1. Tell us a little about yourself?

Marlo and her daughter, Eliza, are natives of Bradenton!!
Marlo: I’m a retired middle school teacher with a love of animals (especially bunnies!)
Eliza: I’m just going into college (starting SCF in a few weeks) and I’m a nerd who loves anime, video games, and reading!

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

We had never taken a yoga class before this!

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

M: I was looking for something that my daughter and I could do together to get in shape and hopefully help my poor, aching back. I have suffered for decades with back pain. I had spinal surgery as a little girl and even though I was athletic in middle and high school, I was not doing things to protect my back and I ended up with a herniated disc and muscle sprains in college. My back pain grew worse as I got older. It would “go out” and I would be laid up, sometimes for days (a few years ago, I spent our whole 4-day Disney vacation in a wheelchair). After seeing several doctors, I got a lot of relief from pilates, but I wasn’t building strength and couldn’t get there often enough to make the relief last. My pilates instructor and my hairstylist both suggested yoga, but I told myself that yoga was for “skinny people who were already bendy”.
E: Mom suggested it because I’m flexible but don’t like high-impact exercise.

4. Why did you choose Thavma Bikram Yoga Studio?

We chose Thavma because it was close to home and the website made it very inviting and answered many of my questions about what to expect in our first class. It mentioned how you don’t have to be flexible to start yoga, you just have to be willing to do your best. 

5. What was your first Bikram yoga experience like?

M: We took Mark’s class and I almost died! LOL!! No, I LOVED it even though we had to both sit down and rest during about half of the class. Mark was so encouraging and positive, and we felt fantastic when the class was done. I wasn’t expecting to even be able to do much, but with the heat and the correct movements, I could!
E: We knew that the room was going to be hot, but I didn’t realize how much I would sweat! My mom didn’t follow the website’s advice to wear yoga pants and top (actually we didn’t have any yet), and instead wore a t-shirt and pajama pants. Needless to say, her shirt grew about 3 inches in length and we were both a sweaty mess! We bought yoga clothes the next day.

6. What makes you come back?

We love Thavma yoga and all the instructors! It is such a welcoming place!

7. How long have you been practicing?

About 6 months.

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

M: I never thought that I could start something new at age 47 that would be so life-changing! I have found strength and mobility that I thought were gone.
E:I have better balance and have lost weight.

9. Where have you seen that it helps you?

M: My back issues are disappearing. SERIOUSLY.  What used to be a monthly routine event of back spasms and bed rest are replaced by enjoying life and gaining energy.
E: I have chronic headaches and yoga is helping with them.

10. What is your Favorite pose?

M: Mine is “standing head-to-knee” because that’s the first pose I could do more than the first position!
E: My favorite is “standing bow pose” because my hips get stretched.

11. What is your Least favorite pose?

 CAMEL POSE  🙂

12. What do you like most about Thavma Bikram Yoga?

M: All of the instructors are wonderful! Marina is passionate about teaching each person do the positions correctly for the greatest benefit. Lakyn always encourages us and helps me with positions I can’t reach yet. It’s fun getting to know some of the other students as we sweat and grunt together! I may not have a “yoga” body, but I have MY yoga body, and that’s fantastic.
E: My skin has improved so much since starting yoga. It glows and I really feel great after classes.