Our Team
Our founder and owner
Michele Vennard

In her pre-yoga life, Michele Vennard was a marketing director for a line of Italian restaurants. Michele discovered Bikram yoga soon after her mother passed away from Alzheimer’s and became a certified Bikram yoga teacher in 2001. “I wanted people to find this yoga the way I did in helping me cope with such deep grief. It did that and more.”
In 2003, Michele founded Bikram Yoga San Jose with the dream to spread the benefits of Bikram Yoga to new students and to serve the diverse students that diligently practice this discipline. “Having a yoga studio gives me a chance to serve humankind but also unexpectedly filled that void in me to create connection with people. My students and staff are genuinely my family. If you come here just once, you’re wrapped up in my love, our love. It’s a place that’s truly a place of belonging. I’m so proud of that.”
Over Michele’s 20 years of teaching and 23 years of regular practice, not only has she taught thousands of students but she has also mentored teachers, coached yoga athletes, and hosted yoga competitions. In 2018, Michele became the National and International USA Yoga champion women’s 50+ division.
Our Staff
Meet the people who work together to keep our studio running smoothly, all over, inside-out.

Jill Durchslag
Front Desk Supervisor
My goal is to continue building a healthy community for all to enjoy. I do Bikram Yoga to calm my mind and strengthen my body.

Tonni LeBaron
Front Desk Supervisor
As I age, Bikram Yoga helps with my balance, strength, inflammation and overall emotional and mental health.
I ensure you as a student have the best membership package for your practice, and help our staff track of all of our key studio performance numbers.

Aicha Machi
Front Desk Supervisor
I do Bikram yoga to increase my flexibility and strength and as a recovery tool after running marathons and to cleanse and detox my body through heat and sweating.
As a front desk supervisor I am responsible for ordering all essential supplies for the studio, maintaining retail inventory and assisting members.

Matt Newman
Staff Teacher, Facilities Manager
I teach a lot and act as general house elf for the studio.

Sarah Newman
Staff Teacher
I do Bikram Yoga because it works!

Shirley Pak
Financial Advisor

Michael Wickler
Marketing & Events Specialist

Jose Gonzalez
Janitor
I love BYSJ because I get to be in charge and make sure everything is clean. This is a much better place to be.
Our Teachers
Our teachers give their whole hearts to empowering you to get all of the healing benefits out of Bikram Yoga.

Michele Vennard
Teaching since 2001
I do yoga because it helps me stay healthy, improves the quality of my life in every facet, and because, without it, I’m definitely not my best as a loving human being. There’s not a practice that I don’t come away from feeling more love!

Matt Newman
Teaching since 2014
I do Bikram Yoga to become happy, peaceful, and liberated.

Sarah Newman
Teaching since 2014
I do Bikram Yoga because it works!

Irena Blom
Teaching since 2022

Nirvana Chowdhury
Teaching since 2013
Bikram Yoga is my stepping stone to self-realization, and brings sparkle every time I practice! It is the happiest and best medicine I have found for my mind, body, and spirit.

Yi-Ting Chuang
Teaching since 2007
I practice Bikram Yoga because it is my absolute ME Time.

Kelly Gibson
Teaching since 2010
I practice traditional Bikram Yoga because it delivers intense improvements to both my physical and mental health and well-being. I look and feel younger, cleaner, and brighter than with any other type of yoga, exercise, sport, or meditation practice I have tried.

Jessica Guinn
Teaching since 2012
I practice because it is how I return to peace in my mind and my body, especially while raising two young children.

Kerry Hyman
Teaching since 2014
For me, the practice started in the body, as a gloriously heated way to work it from the inside out. It rapidly evolved into a wonderfully satisfying way to ease my mind and touch my spirit. The words (dialogue) wash over me, becoming my meditation, mental relaxation, and physical regeneration each time I practice.

Rewa Kaul
Teaching since 2013
Bikram Yoga is an anchor in my life that keeps me centered, and keeps my mind and body in (some kind of) balance.

Mari Mashimo
Teaching since 2017
I believe this yoga practice is a healing process; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It is a lifelong journey of learning to lead self-improvement and spiritual growth.

Cynthia Wehr
Teaching since 2003
I practice Bikram Yoga to further enhance and understand the relationship with my true divine SELF.

Yuqin Wen
Teaching since 2015
They say, if you love someone, send them to yoga; if you hate someone, send them to yoga. For me, yoga helps to balance between I, me, and self – through a yoga practice I am a better, healthier, and happier person.

Claire Wright
Teaching since 2014
I practice Bikram Yoga for many reasons! It’s the one form of exercise that challenges me so much that I’m inspired to come back to BYSJ again and again, ever since my first class in January 2004.
Our Karma Yogis
These are the students who serve our community, volunteering their time and energy to make BYSJ better.

Angelo
Started in September 2017
For now, I’m doing it to stay physically fit, and wake up areas of my body that have fallen asleep.

Christine
Started in January 2018

Cindy
Started in 2012
I saw this posted the other day and thought, “Yes, so true!”: I GOT 99 PROBLEMS. AND I’M GONNA GO TO YOGA AND SOLVE ABOUT 53 OF THEM.

Janet
Started in 2010

Kristen
Started in 2009

Lori
Started in summer 2016
I practice Bikram yoga for its healing power.