OUR INSTRUCTORS

Jamie Weil

READ BIO

My initial yoga experience began as a young adult working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, when a friend and colleague introduced me to meditation and yoga. But after some time passed I drifted away from it.

I suffered for ten years with increasing back pain during which I tried chiropractics, acupuncture, deep tissue massage, pain medication, gravity machines and the like.

During this time I was diagnosed with multiple herniated discs and after meeting with many doctors and having many MRIs the consensus was that I should stop exercising and receive spinal fusion.

I was extremely resistant to any type of surgery and decided to seek out natural remedies. At this point in time, when my pain was increasing, mobility decreasing and with the use of stronger pain medication, I happened upon a Bikram Yoga studio on my way to work. I took my first Bikram Yoga Class in the Spring of 2001. I found the class to be extremely physically challenging and struggled through the first couple of classes but immediately saw the benefits of practicing Bikram Yoga on a regular basis. After some time I was attending three to five classes per week. I was starting to experience increased mobility, flexibility, strength, reduction in pain and improvement in well-being. Within a year of practicing I was a different person having dramatically decreased my pain and I was filled with a feeling of wellness, peace and clarity. I soon came to realize that a regular Bikram Yoga practice helped me to not only feel physically stronger but also dramatically helped to reduce the stress in my life and improve overall clarity of thought. As a senior VP of a major bank, Certified Financial Planner, and money manager - stress is a significant factor in my life. Bikram Yoga has given me the tools necessary to deal with these stresses in a healthy and thoughtful manner. As time progressed Bikram Yoga has become an increasingly important element in my life and it has become a passion that I have grown to feel so strongly about that I want to share the benefits of this practice and self-healing. As a result I attended a Bikram Yoga training in the Fall of 2011 in Los Angeles so that I could open my own Bikram Yoga studio to share these benefits. After twenty-five years as a financial planner I feel like it's important to give back to society and humanity as a whole.

Caroline Hatgidmitriou

Instructor

READ BIO

Caroline began practicing Bikram Yoga in Columbia, South Carolina after a doctor referral for heart palpitations diagnosed as Mitral Valve Prolapse. Caroline did not fall in love her first class, or her second, or her third, but after being persuading into turning her attempts in the hot room into a thirty day challenge, she was hooked. After months of steady practice, her MRI’s came back with a completely regulated heartbeat and zero pain. She was happier and able to manage stress easier than ever. She pulled every friend, family, coworker she knew into the hot room to see how awesome this series is. She continued her practice until she graduated college in May 2014 and took her first opportunity to go to Bikram’s Teacher Training in Thailand in the fall of 2014. She began teaching at her home studio in Columbia and quickly fell in love with teaching and hearing all of the amazing changes and improvements this series has had for her students. A promotion at work moved her to Charleston in 2017, and then to New York in the summer of 2020, where she had the opportunity to join the Bikram Roslyn team and continue to share her love for this series. Caroline is dialogue driven and loves the opportunity to help new students, while also challenging advanced yogis take their practice to the next level. When Caroline is not taking class or teaching, she likes to spend time with her dog Sam.

Alexandra Cuervo

Instructor

READ BIO

Alex had her first yoga (vinyasa) class in 1997. From that first session she was hooked. The practice of being aware of one’s breath, bringing focus to the movements of the body to connect to one’s inner world presented her with a whole new perspective.

She fell hard again for the Bikram (26+2) series in 2006. The intensity and discipline in this class was the missing link she didn’t know she needed and craved.

In 2011 she completed her Bikram training in L.A. In 2016 she completed her 200 hour training in Vinyasa yoga with Jared McCann at the Lighthouse Yoga School in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has also trained in Power Yoga with Baron Baptiste.

Her love and curiosity of asana (yoga postures) spurred her to compete in several yoga asana championships, most recently placing 3rd in the Northeast in February 2020.

She aims to use her collected bag of skills to encourage her students to get curious about their own inner worlds and help them to know themselves better.

Yvette Valasquez

READ BIO

Yvette began practicing at the age of 19. She was introduced to Tracendential Mediation while she was living in Colombia. Coming back to NYC in 2003 she found herself at a Bikram studio, the intensity and sense of mind body renewal gave her the discipline she needed with the demands of working in Manhattan. Yvette became a Bikram teacher in Spring of 2010, as well as becoming a certified Jivamukti teacher, currently working on her apprenticeship. She has been teaching throughout New York, as well as teaching at different studios internationally. Her teaching philosophy is based on helping students to realize their own ability to move deep within to discover their true self through guided movement. Always on a quest for more knowledge, Yvette remains a voracious student, she practices regularly with Guruji’s Bikram Choudry, Sri Dharma Mittra, Sharon Ganon and David Life, amongst teachers at the top of their field. She makes a constant effort to grow and learn with every class. Her students inspired her to continue her education. She works with the non-profit Yoga Youth Movement, which is dedicated to bringing yoga to children in schools and holds a position as a yoga teacher for the Dalton School. She is currently perusing her degree in science.

