Lori Logan
Owner/Director

Lori’s first Bikram yoga class was here, in San Luis Obispo, September 2004. She decided to try this yoga upon the insistence of a good friend. The absolute challenge and exhilaration she felt from it all is what kept her coming back to class, and the requirement was to focus clearly. She loves Bikram yoga because it has enhanced her overall well-being and coping skills for life. This yoga has helped Lori overcome physical obstacles, including a back issue that is now resolved, and has enabled her to develop and maintain super good health.

Lori attended teacher training in Acapulco, Mexico spring of 2008. She enjoys teaching Bikram yoga to see the progress and breakthroughs students achieve with their practice. “It’s rewarding to watch students grow to appreciate what I am so enthusiastic about. I love the environment in the room during class, seeing long-time practitioners working alongside new students.”

Message to you the student: “Be as patient as you can with yourself. Be diligent and never judge yourself for what you can’t do.”

Ryan Beck

Ryan began his Bikram yoga practice here in San Luis Obispo; hearing about it from friends he decided to check it out for himself. He loved the way it opened and loosened up his body – from years of dancing he had become tight, especially in the back of the knees. He really likes the fact that no matter where you come from, who you are, male or female, everyone is in the same class together doing their best.

Ryan went to teacher training in Palm Desert, California, spring of 2009. He teaches Bikram yoga to “give back” what it has done for him. He especially enjoys teaching when everyone moves together, feeling the rhythm and consistency of the group which creates a good energy in the room.
Message to you the student: “GO! Don’t hesitate to get into the posture. Don’t worry, your body will find the right way.”

Outside of the yoga studio Ryan is raising a family. He also teaches eight classes a week at his dance studio “Ryan’s @merican Dance”. www.ryansamericandance.com

Laura Costa

Laura began her Bikram practice within a month of moving to San Luis Obispo for college. A girlfriend had told her about the yoga, and having never heard of anything like it, she decided to give it a try. After her first class she felt an energy never experienced before: something in her spine awakened and left her feeling more strong and confident. That feeling still keeps her going back to class even today. Laura says “Bikram yoga has helped me become more ME!” Practicing this yoga has given her the strength and confidence to do whatever she sets her mind to do. She is more than grateful for finding this practice and will continue to use this yoga to balance her life. More importantly, her yoga practice makes her happy and grateful for life.

Laura had the pleasure of going to the teacher training in Acapulco, Mexico in the spring of 2008. “It makes me feel good to teach! I feel totally inspired each time I teach a class and always in different ways.” This inspiration can be from the energy of a class moving together as one, seeing the focus and determination of a single student giving their all, or the dedication of the “regulars” who come consistently day after day (sometimes twice a day!). “It feels great to part of a supportive yoga community.”

Message to you the student: “Do the best you can, knowing that your best will be different every time you come into the room. Don't hesitate to ask any questions before or after class: we are here to help. After class take a long final Savasana and don't forget to thank yourself for doing your yoga. ”

Laura’s other world is working on her yoga wear line:
Mika! - www.mikayogawear.com
She and her husband created this together and are extremely happy watching their "Mika baby" grow. It has taken over most of their time, so for those of you who don't see her often this is what she has been up to. “It always brings a smile to my face whenever I see girls in the hot room wearing Mika. So huge – thank you for all the support! “

Eva Klembarova

Eva was introduced to Bikram yoga by her mom; her first class was in Soquel, the original Santa Cruz studio, with her mom and sister. She loves how the yoga makes her feel, receiving a full body-mind workout. “The focus, determination and drive I carry from a Bikram yoga class to other areas of my life is priceless”.

Eva attended teacher training in Las Vegas, Nevada in the fall of 2009. She loves teaching Bikram yoga because it allows her the opportunity to witness improvement in the students: not only in the classroom, but how yoga improves and positively changes their lives outside of the studio.

