Before Bikram Yoga my life was governed by stress and anxiety. However, after my first 30 days of practicing Bikram's twenty six postures and two breathing exercises I felt a huge reduction in stress and anxiety; improving my overall quality of life. I knew after my first week that I want to become a Bikram Yoga Teacher and spread the heeling benefits of Hatha yoga.

I attended Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Spring of 2010. It was one of the best experiences of my life. There were 361 students in my training from all over the world, coming together to spend nine weeks with Bikram and his staff. Through Bikram's Teacher Training I learned much more than twenty six postures and two breathing exercises; I learned the value of the life experience and how to live in the moment without judgment or hesitation.

Since Teacher Training I've revisited Teacher Training and attended the advanced training seminar and seminars on Bikram yoga lead by senior teachers. I currently teach at three Bikram Certified Studios in the Northern California area, spreading the healing benefits of Hatha yoga through Bikram's dialogue; witnessing the joy and healing that this yoga brings to life.