Judy Appell

READ BIO

After having issues with her back ( scoliosis) Judy was told she had to be active and exercise or she would be in pain. So, she was a runner, tennis player, mother of 3 and grandmother. Did we mention she’s a grandmother! After multiple injuries, she heard about Bikram Yoga but didn’t like the heat. “I loved to sweat when I worked out so I gave it a try. I went alone and the rest is history.” One of Bikram’s quotes is, “you are never too old, never too sick, never too bad to start all over again.” Judy says it has changed her life both physically and emotionally, and always being one to give back, decided to become a teacher. “I wanted to share the amazing benefits of Bikram Yoga. I wanted others to see that one can have physical issues as well as being an older beginner.” It gives Judy pleasure to see students reach the next level in their practice.

Brian Lenihan

READ BIO

Fifteen years ago, Brian was a successful flooring contractor. He suffered from back pain, and overall his health was diminishing. While trying to heal his back through exercise and chiropractics, Brian discovered a nearby Bikram Yoga studio. When he walked into his first class, he was challenged more than he had ever expected. He continued to practice and began to notice dramatic differences in his body, as well as his mind.

Already a personal trainer, since 2006, Brian decided to enter Bikram Yoga teacher training in the fall of 2010. Training has afforded Brian the opportunity to share his love of the practice with others. He believes that functional movement, with attention to breath and core strength helps to develop a strong mind body connection.

Hallie Esposito

Instructor

READ BIO

I grew up in Manhattan and was working as a massage therapist for the American Ballet Theatre and Peninsula Hotel. While working on the dancers I was witnessing chronic injuries that massage alone couldn’t heal. I myself was suffering from injuries due to a lifetime of athletics including running, dancing, spinning, and weight training.  I was feeling physically and emotionally depleted from the demands of a highly active lifestyle along with the draining aspects of working in massage therapy. I was always trying various forms of exercise and decided to try Bikram Yoga. Instantly, I felt my mood shift and my body open.I couldn’t believe how energized, satisfied and alive I felt.  I quickly realized the physical and emotional benefits that the practice afforded me.  I was hooked and after practicing for two years I knew I wanted to share this with others and decided to go to Bikram teacher training in LA in 2005. I have consistently taken classes daily over the past decade and as I continue to hone my practice I experience both the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits that were intended in the original Bikram sequence.  Whether practicing as a student or standing on the podium as a teacher my heart smiles to witness the magic the hot room produces. 

Janice Burke

READ BIO

Yoga is NOT about being bendy...Yoga is about uncovering who you really are. Its about being kind to yourself so that you can be kind to others. Yoga is about discovering some of the thoughts that we create in our heads are not always reality. It's about slowing down to get strong. It's about breathing, moving and smiling. It's the hardest thing i've ever done and also the best! Janice's philosophy teaches with close attention to alignment guiding her students with compassion and humor so that they can gain knowledge, awareness and understanding of themselves through their practice. Janice got her Bikram certification in 2008 and 200 hour RYT through Yoga Polarity 2011. Janice is working towards her degree in Ayurvedic studies as a holistic health counselor.

Adil Rida

Instructor

READ BIO

Adil Rida, a Paris native with Moroccan roots, is a practitioner and teacher of Bikram yoga and Ashtanga Yoga in the tradition of Sri Pattabhi Jois. An ex-martial arts competitor and former Circus Aerialist performer, Adil began practicing yoga in Los Angeles in 2002 at the suggestion of his acting coach in Los Angeles. There, he apprenticed with such yoga luminaries as Emmy Cleaves, Craig Villani and Bikram Choudhury himself.

 In 2005, he obtained his certification at the Bikram Yoga College of India in LA and began teaching Bikram’s popular hot yoga in a dynamic style inspired by his multi-faceted athleticism, and which, in turn, has drawn a loyal following.

More recently, Adil traveled to Mysore, India to study Ashtanga yoga in the tradition of KPJAYI. A world traveler and connoisseur of the healing arts, Adil is also skilled in the practice of Yin Yoga and traditional Thai massage. He has taught classes and workshops and leads retreats all over the world.

 Sweden, Latvia, Morocco, Canada, Australia, Dubai, Mexico and throughout the U.S are just some of the places he has called home.

An international teacher, Adil is passionate about empowering people beyond their physical and mental limitations and showing them the true meaning of yoga: a path of self mastery over breath, body and mind.