Class Schedule

Our Teachers

Sally Flanagan-Gutjahr

Sally studied Dramatic Art at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa and went on to discover Bikram Yoga when she was traveling in the United States in 1998. She received her Bikram Yoga Teacher Training certification in Los Angeles, CA, July of 1999 where she studied under Bikram. She was the 1st person from Johannesburg, South Africa to attend the Bikram yoga teacher training.

She founded Bikram Yoga Jozi in June of 2003 with then business partner Louise Boraine. In 2006, Sally became the sole owner of Bikram Yoga Jozi. Over the past 5 years Sally has inspired 14 men & woman to attend the training. Johannesburg now hosts 3 Bikram Yoga studios: Bikram yoga Jozi, Fourways and Randburg.

While living in Los Angeles, CA, Sally trained in various other yoga disciplines namely Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow, Iyengar, Tri-Yoga and power yoga. She has attended classes and workshops with Shiva Rae, Brian Kest, Seann Corn, Ana Forrest, Kali Ray, Gurmukh among others. Sally practices Transcendental & other forms of Meditation.

Anni Crous

Anni is an internationally trained Hot Yoga teacher and the first South African to attend a teacher training with Esak Garcia to teach the e84 Intermediate and 84 Asanas.

Having danced throughout most of my youth, I have always used my body for creative expression. When my dancing career ended, I constantly felt like something was amiss, until I found yoga in 2000. I started a teacher training in the Iyengar method in 2001. I found Bikram Yoga 2 years later and went to LA in 2006 to do a teacher training with Bikram. I have a particular affinity with the yoga from the Gosh lineage, from where the Bikram series of 26&2 was born.

I teach from what I know to be true and I teach this yoga because it works! I don’t think one form of yoga is better than any other, but continue to witness and experience the healing and therapeutic benefits of this yoga in my own practice.

Neil Joss

In 2006, Neil tried out yoga with a friend. In his first class, he sweated, went to hell and back and afterwards was glowing with happiness. He was hooked. He fulfilled his dream by going to the Bikram Yoga Teacher training in Waikiki, Hawaii where not only did he train with Bikram but he also swam in the ocean where many of his surfing heroes swam. His Yoga journey has led him to train with world-renowned teachers Sean Corn, Ana Forrest, Shiva Rae, Gurmukh, Michael Gannon, John Schumaker and the Jivamukti duo. But no one compares to Bikram.

He is an inspiration par excellence, says Neil. Neil practices all styles of yoga but Yoga Intense (HOT) is his language. He loves the fact that Yoga Intense (HOT) is free from new-age pretences and is a practice that is all about working hard to heal oneself. Neil is an artist (painting and drawing) and a holistic health counsellor. He assists people in finding their own healing through nutritional guidance and connecting with their real selves.

Nadia Thomè

Former ballet dancer with the Royal Ballet, her love affair with yoga started about 12 years ago.

It was Bikram Yoga that offered her the greatest opportunity for transformation, it quickly became her passion because of its physical intensity, as well as its ability to heal and strengthen. This dynamic series of postures brought health and balance to her life.

Inspired to share this platform for healing and self-discovery with others, she graduated from Sally Flanagan-Gutjahr’s Yoga Intense, Hot Yoga Teacher Training in June 2018.

Using her experiences and dedication to ballet, creative dance and yoga, she brings passion, intuition and authenticity to her yoga teaching.

She believes in order to be a responsible teacher, she must continue to be a humble student – always learning, growing and sharing her knowledge of this practice from countless numbers of teachers who have come before her.

Nadia is married and a mother of three children, together with her family, she enjoys cooking vegan food, travelling, hiking and meeting new people.

“Yoga has been such a gift to me, and I feel so lucky that I can help other people find it, I can’t express how truly grateful I am.”

Melanie Castleman

“Holding space for an experience needed by the student is my passion, and my fuel”

Internationally recognised and esteemed Yoga Teacher Melanie Castleman is known for her passion, unique approach, and inspirational instructing style that embodies physical, spiritual, and mental strength.

Johannesburg-based Melanie Castleman (Forrest Guardian in training) trained in many different styles yet gravitates towards Forrest Yoga and Forrest-inspired vinyasa.

After much Forrest training, Mel has developed her own unique style of teaching and has a dedicated following in South Africa and globally.

