At the age of thirteen I was diganosed with a rare connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. By the age of eighteen, I already had a handicapped sign for my car, had waved all forms of exercise away, and had devoted myself to a life of wheelchairs, doctors appointments, and constant unyielding pain. There was a time when I was on five different pain pills a day, trying to control the unstoppable inflamation that ran rampant through my system.

For countless years, I was in and out of physical therapy and different gyms, trying to find an exercise routine that my body could tolerate.

I found my answer in Bikram Yoga.

After one class at the Alpharetta studio, I could feel my pain subside and my muscles begin to relax. For the first time in eigthteen years, I slept throught the night without the aid of a sleeping pill. Jenny and Rebecca helped fuel my desire to live again, and for the first time in a very long time, I am finally joining in with the crowd instead of sitting out on the sidelines watching. Now, I am happy to say that I am on one pain pill a day, and the only time I use my handicapped parking is when I am late to class and need a spot up close!

Thank you Jenny, Rebecca, Gary and Bikram Yoga Alpharetta for devoting your lives to a practice that can help so many people in vastly different ways!

Ciara Sentelik
April 2008

I had heard of Bikram Yoga for years, but never truly considered it. Progressively, through the years, my posture became worse. I was my own ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame’ and hated it. I tried everything from stretching exercises to work outs in the gym; no matter what I did, nothing worked. Because of my horrible posture, I always had chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. I decided, at 31 years of age, that I would have to live the rest of my life this way.

On a whim, I decided to visit the Alpharetta studio. The first class was good. I was able to do most of the postures to the best ability a ‘first timer’ could and the heat surprisingly did not ‘get to me.’ Deciding to go for a second time, I found that this second time around was not at all like my first time… I had to sit down for most of the class and thought to myself, sitting there, “I’m never going to be able to do this.” After the class was over I was upset. I felt discouraged, sad. I felt defeated. My friend who had come with me was on the same boat. We were a barrel of negativity, just sitting there talking about how hard the class was.

I think to this day, it was a gift from the Yoga gods or God himself, when Jenny came in and started talking to us. She told us it had to be hard in order for it to work. She said that if we kept coming and prepared ourselves correctly before class by taking our electrolytes and drinking plenty of water, the classes would be completely different and eventually, get easier. She said it takes will and determination and a special personality to see it through. She said many things that evening, including that we WILL loose weight if we kept coming. “Loose weight?” I thought to myself. I’ve been trying to loose weight for years. I was the kind of person who would loose weight and gain it back in no time. So at that point, I was curious. Even though I can be a ‘negative’ person on the surface, I’m a very determined person deep on the inside. Jenny lit a fire within me. All I wanted to do was keep coming and get better. I wanted to be like those yogis in the front and second row. I started Bikram Yoga in Alpharetta on Jan 2nd, 2008. Today is March 25th, 2008. I’m a completely different person both physically and mentally. I’m no longer a hunchback; I no longer have chronic neck, shoulder and back pain. My thoughts are clear. I sleep like a baby. I’ve also lost about 32 pounds, and I’m down to a size 10 from a size 16. (I haven’t been a size 10 since middle school!) I have not gained any weight back and I'm still shedding off the pounds.

Jenny, Rebecca and the students have been my Godsend! Jenny for pushing me and for motivating me with her ‘tough love’. Rebecca for her positive affirmations and help with technique… and the students for all being so wonderful, dedicated and devoted to the practice. Even though I don’t know all of them personally (yet) they have all been an inspiration.

Thank you Jenny and Gary, Rebecca, Bikram Alpharetta Studio, its students and Bikram Choudhury for giving me the health, posture and body I always dreamed of having, yet never believing it would be possible to have.

Bikram Yoga works! It’s hard at times… but it works, BECAUSE it is hard. DO BIKRAM YOGA!!

