 | | | | | Karen & David Buckner | Bikram Yoga Dallas Directors, David and Karen Buckner, grew up in such close proximity, they could have run into each other decades ago at Charlie's Hamburger Joint (where David was the cook, and Karen often a patron) in Houston, Texas. It was not until many years later, however, that Karen and David's paths finally crossed in a most unlikely place: teacher training at Bikram's Yoga College of India in Los Angeles.
Back in Dallas, David had recently given up practicing law to follow his yen for yoga. At the same time, Karen had quit a sales job in Portland and put all her belongings in storage, planning to travel the world teaching yoga after training. After realizing they grew up in the same place the very first day they met in LA, Karen remembers David asking innocently, "Would you ever move back to Texas?" "No way!" she recalls protesting vehemently.
They became close so quickly, many trainees mistakenly assumed they had come to teacher training together. During the intensive 9 weeks, David and Karen grew together in strength: physical, mental, and emotional. They also learned the value of living in the present moment. After training, Karen went back to Portland and David to Dallas, but this lesson proved invaluable as they quickly realized their life was together.
Karen decided to prove she's a Texan after all, and joined David in Dallas to run the Bikram Studio in November of 2003. After renovating the studio in December of 2003, and marrying in the Bahamas in June 2004, Karen and David remain open to the daily lessons of yoga and life. "I guess," Karen notes, "we were ready to find each other." |
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| | | Instructors | All of our instructors are Bikram Certified. Why is it important to learn from a Bikram Certified Instructor? Click here to find out. |
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| | | | Julie Bendin | | Bio coming soon. |
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| | | | | Carolyn Cummins | Carolyn started practicing Bikram Yoga in 2006 only having practiced yoga once nearly a decade before. After moving from Austin to Dallas, she needed a change from lifting weights and step classes. Bikram Yoga Dallas was a welcome change. Throughout the years, Carolyn has maintained an active lifestyle and completed several fitness goals, including completing a marathon, two century rides and is a four time competitor at the Texas Yoga Asana Championships.
After attending a yoga retreat with Rajashree Choudhury, Carolyn knew she had a new goal; to be a Bikram Yoga Teacher. In 2010, Carolyn left her career of eleven years as a Senior Vice President at the largest community management firm, and pursued her dream of becoming a certified Bikram Yoga Teacher. Carolyn not only teaches at Bikram Yoga Dallas, she is also the Studio Manager, responsible for maintaining studio operations. |
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| | | | | Sherry Ellis | My first exposure to yoga was in a gym. The teacher would crowd us into the aerobics room and crank up the heat much to the dismay of the gym's management. The class was offered once a week and lasted less than an hour. I did not know much about yoga but my body wanted to practice more than once a week so I started looking for a yoga studio. I tried a couple non-Bikram yoga styles but did not experience the changes in my flexibility that I had hoped. I was frustrated. Then I read about Bikram Yoga in the newspaper.
I was a challenging first-time Bikram student, not taking direction, trying to do too much, but I kept coming back. I was hooked. My body began to open up and I felt terrific. Sometimes I struggled with the heat but I always felt so good afterwards, clean from the inside out, relaxed and healthy.
After practicing for five years, I decided to give up a 26-year management career and become a Bikram Teacher. I spent the most challenging nine weeks of my life in Los Angeles with Bikram and his staff to earn my teaching certificate. Since then I have taught in Elk Grove, Sonoma and Granite Bay, California and then Richardson and Dallas, Texas. I love the yoga and the opportunity to share the yoga with others. One of the most valuable aspects of Bikram Yoga is the extended community it provides to students and teachers. Spread the word and help expand our yoga community.
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| | | | | Joseph Encinia | Born and raised here in Dallas, TX. I started practicing Bikram Yoga in May 2005. Bikram Yoga is one the best things I have ever done for myself. It has truly changed my life. Mentally, it has given me more peace with myself and the world around me; physically, it has taught me my body could do things I never dreamed it could do.
I haven't always been very healthy; now, in large part due to Bikram Yoga, I am in the best shape I have ever been. Diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at a young age (which affected the majority of the left side of my body), I spent years in and out of Scottish Rite and Children's Hospital trying to rehabilitate and strengthen my joints and muscles. After a major knee surgery, I taught myself how to deal with the discomfort and move on. As a result, my physical activities were limited and I was consistently taking pain medication. Then, at the age of thirteen, quite unexpectedly, I had a heart attack. I was not the only one surprised--family and friends were caught off guard as well. The causes are unknown, but most likely hereditary; regardless, it made a tremendous impact, and I've explored many forms of exercise since to regain control of my health.