With lots of attention to detail and breath, Mel weaves a web of connectedness throughout the room, facilitating a slow but fluid flow.

Her classes are creatively sequenced, light-hearted, with the right amount of intensity for gentle transformation.

Bruce Burger

“I love Yoga, and sharing its light to manifest positive changes to this world is my life-path.”

Bruce led a typical pedestrian life, with two degrees in Engineering and an MBA. In 2006 he studied Reiki and then Mindfulness training and so began his journey into conscious and mindful living. This was followed by further esoteric and traditional studies; eventually leading him to Yoga.

In 2011 Bruce became a certified teacher of Vinyasa Yoga taught by Cherryl Duncan and Sarah Bentz of Living Yoga. Their teachings inspired him to teach others to experience Yoga. In 2013, to enrich his teachings, he completed the international Jivamukti Yoga 300hr teacher training course with Sharon Gannon and David Life. In 2014, he followed this up with a course in traditional Yoga meditation run by Abhyasa Ashram.

His love for Yoga now reflects through his teaching with emphasis on the Yogi’s individual requirements, irrespective of their level of practice, and acts as a “guide” for the Yogi on their journey.

His current interests relate to all aspects of Yoga, traditional Yogic practices, mantra, knowledge, devotion, with emphasis on pranayama and meditation.

All the teachings of Yoga are of our fabric and Bruce encourages students to rediscover the joy of Yoga for themselves through their own regular practice on and off the mat. Yoga unites us back with our creative source, and only the student can do this for themselves, becoming their own teacher.

“Yoga is a personal journey and it is my honour to guide students with confidence and joy on the path that is Yoga

Tanya Botha

I started practising in 2002, and have been teaching since 2006. Starting as a dedicated Ashtanga follower, I now focus on Vinyasa Flow and Hatha Yoga.
While living overseas I was blessed to study with several AYRI Certified Ashtanga teachers in Taiwan and Thailand, as well as with Guruji Pattabhi Jois and Sharath in Mysore, India. I’ve done several 200hr Teacher Trainings and studied with many international Anusara teachers, including Martin Kirk who is an expert in Anatomy and Yoga Therapeutics in the USA.

Unfortunately, I have really struggled with many natural, genetic misalignments in my body (bad back, knees, shoulder, neck, hip and ankle). When I discovered the therapeutic approach and biomechanical alignment principles of Anusara Yoga in 2005 it completely changed my experience of how to work with my body. My classes and teaching are now very much based on Anusara, giving me a unique approach as very few teachers in SA have studied this style of Yoga.

I’m not so interested in putting people into crazy poses. My main aim in teaching is to help people to work with their joints and connective tissue in a way that is supportive, will protect from injury and ensure that we are all still doing our yoga well into our 90s! I also teach with a strong breath-focus which balances the nervous system, bringing the mind into that centred meditative place that is so elusive in today’s insanely paced lifestyle.

For 5 years I was a facilitator of the Pranayama, Yogic Energetics, Philosophy and Yogic History sections of a well-known yoga teacher training course. It is these deeper aspects that are my true interest in Yogic practice and they are the basis for everything I do in my life. My advice for a good life: take what you learn on the mat and apply it to everything you do off your mat. That’s where the true Yoga is!

Nina Frank

Nina has been in the business of healing for 50 years! First as a nurse and midwife and then later as a healing practitioner in the complementary field.

She practices many different modalities, both energetic and interactive and came across TRE about 10 years ago and was immediately drawn to it. Her immediate experience was a significant reduction in anxiety which she says was life changing.
The drop in anxiety is something that most people experience after one or two sessions as well as better sleep and reduction in back pain. These are often the immediate effects with others to follow.

Tanielle Mandy 

For as long as I can remember...sport, health and fitness was always a big part of my life growing up. I started off doing my mom’s aerobics classes when I was 5 and continued that on into my life as I grew up moving away from the leotards and leg warmers to other forms of appropriate Lycra 🤪
I have represented SA for triathlons and competed in many races across many different disciplines with my passion lying with mountain biking. There is nothing better than being able to do what you love while experiencing and exploring beautiful places. 
I have learnt the importance over the last few years of keeping my core and body strong to assist with all my endurance sports hence the incorporation of pilates and yoga into my life. I love to be fit and healthy and exploring just how strong your body and mind can be when pushed to levels beyond what you ever could of imagined. Joseph Pilates sums it up for me when he says “ The mind, when housed within a healthful body possesses a glorious sense of power.” 

