Bikram Teachers

Bill Thwaites (Senior Teacher / Director )

Bill is one of the UK’s most knowledgeable yoga teachers with over 2000 hours of teaching experience. His knowledge and understanding has helped transform the lives of many people suffering from health issues, sports injuries, back pain and the numerous problems many people suffer from as they get older.

Bill embraced Bikram Yoga finding it provided relief from the symptoms of chronic arthritis where all other treatments and therapies had failed. Bill has taught extensively in New York & London gaining a unique insight into the healing benefits of Bikram Yoga and the difficult challenges many students face when practicing yoga.

Bill leads the studios Sohot-intership program developing new Bikram teachers once they have completed Bikram’s own gruelling 9 week training program. He has gained a reputation for developing many senior Bikram teachers, inspiring and motivating them to continually expand their knowledge and teaching style so that all students get the most out of the yoga.

Bill Thwaites is the former Technical head of post production for the world famous Abbey Road Recording Studios and has over 25 years experience working with some of the top music artist such as Madonna, Robbie Williams, Oasis, Manic Street Preachers and many more.

Lorraine Bell (Director)

Born in Brooklyn New York, Lorraine discovered Bikram yoga while searching for a form of exercise it was possible to get better at with age; One that is rehabilitative and not destructive. Since becoming a teacher in 2009, her focus has been on bringing Bikram yoga to everyone. Lorraine has spearheaded a program for kids and teens and launched the first pregnancy yoga classes, which use the modifications developed by Rajashree Choudhury, in the UK. She views pregnancy yoga as ‘therapeutic birth preparation’ and by training with Rajashree and intense study of varying schools of pregnancy yoga, has been able to share and expand the series to women in all stages of pregnancy. “Having three children allows me to empathize with this group of yoga practitioners, but since each of my pregnancies and births were different, I understand the hesitancy in confidently teaching women in this precious condition. My worry is that there is now so much conflicting information available about what is best during pregnancy that women will unnecessarily avoid this wonderful form of exercise during this important and special time.”

Elaine Ruddock (Director)

My first Bikram class was a revelation - 90 minutes that worked my whole body, made me sweat and gave me an hour and a half to think of nothing - bliss. I had always dipped in and out of various styles of yoga though none of them hit the spot. In my 30s I was plagued with ill health following an emergency caesarean - headaches, back ache and sciatica. After only a few months of continuous practice the sciatica pain seemed to just melt away. It was during the nine week teacher training in Vegas that I fully realised just how much knowledge, experience, time and energy Bikram had put into developing the 26 posture series and why I no longer suffer the headaches or back pain - Thank you Bikram!

Paul Dobson (Senior Teacher)

Paul was on a trip to Miami 2004 when he saw a sign for a Bikram Yoga studio. After the first class he was hooked, he couldn’t get enough of it! Paul practiced every day of his vacation. Returning to London, Paul continued with his practice before going on the teacher training in Spring 2006. Paul’s background is in Contemporary Dance. He performs for various dance companies around Europe and his yoga practice has given him focus. Paul enjoys teaching and being able to support the students with their practice. Paul encourages students to have an awareness of their body, mind and the process of practicing yoga.

Simone Ripper (Senior Teacher)

Simi’s yoga journey began in Canada 2001 when she attended her first Bikram yoga class. For her yoga offers mental and physical strength, clarity of thought and a renewed sense of being. Helping to combat the stresses of working in the fashion PR and marketing industry and with continued practise, the more intrigued she became, feeling compelled to deepen her understanding. Traveling extensively in India, training in a yoga ashram and completing the Bikram yoga training course in June 2008 has given her powerful insights to the path of teacher and how she approaches herself on and off the mat. Simi feels honored to share this healing practise with others and increasingly feels touched by the students she meets; all so focussed and determined.

Ros Tendler

Ros loves her sofa, and is rarely happier than when she is sitting on it with a brand new box set of DVDs and a cup of coffee. But towards the end of 2008 she realized that the sofa was not going to help her tone up for the Christmas party season, so she grabbed a willing friend and headed to her first Bikram Yoga class. Four and a half years later she had not only toned up, but also relieved chronic shoulder and neck pain, coached her tired knees through a successful London Marathon, and decided that she wanted to share her discovery with as many people as possible.

