Testimonials

Meet Tamara Dearing

challenged herself to 100 days of yoga... and is half way there 

I started 2011 with a fever. I do not mean this as a metaphor. I was laying on my couch sickly with sweat and chills feeling completely sub-human when the ball came down in New York City. From that moment on I could not right myself. I did not make any resolutions I just went back to work two days later completely underwhelmed. Weeks of work left me unfulfilled and although I am newly and quite happily married I felt my life was missing a good deal. When my husband finally said to me that my mood was becoming very hard on him I realized I needed to do something drastic to get myself out of a rut. I decided I would do 100 consecutive days of hot yoga. By the end of 100 days if I had not changed my entire life for the better at least by golly I would be in excellent health. 

Now you should know I have been doing hot yoga on and off for about a year now. I average anywhere from 1-3 times a week which means, I am no expert. I initially tried it out begrudgingly after my husband told me I would love it. I was concerned with wearing the wrong clothes, having people stare at me or being unchallenged by the workout. My only experience with yoga up until that point had been at my gym where the pace was much less vigorous and apparently targeted for the geriatric. As it turns out, hot yoga is extremely challenging and no one cares what you are doing or wearing because they are too busy trying to stay in the pose or wiping sweat out of their eyes. 

Consequently, I love hot yoga. I am hoping after 100 days of it I can approach my life with clean thoughts, focus, direction and vigor. I am hoping to finish 2011 with a fever and that my friends is a metaphor.

Meet Jessica Palladino

became a confident woman

I have never been what you would call athletic. Like any Italian-American woman worth her salt, I love cooking and eating! In the time I have been at Betsy's, I have not put myself on any diet, nor do I do any excercise besides Yoga. However, my water intake has increased to a gallon a day, and I do crave more  wholesome foods. My main purpose for joining Betsy's Hot Yoga was not weight loss, rather, it was because I needed help managing stress and anxiety. My neighbor suggested I try Betsy's due to her staff of incredibly practiced, disciplined instructors. My neighbor was right; I do not think I would have made it as far as I have without the professionalism of Betsy's team. 

In the beginning, I could not finish one Bikram class; now, on a good day I can do doubles! The external results so far may be the most obvious (28 pounds weight-lost), but it is the internal results that I value most. My confidence has blossomed, awareness increased, and I have the strength to face all things with great courage. I can honestly say I'm content with where I am now, and look forward to where I'm going. Betsy's Hot Yoga has provided, in a word, empowerment. 

Most Sincerely,
Jessica Palladino

Meet Mark Brohm 

changed his lifestyle thanks to yoga 

When I came to my first hot yoga class in December, 2010, I weighed 207 lbs, was barely able to touch my toes, and had to lie down nearly every other posture. It is now the beginning of April, I weigh 175 lbs, and have seen a level of improvement in my yoga practice that I would have thought impossible after my first class. 

I've been pretty active my entire life, played sports in high school, ran several half and a full marathon in college, and most recently tried cross-fit style workouts. None of these compare to the challenge that I go through every time I step foot into the yoga studio. None of my friends believe me when I tell them I haven't lifted a weight in 2011. I know I still have a long way to go, but I couldn't be happier with the results I've seen this far!