Testimonials

What Students Are Saying About Bikram Yoga

"I tried Bikram once three years ago and absolutely hated it. The instructor was constantly reprimanding the newer students for taking a drink of water at the wrong time or not taking a break the right way. It just felt like everything I did was wrong and instead of telling me the right way to do it, they were just going to keep calling me out. After that, I gave HHY a reluctant chance because a friend had a buddy pass, and I'm so glad I did. Kay and all of the other instructors are so kind and encouraging that to my surprise, I've totally fallen in love with Bikram yoga. It's so exciting to see myself pull off poses that I didn't know my body could do. I'm so grateful to have found this studio and would encourage anyone who's had a bad experience with yoga in the past to give it a try and see how great yoga can be when the instructors whole-heartedly care about your progress as a student."

-Darcy, 32

“I reduced my blood pressure from 152/105 to 116/72, my heart rate from 65 bpm to 51 bpm, and my weight from 225 to 211. When I returned for my follow-up, my doctor was shocked that these results were achieved within 30 days of my September exam. He asked me how I did it. My response was: Bikram hot yoga, 3-4 times a week! Bikram hot yoga has now been added to my normal routine and I am convinced it has cured my ailments and redefined my body, mind and soul! Bikram hot yoga should be a required prescription in our medical system, for the results are stunning and life-long."

-Jake, 60

"I have had back issues most of my life. Last year I was in a lot of pain, almost to the point of not being able to walk. I would need to rest after walking only short distances with my little granddaughter. I was also feeling depressed a lot of the time. My son and daughter-in-law encouraged me to try hot yoga, which I was sure was not for me. I tried it anyway, mostly so they would leave me alone! I have now been practicing Bikram yoga 2-3 times per week for about a year. My back pain is nearly gone and my range of motion is incredible. I had a serious balance issue and now, nearly a year later I'm getting my balance back. I know my good balance is going to be even more important as I get older for avoiding slips and falls. As I gain strength and balance, my mood and confidence have also improved. These days my energy level is very good, even though I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia years ago. I tell all my friends about yoga, and I’m trying to get the ones who could really use it to come to class with me! This little yoga community at Bikram Yoga St. Johns has brought me a new social life full of friendly and amazing people."

-Kay W, 69

"Within a week, I was telling friends it was the best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time. Within a month, the lower back pain I was suffering from had disappeared. Within 100 days I had lost 40 lbs. The weight loss was a 'superficial yardstick' for the multitude of positive life changes I was experiencing due to my new yoga practice. Essentially, the real transformation was me, getting back to me."

-Christian, 43

"I did 18 classes in 30 days and I began to see first-hand the benefits of regular Bikram practice: my balance and eye- hand coordination improved, my chronic back pain and stiffness lessened, and my mood improved. I've been practicing about 10-12 times a month ever since.I am a Registered Nurse and my job is demanding physically, mentally and emotionally. I also have scoliosis and a leg length difference. I could barely move my shoulder at one point. With regular practice I can now move my shoulder without pain. I didn’t think that was going to be possible."

-Ellen, 45

"I would say the greatest benefits are how much better my lower back and left knee feel when I’m practicing consistently. Years of basketball has taken its toll a bit, but the Bikram seems to keep my body and those areas free from pain, by strengthening them, and keeping them flexible. Overall, my entire body just feels better, more loose, strong."

-Madgesdiq, 47

"Having to travel so much for work takes a toll on my body and I constantly feel like I'm out of alignment. Coming to class not only helps me to realign my body but the surprising aspect is that it's helped realign my mind as well. I feel more calm and balanced when I'm practicing regularly. I'm kinder to myself and others and can handle stress more easily."

-Sarah, 33

"I have been practicing 8 years. It gives me so much inner peace. I've learned to breathe, and remember what's important in life. I've become more aware of how much I love life."

-Mary, 70

"For months before starting Bikram yoga, I had stiffness and pain in my back, which greatly improved when I began practicing several times a week. After just a few weeks, I slashed my ibuprofen intake by 90%! I also shed 15 to 20 pounds in my first 6 weeks at BYSJ. At age 55, I feel like I am just at the beginning of my journey."

