Director and Certified Instructor since 2003

Baghdad, Iraq, but I grew up in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. I've lived in the Dallas area all of my adult life.

I took my first class in April 2001. I was trying to cure my shoulder pain. I've since learned that the "shoulder pain" was the beginning of my arthritis. I have Psoriatic and Osteoarthritis. Bikram Yoga keeps my joints working. My Rheumatologist tells me I'm a poster girl for the good effects yoga has on arthritis.

Bikram Yoga improved my health and my life. I wanted to share. I wanted to create the community we have at BYR.

Spend time with my husband and family. Walk my dog. Read a book. A meal, a good time with friends. I enjoy the simple things.

Any backbend that we do. Backbending makes me feel amazing.

To stick with it. You need to be willing to try. You need to be willing to learn. You will get more out of it than you think. The yoga will improve almost every aspect of your life.

Certified Instructor since 2009

Born in Astoria, New York and raised in Forest Hills till I was 16.

I've been practicing since 2008. I was between jobs and I wanted to find something to keep me busy. I really didn't know what I was getting myself into, yet, at first asana it felt like home.

I became an instructor because I wanted to help people stay sane in this crazy world we live in. Yoga practice helps an individual re-prioritize and realize they need to take care of themselves before they can take care of others. I had that light bulb moment when I was traveling overseas almost every other month and didn't have time for my loved ones or myself. Through Bikam Yoga I've learned to love myself, thereby, opening my heart to care for others.

Eat! Sleep is a close second, and after that I like to create stuff using different mediums.

Savasana. It's the hardest one! It brings awareness to how our thoughts can really run amuck. Bikram says "Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy." By doing your yoga practice you learn how to control the mind. Bikram also says that you come to yoga "with a junk body, a screw loose mind and a lost soul, and just by doing the yoga everything comes together." I think you find the "coming together" part most evident in savasana.

Breathe in and out through your nose and relax.

Certified Instructor since 2010

Northwest Arkansas

I've been praticing since 2008. A friend invited me.

Bikram yoga allowed me to expand myself. I learned that boundaries and limits are self imposed. I am passionate about helping people with yoga. As an instructor I get to share this with others. The aspects of Bikram yoga that have had the greatest effect on me are discipline and determination.

I like to exercise, love the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

Standing Bow Pulling Pose is my favorite posture in the Bikram series. When I first started praticing I had a hard time grabbing my foot behind me and now it has become my best posture. I have so much fun with the pose now!

Come back tomorrow and have fun!

Certified Instructor since 2006

I was born and raised in Roscoe, Illinois, moved to central Wisconsin when I was 14, and went to college at the University of Minnesota.

My cousin Derek took me to my first Bikram class on December 23, 2004. Merry Christmas to me! I was out of shape, tired of the gym, and looking for a way to shake things up a bit.

I first got it in my head to become an instructor after sitting in on an all-day seminar with Bikram and Rajashree in San Antonio. The energy of a group of people so committed to their health and growth pulled me in, and I wanted to be more a part of that. Bikram Yoga as a whole has had a tremendous effect on my life. Just by fully committing to the practice, it pulled me out of a slew of destructive habits, and was really the jump start to a full shift to a healthier, more balanced lifestyle and attitude.

I stay busy! I am a certified B.E.S.T. practitioner (Bio Energetic Synchronization Technique), and work part time at Whole Foods. I travel quite a bit and enjoy the pleasures of the arts, food, friends and the finer things. My interests are ever-shifting and I am constantly learning something new.

I don't have a favorite pose; or if I do, it's constantly changing. They all have their appeal, and to me, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts!

Come as often as possible, try not to get frustrated, and remember to breathe. You're healing your body and life!

Certified Instructor since 2010

I was born in Chicago and raised in NYC.

I've been practicing since 2006. A studio owner of one of the Bikram yoga studios prompted me to try it. In addition, I wanted to try something different.

I wanted to become a Bikram yoga instructor to share what I received. The whole series has had a great impact on my life.

I like to read and go to the movies.

My favorite posture is camel pose. I enjoy the deep back bend of the pose.

Breathe and be patient

Certified Instructor since 2010

I was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and spent my early years in Puerto Rico and upstate New York. Starting in high school, I lived in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Costa Rica before moving to Texas for graduate school in 1992.

I've been practicing Bikram Yoga since August of 2003. I was a new mom going through lots of transitions in my life and relationships, and felt the need to push myself both physically and mentally. From what I'd learned about Bikram Yoga, it sounded like a great fit; good work-out and great mental challenge, simultaneously. I've always liked a challenge!

