Instructors & Staff

All of Bikram Yoga Richardson’s instructors are certified by Bikram Choudhury at Bikram’s Yoga College of India. They are expertly trained and are here to help all students achieve thier goals. Our warm and inviting staff is always on hand to make sure things are running smoothly.

YASSI MAIGE

As owner and director of Bikram Yoga Richardson, Yasmine Maige, “Yassi” brings a passion for yoga to the studio everyday. She began practicing yoga in 2001, after 2 years of struggling with a shoulder injury. Doctors, physical therapy and massage therapy were only making the injury worse, and soon a frozen shoulder progressed into bursitis of both shoulders. Frustrated by constant pain, weight gain and difficulty moving, she decided to give yoga a try. It was slow at first, but shortly she began to feel the healing effects of the yoga. Not only did she eventually regain movement in her shoulders, but also lost 50 pounds and found a new source of creativity in her life.

Yassi has always been a successful woman in business. In 1989, she started Courier Systems, Inc., which grew to become one of the most profitable and 10th largest courier services in the Dallas Metroplex. Having sold her business in 2000, she was now afforded the opportunity to pursue her new passions, yoga and massage. So, in 2003, she traveled to Los Angeles to complete the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training. She is also a licensed massage therapist, specializing in Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy. Now, at the age of 49 she is Ambassador for Lululemon Athletica and proud to work with fit, health-oriented and goal-driven men and women. Whether at the front desk or teaching in the studio, Yassi always has a smile on her face and an open heart.

“I am blessed to be able to share my passion for Bikram Yoga”. As Bikram says, “It is never too late, It’s never too bad and you’re never too old or too sick to start from scratch once again.” Yassi is living proof that this is true.

CHRISTINA TOYOTA

Born and raised in Queens, NY, I moved to Texas at 16. I finished my last two years of high school in Allen, TX and attended the University of North Texas. In 2006 I graduated with a BFA in Fashion Design. After graduating, still feeling unfulfilled, I packed my bags and moved to Grenoble, France for a year to get my Masters in International Business. In July 2007 I received a certificate for a short course in Fashion and Trend Promotion from Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London. After my year in France was up, I returned to Texas and completed my thesis, graduating with my Masters in May 2009.

It was pure chance that brought me to my first Bikram yoga class. I had just moved to Richardson and my boyfriend told me about a yoga studio that opened up, biking distance away, since I sold my car to go to France. I didn’t even know what Bikram Yoga was. I e-mailed to see if any help was needed and came in to take a few classes. After interviewing with Yassi I was hired on at BYR as desk help and a couple weeks later I also got hired full time as a fashion designer. I couldn’t give up the yoga so I kept both jobs working 7 days week. Long story short I’ve been working at the studio as desk help since Feb 2008. I quit my full time job as a designer to attend Spring 2009 Teacher Training in Palm Desert, CA. The best decision I’ve ever made. Receiving my teacher certification has meant more to me than my BFA and MIB. I’ve traveled around the world and finally found that missing piece of my life teaching Bikram yoga. It’s true that everything falls into place, just breathe and believe. See you all in the hot room.

JACK WESTERHOLT

Born in Chicago, I moved to Delaware at 7, Atlanta at 12, and after graduating from high school, attended the University of Florida. Returning to Atlanta after college, I studied at the Portfolio Center and Creative Circus, graduating in two years with a portfolio of ads to my credit. In 1996, I was fortunate to be recruited right out of school by The Richards Group here in Dallas, and so moved to Texas. I have since written advertising copy for TV, radio, and print ads spanning diverse companies such as Corona, Chick-fil-A, Linens-N-Things, SMU, Greyhound, Home Depot, and the list goes on. When I'm not writing ads, I love writing songs and playing them on my guitar. In 1997, a year after joining The Richards Group, I fortuitously met Kelly, whom I married in September of 2000.

My start with Bikram Yoga must be attributed to my wife: on our first anniversary in 2001, we attended our first Bikram class together. Although we were both health conscious and involved in a variety of athletic activities, our schedules were different, and we ended up spending our workout time apart. Kelly thought it would be fun as well as efficient to do our workouts together, and I agreed, giving her the task of choosing the activity we would share. I had tried every kind over the years: baseball, basketball, softball, weight training--but none worked my body as completely as this yoga. I remember clearly coming out of Padahastasana one day and thinking, "If I could do this yoga for the rest of my life, I would be happy." After years of lifting weights and giving them up because of the stress on my joints, I began my own routine without them, and found the only weight I really needed was that of my own body. I found this philosophy echoed in Bikram yoga--this practice reminds us we need nothing other than our own bodies to achieve lasting health and vitality.

