Staff List
Carolyn Jikiemi-Roberts
Yoga to me has been a life-saver, making life a lot more balanced. My neck, which was damaged in a car accident, became pain-free. My shoulders are now more often than not my shoulders, not earrings. I have learnt to focus and be satisfied with what I can give on a class-by-class basis, and, more importantly, on a day-by-day basis. Just as long as I'm doing my best. I have extremely high standards and always try my best in all walks of my life. I will go the extra mile if that's what is needed. I truly believe that all ages can and should practice yoga, especially those from eight to nine years up. Life for young people is quite fast these days and more than anything they need to be in touch with their inner selves and know their limitations. My ultimate goal, coupled with my natural ability to read the body and quickly assess misalignments and potential weaknesses, is to train some yoga champions of the future, especially if Bikram's wish comes true and yoga becomes an Olympic sport.
Emma Appleby
Half Kiwi and half English, I am very lucky to have spent a lot of my life growing up down under in New Zealand, Australia and many other countries. You will usually find me up above the clouds at 40,000ft. That's my full-time job, flying as a long-haul flight attendant traveling the world. I am also a trained pole dancer and have ridden event horses my whole life, which I still do and love. I came to practice my first Bikram Yoga class in May 2006 after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer in November 2005, a few weeks after my birthday at the young age of 22. Initially given 6 months to live, I was very lucky the chemotherapy worked, but I knew I had to do something to keep my body strong and healthy and that something was Bikram Yoga. Little did I know then that I would be practising this yoga for the rest of my life or that I was to become one of Bikram's teachers. After a year of solid practice, I went off to Hawaii for nine weeks of Teacher Training. Two or even three classes a day in Bikram's torture chamber, with Bikram himself!!! I have taught all over the world, including London, Los Angeles, New Zealand and for the last two years in Sydney, Australia. I am currently teaching here in Brighton, where I like to think my journey began. I can honestly say that Bikram Yoga has changed my life and I believe it is what keeps me physically and mentally so strong, healthy and flexible today. I now cannot imagine my life without yoga. You will have good days and bad days and your body will always be changing. Your yoga is a life-long journey; you will never reach the destination, so be patient, open your heart, follow your dreams and last of all remember to breathe! Namaste
Annie Clark
Annie loves the whole calming environment at the studio which is a far cry from her days in retail... running around like a lunatic!!!
If you need some sunshine and smiles you'll find Annie at the reception desk most week day mornings.
Annie Clark joined Bikram Yoga Brighton two and a half years ago. Over that time her job has evolved quite a bit. Annie is the Reception Manager and Yoga Advisor. During the day Annie will always be your first port of call when you visit the studio.
Annie loves the whole calming environment at the studio which is a far cry from her days in retail... running around like a lunatic!!!
If you need some sunshine and smiles you'll find Annie at the reception desk most week day mornings.
Richie Caveney
I have been practicing Bikram Yoga now for eight years, I am now in my fourth year of teaching full time. Thanks to these amazing twenty six postures, I have experienced great change in my physical, mental and emotional well being. Due to Scoliosis in my spin I used to suffer chronic indigestion, hip and back pain. Thanks to Bikram Yoga I now have great digestion and have been pain free years .I feel blessed to have this practice in my life on a daily basis. Inspiration!!!! look for it everywhere. favourite quote. Pain is inevitable, suffering is chosen I have been blessed to work with and for some of the most dedicated people in this industry both here and overseas, for this I am truly grateful.
Estelle Cartlidge
I first heard of Bikram yoga in 2010, I had already been practising Hatha Yoga for 4 years and was due to start a Hatha Yoga Teaching Course. Fortunately for me the course was cancelled. Shortly after I took my first Bikram Yoga class. After one class I was hooked and knew teaching Bikram Yoga was my going to be my vocation in life second to motherhood and bringing up to my two gorgeous children.In April this year after a dedicated Bikram Yoga practise I found myself on the mat at Teacher Training, in front of BIkram Choudhury himself. Bikram as you know, is the genius behind this healing series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises. What a privilege it was to learn from BIkram himself and I was so honoured (and tired) after 9 weeks to come out as a Certified Bikram Yoga Teacher.As a mum of two, Bikram yoga has helped me understand that before you can help anyone else you need to help yourself. I was always running round making sure my babies and everyone else was ok (like most mums) I forget to check in with myself, was I ok? With my 90 minute Bikram Yoga, moving meditation I began to feel fulfilled, I was so happy just being with my babies but I always felt there was something else I needed....Bikram Yoga.I feel so blessed that as a Bikram Yoga Teacher I am able to give my children the gift of Bikram Yoga, as well as hundreds maybe thousands of people throughout my Bikram Yoga Teaching path. As a teacher I want to make sure everyone knows that Bikram Yoga is accessible to him or her. Yes it will make you more flexible, yes it will make you stronger but, its not about coming to your first class strong and flexible its about coming with an open heart and mind. The hardest part is getting yourself into the studio for the first time and then your Bikram Yoga journey begins......and who knows where it can take you....remember help yourself!Namaste
Krzysztof Grabowski
My name is Krystoff and I am a Polish National. however I have lived in the UK for many years. I started my Yoga journey back in 2003 with The Sivananda Ogranisation. My time there was brief and as usual life got in the way of my practice. and I stopped going to class. However, my body really missed yoga. I really felt that I needed a more challenging practice and so Bikram Yoga was an obvious choice. What an difference my Yoga practise has had on my life. So much so that I went to Teacher Training as soon as I could.If you feel you want a challenging exercise without the impact and stress, then Bikram Yoga is for you. So come and join us in class soon.