Karen Phillips (Senior Teacher)

After being a regular practitioner of Bikram yoga at Fulham since it first opened and bending everyone’s ear constantly about the amazing physical and mental benefits of the Bikram series, Karen finally completed the Bikram Teacher Training in Fall 2007. Karen feels extremely fulfilled to combine her love of the Bikram series with a desire to teach and strives to assist every practitioner in order to achieve maximum health and vitality, regardless of age and/or fitness level. With a background in ballet and trained as a freelance lifestyle journalist, Karen aims to imbue her classes with a strong sense of integrity, discipline and fun.

Marina Rakic

I learned about bikram yoga after moving to London to pursue a college degree in Civil Engineering at UCL. I had experimented with yoga in the past and came across Bikram Yoga online accidently. I immediately booked a class and the rest they say ‘is history’. Bikram made me more efficient with my study and helped my focus. After graduating I decided to take my yoga to another level and complete the 2012 teacher training in LA California. Teacher training for me has been a life changing experience, not only due to two moths of extreme yoga practice under high discipline Bikram Choudhury regime, but also due to the variety of people I have had a pleasure to interact with. Overall my Bikram yoga experience has given me a new perspective on life, which I now enjoy sharing with my students.

Federico Zanni

Fed is an actor. But don’t tell anybody. He took his first Bikram class on 1st of October 2003 and he hasn’t looked back since. Having played waterpolo for 9 years in his teens (in his native Italy), upon his move to England, he was looking for an exercise / physical activity, in the world, which would require the same level of intensity and could be just as fun. Bikram Yoga was just the ticket, being incredibly demanding and allegedly the Rock’n'Roll of fitness, with the added bonus of healing the body, as opposed to gradually wearing it out, like any other sports. His skin, lower back, sleeping patterns and mental clarity improved just after a few classes: it was the most incredible transformation he had ever witnessed. After seven years of consistent and regular practice, Fed decided it was time to have another unstable career and embarked on the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training Course, in September 2010, in San Diego. Teaching and sharing his practice with other people is the most rewarding job Fed has ever had.

Andrew Jungwirth

As exciting as the incendiary world of commercial litigation was for Andrew, he discovered something uniquely rehabilitative and energising in the Bikram series some years ago in Sydney after adding a hairline fracture to a femur to a list of distance running injuries. Immediate results followed. Having been a victim of the “yoga’s not for me” naysayer crowd, being in the hot room for the first time was a revelation. Invigorated, mentally focussed and an undiluted curiosity were what followed from his first class and those benefits have continued with him now for some years, even after completing the challenging but transforming experience that was teacher training in Acapulco in 2008. Andrew finds regular inspiration from leading students in their practices and in seeing them progress, grow and even, occasionally, smile.

Brittney Henry

Brittney comes to us from Vancouver Canada. She has a background in dance and gymnastic, so yoga was a natural progression for her. She had done a lot of different types of yoga, and always wanted to try Bikram Yoga, but was afraid of the heat. Finally after about 6 months of deliberating a customer at her job convinced her to go. She showed up to her first class in May 2009 and never looked back. In the fall of 2010 she officially made yoga her life by becoming a teacher. Her full circle happened when she was able to teach the customer who convinced her to take class in the first place. Yoga has helped change Brittney’s body, mind, and the way she see’s the world and loves seeing these changes happen in other people.

Lorraine Stewart

Lorraine has been a dancer all her life training at The Royal Ballet and working professionally in film, t.v. In 2001 she disscovered the challenge of Bikram yoga keeping up a regular practice to realign her body and sooth aches and pains after dance rehearsals and performances. Discovering new ways to stretch and strengthen her muscles was the first attraction but over time became more self aware and thrived being in such a welcoming and friendly enviroment where no one is there to judge. Bikram has kept Lorraine injury free, strong minded & spiritually sound. Since qualifying as a teacher in 2009 lorraine has taught in London and Los Angeles. She loves teaching and sharing her passion and enthusiasm for Bikram yoga with her students.