Carrie Garcia
March 2008

Going back 4 years ago, I found my self in my early forties, 20+ Lbs overweight, which had lasted approximately 4-5 years due to knee injury and lower back problems. I am the kind of individual that does just about everything at 110%. I got to the point where I was comfortably running triathlons. I don't mean to talk about myself, but rather make a point.

The body started to wear down, I got frustrated. Then, thanks to my wife, she recommended Yoga. I self taught myself for about 3 years. The first 3 months, I asked myself, this is not doing anything for me. Then one day, and I am not sure why I stuck with it for those three months, but I am glad I did - may be it was the Yoga itself that drew me in, I realized my back, knee, body definition and attitude had changed. Even my digestion had changed along with my energy level.

Then I moved to Alpharetta and found Bikram Yoga in December 2006. Wow! Learning with Jenny and her style - and you better get ready to be pushed to certain limits you may not be used to - B. Yoga is now an important part of my quality of life. It confirmed to me that Yoga, especially Bikram Yoga, works from the inside out.

It is difficult to explain, but physically, emotionally, and cardiovascularly, I am in much better form thanks to Bikram Yoga.

Thank you for a great learning experience & studio!

Percy Franco Lidback
October 2007

Before coming to Bikram Yoga Alpharetta in December 2006, my amateurish forays into the philosophy behind yoga made it seem hopelessly abstract. I mean, how is someone supposed to relate to a quaint ideal like "closing the disconnect between the body and mind"? So, at the beginning, I resigned myself to the mundanely prosaic: to get into shape and improve my posture. With time and practice, I'd like to think that these goals are being ably realized.

However, here at Bikram Yoga Alpharetta, I've imperceptibly come to appreciate those deeper, less corporeal benefits of yoga. And I think that's singularly attributable to the ethos of discipline that the director, Jenny, suffuses each class and the entire studio with. From my first step inside, I couldn't help but recognize the culture of sanctity she has carefully nurtured for the practice of yoga.

So, yeah, now after about 5 months of regular practice I can truly attest first-hand to how yoga can bridge the chasm between the body and mind. As they say, "the proof of the pudding is in the tasting". And moreover, I'm sensing that this is only the tip of the iceberg -- newfound benefits with each class are what bring me back regularly to BYA and make the proposition of doing this over the long-term much more agreeable than any other type of fitness regimen.

I'd like to lend my voice here to the chorus of thanks to Jenny for her dedication and passion in bringing all these incalculable benefits of yoga to the Alpharetta community.

Siddharth Joshi
May 2007

Just imagine the most strenuous and challenging workout you have ever had. Believe it or not, you haven't seen anything yet. I started taking Jenny's Bikram Yoga class based on a referral. One of my best friends had her first child and bounced back to her pre-baby figure, if not better, in a matter of months after gaining 50+ pounds. What was most intriguing was the fact that she explained the experience as something I just had to try.

I had no idea what I was in for.

Sitting in the waiting area, I had built up anxiety. Having read the instructions for newcomers, I was a little nervous. I sat in the waiting area until the last minute not wanting to experience the heat until necessary. After the first posture I thought, Oh God, what have I gotten myself into!

I must say after 1.5 hours of focusing, breathing, stretching, and tightening my glutes, I never felt better!

I went through a period where I had a difficult time motivating myself to come to class because it is an individual challenge. However, the support from the instructors, Jenny and Naedra, and the overall experience keeps me coming back.

I have never had a strong lower back and envied other women who had the two dents in the small of their back. Well guess what, after two months of coming to class at least 3 times a week, I now have them! In addition to the fact that my bottom is starting to look better in jeans!

If you haven't tried Hot Yoga, you are missing a treat. Thanks Jenny for opening the Alpharetta location! Happy 3 Year Anniversary!

Courtney Elliott
January 2007

I am a 32 year old stay-at-home mom with two kids ages 4 and 1. I started Bikram yoga about 7 months ago for several reasons. First, I was looking for something I could do just for me - with no kids running around, etc. I have found that carving out time just for myself is essential to my overall well-being. Second, I desperately needed to get back in shape after having my second child. I had a lot of extra weight and was experiencing low-energy, high stress and just generally not feeling great overall.

