Student of the Month October 2015 – Moleen Madziva!

I was born during the onset of the 1975 liberation struggle of which is currently Zimbabwe. I lived with my family in the Svosve village until our independence in 1980. We then moved to the village community of Macheke where I enjoyed a simple, yet nourishing childhood.

Then, on May 26,1995 – with one bag and a courageous heart, I left my homeland and flew to the USA in pursuit of a higher education. Against enormous odds, I earned a BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a MS in Software Engineering, and a PhD in Sustainability Education. I’m grateful for the privilege to grow as a scholar and for the opportunity to do meaningful work.
Indeed, I have travelled far; yet it’s my deep-seated compassion for others and an optimistic belief in my own capacity to be an agent of change that’s enabled me to create the Macheke Sustainability Project (a non-profit initiative seeking to empower the people of my village to turn from a life of abject poverty).

Bikram Yoga found me about 6 months ago and my immediate goal was simple; become more flexible. However, I quickly realized with each practice, I discovered something new opened inside of me. I became deeply engaged in Bikram Yoga because here was a practice challenging me to be fully present and fully focused. My posture, my balance, my emotions, my breathing.
As a fervent yogini, I’m inspired to contribute more to my self-development. I currently live in Winchester and when not working, studying or researching I enjoy laughter with friends, travel to sunshine places, work on my book projects and practice yoga.

I love Bikram Yoga Temecula. It’s become a nurturing haven for me to recharge, make new friends and, most importantly grow. Each instructor, in their own way imparts something to my self development; be it creativity, compassion or a challenge. My lower back pain has subsided, I feel more alert and I’m losing the excess weight. My initial goal was to become more flexible – and I am still working on that with my smiling happy face ☺

Student of the Month – August 2015 Chris Brown

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!

Student of the Month July 2015 – Bonnie Simon

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.”

BYT Student of the Month Dec 2014 – Abby Joseph

“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.

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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!

Bikram Yoga Testimonial – Bethany W.

I don’t know where I’d be without Bikram yoga! I’ve been a fit person my entire life. I was a dancer, gym addict and health nut but could not find that balance from my work-outs. I was always striving to lose that last ten pounds, find relief from my anxiety and find a way to create peace in my heart and my life. Bikram yoga has given my all of this, plus much more! I found it five years ago at age 40, at a time when my life seemed like a wild roller coaster ride that I just couldn’t get off of! During my first class, I cried because I knew that I’d found what I’d been searching for. I just wish I’d found it 25 years ago! Since then, I’ve made peace with my body, and feel healthier than ever. I have a place to go where I can shut off my mind, focus on myself and practice postures that give me a combination of cardio, meditation and stretching that is unbelievably refreshing and incredibly invigorating. It’s become a healthy addiction and my wish is that everyone could experience and benefit in the same way that I have.

My husband practices and finds that it gives him a calm that is essential in his job, stays trim and what’s truly amazing, has found that it relieves the pain and tightness in his knees from two knee surgeries! It’s also cleared up a chronic nasal condition, that he’s suffered from his entire life. My 16 year old son practices for mental clarity, focus and just because it makes him feel incredible! He also is convinced that it clears up his skin when his acne is bad. My 12 year old son goes periodically and loves how it makes him feel and helps his posture.

Over the past five years, I’ve practiced in many Bikram studios and I’m so thankful for Philip and Katy’s studio. They truly love and care about all of their students and are always willing to listen, encourage or offer any suggestions to strengthen my practice. Thanks to Bikram yoga, I’m continually learning more and more about my body, finding mental peace and acceptance and finding that it spills over into my relationships, decision making and over-all peace of mind. Bikram yoga is nourishment for the soul and definitely the gift to yourself and others that keeps on giving!