Catherine Fourie

• Yoga practitioner since 1995

• Discovered Bikram Yoga via his book Bikram’s Beginning Hatha Yoga

• First official class January 2007

• Bikram Yoga Teacher training at Bikram’s Yoga College of India, Los Angeles, California June 2011 This yoga has been a vital support for my life, I cling to the knowledge that ” it does not matter how good you are, it matters how hard you try.” Bikram

Kerry Tessendorf

As a natural seeker 20 years ago in London, back in a time when yoga was considered strange, I found myself at my first yoga class. Shavasana and the mantra OM gave me a deep sense of relaxation and the feeling of coming home to myself. This is when yoga became the beginning of a life long journey for me.
I went on to deepen my love and understanding of the practice by completing my RYT 200h Hatha yoga teachers course with the British Wheel of Yoga In 2004.

I was very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to travel to India in 2018, spending time with Yogis and living their yogic lifestyle.
As a result of that trip, I completed my advanced RYT 500h Ashtanga/Vinyasa Yoga Training while in Rishikesh with The Himalayan Yoga Association-2019.

Over 20 years of soul-searching and many detours, I am now exploring city-life. Enjoying teaching at Various Yoga studios in the very hip and vibrant City of Johannesburg.

I am devoted to continuously¬¬ learning, sharing and radiating this knowledge for everyone to utilise and enjoy.

Namaste
Kerry

Type of Classes

Hot 26+ 

This is traditionally practiced in the Hot room but we are teaching it on our tented rooftop until our Hot Studio is ready, which should be second week of July 2021, if not sooner. 

Our Hot 26+ classes are inspired by the original hot and humid Bikram yoga practice featuring 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Traditionally, each pose is performed twice for maximum therapeutic benefit. Our experienced teachers offer the regular sequence as well as variations which add value for the practitioner.

The postures systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to 100% of the body, to each organ and fibre, restoring all systems to healthy working order. Proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well being will automatically follow.

The Bikram Method is the foundation class for beginners through advanced practitioners. 

The 26+ classes range from 60, 70 to 90 minutes. 

Flow 

This class is a well balanced flow that will benefit everyone from the new student to the experienced yogi. Our teachers have the ability to offer easier modifications and challenging options all at the same time. Poses are linked together by breath, space is allowed to hold postures and linger in the stillness. Creative and thoughtful sequencing focuses on building functional strength

TRE Trauma Release

Our natural way of releasing trauma is to tremor. By doing this we release muscles which have become contracted and hormones like adrenaline, which keep us in a constant state of, at least low level anxiety. Living as we do, we're all vulnerable to anxiety and depression, if not marked trauma. The sessions will involve learning a series of exercises which prepare the body for tremoring and release.

Yin

Yin is a restorative and slow yoga practice. Each pose is held for a few minutes so that the body and mind can unwind from its habitual ‘doing state’. The class deeply relaxes and encourages a change of pace. Our nervous system and muscles benefit as we surrender to an increased state of quiet and calm. Most poses are on the floor so that very little muscular effort is engaged. If you feel like some good wholesome nurturing this practice is for you. Yin is a great practice to use in conjunction with other styles of yoga as it completely supports your already established practice.

Yoga Therapy

In India, exercises done in gentle movement for the sake of health are called “therapeutic yoga exercises”. The method is quite simple, taking the major joints and muscles of the body through their normal range of motion. When the body is functioning well, these exercises are easy. The difficulty comes when there is injury, scar tissue, disease or imbalance.

Most of us have jobs, hobbies or habits that entail repetitive movement – whether it is sitting in a chair, using a computer, swinging a hammer or playing a musical instrument, over time the body develops significant imbalance. These exercises can help with common pain, weakness and tightness in the body.

Intro to Yoga

These Beginner classes are designed to create a safe foundation for your yoga practice, to give you a good understanding of the postures. During class you’ll be introduced to Ujjayi breath and the fundamental vinyasa (flow) yoga postures. Our purpose to set you up successfully so that you can go to any class on the schedule and feel safe and secure.

Core & Strength

This 60 minute class combines Pilates, functional movement and strength, focusing on specific core muscles and stabilisation to give you a full body strength workout.