Anisha Mistry

My Bikram journey began in 2008 after losing my job. I loved it from the first class - the postures, the discipline, the heat and more importantly the sweat! I felt like I had a full body workout with the added bonus of feeling extremely happy and energized after class. I maintained a practice of 4 to 5 classes a week and would schedule my social life around my Bikram practice. Within 6 months I noticed subtle changes in myself, not only physically, but also mentally! I stopped craving junk food, alcohol no longer appealed to me, and my skin never looked better. The biggest change however was my confidence and realizing that I love my body - warts and all! In 2011, I attended the Bikram Teacher Training so that I could share this with as many people as possible! It was scary and nerve racking experience, but I did it! Bikram yoga is tough and very challenging but remember you can do anything you set your mind to - nothing is impossible!

Cristian Liotta

Cristian started Bikram Yoga thanks to a series of coincidences (if you believe in them). He used to run 6/7 miles, 4 times a week and ended up with an injury in the right calf, caused by lack of proper stretching after each running session. At the time he happened to work with an Indian guy who advised him to try some yoga, so went online to look for Yoga Studios near his area. He had no idea that there was an “hot” kind of Yoga, but it sounded interesting, so he got down the Studio and was greeted by the receptionist with a “don’t worry, you’ll get addicted”. Needless to say he fell in love with it immediately. Practised for 18 months straight, almost everyday, and experienced a complete life transformation. After attending a Master class led by Craig Villani in August 2009 decided this was his calling and went to Teacher Training. He graduated in Vegas, spring 2010 and has been teaching since, feeling absolutely blessed and extremely grateful to be able to help people with this amazing practice.

Martine Wieser

Bikram yoga has improved every aspect of my life. I believe regular practice leads to a stronger, flexible and eventually more calm mind & body. People from all walks of life practice Bikram yoga for various reasons and their hard work and dedication inspires me every time, practicing and teaching! After years of failed attempts at ‘getting fit’ and kicking bad habits the strict routine, breathing exercises and mix of tension and release had me hooked immediately. A class practicing yoga creates a special energy, never have i found myself in a more supportive and non-judgmental environment than a yoga school and i feel blessed to be part of a great community striving for health and self-awareness

Iris Grethmann

Born and raised in Germany and having moved to London in 2004, Iris started doing Bikram yoga in 2010 after a friend recommended it to her for her ongoing back problems. Having suffered from lower back issues, sciatica and knee problems for years, she felt immediate relief and improvement despite the initially challenging heat. Through regular practice and a lot of sweat, dedication and self-discipline that she had never known before, she now feels healthier, more focussed and balanced than ever and has realised that everything is possible if you believe in yourself. Iris feels immensely grateful to be able to share this mentally and physically healing practise with her students.

Dominic Emley

Dom describes Bikram yoga “ like surfing - a wave of energy that everyone can ride.” He graduated teaching training in 2007, and has directed Bikram’s Teacher Training in the United States for several years.

Helena Biggs

For Helena, Bikram is a foundation, a base, a system that works for life. Having practised Bikram yoga for ten years during long contracts as a lead singer in the musical theatre industry, teaching salsa for adults and drama to many young students, it has become Helena’s back bone. “Bikram yoga is a constant challenge and humbling in its form; It is also a most supportive and nurturing environment, a family. This yogic system allows me to step up and face anything, to let go, to get better, to transform and become more aware of my physical and mental processes. It enables me to live a more spirited life.” Helena became a teacher in June 2011.

Beth Crivelli

When I first opened the door into the studio I felt invincible. After years of hard core competition swimming and running I felt no physical activity was in-surmountable, especially not yoga. I was wrong. As I walked into the studio I felt a wave of hot air and thought there is no way I am doing exercise in this room for 90 minutes. Somehow I managed it and every time I found myself in the room I enjoyed it a bit more, felt a bit stronger, stopped looking at the clock for a bit longer and started listening to the teacher’s words a bit more. Disenchanted by my fashion career I decided to swap luxury rags for sweaty shorts to become a Bikram teacher. Bikram Yoga has stretched, healed and strengthened my body, belief system and mind in unexpected and amazing ways. Practicing can be hard especially at the start, but stick to it, really! The benefits are solid. It continuously challenges you. It changes and shapes you in ways you will not believe.