Because of my very limited amount of free time, I knew there was no way I would have time to start a cardio fitness program AND make time for relaxation/meditative techniques such as yoga, Pilates, etc. When I heard about Bikram I thought I quite possibly had found something that could help me in all the areas I was looking for - all in one workout. It was just a theory, but I felt I was on to something.

Well, as I mentioned, it is 7 months later and I am in a lot of ways a different person. I have lost 30 lbs and gone from a size 12 to a size 4. Practicing this yoga spurred other changes in my life that contributed to this weight loss such as eating (much) better, higher energy levels and a higher overall sense of well-being. I am also so much more connected mentally with my body. Now I physically crave this yoga and I mentally crave the "alone" time.

I really love the Alpharetta location because it has a serene atmosphere and it is VERY clean. I am somewhat of a "neat freak" and I find this studio to be in excellent condition. I would certainly recommend it and Bikram yoga to just about anyone with the willingness to give it an honest try - it does take some dedication and determination, but I have truly enjoyed it every step of the way.

Bonnie Smith
September 2006

I am hooked on Bikram Yoga! I have always been an active person, bike riding, rollerblading, running, walking, aerobics, you name it, but I have never seen the results I am seeing from practicing yoga. My muscle tone, energy, flexibility, and even my skin have improved. When I go 3 days without Bikram I crave it. I love that it is very much a personal challenge each time. There are days when I can barely make it through the class and then there are the good days when I leave the studio and am proud of my improvement. Either way, I ALWAYS feel great after class, I definitely feel like I have had a serious workout and that all toxins have been flushed from every inch of my body.

Jenny takes a personal interest in her students' health goals and her enthusiastic and tough teaching pushes each student to do their best. It is evident that she and Gary take pride in their Alpharetta Studio which has a steam room, double filtered water and white glove cleanliness. If you have always thought of yoga as just a spiritual or meditational thing, think of it as a physical thing because it is! You will get hooked too!

Mary Nail
August 2006

As a competitive barefoot waterskier, my body takes a beating on the water every day. I started doing Bikram in January and I am now flexible and strong. When I do get hurt now, I recover quickly and come back stronger than ever. I have also lost 34 pounds, going from a size 10 to a size 4. (I weigh less than I did when I was 12-years-old)

Best of all, at 36, I am barefooting better than ever. I was recently named to the U.S. Barefoot Team and will compete in the World Championships next month.

Thanks Jenny!

Betsy Colmant
August 2006

I can’t tell you how much better I feel after only two months of Bikram! I used to work out for about 1.5 hr/day 6x a week at hard cardio (level 9 – 10 on a 10 scale) and my weight wouldn’t budge an inch. I had trouble sleeping and I had pain in my hip. I know all of this is related to my thyroid problem however, after a Bikram class, I sleep like a baby, my hip pain is completely gone and currently have a pair of shorts on that were snug a few weeks ago!

The best thing about the class is the confidence that you build. It is challenging in a safe environment, Jenny is an amazing instructor and pushes you to go farther than your expectations! She has some magic talent that works just as you are thinking “There is no way I can hold this for an entire minute” when suddenly you are listening to her then bam, you are deep into the pose and the minute is over!

This is Atlanta, that means most of us sit in traffic for 2+ hours a day and we lead lives that focus on to do lists and managing seven things at a time. We have a tiny amount of down time and too much stress every day. It doesn’t matter how rough my day was, it all changes when class starts. You become so focused that the world melts away. When class is over, you can go home peacefully, rest well, and be better prepared for the challenges of the next day.

I haven’t even mentioned the studio! Can you say Oh la la? It is almost like visiting a spa! She has a steam room and the classiest environment ever! It is immaculate, well designed, and has plenty of parking.

It doesn’t matter if you are male or female or young or old, or in shape or out of shape, the class is full of wonderful people of all sorts of backgrounds and Jenny and Gary will make your experience fantastic!