About a year after I started practicing, I knew that I someday wanted to be a Bikram Yoga instructor. At that time, my daughter was still much too young for me to feel comfortable leaving her for the length of time required for teacher training. In the Spring of 2011 I was able to attend. What amazes me most is that, despite the uniformity of the dialogue, class length, etc., every single body that walks into and out of that room comes away with something unique to them; something that will be useful to them in their own, personal journey.

When I'm not teaching or practicing, I enjoy hanging out with my daughter and friends, traveling, cooking, reading, and spending time outdoors.

My favorite postures in the Bikram Yoga series have changed over time, and will likely continue to change. At the moment, I most love both Triangle and Standing Bow. Both postures are beautiful, and require tremendous physical strength as well as stamina.

The best advice I can give a new student is to maintain a sense of humor, and to release all expectations before entering the yoga room. I believe that an open mind will help lead to a more open, healthy body and practice.

Certified Instructor since 2011

Born in Heidelberg Germany. Grew up in Dallas Texas

I've been practicing since 2009. A friend brought me in.

Became a teacher because I thought it would be fun and wanted to share my love for Bikram Yoga.

In my free time I like to hang out with my daughter Molly, ride bikes and walk my dog, Violet.

Standing Head to Knee Pose because it combines all the elements of yoga, which are strength, flexibility, and focus.

My advice for new students is to keep coming back.

Certified Instructor since 2010

I was born in Houston and spent time growing up in both Texas and Michigan.

I've been practicing since 2010. My friend said "hey let's do it". So we did.

I just really felt I could help people work through mental and physical problems with this yoga. The biggest thing is taking myself off all meds and being naturally healthy .

I love to dance and hang out with my son.

Standing bow pulling pose, because it's the hardest for me to overcome.

Just breath and smile!

Certified Instructor since 2011

I was born and raised in Carrollton, Texas and in 2000 I received my degree in Graphic Design from University of North Texas. I now live in Richardson, Texas with my wife Lisa and son Tyler.

My wife Lisa introduced me to Bikram Yoga in November of 2005. She thought it would help alleviate the back pain I was experiencing.

After competing in the Texas Yoga Asana Championship in 2007, I decided that I wanted to be a Bikram instructor. I feel so lucky to be able to help people heal themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually through the teaching of Bikram yoga. Practicing Bikram yoga has helped heal my body and develop confidence in myself.

I spend time with my wife, Lisa and son, Tyler. I'm also a creative director at a graphic design firm and I create for a wide variety of clients. I am most proud of the creative work done for the Bikram community. I've helped many studio owners launch their business and I continue to spread the word about the healing aspects of yoga through design and marketing campaigns.

My favorite pose in the Bikram series is probably Full Locust. I like the way the pose makes me use my back strength to lift the whole body in the air; the intensity is very powerful. Then, just when you think you don't have any more you can surprise yourself by coming up higher at the last second before coming into the landing.

Listen carefully to the instructors words. If class gets challenging, try to calm your breathing.

Juan Martin-Busutil is from Paris originally but grew up in Barcelona in Spain. He worked with Bikram in LA from 2000-2008 and still does work for him at times such as the Advanced seminar. Juan has been competing regularly since Bikram organized the first Bishnu Gosh Cup in 2003, where the men and women competed together as there were few male competitors at that time. Juan Manuel Martin-Busutil is the 2005 & 2006 USA Yoga Gold Medal Winner and 2012 Winner of the International Yoga Asana Champions. As of 2012 Juan is based in Oxford in England and conducts seminars and teaches around the USA and most of Europe eg Sweden, Denmark (right), Spain, etc.

Lynn Whitlow is the director of Bikram Yoga Petaluma – Lynn has been teaching all her adult life, serves as a judge for the international yoga championship, and has owned and operated 7 world renown yoga studios. Lynn was the founder of Funky Door Yoga – the world renown Bikram yoga studio with locations throughout the San Francisco Bay area. She is one of only a few people authorized by Bikram to teach seminars and workshops, and assisted Bikram with his teacher training. She is sought by teachers and students around the world and we are VERY LUCKY to have her teaching in Northern California! Lynn teaches regularly at her Petaluma studio when she is not traveling the globe doing yoga seminars.

Ida Ripley is a Bikram Yoga Instructor and a Raw Foodist / Natural Health Seeker who was raised in Victoria, BC Canada. She became certified to teach Bikram Yoga in June of 2003. Ida spent many years teaching in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, and Korea. Ida is the five time western Canadian Hatha Yoga Champion and 2009 second place International Hatha Yoga Champion. Ida resides in Victoria and travels to teach her master class. Ida brings energy and enthusiasm to her seminars.

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.