Michelle Sankey
Yoga Teacher
I love all styles of Yoga but by far the most personal benefits I have experienced is with Bikram hot yoga.
I had been an active person all my life, martial arts was my main sport, achieving my belt belt in Kung fu, I also practiced gymnastics regularly and Ashtanga Yoga with Peter Sanson weekly, I was very fit, flexible and agile but in 2017 after my second baby via emergency C-section my core was severely weakened and I then had a serious spine injury which left my right leg completely paralyzed. At age 36 I had to use a Zimmer frame to be able to hop around It took a year to be able to walk again fully but I still lived with chronic pain daily and had lost almost all movement in my spine.
I started attending hot yoga classes weekly after a friend suggested it for my back. Stiffness and pain meant my ability was very low to begin with but I was told by the teacher "work to the body you have on the day" so I did.
I persevered and slowly saw improvement each class.
Today I have zero back pain and I have become very flexible again. My back is strong, my core is strong and I have almost the same level of movement in my spine than I had before my injury and I am fitter and stronger now in my 40's than I was 20 years ago in my 20's.
I still have 3 disks that are damaged and decompressed but the strength that practicing Bikram Yoga weekly has given me means that I can live "normally" again, pain free.
I fell in love Bikram yoga and I wanted to help share the benefits it can give anybody regardless of age or fitness levels. So in March 2023 I decided to attend the intensive Bikram teacher training course in Queenstown to become a Bikram teacher. It was very tough but I loved every minute of it!
I am proud to say that I am now a Bikram Hot Yoga teacher.
Bikram Yoga really is for everybody and every body, regardless of your ability, flexibility and state of mind. I know from my own experience that you leave that hot room feeling stronger and more centered, mind body and soul.
Yoga Teacher Qualifications -
350 hours YTT - Bikram Hot Yoga w/ OHYTT Donna Wikio
60 hours YTT - Yin Yoga w/ Yoga Alliance
30 hours YTT - Yoga Nidra w/ Yoga Alliance .