ABOUT OUR TEACHERS
EMILY VENDEMMIA
When did you go to Teacher Training?
Spring 2006
Where are you from?
Maryland
What was your first class like?
Hot and tough.
How often do you practice Bikram Yoga?
7-10 classes a week.
Why did you start Bikram Yoga?
I was inflexible
How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga?
5 years
What are some long term and short term benefits of Bikram Yoga?
My stress level is much lower, I lost weight, and my body only keeps improving.
How have you seen students change by doing Bikram Yoga?
I've seen students change everything about their life, such as rearranging their schedule to practice daily, and sometimes to attend 2 classes a day. I've seen them morph mentally and physically. It's very inspiring.
Why do you teach Bikram Yoga?
Because I breath, eat, and sleep this yoga. I love it, and I can't stop telling people about it.
JULIE KAMMERER
When did you go to Teacher Training?
I was accepted into teacher training for Fall 2008 in Acapulco, Mexico.
Where are you from?
I am originally from Severna Park, MD and I transition between living in College Park and Severna Park, MD as I finish my Bachelor's Degree at University of Maryland-College Park.
What was your first class like?
The most distinct memory that I can remember from my first class was admiring the experienced yogis around me and feeling my heart beat really fast. Afterwards, I felt so amazing and I knew I would go back for more.
How often do you practice Bikram Yoga?
I make an effort to practice as much as possible, everyday if I can!
Why did you start Bikram Yoga?
I started Bikram yoga to help my lower back problems from a car accident when I was 17. I tried other methods of recovery but they weren't fully alleviating the pain so I finally got myself into the yoga room.
How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga?
I have been practicing Bikram Yoga since Fall 2007.
What are some long term and short term benefits of Bikram Yoga?
Long term: This yoga helps in maintaining stress in your life as you will gradually become more patient, focused, flexible and strong both mentally and physically.
Short term: We are constantly being reminded during class of what to contract, relax, lift, shift, etc. You will quickly start increasing your level of body awareness.
How have you seen students change by doing Bikram Yoga?
I have seen students change by becoming more focused, feeling better about themselves, alleviating chronic pain and making commitments to an overall healthier lifestyle.
Why do you teach Bikram Yoga?
I teach Bikram yoga because I want to share the yoga that healed me and taught me to love myself. My wish is that every person can experience that joy.
SUE SERINI
When did you go to Teacher Training?
First group in Hawaii, Spring 2007
Where are you from?
Maryland
What was your first class like?
Crazy! I only went because Emily and Sam convinced me (during a night of eating lots of food and drinking too much wine!), my husband, step-son and his friend to go. I didn't have much interest, but agreed to go because all of the guys were going. I was fortunate to be able to watch Emily during my first class... it was so inspiring!
How often do you practice Bikram Yoga?
Daily if possible
Why did you start Bikram Yoga?
To help neck pain and to help lose weight (I had to stop running and gained more weight than I liked). I didn't realize it would also help my stress levels and overall well-being.
How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga?
Almost 4 years
What are some long term and short term benefits of Bikram Yoga?
Mental focus (inside and outside of the yoga room), calmness and a more balanced feeling, most importantly good health--long and short term!
How have you seen students change by doing Bikram Yoga?
I am amazed and inspired as I see their postures and their bodies change, as well as gain focus and concentration. I love to see the happy and calm students who make the time to come to yoga because they love how they feel by practicing.
Why do you teach Bikram Yoga?
I love bringing what I know and love to others. I hope that I can help others by bringing my knowledge and experiences to them. I teach it because I love how it's made me feel and hope to bring that to as many people as possible--even strangers I meet at Nordstrom or Starbucks!
SAM LEVINE
When did you go to Teacher Training?
Spring 2006
Where are you from?
Miami, Florida
What was your first class like?
First class was at the Silver Lake studio in L.A. I was blissed out. Couldn't wait to go back!
How often do you practice Bikram Yoga?
I practice as much as possible
Why did you start Bikram Yoga?
