From Yoga Student to Teacher to Franchise Studio Owner!

As we are celebrating our 1 year anniversary here at The Foundry Thousand Oaks, it is my honor to acknowledge how truly wonderful the Foundry Teacher Training and Franchise program is. I can honestly say that my wife, Courteney, and I are doing what we love everyday. 

I started practicing hot yoga because at the time my previous career and lifestyle had me searching for a way to unwind. I was also looking to improve myself physically. Little did I know how much this practice would improve myself mentally. Overcoming challenges and distractions in the hot room carried with me outside of the room. I started to change the way I think. When new challenges and goals arise in my life my brain would previously default to thinking about all the reasons why I cannot do something. Now I start to default to thinking about all the reasons I CAN do anything. 

Teacher training was something that interested me so that I could learn more about Hot Yoga practice and challenge myself physically with the amount of practice required. I have struggled with social anxiety my entire life so I was on the fence about doing it. I honestly didn’t apply until the final reminder email! lol. To say the least, I am so glad that I did! The Foundry Teacher Training is such a well rounded program.  The Yoga knowledge I received from the variety of experienced teachers is so valuable. The ongoing support from the start to today is amazing. The personal development I have made has been life changing. I have completed 500 hours worth of training with The Foundry.I am certified in 26&2 Hot Yoga, Hot Flow, Hot Basic Yoga, and Hot Mat Pilates. After training I immediately started to teach as much as I can.

Entrepreneurship has been a goal of mine for a long time. My previous career gave me great knowledge into business ownership but the field was not a passion of mine. Hot Yoga quickly became my passion because of all the benefits I received from practicing inside and out. I knew that I could help others do the same! Helping others receive the benefits is the best feeling in the world! In teacher training we wrote down and manifested what our ideal life would look like. Studio ownership was something that I wrote down and spoke about for a long time. Writing it, visualizing it, talking about it, believing it, and receiving that same energy from others, made it happen! We are grateful that we got the opportunity to purchase the Yoga studio that I taught at. In just one short year since taking over we have had huge success! We couldn’t have done it without the guidance and support of The Foundry franchise program. Their program offers the perfect balance of studio operating systems and personal business creativity. Having their 17 years of studio ownership experience on our side is so valuable. The Foundry makes owning and operating a studio a very rewarding experience. 

From practicing, to teacher training, to franchise ownership, the lifelong relationships that we have built at The Foundry is my favorite part. 

Brandon Breit
Studio Owner/Teacher 
The Foundry Thousand Oaks

Student Spotlight: Craig

By Craig Miller

Bikram Yoga came into my life almost by chance.  I had overheard a conversation among some guys regarding their exercise routines. One of the guys said that all he did anymore was yoga, and I thought to myself how strange that was because I had no idea what yoga was all about.  I did some research, and read the great article that appeared in O Magazine about the lady who did the Bikram Yoga 60 day challenge and it changed her life.  So at 50 years old, I decided to try it for myself.  I went to my first Bikram Yoga class three years ago on Sunday morning December 12, 2010 at the old Paradise Valley studio (across the street from where we are now). The room was hot and it was tough but I realized then that I could do it, and it was something that was worth doing.  So I kept coming back, and 3 years later on my anniversary at the studio I had done 593 classes.  The reason that I know how many classes I have taken, and when I started is because I have kept track of every one of those classes I have taken.  I know it sounds a little strange but when I first started it just seemed like the right thing to do keep track of my progress.  I have done that ever since and I am really glad that I did.

Before Bikram Yoga, I tried to keep in shape and work out, but I never found anything that I wanted to do on a consistent basis and also get results.  I used to have a lot of back pain that I just chalked up to being a weekend warrior.  After doing Bikram Yoga for a while, my back did not hurt as much after playing tennis or golf.  I don’t remember any “aha moments” when I realized that I was not having the normal pain, it just did not happen as much anymore.  I know I am stronger and more flexible but the biggest benefit is the confidence that I have now to do all the stuff I enjoy and not worry so much about the nagging aches and pains.  That peace of mind goes a long way towards getting out there and going for it.  When I do the challenges that the studio puts together, I know that hard work and commitment will make it happen and that I have the strength to do it.  That is a good feeling.

Of course the main reason anyone really sticks with a healthy routine for a long period of time is to improve their lives.  I want to continue doing Bikram Yoga because there is so much of this world to see and do, and I want to be in good shape both mentally and physically to do it.  What’s great about BYAZ is that all the teachers make it fun and challenging.  They have made a huge difference in my life.  Oh and one more thing, if an average old guy like me, who keeps falling out of the postures, can be Student of the Month, anyone can.  Keep up the good work, and see you at class.

My Top 5 List:  The Top 5 reasons you should join The Bikram Yoga Paradise Valley Men’s Club -- by Craig Miller

Number 5: You can goof around with Sam Rogers and me in the hall before the 3:30pm class starts.

Number 4: You can be on the ground floor of a small but exclusive group of guys who cause all kinds of trouble.

Number 3: We have great honorary women members, and are always looking for more.

Number 2: Any group whose motto is, “we like our beer cold and our yoga hot” is your kind of place.

Number 1: We have way cool tee shirts – so pick up your shirt at the studio and join the fun!

A Final Savasana Quote

It is only those people who are not rowing the boat that have time to cause problems for the others on the boat.  By doing this yoga you are moving your life forward and making yourself a better person that can do more good things for the people in your boat and in your life.

10,000 Yoga Classes?!

Imagine taking 2,000 Bikram Yoga classes. Well that's just what our February Student in the Spotlight, Bill Brown, has done!

Bill began his practice in August of 2006. Since then, Bill has practiced in over 70 different studios in 15 different states. Before yoga, he worked out with weights, did cardio, and of course, he golfed! Although he was in great shape, he had suffered injuries earlier in his life that resulted in surgeries on both of his knees and shoulders. Bikram Yoga has really helped to improve those areas that have been operated on.

Besides healing old injuries, the yoga has really helped Bill to detox and keep his health in tip-top condition. In the 6 years that he has been practicing yoga, he has only been sick twice! The yoga has also helped to calm him down. He says, "that's a big one - don't let anything steal your peace".

When asked what advice Bill would give a new student, he says, "Just keep coming as much as you can, the rest will take care of itself." Well we know Bill is taking his own advice as he informs us that his goal is to take 10,000 classes! He explains, "God willing I should get to 10,000 classes in 2039 when I am 88 years young!!!"