
Rob Manosca
Owner
/ Director
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I
started practicing yoga at the college I worked for in 2004 in
North Carolina. I wanted to implement yoga as conditioning for
my mens volleyball program. While visiting my parents I discovered
the Jacksonville Bikram studio. My first class was amazing. I
did less than half the class yet I felt like I had completed the
best workout, meditation and most relaxing massage all in one.
I was hooked. The first three months I lost 30 lbs. and throughout
that first year I lost a total of 50 lbs. My body totally transformed.
I knew I wanted to teach. I attended the first Teacher Training
in Hawaii, spring 2007. This was the hardest thing I've ever done
in my life, both mentally and physically, as well as the most
rewarding experience. I love teaching this yoga. I never thought
I'd own a studio. Thank you all for coming in, you are the ones
that keep it going. Peace. |

Krupa
Alford
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I
started practicing Bikram yoga in 2001 in St. Augustine , FL under
the instruction of Kate Mitchell. As I was starting my yoga practice,
I was finishing my Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy at the University
of Saint Augustine . It was then that my eyes were opened to the
benefits of yoga for various types of musculoskeletal dysfunctions.
In 2005 I went to teacher training in Los Angeles , and shortly
after finishing I took over management of the San Marco studio in
Jacksonville . I no longer teach full time, as I am a full time
therapist at Heekin Orthopedic Specialists. As I have grown in both
my yoga practice and my physical therapy profession, I have become
increasingly aware of how beautifully they compliment one another.
I still practice Bikram Yoga regularly, and enjoy teaching whenever
I have the opportunity. |

Tiffany
Cofer
|
I
grew up on a small island off the coast of Georgia, Saint Simons.
As a child I always remained active participating in horseback
and cycling, enjoying nature's splendor. Also at the ripe age
of 5, I began dance, which leads me further into my journey with
yoga and excercise. Health and Fitness has become a lifestyle
for me, not just any "phase" or "fad." After
developing skills with cycling outdoors, I pursued a certification
from Schwinn Indoor Cycling and began teaching Spinning. After
a class one day, a friend introduced me to the idea of this Bikram
Yoga, told me of the heat and sweating and I was instantly intrigued.
And so there I was, hooked immediately after my first class. I
was studying under Michael Gilbourne, Cindy Toda, and Lisa Franzino.
After many sweaty, hot hours of their instruction, I was ready
and without a doubt, inspired to take on the Teacher Training
(spring 2007), along with Rob Manosca, now owner of Bikram Yoga
Jacksonville. I am currently teaching yoga, hopefully inspiring
others to dive into the wonderful healing power of Bikram Method
Yoga, developing this as a lifetime dicipline. Namaste. |

Lisa
Franzino
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Lisa
is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. After working in the corporate
world as a technical writer, she dropped out to go to Bikram training
and then opened two Bikram schools in Jacksonville. As a third-time
transplant to Portland, Lisa feels she is there to stay: for a
while at least.
Lisa
started practicing yoga as a rehabilitative therapy after her
battle with cancer. It has greatly helped her chronic back pain,
lymphedema and post-traumatic stress, as well as helped eliminate
the toxins from her cancer treatment. As someone who is herself
continuing to heal, Lisa brings a compassion to her teaching
that is both comforting and inspiring.
In
addition to teaching and practicing yoga, she works as a Web
and graphic designer under her design company, CircleScapes.
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Michael
Gilbourne
|
I
have been teaching at this studio since it opened and love the
atmosphere and feel that the studio eminates. I love the connections
that are created between the studio and the students.
I'm
not in Jacksonville full time anymore, but you can expect me
to drop by every so often. For me teaching is everything! It's
all about you and your growth. My goal is to do everything possible
to make your class the best experience; helping you discover
your greatest abilities while getting stronger all the way.
To
all the students that had me in the past … I thank you
for being such an integral part of this living yoga community.
I am thrilled that Rob Manosca has taken over the studio and
feel that he will make it an even better place for all to pursue
their own individual goals of health, strength, and union with
the self. See you soon in class!
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Akemi
Hofmann
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I
started practicing yoga in early spring of 05 with Master Adam
in Virginia Beach. At the same time I joined 200-hours intensive
Hatha yoga course, I regularly practiced Hot yoga, which is very
similar to Bikram yoga.
In summer of '05 I and my husband returned to Japan, I found out
that Bikram was planning to open studios in Japan, so I joined
its preparatory training in Tokyo. With the help of wonderful
mentors, Cynthia Wehr, Leslie Christhansen, I could go through
TTC in spring of 06!!
I taught Bikram yoga in Tokyo about one year until we came back
to Jacksonville, my husband's hometown. Honestly, I was a total
geek, never athletic, severe sociophobic. Who could imagine what
I do now? Yoga transformed me! Life is filled with lots of surprises!
I love practicing Bikram yoga at Jacksonville studio! Great people,
friendly atmosphere! Peace! Hiza o shite (lock the knee)!
|

Sherry
Liu
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Sherry
has always found fitness and physical activity a great
source of rejuvenating energy. Even while holding a full time
corporate job, Sherry taught fitness classes. In 1999, upon meeting
her future husband - Rohit - at London Business School, she began
to practice Bikram Yoga. Since completing her Bikram Yoga Teacher's
Training in Los Angeles CA in 2002, she has been a guest instructor
in Raleigh NC, Houston and Sugar Land TX. For two years, Sherry
and Rohit owned and managed a Bikram Yoga studio in Jacksonville
FL.
Today,
while she isn't helping people with their personal finance and
tax questions, Sherry keeps in touch with herself through meditation,
and the teaching and practicing of yoga.
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Rohit
Millstein
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Rohit
Millstein first met Bikram Choudhury in 1992 while a resident
and yoga instructor at Kripalu Center, America’s largest
yoga retreat. After only a summer of consistent Bikram practice
healed his chronic knee problem, Rohit decided he wanted to teach
Bikram yoga, but there was yet no teacher training. Instead, he
went to Phoenix in 1993 to train with Cintra Brown in Phoenix,
one of only three individuals then granted the right to open a
Bikram Yoga College of India. When in 1994 Bikram decided to offer
his first ever teacher training, Rohit attended and upon completion
opened in Santa Fe what was among the first ten Bikram studios
in the country. In 1998, Rohit moved to New York and taught at
the first Bikram studio there and two years later, while attending
business school in London, taught at the first Bikram studio in
the UK. Rohit has also taught at Bikram’s “home school”
in Los Angeles among many other locations around the country.
Rohit brings years of Bikram practice to his teaching, as well
as several years of Kripalu training and extensive experience
in the Iyengar and Astanga lineages. |

Cindy Toda
|
I
started practicing Bikram Yoga in 2002 shortly after Michael
and Lisa opened the Neptune Beach studio. I was at the end of
a long soul-searching trip that started when I quit my rat-race
job, and landed back in Jacksonville feeling a bit ugh. Not
only did Bikram Yoga help me pull my head out of my butt, it
gave me a new direction in life. I discovered a new sense of
self discipline, self respect and self realization.
Since
graduating from teacher training, spring 2005, I've taught in
Denver, Chile - both in Santiago and Ayacara (in spanish!),
St. Augustine, Lawrence (KS) and South Kansas City. I've been
teaching on-and-off here in Jacksonville whenever I visit family
and friends and consider this my home studio. It's great to
come back and see familiar faces as well as new aspiring yogis.
See you in class!
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