About the Instructors

Instructors:

Monica Reese

Monica discovered Bikram Yoga in 1994 after many years of dealing with lower back and sciatic pain. As an avid runner, yoga relieved her pain and allowed her to continue to run. As her yoga practice increased, she slowly gave up running. A year later, her back pain disappeared as she continues to practice yoga. Monica became certified through Bikram Yoga College of India during a 9 week intensive teacher training program which included over 5oo hours of instruction. She practicied with Bikram Choudhury, founder of Bikram Yoga at his studio in Beverly Hills, California in the fall of 1999. Recently she attended a two week seminar in India with Bikram and 8o teachers from around the world. Together they toured Bombay, Delhi and Agra. Also a homemaker, Monica is the mother of two teenage daughters.

Marilyn Weaver

Marilyn first experienced the healing benefits of Bikram Yoga in the late 1980's. Practicing the 26 postures has relieved her of arthritis in the knees and ankles as well as developed strength and flexibility in other areas of her life. She works as a flight attendant and enjoys gardening, skiing, hiking and biking. A Lancaster County native she is the mother of two daughters and the house mom for two dogs and a cat. Marilyn completed the 9-week teacher training at the Bikram Yoga College of India in Los Angeles, CA on June 1st 2002.

Elyssa Williams

Elyssa discovered Bikram Yoga through a friend and committed herself to trying ?something new? as a new year?s resolution in 2002. Even after struggling through her first class, she dove into an intense 7 class a week routine. Enjoying the physical, mental and emotional balance, she decided to attend the 9-week teacher training to become certified as an instructor. She is continuously amazed by the depth of the process and its healing power. Elyssa works full time in retail management and writes and records original music in her spare time.

Denyse Kling

Originally from Philadelphia, Denyse has lived in Lancaster for the past 20 years (has it been THAT long???) and truly considers it home! She started practicing in Spring 2004 having been referred by a friend who thought it would be the perfect compliment to all the running she did. It was love at first stretch!
Denyse’s professional background has always been in the healthcare industry- Marketing, Communications and Community Relations—having been Director of Marketing at Lancaster General Hospital and later at Lancaster Regional Medical Center (LRMC) when they first transitioned from St. Joseph Hospital to LRMS, as Director of Marketing and Communications, overseeing their entire brand imaging campaign.
Her personal passion has always been that of good health.
The more she practiced Bikram Yoga, the more she realized that this particular type of Hatha Yoga provided extraordinary benefits for her—on many different levels.
In a society that is illness-based, Denyse views Bikram Yoga as a pro-active, preventative, wellness-oriented way of living. It transcends just the tremendous physical benefits and is inclusive of the mind and soul. Bikram Yoga for Denyse is a lifestyle and a mindset…one that she looks forward to sharing and experiencing with many others!!!

Anita Gracey

In search of an activity to assist with stress reduction and physical toning, Anita found Bikram Yoga in January 2002. Finding her first class to be barely enjoyable, she reluctantly kept coming back. It wasn't long until she was completely addicted to the overall feeling of well-being and was fascinated by the preventative health and healing aspects of Bikram Yoga. Anita attended the spring 2003 teacher training in southern CA and was certified as a Bikram Yoga instructor. She lives in York and is employed as a registered nurse. Anita enjoys practicing yoga, gardening, and reading.

Erin McRedmond

Erin began practicing Bikram Yoga in Philadelphia in May of 2002 (when she quit smoking!). Her first day, the studio owner suggested she become a Bikram Yoga teacher. She thought he must say that to everyone! 3 months into her practice, she let the heat of the room get to her and stopped practicing. She was convinced that these people must be nuts to be in heat like that. Time passed, she moved to Hershey and there was a nagging feeling about the yoga and the desire to teach it. Driving to Lancaster was a big commitment, but a necessary step in reaching her goal of teaching. She resumed her practice in January 2005 and attended Teacher Training in the fall of 2005, graduating in November. She is quite proud of this accomplishment and has seen tremendous improvements in her lower back problems. Erin resides in Hershey with her white boxer, Duncan, and four very naughty cats. She is co-owner of a family business, an oil painter and loves remodeling homes. And now she can’t get enough of the HEAT!

Daneen Rund

Daneen is a graduate of the spring 2006 Bikram teacher training in southern California. She has been practicing Bikram Yoga since 2002. Daneen is a registered nurse who could not believe all of the health benefits associated with Bikram Yoga. Being impressed with the number of people who improved their lives, she decided to immerse herself in the intensive nine week teacher training program. Daneen believes this practice is truly preventative medicine and is thrilled to be apart of helping people heal themselves!

Monica Reese
1140 Elizabeth Ave.
Lancaster Pa, 17601
717.392.4200
ReeseMCR@aol.com