Though the physical changes admittedly wowed me at first, I have come to find the real magic is the mental focus, balance, and clarity that is fostered. My wife and I are such enthusiasts, in fact, that Kelly was certified in 2002, and I joined her after completing teacher training in the summer 2004. I wanted to be a teacher because Bikram has provided me with innumerable valuable lessons, and I wanted to be a part of the path in providing these insights for others. Watching students grow and change, hearing they are healing their bodies, witnessing how a frozen shoulder gains range of motion-- it is indescribable the power of transformation in action. It is inspiring to be a part of it. It is my mission as a teacher to help people realize themselves; to promote healing, love, and support, and to spread this yoga to touch as many people as possible. I feel I am living my dreams as much as I can every day, and I know this opportunity is available to others if given the chance.

MISTY GARMAN

Born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, I moved to Texas in 2006. Soon after taking my first Bikram yoga class in June of 2008, I knew that I had found something that I was deeply passionate about. I attended the Spring 2010 Teacher Training in Las Vegas so that I could share this amazing yoga with as many people as possible. Words cannot express the joy it brings me to pass on what I have learned. I believe yoga is a wonderful tool for self-discovery, self-expression, understanding, loving kindness, and awareness. It's power transforms you mentally and physically with no judgements or expectations. I look forward to sweating with all of you very soon!

SARAH STOUT

Bikram yoga came to me at a time in my life when I was most looking for transformation. Born and raised in the midwest, I earned a BS in Nutrition at the University of Minnesota and intended to follow that with medical school. However, a change of heart and disillusionment with the medical system steered me away from that goal and in many different directions -- professionally as well as physically -- before landing with family in Dallas in 2004.

Feeling a little lost, lackluster and out of shape at that point, I didn't expect much when my cousin took me to my first Bikram class. He had raved, but I was skeptical. Suffice it to say, I was wrong!  After the first class, I bought an unlimited pass, changed my priorities, and even transformed my diet overnight. The very first year, I competed in the Texas Yoga Asana Championship -- more for fun and motivation than anything -- and after less than two years, I was attending teacher training. Since then, I've taught at or managed full-time nearly a dozen Bikram studios, and in 2008, competed again and won first place in the Texas Championship.

Bikram yoga has opened and continues to open countless doors in every area of my life. It has re-sparked a passion for health and wellness that I thought I had lost, but in a whole new, holistic way.  It has changed my body and my outlook. Moreover, no matter what changes and oscillations life brings, Bikram yoga always has a way of helping bring back focus and clarity of purpose. If you let it, the practice can truly be a mirror for life.

Currently, in addition to teaching the wonderful students at BYR, I am training in the art of Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique (B.E.S.T.), a healing method used to identify and remove blocks to reaching one's fullest potential for health, happiness and success. It fits beautifully with the yoga, and I hope to use it to help others in the community and beyond become and stay their happiest, best selves.

EUGENE SABALA

I began my Bikram Yoga practice 6 years ago. I decided to become a Bikram Yoga teacher to share my knowledge and inspire my students to be at their best. I'm also a personal fitness trainer, so you could say that I have always been passionate about health and fitness, but yoga has helped me to become calmer and more focused. I've enjoyed competing in the Texas Yoga Asana Championships, working hard to slowly improve my postures each year. I hope to continue practicing, competing, and sharing in the excitement of my students when they see how they are progressing each day. One of my favorite Bikram quotes is, "Having is no good, if you don't know what to do with it".

BRIAN KEITH

Brian was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, has practiced Bikram yoga since 2006 and became certified to teach in 2011. He started his yoga practice after years of damage done to his body through extreme sports. With the help of Bikram yoga, Brian continues to heal his old injuries. When he is not in the yoga room teaching or practicing, he is enhancing business performance through solid, strategic, creative design work. Brian holds a BFA in graphic design from the University of North Texas. He designs for a wide variety of clients, but is most proud of the creative work done for the Bikram community. He has helped many studio owners launch their business and continues to spread the word about the healing yoga through design and marketing campaigns. Brian feels so lucky to be able to help people heal themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually through the teaching of Bikram yoga. He is grateful for all the students that attend class because they are so inspiring. He is humbled by the dedication of all his fellow instructors who guide us though our yogic journey. "This yoga is so powerful, just let it take over and you will see some amazing changes."

Our Past Guest Teachers

COURTNEY MACE 10/09

A northern California native, Courtney Mace relocated to New York city in 2001, where she was first introduced to Bikram yoga. Though she practiced different styles of yoga, it was Bikram yoga that offered her the greatest opportunity for transformation and healing. This dynamic series of postures brought health and balance to her life. Inspired to share this platform for healing and self discovery with others, she graduated from Bikram’s teacher training in 2006. Courtney currently teaches in NY at the very same studio she took her first class. She has competed in the Bishnu Charan Ghosh Championship three times, each year setting new goals for herself and working to refine her practice. As the 2009 National and International Champion, she hopes to inspire people to believe in their unlimited potential.

