1. Tell us a little about yourself. 

I am a native Floridian (yes we do exist but were like a Yeti… you don’t know you see us, but we see you). 😉  Born and raised in the Bradenton/Sarasota area.  I don’t have any children but I do have a husband, so that counts, right? ha ha ha.  I am a lover of all things natural, all forms of exercise and meeting people.  Although I am more of an observer, I am not shy by any stretch.  I love to travel and spend time with my husband, family, friends, growing my entrepreneurial business and Bikram.

2. Have you done other styles of Yoga other than Bikram Yoga? 

Yes, but when I found Bikram I haven’t looked back.  I’m sure I will return to other forms of yoga and exercise but right now, Bikram is the cat’s meow!

3. What made you decide to take your first Bikram Class? 

 I learned about Bikram Yoga around 2008 or 2009 but when I looked for classes, there weren’t any close to where I lived.  Several years later a close friend told me about it and within that same week a co-worker posted on Facebook about ThaVma Bikram Yoga studio off Lakewood Ranch and SR 64, that offered a Groupon for anyone who’d want to try it.  So I figured, what do I have to lose.  I come from a Step Aerobics, Cardio Kickboxing and Zumba teaching environment, I knew I thrive better in a class exercise atmosphere.  So, thanks to those two wonderful friends I found the best form of exercise for ALL types.  Meaning regardless if you’ve worked out all your life or just starting out, Bikram is the way to go!

4. What made you choose Thavma Yoga as a Studio? 

It’s within 15 minutes from my house and a person can only run their neighborhood for so long before they want to stab their eyes out!  Plus, I am not a runner.

5. What was your first Bikram yoga experience like? 

Brutal; but I come from a history of physical exercise so it was equally exhilarating! 

6. What makes you come back? 

The teachers and Marina.  They are truly glad to see you.  They want you to enjoy your practice.  They truly care about you, your mental and physical health by guiding you to ensure you do not injure yourself.  They ensure you are getting the most out of each class you attend and I love to see the changes of my body, no matter how small they may be.

7. How long have you been practicing? 

 15 months and it’s been the best 15 months of my life!

8. What changes have you seen since you began the practice? 

 From years of wearing heels (gotta do something when you’re 5’3″) I never realized how week my ankles were and how bad my knees were until I was hit with the awkward pose.  But now I am getting deeper into the pose, I have no ankle issues but still working on my knees.  Also, all around flexibility, clearer skin and peace within myself and how I approach things in life.

9. Where have you seen that it helps you? 

My back.  From a major surgery several years ago and a few car accidents didn’t help the issue.  I have less pain and stiffness.

10. What is your favorite pose? 

It’s a toss up between Bow Pulling Pose and Fixed Firm.  When I started back in October 2017, in the Fixed Firm pose, I had to sit on two yoga blocks my quads and hip flexers were so tight.  Now I am able to rest on my elbows!  As for Bow Pulling Pose, the tightness in my my shoulders, neck and lower back would not allow me to grab my feet at the same time.  Now I grab them with ease with very little to no issues with my neck, chest and lower back.

11. What is your least favorite pose? 

Separate Leg Head to Knee.  Due to my back issues, I have tightness on my right side that won’t release and it’s the position I’ve shown the least improvement. 🙁  But 2018 is my hear of complete healing for my back, so I have faith it will release this year.

12. What do you like most about Thavma Yoga? 

Being a southern girl, I like the heat.  I love to sweat and the teachers make it so much fun, no matter how much you talk to yourself asking ‘why in the hell and I’m here?’  Then after class, you are smiling and saying that was a great class, why did I doubt my being here.  🙂

13. Tell us anything else interesting that you feel you have gained or learned since starting Thavma Yoga.

Most exercises have an end result a person looks for.  Weight lifting is definition or bulk.  Cardio is to become lean/weight loss.  But with Bikram, and yoga in general is called PRACTICE.  It’s called this because whether you start at 8 or 58, you will always find that your body and mind will go deeper with each pose, with each breath, with each heart beat you learn more about yourself that you ever thought.  You learn that in order to have peace you must be peace.