P.S. Beware of the awesome selection of Lululemon clothes for sale...

Candace Afriat
July 2006

I am a 39 year old female, avid runner, with a cholesterol count of 300. My cholesterol has always been high. I have tried EVERY cholesterol lowering medication on planet earth and have experienced negative side effects with each one. I knew I had to try something different!!! I started Bikram Yoga and within 4 weeks my cholesterol count has dropped to 224. I have not been on any form of medication, the only thing I can attribute this point drop to is Bikram Yoga. I will be a devoted attendee for the rest of my "healthier" life. I, my husband and 4 kids thank you!!!

LeAnn Josie
March 2006

I started going to Bikram Yoga a year ago and believe it has changed my life. For the first time in years, I am able to control my back problems. My cholesterol is under control and I feel great. When I go to yoga three times a week, I no longer have back pain. Also, I have rediscovered my flexibility which was totally gone after years of long distance running. In fact, Bikram Yoga is such an intense workout that I rarely run or do any other type of exercise. Nothing gives me the same intense workout and benefits. After class, I am calm, centered, flexible, and strong.

I said above that I believe it has changed my life. When I started going to Bikram Yoga, I was pretty stressed out. I was commuting every day to downtown Atlanta to a job that really didn't make me happy. I was struggling to balance caring for my children with my job. I was unhappy but I was afraid to make a change. I am convinced that going to Bikram Yoga gave me the inner strength to believe that I could take a risk, make a change and be successful. I found the strength to make some pretty major changes in my life. I quit my job, started my own company from home and now have a successful business. I am so much happier. I don't think any of it would have happened without Yoga.

Anyway, if you've never tried it, you should. Jenny is a fantastic teacher and role model. She is strong, tough and supportive. Also, the other people in class have become my friends. It's a great Yoga studio. I wish everyone would try Bikram Yoga.

P.S. My husband finally began going to yoga six months ago and he loves it too!

Hilary McKean
September 2005

WARNING -

Bikram Yoga is highly addictive and may be very beneficial to your health and overall well-being!

I do like everything about it:

- Jenny, the Yoga-Master, she is the boss during class

- the intensity of the work-out

- the way your body feels after it and the next day

- the sparkling clean studio

- the stretching, which I have been missing in my work-out regimen

- the no-appointment class schedule

Thank you Bryant for telling me about this!

(-:

Heidi Bente
August 2005

I am a backpacker. I go up mountains and down mountains. I'm 49 years old and it takes a lot for me to go up mountains. Over the past few years, it has gotten tougher. About a month ago, I decided I needed help with my cardio-vascular that my fitness center has not given me. I knew I needed a workout that had structure and pushed me more. I could not get myself past riding a bike on "manual", for an hour - on level 4 or 5. I think a lot of people know what I mean. So... my girlfriend, an Ashtanga Yoga instructor, went to Bikram Yoga while visiting and talked me into trying it.

"Welcome to Bikram Torture Chamber!"

I had second thoughts. "Can I do this?" Yes... I can do this. I did do this. I do this.

So... the testimonial:

I love it. I will have a Bikram Yoga practice for the rest of my life. I have felt a change in my body and my mind. I've lost weight. I feel better. When I leave class, I am pumped. (That is an understatement). I am more than pumped. I am energized and invigorated. Thanks Jenny and Gary.

Now, my problem. For the next 3 weeks, I am traveling to locations that DO NOT have Bikram Yoga. (What's up with that?) Not good at all. So the good news for me is that I found Bikram Yoga, the bad news is that there are places that have not.

Charles Herndon
August 2005

Before discovering Bikram Yoga, I had issues with my lower back and had trouble sleeping. I was about 13 pounds over my preferred weight (the weight where most of my clothes actually fit well). I have struggled with allergies all my life from dust, pollen, mold, and mildew. For this, I was regularly taking over the counter allergy medication, Actifed, Sudafed, Triaminic, Advil Cold and Sinus and seeing an Allergist who was beginning to set his watch by my visits. The last resort that I really wanted to avoid was taking a prescribed steroid to strengthen my immune system, which he had prescribed right before my first yoga class.

