Testimonials

The healing power of Bikram’s series is evident in the many testimonials that we hear at our studio every day. This is why we’ve decided to dedicated this section of our website to present some of those amazing stories.

My name is Ravi Kumar and my wife is Aparna

My first Bikram Yoga calls was in year 2002 in Grapevine studio. After that I have practiced Bikram Yoga on and off at different locations never in consistent manner. I knew it was good for me, but lazy to stick to a consistent routine and rather focused on several quick fix solution like crash diets / gym memberships etc. Those things worked for a while and I started experiencing injury in the form of Stiff neck, lower-back pain etc., With a history of diabetes and heart problems in the family I was in a state of denial that it will never happen to me. In 2007 one day while I was working in Connecticut, I was about to attend a meeting in 3rd floor. I took stairs for a change. I ran out of breath and realized that I had packed unwanted pounds, did not listen to my wife for a long time on exercising. I had a deep introspection and decided to attend Bikram Yoga. I started attending Bikram Yoga in Connecticut and searched Bikram’s site to yoga in DFW area.  

I found one is being opened in Richardson, saw the details of the studio on the web, tried to locate it, couldn’t find as Yassi hasn’t put the board yet. Couple of phone calls weren’t answered and my last attempt phone call was answered by Yassi and she gave me the precise location. Earlier I was buying 20 class or 30 class packages in other locations and was lazy to renew. This time I decided to sign up for a year. We visited Richardson Studio and signed up for a year for both of us (instant decision), read the Bikram Yoga beginner’s book in depth and ever since we stuck to the practice. What makes this practice more looking forward is the atmosphere and teachers.  

I have practiced in Connecticut, Atlanta, Seattle and in Richardson. For me Richardson is the best studio in terms of space wise, facilities and most importantly the teachers. I am thankful to all the teachers at our studio, we have “Amazing Yassi”, “Athletic Jack”, “General Farky”, “Singing Issac” and “Calm & assuring” Kim & Kathy; I have never seen a better dialogue delivery than Yassi’s till now in any of the studios, Her dialogue delivery is truly inspiring. We all love Farky’s refinements and attention to detail and Jack and Nelli’s passion. Likewise we love Denise’s class as it opens a totally new dimension to yoga.  

I have few role models for several poses: Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose - Yassi is the best, Full Locust and Floor Bow - Brian Keith is the best, Garudasana - Kahlil is the best, Balancing Stick and Locust - I will keep mine, Standing Bow - Aparna is the best, Janusirasana Paschimottaasana - Lisa Shipler is the best.  

Without the encouragement of our instructors, Yoga would have been monotonous, boring, sweating torture.  

We have decided to practice this yoga as long as we can. The benefits I have experienced so far from my recent blood report are:

a) My hypo Thyroid is under control (in fact my medication has gone down)

b) My blood sugar level is in normal range (no medication)

c) I have trimmed approx 15lbs weight and gained lean muscle 6 lbs, Trimmed 3 inches around my waist.

d) My Triglyceroids dropped to Normal range

e) My HDL Cholesterol increased and LDL Cholesterol decreased

f) My quality of sleep has increased and quantity has decreased

g) My clients recognized that my mental clarity has increased even in stressful situations and asked how I am able to cope up with stress  

There are still few challenges for me to over come in the 26 postures and it is only a matter of time before I master them.  

We have decided to introduce as many folks as we can to the yoga; our count is 37 till date and going strong. We are proud to say that, of the people we introduced, few folks who decided to practice it through out the year. Few folks tried few classes and dropped off. We don’t regret in talking to anybody at any time anywhere about Yoga.  

Thank you Yassi, Denise, Farky, Jack, Nellie, Isaac, Kathy and Kim

Russell Thomae

“100 degree room for 1- 1/2 hours. Tell me why you want me to go to this with you?” That was the conversation I had with my wife Debbie around six years ago. Some of you know her as Debbie J and she is truly my inspiration, motivation and determination to push myself to the limit.

About a year ago I was involved in a roller blading accident resulting in a fractured shoulder, rotator cup damage and all the other fun things associated with that type of injury. Two separate surgeons agreed that surgery was inevitable. After two knee surgeries that left me with little cartilage, I decided to pass. They said without the surgery it was possible that I'd never be able to lift my hand over my head. After a couple of trips to a physical therapist, I decided that it was not worth a few hundred dollars to sit in a room, pulling on a rubber band for an hour.

I started my practice again with Bikram Yoga Richardson. Today I have complete range of motion and yes, I can lift my hand over my head like a schoolboy with the right answer. This is just one of many miracles that happen in that room.

Lisa & Steven Shipler

10 THINGS THAT ARE BETTER AFTER 60 DAYS OF BIKRAM YOGA:

• Eating Habits are improved. We want what our bodies need and we don't want junk
• Drink water and rarely want anything else
• Quit drinking coffee without symptoms of caffeine withdrawal
• More energy
• More patience
• Weight - we both lost 10 pounds
• Less stress
• Our clothes fit better and we feel better in them
• I feel stronger and I'm starting to see muscle definition in places I never thought I'd see it. And Steven's chronic neck pain is gone
• Our brains are alert and awake all day long without mid-day lull

These changes were natural side effects of Bikram's 60 Day Challenge. We committed to the Challenge, did our best every day and reaped the benefits. We are expanding our business into another state and we got married during our 60 days, so "too busy" is just an excuse.