-Luke, 55

"“Recently I was surprised to receive physical healing for my body. This is what most people proclaim as their primary benefit! But, because I’ve never had injuries, I didn’t seek yoga to heal my physical body. This past winter (probably from the stress of driving in that dangerous winter weather) I experienced great sciatic pain. The pain disturbed my sleep, distracted my work, and was overall exhausting. During my 30-day-yoga-challenge, I worked through the pain, gently stretched the sciatic nerve, and used the meditation of class to help relax the spasms of muscles surrounding the nerve. The pain has gone away!

“Here at Bikram Yoga St. Johns, we are all part of a community of positivity and joy! This studio is unlike any other studio I have practiced in. Here we are all equal, all included, we are all working together to be our better self, we are open, vulnerable and strong together."

-Charlotte, 46

"Bikram yoga is changing my life. I am feeling great, finding balance mentally and emotionally, getting fit and staying connected to my inner truth. Not to mention the owners and the peeps that show up at Bikram Yoga St. Johns are all heart."

-Jennifer, 39

"Bikram Yoga St. Johns is my best friend. Every time I walk through the door I am acknowledged with a smile and a warm (verbal) hug. BYSJ is always there when I need them. They don’t judge my struggles, they encourage me to do my best, and they have taught me valuable lessons about self care and self love. I want to express my gratitude to this magical sanctuary and powerful supportive community. Thank you for being there in my times of paralyzing depression and anxiety, physical pain, mental pain; in snow storms, in ice storms, and in the pouring down rain. For anyone who has never done Bikram Yoga, this is the best place to start. For anyone who has practiced before, this is the best place to practice again. If you want to like your life more, this is the best place to go."

-Cassi, 30

"Bikram yoga makes me feel happy and alive. It has helped me lose over 100 lbs. since I started practicing 4 years ago! I always recommend Bikram yoga.

- Terri, 52

"I was able to discontinue my thyroid medication. There are poses that claim to help the thyroid, well, I guess they really do! Other side bonuses include improved mood and stress response (things that use to be stressful just aren't anymore), a tighter leaner stronger body, and improved confidence, resolve, and endurance. I am also mentally sharper!"

-Nadene, 34

"I love Bikram yoga because I get to wear the little yoga outfits... But also because, in 6+ years of practice, the yoga has helped with my scoliosis, posture, sleep /wake cycle, self-confidence, made me feel young, given pretty much full range of motion to the elbow I broke skateboarding, peace of mind, appetite (for the good food), weight loss and connected me to a wonderful community. I recommend it!"

- Steve, 48

“When I am practicing Bikram regularly, it spills into other parts of my life: I crave eating healthy food; I am more motivated to do tasks that I sometimes like to procrastinate; I feel more engaged in my life, my relationships, and my community."

-Clancy, 37

"I played competitive soccer for 18 years and love the being part of a team- so I found another ‘team’ sport: Bikram yoga! In addition to the comeradery of practicing in a group, I have decreased anxiety, sleep better and find myself able to harness a calm and steady breath in stressful situations."

-Lindsay, 27

"I have gained flexibility, decreased stress, improved my breathing, my mood and skin health. My hip, back and shoulder pain have been so reduced that I now rarely take ibuprofen. I also rarely need to use my asthma inhaler or allergy medicine. I feel and see improvement in my posture every day."

-Itzel, 39

"I've been practicing Bikram yoga for over 7 years. It has led to complete restoration of my knee after knee re-alignment surgery (physical therapy only got me 70%, and Bikram gave me 100%), plus mental clarity and peace. It is never too late to start from scratch- try the yoga!"

- Jamie, 33

“Bikram yoga has fixed my diverticulitis. I used to get it several times a year, and would sometimes take double antibiotics and go on clear liquid diets to alleviate the pain and bloating. It sucked. I only got it once last year and that was a travel week when I hadn't been to class!"

-Judy, 47

"After the first session I felt so amazing, I knew I had to keep going. After almost two months of practicing, I can say that it has completely changed my life. Not only have I lost weight, my attitude and emotions have turned around. At work I am more productive and feel like I have my feet back under me. I am more able to deal with stressful situations and am sleeping better at night, which helps my overall mood. Bikram Yoga St. Johns has helped me so much I feel like I am almost ready to try IVF again, which I wasn't emotionally ready for before I started yoga. Words really can't describe how much this place has helped me.”