My tennis game was hampered by a sore shoulder, which was diagnosed by a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine as a "shoulder impingement" - defined as "the excessive rubbing or squeezing (impingement) of the rotator cuff and shoulder blade". As well, I had tennis elbow and went through physical therapy and would take anti-inflammatory meds, heat pads and ice packs for relief after playing a match. Little did I know that I was well on my way to a torn rotator cuff!

I took my first Bikram Yoga class on the day that the studio opened in January 2004 and haven't stopped going. In fact, I think that it has become a "positive addiction" for me. You could say that I am "addicted" to sleeping really well with no back pain. My allergies have gone away completely and on the rare occasion that I am sick, the symptoms are greatly reduced. I believe that the latter is due to a strengthened immune system and improved diet resulting from the regular practice of Bikram Yoga.

My shoulder is now pain free and my tennis game has greatly improved. No Advil, heat rub or ice packs! My serve is back to where it was in my younger days with greatly improved flexibility! Thanks to Bikram Yoga, staying well stretched has improved my tennis game and golf game as well as my energy level and stamina during each outing. I am convinced after talking to other students in my Bikram classes that it is a great way train for other sports like running, triathlon, biking, skiing, etc. I am also amazed at the many positive changes that other students are experiencing. I hope that they will write in as well to tell their stories. A big plus in the Alpharetta Studio is the Steam Room with purified water that opens up your pores and respiratory system and really super charges the many positive effects of each yoga session.

I believe that I have discovered the "Modern Day Fountain of Youth" except that it has been around for thousands of years and as a result, the art of Bikram Yoga has been finely tuned and perfected through the centuries and now approved by our medical community as this wonderful system that allows the body to heal, strengthen and take care of itself naturally with no drugs or brainwashing. Imagine that! In fact, there are many doctors and surgeons who attend classes regularly.

I feel as though I am adding years on to my life, increasing my focus at work and enhancing the enjoyment of my leisure time because I feel great all the time. Those little aches and pains that we all learn to live with are gone. For example, I can rake the leaves without feeling like I am going to pull something. I really like the fact that I don't take any meds ... over the counter or prescription. For those considering Bikram Yoga, don't let the heated room scare you away. You'll learn to like it or at best tolerate it and find it to be a safe way to stretch, exercise and stay healthy. You may even find that the hot Georgia summers are much more tolerable as a result of regular exercise in a heated room! All in all, I really feel like I have discovered something here that is genuinely good and so I feel obligated to simply pass it along. A big thanks to Jenny and Gary for giving Alpharetta this great new studio.

Here’s to your Health!

Jim Stanton
March 2005

What a great way to spend my 53rd birthday. The anniversary party was lots of fun and to know I will feel this healthy as long as I continue Bikram Yoga gives me such a peaceful and proud feeling. Thanks Jenny and Gary

Susan Burks
February 2005

I taught aerobics and was a trainer... until I had arthroscopic knee surgery. I continued training for a few years until I went to college but my knee and lower back were never the same. I continued to work out at a gym until I had my son, after which I wanted something different, something calming but at the same time, a total body workout.

A friend from Santa Fe, New Mexico told me about Bikram yoga, but I never thought yoga was for me... I needed a "real" workout! But I decided to read about it... then I decided to try it. Before long, I was HOOKED!

Bikram yoga is the only form of exercise I am able to do without injuring myself. Bikram yoga is always challenging, rejuvenating and yet AMAZINGLY calming ... it also works every muscle, tendon and ligament in your ENTIRE body.

The heat is great... it enables you to remove toxins through sweat and keeps your body warmed up so you will not get injured.