Sam Goddard
My first Bikram yoga class was in April 2006. I loved it. My very first class was tough- the challenge, the heat, the discipline, the energy and the 26 postures. I knew I had found something very special. I also knew that one day I would to teach Bikram Yoga. That day is now here. Bikram Yoga is amazing 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. 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. I briefly tried other styles of hatha yoga when there was no Bikram studio in Brighton and although I enjoyed it, I realised how many more benefits there are from Bikram Yoga. As soon as CJ’s studio opened, I was straight through the door for the very first class! 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 Manager for Sussex 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 am honoured to be able to teach Bikram Yoga to you all especially as I know how it will help others get the benefits from this amazing yoga practice. Improving you back pain, joint issues and a whole plethora of body issues.
Lucy Blenkinsopp
I discovered Bikram Yoga whilst on holiday in Colorado in 2007 with my husband Keith and 3 children. On my return I was sad to discover that the nearest place to practice was either in London or Brighton. At that time we lived in Guildford. Since I felt that Bikram Yoga needed to be part of my life, I made it my goal to move us all to Brighton to live by the sea and to have Bikram Yoga in our lives permanently. We eventually moved to Brighton in Sept 2009 and I signed up straight away at Bikram Yoga Brighton. Beginning a regular practice at 49 I discovered that I was fairly stiff and lopsided, but I loved the focus, discipline and the energy and soon became addicted. My next challenge I felt had to be Teacher training. I knew that I had to become a teacher and spread the good news of Bikram Yoga. So after battling with my stiffness by doing many 30 day challenges and dedicating as much time as I could to practicing Bikram Yoga to improve not just my body, but also my view of me, I finally went to Teacher Training. Finally in LA with The Boss, Bikram Choudhury - WOW! I was convinced I would be the oldest, fattest and stiffest and the list goes on. To my surprise I found Teacher Training filled with 400 people from 26 countries of all ages, shapes, colours and languages. What an experience I had in those nine weeks. I would like to share what I learned from Bikram every time I teach you in class, so what are you waiting for. Bikram yoga is a gas station filling you up with everything you need. Bikram says it is the only exercise to give you energy, coming to class is like going to the gas station to fill up on petrol. You truly do re-energize in class. Bikram also says “Never too late, never too old, never too sick to do this yoga and start from scratch again”.
Chantelle Darby
As well as being a qualified teacher of Yin & Yang Yoga she gained her Personal Trainer certification in February this year.
Her first Bikram Yoga class was in Australia 10 years ago when she was traveling and she has practiced off and on ever since.
Now, she is determined to practice regularly when she is not working behind the desk at Bikram Yoga Brighton.
Her other interests are swimming, running, music and nutrition as well as all things Yogic.
Favourite food: Dolmades (meat/rice wrapped in vine leaves)
Favourite Bikram Yoga position: Dandayamana – Janushirasana (standing head to knee pose)
Chantelle Darby joined us in March 2012 after returning from Greece where she lived and worked for the past 13 years.
As well as being a qualified teacher of Yin & Yang Yoga she gained her Personal Trainer certification in February this year.
Her first Bikram Yoga class was in Australia 10 years ago when she was traveling and she has practiced off and on ever since.
Now, she is determined to practice regularly when she is not working behind the desk at Bikram Yoga Brighton.
Her other interests are swimming, running, music and nutrition as well as all things Yogic.
Favourite food: Dolmades (meat/rice wrapped in vine leaves)
Favourite Bikram Yoga position: Dandayamana – Janushirasana (standing head to knee pose)
Ayesha Nauth
Ayesha discovered Bikram yoga in 2004. She was recommended by a friend who suggested that it would be beneficial for her as she had severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. At the time, she was struggling to walk or use her hands because they were so painful and swollen. After years and years of medical treatment, using a walking stick and reliant on her family, she decided to make a big change by trying Bikram yoga. She pushed herself through the pain her body endured during class, especially Fixed Firm pose and Awkward pose and struggled though the rest. After years and years of sweating it out with Bikram yoga, she is now able to do all the postures. Also she is now able to play sports again, running and cycling regularly. Ayesha decided to leave the Corporate world as a Digital Project Manager in 2010 to become a Bikram yoga teacher and with this goal in mind, she graduated in Spring 2010. She also competed in the UK Yoga Asana Championships 2011 and came 3rd in the competition. Ayesha would like to spread the word of all the benefits Bikram yoga has to offer and inspire as many people as