Andi Smith

I remember clearly the days leading up to my very first Bikram Yoga class. Let me introduce myself, I'm an athlete. My favorite sport is running (marathons and ultra-marathons), but I've also had to start cycling, lifting weights and doing more core work because of chronic tendonitis in my iliotibial (IT) bands and hamstrings that made running everyday an impossibility. I would stretch some after workouts, but I'm as flexible as a stick, so it's not something I did often or effectively.

My mom started attending Bikram Yoga classes and was really enjoying the classes and the way she was starting to feel. My IT bands were really sore so instead of pushing through another run I decided to go to a class with my mom. Ninety minutes, heated room, two breathing exercises and twenty-six postures, okay, remember I'm an athlete.

Well ninety minutes later, after the two breathing exercises and the twenty-six postures, I was an athlete who had found a new opportunity to stay healthy, stay active and keep doing the thing I love most, running!!! The start of my practice was rough. I was sore, tired, and honestly frustrated with my lack of progress in improving my flexibility. I'm hanging in there though! I've been practicing for five months now, I've just completed my first sixty day challenge and if I have to miss a day of practice I no longer think, "Phew!" I think, "I can't wait to get to practice tomorrow!" The changes I have seen are amazing! My tendonitis doesn't flare as often. My lower back pain that occurred after a long run or a long day at work is gone. I stand up straighter. I breathe deeper. I'm calmer. My focus is sharper and my thoughts are clearer.

I still get frustrated when I can't express a pose the way I want to, but I try to find the stillness, relax something, and continue to breathe. Remember the stick? It's starting to bend.

Mike Washleskyh

I'm so excited about how my body feels, that I felt the need to share. As I was sleeping last night I realized that I was sleeping on my right shoulder. That's something I haven't been able to to for many years without pain and/or my arm going numb, due to impingement in my rotator cuff. Also, the crick/pain/stiffness in my neck, which I had for the last two weeks also disappeared. And last but not least, the tightness/pain in my right lower back (from golf) magically disappeared. I slept great and woke in a terrific mood, totally energized. You guys are miracle workers. To be a 55 year old grandfather and feel like this is amazing. I'll be back.

Alice Butler

Four years ago I stumbled upon the Bikram Yoga studio in North Dallas. Since it has been so long ago I can't say that I remember much about my first class, but I do remember sweat dripping from my limbs as I gazed into the mirror. Since that time I attended classes periodically at the Mockingbird and Grapevine studios. Sometimes I would go three times a week, others just once a week, taking my occasional yoga "sabbatical" and not returning for a few months.

This year in June, I found the Richardson studio and decided to practice more consistently. Having been a collegiate track and field athlete and currently working in the fitness industry as a personal trainer, I have always strived to find new ways of exercising that pushes my limits and Bikram Yoga does just that! I began coming 4 to 5 times a week until recently when I decided to take the 60 Day Challenge. I've tried this Challenge before, only to be left with empty spaces on my calendar. This time has been different. I also invited one of my best friends to join me in the Challenge and her support has helped tremendously. Not only am I past the 30 day mark, I'm excited to keep going beyond my 60 days!

This yoga has changed my life. When I don't feel great, have a headache, or any imbalance in my body, I force myself to go to class because I know that when I'm done on that day, my body will thank me. In the short time that I've been doing the Challenge, my spine has realigned itself and the curve in my neck has been restored from 17% curvature to nearly 40%. People ask me daily if I've gotten taller and what I'm doing for my skin. My mental focus and determination has improved inside and outside of the yoga room. I find that I'm better equipped to handle situations in life that may be uncomfortable or unstable. And all of this at the price of 90 minutes a day. If someone told you that you could be healthier, heal your spirit, your body and your mind in just 90 minutes a day, you probably wouldn't believe them.

It's true! You can do all of those things if you practice Bikram Yoga every day. You will see and feel the changes every time you step into the heated room. I'm now looking forward to the end of my first Challenge and the beginning of a new one and I hope to attend teacher training sometime next year. Thank you to Yassi, Farky, Kelly, Jack, Joseph, Elisa, Kim and all of the support staff for inspiring me to practice with patience, diligence and consistency.

Brian Keith

I grew up on wheels – bikes, skateboards, inline skates and ton's of falling. I used to go to the skate park every weekend and ride the ramps. Skating was very hard on my body, and every time I bashed my knee, wrist, or hip on the ramps it got more painful. When I wasn't skating, I was in the gym pushing weights. A few years ago I was lifting a barbell over my head and felt a sharp pain in the middle of my back. I visited a sports doctor who told me I had popped a rib. After x-rays, it turned out I had mild scoliosis. I thought for sure that I was going to be in a wheelchair by the time I was 60 because of all the damage I had done with the skating and weight lifting.

I'm not sure how it happened, but my fiancé Lisa finally convinced me to go to yoga class with her in November of 2006. When I first started practicing, it was all about the glory of the posture. The more yoga I did, I found that it wasn't the posture that was the object of practicing, but the practice itself. Once I started letting go and allowing the yoga to work instead of working on the yoga I knew that this would be something that I would never stop doing. I had found a fountain of youth. I would not be in a wheelchair by 60, instead I would be standing on my head and doing yoga poses. Every time I walk into the yoga room I know that I'm about to peel away another layer and work out another old injury. My body is slowly healing itself with the help of Bikram yoga.

This is only one aspect in which yoga has helped me. There is not enough time to tell you all the ways that Bikram yoga has enhanced my life because I feel like I could go on forever. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and strong community of yogi's. I am grateful for all the students that attend class because they are so inspiring. I am humbled by the dedication of the 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.