-Kerri, 32

One of the great things about Bikram is the constant reminder that doing 1% of the posture, 100% the right way is still beneficial. This was perfect for me, because I suffer from a re-occurring ankle injury that limits my range of motion. Since I started practicing Bikram yoga, my ankle is stronger and more flexible, and that translates to strength and confidence in my running. The potential physical benefits of yoga were not unknown to me, but this is the first time I have seen it in my own body. But more than the physical, Bikram yoga has provided an endurance practice for my mind."

-Jameson, 36

"I have had many surgeries and accidents, and have basically been pretty banged up from my head to my toes. Most recently, I had a “frozen shoulder” and could barely move my left arm. After being somewhat apprehensive to do Bikram, I finally tried it… I signed up for a 30-day challenge (30 days in a row) and fell in love. After about a year of practice, my shoulder completely healed. This yoga is intense. But beautiful. Both challenging and supportive. The opportunity to push past your limits—some days the limits are the negative voices in your mind, other days, the old holding patterns of the body… At the same time, you practice falling in love—with yourself… A humbling, exquisite journey shared with teachers who support your healing and improving health… what a gift."

- Lisa, 46

"I’ve had 5 knee surgeries as a result of various sports activities. Then, in my early 20s I developed asthma and severe dog allergies. Triggers were not limited to the environment or animals. Stress contributed to asthma attacks, leading to many documented trips to the emergency room. When I began practicing Bikram Yoga in 2010 (at the age of 50) I noticed increased flexibility in my knees right away, and could literally feel my respiratory system getting stronger. By 2013 my asthma was gone and I no longer needed an inhaler to breathe. My Kaiser Doctor was amazed. In 2014 my family did something I never thought possible. We adopted a dog! I could breathe freely and skin hives from touching animals disappeared. A total game changer! When I started practicing Bikram yoga I was a busy executive, leading a large team for a multi-billion dollar corporation and traveling often. In 2013 I traded in my business suit for yoga attire. I wanted to share this powerful yoga with others. Over time, it’s become clear that what really matters has very little to do with monetary success. The ability to find stillness, to be at peace, and truly connect with others, are a few of the gifts that lead to a rich, meaningful life. This yoga practice has reinforced how powerful life can be when we intentionally pause to breathe and be still."

-Teresa, 55

"The greatest benefit I've gotten from my 9 years of Bikram yoga are the lessons I'm able to apply outside of class. Probably the most important lessons are 1) finding satisfaction and contentment in knowing I tried my best (and not how a pose looks); 2) the yoga doesn't always "fix" pain, but it has helped me to control how I react to pain; and 3) I have to keep practicing to make those lessons stick."

- S, 35

"After my very first class, I was able to move my head and neck better than I had since the [automobile] accident. I was hooked. After only a few weeks of classes, at two times per week, I was able to reduce my chiropractic/massage visits to once every two weeks. After a few months of Bikram yoga, I was able to reduce those treatments to once per month. After six months, I was able to reduce it to an "as needed basis. I have been practicing now over 13 years. The heat and the stretching continue to give my neck more flexibility. I attend class two to three times a week. If I go less than that, my neck starts to stiffen up and becomes painful. While still not 100%, my balance and strength on my left side have improved dramatically. I highly recommend this type of yoga to anyone dealing with balance or pain and stiffness in their body. Bikram yoga - You need to try it at least once… and maybe do it for life."

- Joseph Parenti
CPA and Author of Miracle on 91st Street, Surviving the Impossible
Read more of Joseph's inspiring story in his article, "The Miracle of Bikram Yoga" on Yoganonymous.com.

"It’s such a great thing for anyone wanting to get a handle on their thoughts and the power of your mind, the meditation is intense. And the way you meditate is by being in the moment. Being completely present. Not letting your mind wonder beyond the words coming out of your instructor's mouth, continuously for 90 hot, grueling minutes. It takes massive mental willpower and strength to accomplish this and I love that challenge. Your goal is to not allow your mind to wonder at all. To focus exactly on what is being said and then do it. That’s it. It’s so freaking hard! But so empowering.

"This yoga is so the metaphor for life, at least for me. You come, broken hurting, with little or no faith. Your self-talk is destructive. You look in the mirror and you hate what you see. But the longer you practice the more you begin to believe. The more you begin to watch your body and mind do things you didn’t dream possible that first class."

- Sarah Centrella
Life Coach, Author, Mom and Blogger at ThoughtsStoriesLife.com
Read more of Sarah's uplifting and entertaining thoughts on Bikram yoga here.