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Wendy Harp - Director- Certified Fall 2006

Wendy Harp graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Accounting. Working in the accounting industry for over 10 years had its challenges and rewards; however, there was “something” missing in her life. As an active person, interested in health & fitness, she always wants to incorporate fitness as a larger part of her life. Wendy tried Bikram Yoga in 2000, to cross train for triathlons and other sports. She fell in love with Bikram Yoga immediately!

 In 2006, she attended the intensive, nine-week training at the Bikram Yoga College of India Headquarters in Los Angeles and became a Certified Bikram Yoga instructor. “Becoming a certified Bikram Yoga teacher has allowed me to pursue my love of fitness and help others.” The training has helped Wendy deepen her practice, allowing her to better focus on the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the yoga. “I have learned to be more patient with myself and to never compare my practice from day to day.”

Staying connected to the community is extremely important to Wendy.  She serves as a Board Member for the Triathlon Club of San Diego .

Michael Harp -  Director -  Certified  Fall 2010

Hello my name is Michael and I am your Yoga teacher.  I am a native Californian, born and raised in San Diego.  When my wife started to practice Bikram Yoga at the Old Town school in 2000, I remember telling her that I could not believe that she drove so far for yoga and was practicing in a hot room, I thought that sounded crazy.  After a couple of months of encouragment, I tried my first class in September 2000 and have never looked back. 

In 2010,  when Bikram announced that Teacher Training was going to be held in San Diego, I knew that it was my time to become a Certified Bikram Yoga instructor. I love Bikram yoga and have seen first hand how it will improve your life, sometimes in the most unexpected ways!

Before I became a Bikram Teacher, I was an Engineer.  I graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Electrical Engineering.  

Irma Butcher-Brandt -  Instructor-  Certified  2000

I started practicing  different types of yoga in 1993,  but could not get disciplined about it until I started Bikram Yoga in 1999.  Bikram Yoga made me feel better and better with every class I took.
I first got attracted to Bikram Yoga when I noticed my friend's skin staring to look really good.  But, I did not know that I was in for the surprise of my life.  My life began to change soon after I started practicing Bikram Yoga.

At the end of my first yoga class, I felt like I had never felt before.  There was a feeling of relaxation with complete awareness and calmness.  I remember thinking how amazing this yoga was and I knew then that I would want to do it forever.  My body soon began to change.  I no longer had back pain which I had been suffering with for years, my allergies disappeared, and I lost weight.  Best of all, I got the skin glow that my friend had that had attracted me to this yoga in the first place.
After about three months of practicing yoga, I made the decision to go to teacher training.  For me, it was the beginning of self-discovery and a spiritual path.
I have been a Bikram Yoga teacher since 2000 and have taught over two thousand classes.  Teaching to me is like practicing meditation—it is the place where I feel totally connected.

Charlane Brady -  Instructor -  Certified  Fall 2006

Charlane began her Bikram Yoga practice in 2000 to calm her mind while she worked in the Silicon Valley & International high tech start-up industry. After practicing only a short time she found Bikram Yoga worked!
Inspired by fellow students and teachers who had overcome challenges through Bikram Yoga, Charlane decided to become a teacher in the fall of 2006. During her study at the Bikram Yoga College of India, Charlane advanced her knowledge and more importantly her aspiration to help others attain sound health and balance in their lives. She thoroughly enjoys being a conduit of healing by sharing this knowledge.
“I am truly inspired each and every day by students and teachers. I’ve observed endless methods by which Bikram Yoga heals the mind and the body. I am excited about teaching at Bikram Yoga Rancho Bernardo and hope to see you in class.”

Vina Saycocie -  Instructor-  Certified  Fall 2007

Vina took her first Bikram yoga class in 2001 and continued to take class after class, struggling but not giving up. The challenge kept her coming back, inspired by the teachers and the other students.  Little by little, gradually and then suddenly, she felt her body and mind bending, stretching and transforming. In the fall of 2007 after 6 years of practice, Vina signed up for teacher training to deepen her practice. She enjoys teaching students of diverse backgrounds and sharing the challenge and benefits of Bikram yoga.  Every class, whether practicing or teaching, is a different experience and provides continuous learning and growth. Ultimately, the lessons learned in the hot room are just as relevant outside the hot room.
Vina was born in Laos, educated in France and is now happily settled in California. She has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and is a CPA.

 

Stefan Talian -  Instructor-  Certified  Spring 2009

My name is Stefan Talian.  I was born and raised in former Czechoslovakia.  My educational background is in culinary arts, hotel management and marketing.  After completing my Degrees,  I decided to go to see the world.  I arrived in the United States as Chef and my intention was to open my own restaurant.  I was, also, doing some modeling which required lots of time in the gym.  Being a chef and a model at the same time was not the best combination.

A personal trainer told me that I needed to stretch more and introduced me to Bikram Yoga.  In my first Bikram Yoga class,  I felt as if almost died, but that night I knew that Bikram Yoga was "IT," and I was hooked.  I practiced Bikram Yoga a lot more and I spent less and less time in the gym. People were asking what I was doing that was different because whatever it was, it was working.  I had a hard time explaining how and why it works so in Spring 2009, I decided to go to Bikram Yoga Teachers Training in Palm Desert. I spent 9 weeks there and had the best time of my life.

After graduation, I returned to Vermont, to my former life as a Chef.  Then, I realized that I could bring more joy to others with my new profession as a Bikram Yoga teacher.  A few months later,  I became a traveling yoga teacher.  My travels brought me to San Diego. I planned to stay for few weeks, but now I call San Diego home.

I'm loving my new life. It's awesome to be able to share with people all that I've learned from Bikram and to see how their lives change. I still have a lot to learn and I'm willing to do so step by step, one breath at the time.  I hope to see you all in hot room soon, NAMASTE.

Jake Goertzen - Instructor- Certified Spring 2009

I was born in Saskatoon, SK, Canada and grew up in Ft. St. John, BC, Canada. In 1979 I moved to Seattle, WA to further my hockey career with the Seattle Breakers/Thunderbirds. Eventually I achieved my goal of working in the NHL; I spent 17 years with the Tampa Bay Lightning and was fortunate to be part of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2004. In 1996 I found Bikram’s Yoga and have been in love with it ever since, averaging taking at least a class a day since August 1, 2008. When my 30 year hockey life expired I jumped at the opportunity to become a Bikram’s instructor and to give back to this awesome community.  So far I have practiced at 122 studios all over the world and taught in 21 and have finally settled in the San Diego area. I love it, Bikram’s Yoga just plain works. I feel younger and better than I did at 30. Like Bikram says, “Yoga is a gas station; you gain energy from doing it.” Give it a chance. You can do it. It will change your life.

Charlene Auld - Instructor - Certified Fall 2011

I first tried Bikram Yoga in 2005. I always enjoyed challenging and high energy workouts so I was skeptical about trying yoga. I originally thought I couldn't get a good workout from it, but I was wrong. After taking class I was impressed on how every muscle, joint, and ligament in my body felt like it was working! Every class is so different from the last and I'm constantly challenged. 

I moved around between New York City and San Diego for school and work, but I always took my Bikram practice with me.  In 2009, I got more disciplined with my yoga practice and decided to finally take a leap of faith and go to Bikram Teacher Training in Fall 2011.   I haven't looked back since. I love the way the yoga makes me feel and how it helps others- whether it's physical, mental, emotional, or otherwise Bikram Yoga has something for everyone.