One day I decided to explore forms of exercise to regain control of my health. After a long journey, I discovered Bikram Yoga. I simply expected a physical workout. I found much more than that. I have transformed. I no longer suffer constant pain. I've lost weight and developed lean muscle mass. I can contort my body into positions I never thought possible. I have gained a peace of mind I previously never knew existed. I have transcended many limitations within myself – mentally, physically and emotionally. I am accomplishing things I once thought impossible.
I've learned to accept responsibility for making changes in my life. Bikram Yoga has taught me to look at challenges in front of me, smile and meet them head on. I have learned to focus on the tasks at hand and live in peace with myself and the world around me. To me this is the gift of yoga. The gift which I have the responsibility to share for the rest of my life.
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| | | | | Candace Gaston | | Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Candace took her first Bikram Yoga class in August of 2004 while vacationing in Scottsdale, Arizona. After her initiation, Candace was always encouraged to establish a regular practice by one of her closest friends, who is also a certified Bikram Yoga Teacher. Over the next six and a half years, Candace grew to love the practice, the discipline it requires, and its physical and mental benefits. In the Spring of 2011, she decided to follow her passion and completed Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Los Angeles, California. As an instructor,Candace is committed to sharing this practice and its benefits with as many people as possible. |
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| | | | | Teel Lawler | Born and raised in Canton, Texas, I played tennis at Tyler Junior College, and studied art and psychology. After going into restaurant management for eight years, I found myself being drawn to natural healing and eventually started my own healing practice twelve years ago. I am certified in therapeutic massage, reflexology, cranial-sacral manipulation, acutonics, polarity therapy and lymphatic drainage.
My husband Monty introduced me to Bikram yoga. Impressed with how complete the workout was and how amazing I felt inside and out got me hooked from the beginning. Anticipating a two year move to San Antonio with my husband, and knowing a Bikram studio was opening in the area, I went to Los Angeles in the spring of 2002 to get certified, and have been an instructor since.
I garner tremendous satisfaction helping students feel their full potential in the postures, and find that participating as a teacher informs me as a student in the room as well. My healing practice coupled with Bikram instruction fulfill my life in myriad ways; I am truly beyond blessed. |
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| | | | | Binny Liu | My journey with Bikram Yoga started at home in Australia towards the end of 2009. After working in the corporate world and whilst studying at university, I came across an article listing the benefits of Bikram Yoga. My first class was difficult and challenging but afterwards the benefits were very noticeable.
I had never done any sort of exercise in my life before, so for me, practicing yoga was physically and mentally very demanding. I began eating healthier foods, my quality of sleep improved and I had more energy. I knew intuitively that I needed to take it further so I deferred university to dedicate more time to practicing yoga. I attended the Spring Teacher Training 2011 in LA and was fortunate enough to be part of the demonstration team. It was one of the most amazing times of my life and it has been a life changing experience.
Being a teacher enables me to share with others the healing and balancing aspects of yoga. I have found that the benefits of Bikram yoga are truly amazing and I am grateful to be able to teach and share this with people. |
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| | | | | Eugene Sabala | | Bio coming soon. |
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| | | | | Christina Swink | Christina Swink graduated from Bikram Yoga College of India's Teacher Training in November of 2005. She loves teaching and has been teaching in Dallas full time. She also enjoys traveling and teaching at various studios.
Born in Ft. Worth, Texas, Christina grew up in Keller, Texas, and moved to Dallas in 2003. Running and outdoor activities were her main source of exercise when a friend suggested Bikram yoga as the weather got colder. The true testament to Bikram Yoga came in December 2005, after a New Year's ski trip to Colorado where she fell and tore both her ACL and MCL in her right knee. Scheduled for surgery, she had the good fortune of actually talking to Bikram, who encouraged her surgery was not necessary to make a full recovery. The day before her scheduled surgery, in class, she realized how strong, both mentally and physically, she had become since her injury and decided not to have the surgery then and there!
From that point forward, she committed herself to her practice and completed a 60 day challenge, quit her job, and traveled to Los Angeles for teacher training. Not only has this adventure healed her knee, it has shown her how strong she is, and the value of life, family, and friends. Opening herself to the many possibilities, Bikram Yoga has been instrumental in allowing her to connect with others who have also experienced injuries, and who, like her have strived to live her life authentically.
Christina is excited about creating the possibility of owning her own Bikram Yoga studio. In addition, she is studying to become a certified Ayurvedic Professional. She also loves attending musical concerts, traveling, planning and managing events, and hanging out with family, friends, and her Weimeriener Puppy, Ada!
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