Basically, I do it for the "after glow". I do it for the "now". To balance the "past"
How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga?
6 years
What are some long term and short term benefits of Bikram Yoga?
Benefits are many. It's a way to meet our potential outside of doing the yoga...
How have you seen students change by doing Bikram Yoga?
Change I see is the change you can sense...
Why do you teach Bikram Yoga?
I teach Bikram Yoga because it is an experience that is fool proof. You go in, then come out better.
KAITLYN BAKER
When did you go to Teacher Training?
Spring 2010
Where are you from?
Maryland
What was your first class like?
Hot. I felt so great after the class was over though!
How often do you practice Bikram Yoga?
As often as I can get in the hot room!
Why did you start Bikram Yoga?
I worked the front desk at the studio for awhile before even taking
class. Then eventually everyone finally convinced me to go and take
class :D
How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga?
Since October 2009
What are some long term and short term Benefits of Bikram Yoga?
It helps you feel calm in so many stressful situations because you
learn how to BREATHE through stress and discomfort. It also makes the
body feel great!
How have you seen students change by doing Bikram Yoga?
Usually students seem more at peace with life after starting the yoga
Why do you teach Bikram Yoga?
I feel like this is the closest thing i have in my life to a mental
and physical cure-all and it is so awesome being able to share that
with everyone who comes!
MICHELLE MCGRATH
When did you go to Teacher Training?
I went to the first training in Las Vegas, Fall 2009.
Where are you from?
I grew up in Arnold and went to high school at Broadneck. Since then I've lived in Philadelphia, Phoenix and Denver but right now I'm happy to be home. Annapolis is beautiful!
What was your first class like?
I remember I was wearing sweatpants (bad choice) and that it was extremely challenging, but when I came out I felt like I was floating on air! The next day, muscles I didn't even know existed were hurting. Having grown up an athlete, I had always enjoyed the relaxing aspects of yoga but never found it physically demanding enough to be my primary form of exercise. After my first Bikram class, I knew I would be able to replace the running that was leaving me with daily pain in my kness, for a yoga practice. I've never looked back.
How often do you practice Bikram Yoga?
I usually practice about five times a week, sometimes more than five, and once in a while less than five.
Why did you start Bikram Yoga?
When I was in high school I had a yoga "workout" tape and received a Sivananda yoga book for Christmas. I dabbled in home practice but it fell to the wayside when I went to college. After college, as a first year teacher in a low income school in Phoenix, I found myself often overwhelmed and stressed out. One of my fellow first year teachers had practiced during her college years in Boston. She arranged a discount for teachers who were in our program at the local Bikram studio and was recruiting folks to try it out. Knowing yoga had helped me in the past, I decided to give it a shot even though I thought the heat thing was a little nutty. It took a few months before I started practicing regularly, but then I was hooked. I used to say "I practice yoga so I don't scream at the children during the day!"
How long have you been practicing Bikram Yoga?
I have been practicing for about six and a half years now.
What are some long term and short term benefits of Bikram Yoga?
I think the biggest immediate benefits of a Bikram class are the stress release and emotional calm you feel when you leave class. Over time, you learn to transfer those feelings into other parts of your life. You learn to calmly observe situations and chose your response rather than thoughtlessly react because you've been practicing that in the hot room. Bikram yoga gives you control over your choices, which of course gives you control over your life, and as Bikram would say, "your screw loose brain!"
How have you seen students change by doing Bikram Yoga?
I've seen people become more joyful. I've seen backs heal that used to give chronic pain, even with drugs. I've seen doctors wowed by how fast knees recouped after surgery. There's also the weight loss and dramatic increase in flexibility and physical strength.
Why do you teach Bikram Yoga?
I teach for many reasons, so I'll just mention a few. I want to share this gift I've found with others because everyone deserves a healthy body and a happy mind. Truly, I believe that when people do yoga the world is a better place not just for that person, but for their families, their co-workers and their community. Finally, I teach because I love the practice and I learn so much from my students about perseverance, determination and commitment.