I used to get a cold or two every year. Now if I do get a cold, it is MUCH less severe. Doing Bikram yoga forces you to drink A LOT of water, which helps you to lose weight. I also find that I don't have food cravings nearly as much as I did before Bikram yoga.

I find my sleep is more "restful" so I feel more refreshed when I wakeup. And, I must add, Bikram yoga improves your sex life ... that is all I will say about that ... but I could go on. :)

Unlike any other form of exercise I have done, Bikram yoga has been the most beneficial. I will be able to do this for the rest of my life, and I plan to!!!

Thank you Jenny and Gary and family for opening your studio in Alpharetta and for all the work it takes to keep it going.

Kristen Corona-Robinson
February 2005

I truly believe that Bikram Yoga is the best thing I have ever done for myself. I have always been an active person, trying many different types of sports and physical activities and priding myself on always trying something at least once.

Needless to say, that's what happened in most cases, I tried something once and then I got bored and moved on. Not the case with Bikram Yoga! This yoga has turned into an addiction and I love it. I love how my body has transformed, I love the energy I feel after taking a class, I love the challenge, but mostly I love the results!

I am 41 and feel that I am probably in the best shape I have been in since I was in my 20's and it's a wonderful feeling. The best part is that I am not the only one seeing the changes. People I meet are always asking me "my secret" and when I tell them all I do is yoga, they can't believe it!

All I can say to those folks that are contemplating whether this is for them or not is, just do it! Give it a try and I'm sure you'll get hooked. We have a great teacher, Jenny, and a beautiful brand new studio complete with an awesome steam room. We have people of all ages, body shapes and sizes that come to these classes and they all feel the same...Bikram Yoga is amazing for your body, mind & spirit!

Patty Wampler
November 2004

For 20 years I have suffered with knee, back and shoulder pain caused by untreated injuries from my years as a dancer. After years of limiting my exercise because of the pain it caused, I lost most of my flexibility. My abs were a flabby mess. I started Bikram yoga and within weeks the shoulder pain disappeared. After six months I feel better than I have in years. My flexibility is much improved and my abs grow stronger every day.

Thank you Bikram. Thank you Jenny!

Casandra Porter
September 2004

I started Bikram Yoga hoping that I could improve my balance and flexibility for my golf swing. I experienced very noticeable improvement with just a couple of weeks of daily yoga practice. I am now about six weeks into it and am very pleased with some unexpected results: less appetite, more energy, a broken wrist that is healing ahead of schedule, posture that has improved to the point where I can lie down flat on a hard surface without discomfort for the first time in 30 years.

Thank you Jenny & Gary!

Torrie Bova
August 2004

My husband has a big fat THANK YOU to Bikram Yoga.

Susan Burks
August 2004

After numerous injuries from several years of long distance running and weight training leaving me incredibly inflexible, I was advised for the thousandth time to stretch. I knew I had to do something as it was only getting worse. I could run a marathon yet I could not touch my toes. A friend convinced me to try Bikram Yoga. Being Canadian and still trying to acclimate to Atlanta’s heat and humidity, I thought that I surely could not sustain being in a heated room for 90 minutes, let alone exercising in it.

To my surprise, I survived my first class. Eight weeks later, I am impressed with the amount of flexibility I have gained. Every week I am seeing more and more improvement in range. The lower back and hip pain I used to tolerate, is now forgotten. Positions that once seemed impossible for me to do are now in reach. I look forward to each class, and strive to go deeper into each stretch.

The benefits of Bikram Yoga go beyond flexibility for me. My overall skin appearance has changed. I feel as though I am going through a toxic cleansing as I drop a gallon of sweat on my towel. No matter what lays ahead in my day’s schedule, I feel invigorated and ready to take on the day! Bikram Yoga is definitely the most challenging form of exercise I’ve ever taken on, but I am appreciating the discipline of the class structure.

As I begin Bikram’s Challenge this week, I look forward to improving my range of motion even farther along with meeting many new friendly people.

Janice St. Hilaire
April 2004