Bikram's Yoga College of India

Our Instructors

Douglas MacReynold

Proprietor, Certified Instructor

Douglas began taking Bikram yoga classes in 1999 at the John's Landing studio in Portland. After practicing for about a year and a half he went to the teacher training in the fall of 2000. "Teacher training was perhaps the most challenging, amazing, and fun experience of my life so far." After graduation he immediately started teaching Bikram Yoga at the Fremont, John's Landing, and Hood River studios and after about a year he opened Bikram's Yoga College of India-Moreland in SE Portland. More recently, in October of 2009 Douglas purchased the Bikram studio on Hall Street in Beaverton.

"Bikram Yoga has changed every facet of my life. My body, mind, lifestyle, friends, job....everything! This yoga journey that I have been on for over a decade has helped to define who I am, I cannot imagine my life without this practice."

You can contact Douglas directly at moreyoga@earthlink.net

Stefanie Van Horne

Certified Instructor

Stef When I started my life with Bikram Yoga in 2002, I had no idea this method was going to relieve the pain I had been living with in my arms and hands from endless hours on the computer. But more than that, I didn't realize it would change my life in all the best ways. I thought I was an optimistic person, but I wasn't applying those positive thoughts to my self. Through my practice both as a student, and as a teacher, I have not only opened up to the limitless possibilities for my health and well-being; but I am happy to be a part of it when other people create that for themselves, too. If you approach your yoga with an open mind and spirit, bundled with some self-discipline, then be ready - you will surprise yourself!

Daniel Larson

Certified Instructor

Daniellarson T Daniel has been a certified Bikram Instructor since 2005, and has practiced since 2001. His "day job" is as an critical care nurse at a local hospital, which keeps him inspired to teach the benefits of yoga. "I've seen more healing in yoga classes than I've ever seen as a nurse. In yoga you can take control of your health, and for the time spent in it, it's the most bang for the buck."

Debbie Putnam

Certified Instructor

Debbie Debbie began her Bikram yoga practice when she was 45 years old. She found that it miraculously relieved her “Middle aged aches & pains.” Debbie says, “Working that hard in a hot room was tough, but the more I went, the better I felt both physically and mentally. For me, Bikram yoga is a great stress reliever.”

Debbie attended teacher training in the Spring of 2005. She noted that most of the 300 students were under the age of 30. She took heart in Bikram’s quote: “It’s never too late, you’re never too old, you’re never too sick to start all over again.”

Debbie likes to encourage people who are intimidated by this powerful yoga to give it a try. She says. “If I can do it, so can you.”

Amelia Marler

Certified Instructor

Amelia I started practicing Bikram Yoga in December 2006 and immediately noticed the many benefits of the amazing series of asanas. I attended the Spring 2008 Teacher Training where I was able to bring my personal practice and understanding of yoga to a whole new level. My favorite part of teaching is meeting new students, I love seeing the progress they can make after just a few classes and the excitement they have because they realize they found something amazing. Bikram says "this yoga will change your life physically, mentally, spiritually." I have found this to be true in my life and the lives of many others.

Krista Mahler

Certified Instructor

Krista I took my first Bikram class with my Mom and her friend Marcie, while we were visiting in Tucson in 2000. I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. By Awkward Pose, I was on the floor, convinced I may die right then and there. The class went on and on. All I can remember was the extreme heat and the large mirrors. Also, there was a teacher somewhere. I prayed she wouldn't ask me to get up. An hour into the class, I looked at my Mom, she looked at her friend, then her watch. Marcie mouthed back "an hour and a half." Well, I made it out, and having brought no extra clothes with us, we left sweaty and stinky. My Mom and I snuck in the back way thru the hotel to get to our room, so no one would see us.

It was years before I went to another class, but I never forgot that studio in Tucson. In 2003, I moved to Portland, where I rented a house in Sellwood just around the corner from the Bikram studio. Having friends and family already practicing there, it seemed natural to walk in the door. My first year was very on again, off again. Though I knew I wanted to practice, making the commitment was hard. Finally a desk trade opened up, and I started working at the studio two days a week. Adding a few more days to the routine made sense. I knew instantly I would like to pursue teaching, but practiced for years before making the decision to go to training. The decision to go to training came for me when I really thought about what Bikram Yoga had done for me. In the years that I had been practicing, I had begun to eat a more healthy diet, I had started sleeping better, became more patient, and my once frequent migraines were almost nonexistent. The list just kept going. I looked and felt better than I ever remembered. I realized I wanted to put myself on a career path that would allow me to live a healthy life and always be in the pursuit of knowledge. By teaching yoga, I would set myself up on a path of continuing education studying diet, the human body, the mind and the soul. In Fall 2006, I attended Bikram Yoga teacher training and have been teaching in the Portland area ever since. Email Krista.

Natalie Dickinson

Certified Instructor

Natalie I was a senior in high school when I took my first Bikram Yoga class. My dad had been practicing for a year prior and thought that I would enjoy it. I have no recollection of my first class but I know that I kept going back and I did somehow enjoy it. I practiced on-and-off the rest of high school, but it's when I moved to San Diego for college that I really "took it seriously."

I practiced in San Diego for four years during school, coming home during winter and summer breaks to the Moreland studio. I can't fully describe why I kept going, but something felt right and I knew I needed to be in that room. I didn't always want to be in there, but practicing yoga made me feel like no other exercise or anything else ever did. I had been an athlete all my life but in yoga I experienced more than a fast heartbeat, sweaty face, and trouble breathing. Although those things were included, yoga also helped me face and conquer some of my biggest struggles. My biggest battle has been with my own body, and Bikram Yoga has slowly but surely helped me to appreciate and accept the reflection in front of me. I don't have any proof but I imagine and feel deep down that if I didn't have yoga, my life may have taken a very different path.

While in San Diego I became more involved in the yoga community, working the front desk and making friends through the studio. I was continually inspired by each and every yoga teacher I had, and eventually knew that I wanted to go to training some day. Like many, I have experience every emotional possible while in class; I've laughed out loud, cried uncontrollably, and wanted to strangle the teacher all in just 90 minutes (now that's a good class). I still struggle with simply getting to class some days; but when/if the question arises, "To go or not to go?" I try my hardest to go. I have never regretted a class that I went to, but I've definitely had moments where I wished I had gone.

I lived and practiced in Washington DC/Virginia for a small spurt after college; finally returning home to Portland and the Moreland studio--where I will always consider home. I enjoy biking, running, and all the goodness that Oregon has to offer, and yoga seems to be the perfect compliment to all other activities. With a consistent practice I have found peace of mind and the strength to overcome anxiety, depression, and addiction, and lead a more fulfilling life. I attended Teacher Training in Fall 2008 in Acapulco, Mexico and have been teaching in the Portland area ever since. I still face some of the same demons that I did years ago, but I keep coming back and have faith in the process and practice that is Bikram Yoga.

Jaya Thompson

Certified Instructor

Jaya Jaya became a certified Bikram Yoga Instructor in 2002. Since then, he has traveled and taught internationally. Returning to Beaverton where his practice began, he enjoys sharing the Bikram Yoga experience here at Hall Street.

Learn what 'Certified Instructor' mean and why it is important

Bikram Yoga Sellwood