The first time Chris practiced Bikram yoga was in Laguna Beach, over 14 years ago. Although he wasn’t able to continue the practice, he felt the benefits and knew there was something in it for him later on in his life.

Chris, now 46,  pursued a football scholarship through Oregon University, yet due to a knee injury he transferred to University of Oregon to study Search and Rescue, S.C.U.B.A. while surfing the summers and skiing the winters. Always being active and outdoors, Chris had continued to keep trim and fit.

Later, married with three children and a business career, his life began the inevitable change as did his body. Like many of us, Chris seemed to have lost a part of himself in pursuit of things outside of himself. Last November, his wife Julia found out about Bikram Yoga Temecula and purchased an Intro Month for Chris.
Within his first 60 days of practice, Chris lost over 28 lbs.

“I no longer eat too much. Maybe 1.5 meals a day. I don’t have a short fuse with my family and business associates like I used to. I can easily control the frustrations of life.” Practicing three to four times per week he continues to avoid knee surgery, feels better, sleeps better, is more self confident, and much lighter on his feet feeling 110%. “In fact, I’ve become obsessed with practicing yoga!” says Chris.

After practicing 8 months now, Chris entertains the possibility of becoming a Bikram Yoga teacher in the not-too-distant future. We’re glad to have Chris and his family as well as a part of our community. Keep going, Chris!

We are excited to announce that Bonnie Simon, one of our long standing students has been selected as July 2015 Bikram Yoga Temecula Student of the Month. Bonnie, age 67, has been both a student and teacher of yoga. Over 15 years ago, she began her yoga journey taking classes at a local community college on hardwood floors. Several years after,  she traveled to India and took a teacher training with the Himalayan Institute, and later another training in Anusara Yoga.

For over 47 years, Bonnie has worked for the airlines. “As an attendant, I need patience and compassion. Therefore, practicing yoga over the years has provided me a constant opportunity to be more centered and grounded. Also, lifting and storing luggage had brought on a chronic hip, neck, and psoas pain actually causing an eight percent disability. I needed to find a way to curb or eliminate the unending pain.”

“My first Bikram Yoga experiences were in Oceanside and I was intrigued.” My work routed me through Amsterdam and I practiced there as well. Couldn’t understand the dialogue too well. One set in English and another in Dutch!”

Here is what Bonnie says about why she turned to Bikram Yoga.  “When I finish a practice I’m pain free. In my earlier practice of yoga I was pushing far too hard to get it right. Now I simply listen and let go… making a game of it. Not looking this way or that way. Just focus on myself for the 90 minutes.”

“I hadn’t ridden my road bike in over seven years, which I really love to do and my husband and I rode 50 miles through Valley Center, Rice Canyon, Rainbow this past summer in 100 degree weather and I tell you he was gassed. I mean gassed to the max. Me? It was though I hadn’t skipped a beat. It’s the Bikram and the pranayama. That’s it.”  

Bikram  Yoga Temecula’s November’s Student of the Month goes to Abby Joseph, who has been practicing at Bikram Yoga Temecula consistently since opening day in December 2012. Abby, who has four children, seven grandchildren, and works full time as a social worker continues to find the time to practice in the hot room 4-5 times per week. “I have a Type A personality and have found I can better manage my daily stress and I’m far more calm, both inside and out when I practice.” Abby, age 47, continues to surf and paddle board at her favorite spots in Carlsbad and Oceanside and has no plans to slow down or stop. 

Abby finds the Bikram practice safe, predictable, and is never bored with it. She remarked with a smile, “I’m always working on my postures to get them a little better each time because I’ve learned ‘How you do anything is how you do everything’.” Each day I want to get my practice  a little better and better which will help my surfing and paddle boarding get a little better and better.” 

Congratulations to Abby!