My Story

I think that making space for change would be a good way to describe my yoga practice and its impact on me leading to now.

I will start with grieving the loss of a family member that had Alzheimer’s that I ultimately cared for full time. After his death, I decided that I needed to do something “hands on” and physical in order to rid myself of the heaviness of grief so I turned to increasing my practice of Bikram Hot Yoga.

It started with a daily practice that continues to this day (sometimes twice a day and occasionally three times a day). My daily practice was noticed by another Bikram teacher and studio owner and he asked me if I was interested in competing in the Yoga Asana Competition. My initial response was a resounding “NO, what me compete. That’s not what yoga is for me and I am really not good.” Yet, the thought lingered and I decided to check it out online. And guess what? I signed up. I was scared beyond belief. But I was in. I was in.

So, on to pre-qualifier… and I win for New York and New Jersey in January 2017. Then onto regionals…and I win for NJ in February 2017. And then moving onto Nationals for NJ in August 2017. I competed on a National level. Imagine that. This was amazing and special in that I did not set out to compete, I was asked by another teacher. That, in itself, made it an honor. Additionally, a large part of my training for Nationals was a daily practice of yoga. Within my daily practice of yoga, I developed the five qualities of mind that Bikram talks about in his book. The five qualities of mind are faith, self-control, determination, concentration and patience.

Within this experience, I found myself again, fully grieved and I connected with lots of amazing students, and teachers along the way. A senior teacher, Emmy Cleaves, in the Bikram Hot Yoga community has been quoted as saying: “Frequency, precision and intensity are the keys to unlocking the treasures of Bikram Yoga.” I have experienced this to be true as I am over 500 classes in a row now and going strong. The unlocking continues.

Which brings me to the “NOW” opening up “Bikram Yoga Newton.” The same teacher and studio owner that asked me to compete in the Yoga Asana Competition told me that I was ready to open up my own studio. I was in shock, amazement and at the same time I felt that there was a truth in his words. It seems as if all the universal energies have joined together to bring me to this point. And my heart is filled with love and gratitude for the community that has brought me here.

I want to share my knowledge, passion and love of yoga and how it saved and renewed my life. With its philosophy of it is: “Never too late, never too old, never too bad, never too sick, to start from scratch and begin again.” Bikram Choudury and Bishnu Ghosh (Bikram’s teacher). So, this yoga is tangible. You can do it too.