Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith first learned Bikram Yoga from a book while living in rural Montana as a young mother. She taught herself the postures from Bikram's first book, and found pain relief from shoulder and back injuries and a wonderful adjunct to running. Practicing Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class alone and with friends for many years, she kept a watch as Bikram began to develop his teacher trainings. In 2003, she completed training with Bikram and Rajashree Choudury in Los Angeles, then came to the Seattle area to teach and live near her sons. She purchased the yoga studio and established Hot Yoga of Woodinville in April of 2005. Sandy enjoys managing the studio, teaching Bikram yoga, and practicing with all the instructors and students. Her compassion and interest in each of her students is evident in her mindful approach to teaching.

Toni Best

Dr. Toni Best is an inspirational speaker, wellness coach and chiropractor. Having struggled with eating disorders for 20 years, she has been on a nearly lifelong quest for healing and wholeness, and a deeper understanding of the human body, mind and potential. This journey led to her Chiropractic degree, with ongoing study in natural hygiene (nutrition), human consciousness, and the magic healing potential of our own breath. She was guided to yoga in 1997 and the result was an extraordinary personal recovery and transformation. She began instructing in 2002 and brings a deep understanding of personal struggle as well as knowledge of health, the human body, and proper alignment to her teaching. She teaches authentically from love and inspiration and enjoys watching her students discover their true essence and heal their own lives through yoga. Dr. Toni breathes new life and inspiration in her classes with her enlightening and rousing view on wellness, human potential, and how to truly incorporate the principles we know and learn into our lives with enthusiasm and perseverance. She is also co-founder of Achieving Wellness Centers and Worksite Wellness with her husband and partner Dr. Darren White and speaks on many wellness topics to companies and groups in search of extraordinary wellness, wholeness and self-mastery.

Izzy Duenhoeltor

Izzy Duenhoeltor has been practicing Bikram yoga for over six years now. Izzy says " I continue to be amazed by it’s ever-changing effect on me and my body. Six years ago, a friend asked if I wanted to try yoga. I told her 'sure', then she continued… 'the room is kind of hot...'. Ever since, I have been addicted by its benefits. Two years into my practice, my chronic back pain was gone. I work full time as a registered nurse in the field of obstetrics and gynecology and feel that this background will serve me in helping others with this practice".

Izzy was born in Germany, raised in Texas and happily calls Seattle home. While she "absolutely loves traveling", she considers herself a homebody. Izzy spends most of her time working and practicing yoga, but when she is not doing those things, she reads, gardens, hikes, runs, and spends time with her husband and dog at their home in Seattle.

Christian Kline

Christian Kline has been practicing Bikram yoga since 2006. His practice reached a pinnacle upon completion of Bikram's Yoga Teacher Training in Spring of 2008 where he participated in nine weeks of learning and growth with Bikram and his senior staff. Before finding Bikram Yoga, Christian tried many other types of yoga. He finds he enjoys the amazing union of physical and mental work that comes from this unique practice. Along with yoga, Christian enjoys snowboarding, surfing, and is passionate about literature and food. In class, you'll find Christian enjoys pushing students to find new limits, to move past old habits. He wants to pass on his love of yoga to his students.

Johnna Koenig

Johnna Koenig started practicing yoga almost ten years ago to complement and heal the impact that collegiate athletics had on her body.  While completing a degree in Software Systems at the University of Washington, yoga became an outlet that provided a unique physical benefit and exploration of the mind, body, and breath union.  With such a profound experience, Johnna felt a calling to learn and share more.   In 2007 she completed her first teacher training with Baron Baptiste.  Johnna’s classes bring energy and encourage practicing by exploring the body/mind with the greatest of compassion.  If not practicing yoga you can find Johnna running, biking, swimming or spending time with her husband Ryan and new puppy Snickerdoodle.

Jo Parsons

Jo Parsons, a full time yoga instructor since 2005, has devoted her life to helping others enjoy the healing and joy that a regular yoga practice can offer.

Brought to yoga herself at the advice of a friend who said it would be a good way to lose excess weight, Jo quickly discovered the many blessings beyond just the physical benefits. Not only did she lose weight, but she discovered that she could manage completely her lifelong struggle with clinical depression. Jo says, “Yoga brought me back to myself, and taught me how to stand on my own two feet. Every time I come back to my mat, I am reminded of what’s important; what’s inside.” Jo draws upon her own experiences and blends together the perfect balance of wisdom and humor in her classes.

A devote practioner of Power Vinyasa Yoga since 2000, Jo began her training with local master teacher Lisa Black at Shakti Vinyasa Yoga in Seattle, Wa. She completed an 11 hour Level 1 Teacher Training Intensive in 2004, and a 49 hour Teacher Assistant Training Program in 2005.

Formally trained by Baron Baptiste, of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Institute, Jo remembers her first meeting with Baron at the Personal Revolution Weekend in 2004 with Baron Baptiste when he said to her, “Are you teaching yet? Because you have it in you to teach.” Since then Jo has completed over 240 hours of training with the Baptiste Institute, first with Level 1 Teacher Training in Hilo, Hawaii in 2004, and then with Level 2 Teacher Training in Feathered Pipe, Montana in 2006.

Jo currently teaches at studios around the Puget Sound area, sharing her gift for teaching and her love for yoga every time she steps into a yoga setting. Jo is known for teaching from her heart with passion, joy, love and enthusiasm!

Christine Yang

Christine Yang encountered Bikram’s Yoga in winter of 2001.  While the heat was overwhelming, it was also what kept her going back.  In the fall of 2001, Christine headed off to eastern Washington for college.  During her four years in college, where there was no Bikram studio nearby, Christine practiced as much as she could whenever she returned home for winter, spring, and summer breaks.  Upon graduating with a Bachelor in Asian Studies, Christine found work with the Northshore YMCA in child care and committed fully to her yoga practice.  She attended the spring 2007 Bikram Yoga Teacher Training and will be entering University of Washington’s Master in Teaching Program in summer 2008.  Christine enjoys the ever-evolving shape of her practice and welcomes the challenges of every class.  She hopes that her students find health and happiness through their yoga practice.