JOSEPH ENCINIA 10/09

Joseph grew up in Dallas, Texas and at a young age he suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, a heart attack and excessive weight gain. The physical challenges he faced as a child affected his mental and emotional health as a young adult. At the age of 19 Joseph discovered Bikram Yoga and within a year his life was transformed on all levels. By practicing yoga daily, he achieved vibrant health shedding pounds and medication. Joseph first competed in Texas in 2005 then after years of dedication he won 1st place in the 2009 National Yoga Asana Championship and placed 2nd internationally. Bikram yoga has given Joseph the gift of life. Now his mission in life is sharing the gift of yoga and inspiring others to be the best they can be. Joseph teaches yoga full time and enjoys traveling, studying philosophy and playing the classical guitar.

FRANCISCO MORALES 07/09

Francisco excelled in the traditional sports in high school and in college. He always enjoyed the playful aspect of the sports but not the damage on the physical body. After graduating from the University of Miami, he went on to start conservation and cultural education projects in various cities in the United States in work with the National Audubon Society and the National Parks Conservation Assoc. After five years of working to break barriers of race and diversity in National Parks he was introduced to the practice of yoga by his mother. During this time he was able to work on keeping his mind and body liberated through the practice of Capoeira Angola under the teachings of Mestre Cobra Mansa. In the middle of one of his work related travels he was introduced to Bikram Yoga. This practice inspired him to leave his job and go to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training. Since graduating in 2003, he has been teaching Bikram Yoga. During the three years he lived in San Francisco, California. Francisco along with a couple of friends crafted an art he now calls Synergy. Synergy combines much of the healing arts that Francisco has been learning from. He beleives that as a society we have much to learn from one another and from ourselves and these arts give us the ability to do so. As Bikram says, the path from the mind to the heart is not too long but it is the most challenging and we need the help of community and healing arts to assist us on this path.

DENISE DENIGER 02/09

Denise fell down the yoga rabbit hole in 1996, attended Bikram teacher training in 1998 and gave birth to Bikram Yoga-Dallas in 2000. In 2003 she sold her studio and ran away and joined the circus in Boulder, CO, as an aerialist, tight-rope walker, contortionist and living statue. Of late she has been studying Tibetan Heart Yoga, which encompasses in-depth study of Sanskrit, yoga philosophy, asana and pranayama from ancient Indian and Tibetan texts.

ALISA MATTHEWS 08/08

Alisa was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. For 5-6 years she trained and performed with the Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington DC, Colorado Ballet, CB II, Arka Ballet, Hawaii Ballet Theatre, Hawaii State Ballet, Russian Ballet and San Jose Dance Theatre. A dance injury led Alisa to her first Bikram Yoga class in the summer of 2003. After her first Bikram Yoga class, Alisa was hooked and attended yoga class daily in addition to her ballet schedule. She danced her final performance with ARKA Ballet and made the decision to attend the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in the summer of 2004. Since graduation, she has been teaching as well as part of the work staff for Bikram's International Headquarters in Los Angeles, CA.

Alisa has competed in the International Yoga Asana Championships 2005, 2006 (US Gold Medal), 2007 (US Gold Medal), and in 2008 she won both the US and the World Title. Alisa had never wanted to "compete" in these yoga championships, but decided to use it as a vehicle to share a part of her life with the rest of the world and hopes to inspire people of all ages to believe in themselves and go after the life that they dream of.

SITTIPONG RATTANAPONG (BALL) 08/08

Ball attended Bikram’s Teacher Training in the summer of 2004. He participated at the international level for 4 years in a row. On February 3rd, 2008, Ball was crowned International Yoga Asana Champion. Since October of 2004, Ball had taught in Thailand for 2 years then in Hong Kong for a brief period and in Korea until March of 2008 when the one year contract ended.

ESAK GARCIA 02/08

Esak Garcia practices and teaches both Bikram Yoga and the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeira. Of mixed race, his mother is Jewish and father Mexican, Esak was born and raised in Boulder, Colorado. He has also lived in New Haven, Conecticut (where he studied at Yale University) in São José Dos Campos and Salvador, Brazil (where he studied the art of Capoeira) and, more recently, he spent several years in California's Bay area. As a high school athlete, at the age of 17, Esak he bagan to practice Bikram yoga to condition himself to play baseball and American football. 11 years later, in February 2005, Esak won the groundbreaking International Yoga Asana Championship, The Bishnu Ghosh Cup.