INSTRUCTORS

MAK PARHAR
Director and Certified Bikram Yoga Teacher

I had heard a few people talking about Bikram Yoga and how good it was for you and how challenging it was. But of course like most people, I had a misconception of what yoga was. I thought it was just stretching. When I heard how much it cost, I was immediately opposed to trying it. I mean, money is hard to come by right? I was very fit and already busy with Ice Hockey and Roller Hockey. As well, I had a gym membership that I was using regularly. I was a frequent jogger, swimmer and loved to do the Grouse Grind.

I agreed to go to my first Bikram Yoga Class in the summer of 2004. I did not get the point of the class and thought it was just another way to get fit or exercise. I will tell you that I tried to run out of the room as I thought I was going to have a heart attack. Luckily, the instructor commandingly told me to stay in the room and lie on my mat. And after only a minute of lying down still, I was fine.

I did not think I would ever do it again. My ego told me that it was ‘too expensive’. Yes, my mind is my biggest enemy, like all of us. And it was especially so then. I did not do another class for a couple of months. But at the urging of my wife, who had joined up, I agreed to try it again. I felt great after class and bought some classes thinking I would do yoga a couple of times a month to improve my flexibility. Well, I went four times that week and felt like a new man. Shortly after regular practice, my aches and pains from sports injuries and car accidents felt much better, and some were even gone. My sleep improved and I had more energy. In the spring of 2005, I was told that Bikram was coming to Vancouver that summer and I should go to listen to him. After much reluctance to spend money to hear some yoga guy, I bought a ticket to his seminar. Well, let me tell you, he rocked my world and changed my life and way of thinking. He spoke things I never heard before and luckily I was willing and open to receiving it. Within minutes of him opening his mouth, I was at complete attention. The very next day I called down to Bikram Yoga Headquarters in Los Angeles, and asked about registering for Teacher Training. Here I was too poor and cheap to spend money to do the yoga, and now within days of meeting Bikram, I made a decision to go more into debt by spending well over $10,000 on credit cards to become a Certified Bikram Yoga Teacher. I decision which still today I have absolutely no regrets about!!

Bikram Yoga is 100% exercise for the whole body and able to heal and give you the best health over any other form of exercise. That is the truth. I didn’t know that and like most didn’t want to believe it. I thought I knew about health. I have now met so many people who’s lives have changed and even been saved from this gift. I still meet more of them everyday. Unfortunately, many of us are unwilling to challenge ourselves and actually open our minds and commit to something new and challenging (like I was at first). They quit because they think it is 'too hard' or the mind lies saying it is not for them. That is ok. I guess they will come back in their own time.

But me, I am 110% committed. I used to care more about material things. Now if someone offered me a million dollars and said that for the money, I would not be able to do or teach Bikram Yoga and help myself and others, I would without hesitation say ‘No Thank You’

Without health, we have nothing!!

I hope to see you soon in the hot room with us transforming your body and your mind.

ELAINE WANG

A friend of mine introduced me to Bikram Yoga beginning of 2007 and I loved it right away. At the time I had severe allergies that required me to take antihistamines. I had also been suffering back aches. Within a couple months of practicing Bikram Yoga 3 times a week my allergies completely vanished and my back aches were gone. I was hooked! I wanted to go to the next level to understand more about the details of each posture and the benefit doing them and be able to share them with others. I wanted to help others to heal their body with this yoga as I did to my body. So in spring 2008, I went to Teacher Training in Hawaii.
Since the training, I’m stronger physically and mentally, and significantly improved my confidence; my health and my overall attitude. It changed my life! I felt radiant and passionately want to share that feeling with people.
I love all the postures equally and understand the importance of each one of them.
My teaching style is tocus on the students. The student’s goal is to reach their ultimate health. As teacher, we need to motivate, inspire, give corrections when needed, and give lots of energy to them.
My tip to new students is to keep breathing. Find that natural breath in and out the postures. Eventually, this 90 minute class will become a meditation for you.
Before teaching, I studied fashion design and worked in that field for over 8 years. Design and being creative is a big interest for me. I also enjoy reading, cooking, and sports like skiing, hiking... I’m a people person. I love people. I’m gentle but firm, compassionate and understanding. I’m full of energy and enthusiasm.
I always want to go back to the source to stay true so that I could give the students the right information. I attend seminars whenever possible to continuously improving myself.
There’s so much to learn. Never ending.

Bikram Yoga Delta