Message to you the student: “Stick with it. Even if you didn’t enjoy your first class come back and give it another try. The benefits you receive from Bikram Yoga are worth working hard for.”

Outside of the studio Eva enjoys learning about nutrition, health and fitness as ways of improving your life in order to become the best possible version of you.

Valerie Mantzoros

Valerie once suffered from severe Rheumatoid Arthritis; in 2004 a good friend took her to a Bikram class to help her find relief from the pain. She immediately loved how it started opening up her mind and body. “My life is cleaner, clearer and a lot more fun!”

After a few classes, Val knew she wanted to teach this yoga. She graduated from teacher training in the fall of 2005 in Los Angeles, CA and has since taught in New York City, South Africa, Florida and Thailand. Teaching yoga allows her the opportunity to give back some of what Bikram yoga has done for her life.

Message to you the student: “Start where you are… do what you can… and love yourself for it”.

Outside of the studio she is a Personal Life Coach (www.valeriemantzoros.com) and is always looking for some new music to listen to.

Cindy Toda

Cindy began her Bikram yoga practice in Jacksonville, Florida in November 2002; a good friend dragged her to her first class. She immediately loved the complete and thorough butt-kicking workout, especially the euphoric feeling after class. In the following months of a regular practice, she became aware that the Self-realization aspect of this yoga was actually the main benefit.

Cindy went to teacher training in Los Angeles, California in the spring of 2005. She enjoys teaching the yoga to help students on their path to self-discovery; “to get through the class and keep them out of their heads so they can go beyond their mental limitations and grow”.

Message to you the student: “Try your best to leave emotions and judgments outside of the room. Remember to respect yourself each time you take a class – it’s a ‘practice’ and every day is different. And don’t forget to breathe.”

Outside of the studio Cindy likes to cook, play tennis, travel and spend time with friends.

Christy Wenning

Christy's first Bikram yoga class was at the SLO Bikram studio on Halloween in 2004 where everyone was dressed up in costume. From the beginning she knew this yoga was special! Before Bikram she had tried several different styles of yoga, but always felt too inflexible to receive any benefits. Christy began her Bikram practice after running two marathons; experiencing injuries she needed something to challenge her without the severe impact on her body. “After leaving my first class completely soaked in sweat, I was hooked!” She kept going back because she felt her body changing in positive ways. Feeling more energetic, running became easier and she could focus more during college courses. “Overall, I felt amazing”. The main reason Christy loves Bikram yoga is for the awareness it brings to all aspects of her life: the strong mind-body connection allows even deeper union to her heart and soul.

Christy attended teacher training in Honolulu, Hawaii in the spring of 2007. She loves sharing Bikram yoga and enjoys seeing people transform their lives in positive ways.

Message to you the student: “Yoga is a process and you must be true to yourself to reach your full potential.”
Christy loves being outside, eating good food and travelling. When she’s not practicing yoga you can find her mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking or exploring any possible place she can.

Maggi Waikel

Maggi began her Bikram yoga practice here, in San Luis Obispo, in August of 2005. A friend of hers talked her into it; after much hesitation, she finally said YES. Maggi immediately fell in love with the yoga. “I loved that all sorts of people were in the room practicing together, it gave me hope that I could do it too.” With encouraging teachers she witnessed her body transforming in incredible ways. “I love Bikram yoga because it remains constant while my whole being continues to grow, change, and improve with practice. It allows me to strive towards my maximum potential, my full range.”

Maggi went to teacher training in Los Angeles, CA, spring 2011. She loves teaching Bikram yoga because she says, “it’s so fun to to share my love and belief in this yoga with others, with all the hopes that they just keep coming back and allow themselves time to grow, to open, to fall in love with it.”

Message to you the student: “Practice, practice, practice. Believe this yoga can work for you because I know it can.”

Outside of the yoga studio Maggi loves the beach, hanging out with friends, wandering around, and just enjoying life. She also loves movies and reads a lot.