Milena Jirasova

Originally from the Czech Republic, Milena has been living in the UK for the past 14 years. She first walked into a Bikram studio in July 2008 and knew from that moment that she would eventually become a Bikram Yoga teacher. Bikram Yoga has taught her how to live in the present, clear her mind and open her eyes to new possibilities. Through doing the 30, 60 and 100 days challenges, as well as taking up the challenge of doing 5 classes in one day, she became stronger and even more passionate about her practice. In Spring 2011, Milena flew to Los Angeles to attend the Bikram Yoga teacher training course. Today, she wants to share her love for the practice with others and show them that ‘they can’ (finding all the answers about yourself when practising and making the changes to create a better life for yourself and everyone around you), as practising Bikram Yoga is a ‘never-ending amazing life story’.

Ilaria Alber-Glanstaetteneante

laria first began practicing Bikram Yoga in 1999 in New York. She started fantasizing about attending Teacher Training in 2001, but it wasn’t until after getting married, having two children and moving three times (from New York to Milan, from Milan to London and from London to Brighton) that she finally got herself to Teacher Training in Los Angeles in April 2012. What an odyssey! Ilaria teaches part-time in Brighton and London while also pursuing her other work as a communications expert for the fashion and luxury industries.

Sam Goddard

Bikram Yoga is incredible both physically and mentally – the lower back pain that I had suffered for several years has disappeared, my stress levels have eased and I generally feel so much healthier and stronger. The most amazing benefit I find from Bikram Yoga, is that no matter what type of class you have, or how you were feeling to begin with, you always feel good after you have worked hard for 90 minutes, through 26 postures and two breathing exercises. When the time was right for me, I made the life changing decision to go to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training. I left my career and job as the Area Business Manager within a public sector department to fulfil my dreams of becoming a Bikram Yoga Teacher. This was a huge decision, but definitely the best decision I have ever made. I feel truly honoured to be able to teach and share the benefits of Bikram Yoga - it really is wonderful and inspirational to see the changes, progress and transformation in students.

Emma Sullivan

Emma has been practising Bikram Yoga for 7 years. She decided to become a Bikram Yoga teacher because she was so inspired by the benefits of the practise, after having a whiplash injury to her neck which did not improve with osteopathy or physiotherapy. “The yoga healed me, so when I received compensation from the car accident, there was no question in my mind how I would spend the money. I went to teacher training in LA so I could become a teacher and help others heal themselves. I absolutely love my job it’s so rewarding.”

Michelle Varchione

Michelle started her Bikram Yoga Journey in 2008 and never looked back. “I fell in love with the practice after my first class. As a qualified Gym, Spin and Aerobics instructor, I had tried many forms of exercise; however none had the same lasting effect on my mind and body.” Michelle believes the yoga brings about a positive shift both mentally and physically. After 4 years of being a student she left the corporate life behind and resigned from a job in the city, followed her dream and went to LA; graduating Teacher Training in the fall 2012. She has taught in New York, Kentucky, London and Liverpool. “To me, Bikram means healing!”

Darielle Proctor

Darielle discovered Bikram yoga in 2009. A friend recommended that she take a Bikram yoga class after she fell off a horse and was left with an achy lower back. After one class she was hooked – she kept coming back. The yoga healed her back and transformed her life - both physically and emotionally the benefits of Bikram yoga became apparent. A keen runner and figure skater Darielle was always strong but inflexible – the yoga has helped change her body for the better, as well as bringing a peace and calm to her life. Over time Darielle has build up a regular practice, making friends and learning from other students and teachers. Eager to strengthen her own practice and keen to share the benefits of Bikram Yoga with other enthusiastic students Darielle went to teacher training in autumn 2012. She now fits in teaching alongside her job as a Communications Manager for the NHS.

Donna Nobel

Donna started her yoga journey approx. 10 years ago, and discovered Bikram Yoga in August 2008. She is also certified with the British Wheel of Yoga and Yoga Alliance USA. Together with being a Certified NLP Master Practitioner. Donna loves the positive effects the yoga has on the mind and body. She became a teacher so that she can share her passion for yoga with anyone that will listen. The most rewarding thing about teaching is that she gets to share her love and enthusiasm for yoga and help others to make lasting changes in their lives for the better.