Bikram YogaKat I have always dreamed of opening a yoga studio since teaching my first Hatha Yoga class in December 2001. My very first student, Nancy, said to me, “I am 70 years old. I have tried all kinds of stuff and people keep saying they are going to fix me. Are you going to fix me?” Thinking to myself, “Wow, this is not what I expected in a yoga student”, I replied, “What’s wrong with you?” She laughed, slapped me on the back and said she thought we would get along great. We did, but after six months, Nancy decided she wanted to try something else. She had noticed some positive change with the yoga, she seemed more relaxed and her body had opened up in ways she had not expected, but it was not happening fast enough. Nancy wanted to be “fixed”. I was very sad when Nancy left. This relationship, as well as all my various students and classes proved to be as much a part of my training as the actual course work. My dream of a studio had become eclipsed with the exploration of teaching. I had been teaching yoga for about three years when I discovered Bikram and was hooked. I really came to appreciate (and witness in others) the rapid effect Bikram yoga has on the body and mind. In April 2005, after nine months of watching this yoga “fix” people, I left for Los Angeles to endure the nine week long teacher training at Bikram Yoga College of India. My hope was to someday bring this yoga to my hometown; my dream had resurfaced. I started teaching Bikram Yoga the day after I got back from training. I have taught at all the Maryland studios and have received so much support from the Bikram community here. It has been really heartwarming. My journey continues to unfold, sometimes in the most surprising and mysterious ways. My practice has gone through many twists and turns. I continue to seek the balance of effort and ease, both in my practice and in my life. Teaching yoga is as therapeutic for me as the practice itself. Bringing the dream I had almost six years ago to life has been a long, arduous process, even so, whatever I have needed along the way the universe has presented. I am so proud to finally announce the opening of Bikram Yoga Columbia! I look forward to seeing your “happy, smiling face", at our studio! Love, Light & Laughter! —Kat, Director, Bikram Yoga Columbia