Two Year Anniversary Event

We recently celebrated two years in business. Thanks to everyone for your support! Here are some photos from our commemorative event.

Fundraiser Update - Good Morning School

Letter from Erin Terzieff:

Hi Mahnaz and Bikram Westlake Students,

I just wanted to update you about my most recent trip to Mae Sot where I spent the month of January working with the students at Good Morning School.

I am happy to report that our students are doing very well. When I arrived they were preparing to take exams for the Thai Ministry of Education’s national test. Although, most schools in The United States have mixed feelings about Standardized Testing, in Mae Sot, it is a critical form of recognition for the Burmese students who are studying there illegally. If they have taken the exams, there is paperwork that documents their education.

This was a great opportunity for me to learn more about their approach to academics. It always amazes me to work with the Good Morning School students because they are inspired learners. They are in school against many odds, but they come with such strong and positive attitudes. They know they are smart and they are eager to learn more, and more, and more , and more......

After arriving at GM, we found out that a couple Third Grade boys were missing school and working instead. This lead to a school wide conversation about how to keep the upper grade (Third and Fourth) students in school, when they are faced with greater responsibilities within their homes.

The teachers and I organized several off campus school visits for our children to see middle schools, high schools, and even post-secondary schools for Burmese Migrants who are interested in continuing their education. These trips were so special. Some schools had libraries, computer labs, animal farms, sports areas, music and art classes. The children from Good Morning School were excited to see the options they have as they continue their education.

However, this brought about greater essential questions as well. Good Morning School is a Nursery through 4th Grade School. How can I ensure that as our 4th Graders graduate, they will have the opportunity to go on?

I will be starting a scholarship fund for the GM 4th Graders to attend 5th Grade. This includes transportation costs, uniform and books, boarding (if needed), and pocket change. Misty Rosas (one of our Bikram Teacher’s) and I have provided a scholarship for our first 5th Grade student and next year, we will have four more students graduating. So I will be sharing details around this in the near future.

Thanks again to Bikram Westlake for your support in building the Good Morning School Nursery. The children are utilizing every inch of it!

lululemon Promotion

As part of a new lululemon promotion, I was chosen as their ambassador to pose for a magazine ad in LA Weekly (Oct. '09) and two billboards; One at Sepulvada / Santa Monica and the other at Olympic / Bundy. Additional photos can be seen in this lululemon facebook album.

Interview with Mahnaz - WomansRadio.com

I was recently interviewed for WomensRadio.com regarding my path to Bikram Yoga and ultimately opening a studio. Please click the play button on the player below to listen.

Fundraiser - Wilderness Conservancy

I would like to thank everyone who helped make our last fundraiser a very special and successful event. We managed to raise $1,723 to help Wilderness Conservancy. It was a very informative and challenging class taught by senior teacher, Emmy Cleaves, and helped support a great organization headed by Dr. Bob Cleaves.

Fundraiser Update - Good Morning School

Photos from Erin Terzieff's last trip to the Good Morning School on the Thai/Burma Border.

Join Us On Facebook!

If you are a current member or want to become a member on facebook, don't forget to join the Bikram Yoga Westlake Village group!

Fundraiser Update

Dear Bikram Yoga Westlake,

I am here in Mae Sot with The Good Morning School community and wanted to send a sincere thank you from all of us here. As a result of our yoga class back in May, we have been able to break ground and begin construction on the building extention. I, personally, am so grateful to my local community for supporting this important project.

Oneness,
Erin

Recertification with Bikram in Los Angeles, May 2009

Muse Elementary Fundraiser

This was a special fund-raising class for a program that one of our students, Erin Terzieff, works for. The program is with Muse Elementary which is a school that collaborates with international communities on the Thai/Burma border and in New Zealand that establish schools to foster mutual understanding and awareness globally. One hundred percent of the proceeds of this class went directly to rebuilding Muse’s sister school in Mae Sot, Thailand. The school works with Burmese refugee children living in Thailand.

ACT fundraiser at lululemon in Calabasas

Lululemon hosted an ACT Today! (Autism Care and Treatment Today!) fundraiser to support ultramarathoners Shannon Farar-Griefer and Jorge Pacheco in their 24-hour run for autism. The second annual pre-run red carpet event was hosted by Tom Bergeron at lululemon athletica, featuring live entertainment by recording artists The Turn and Shawn Hlookoff, appetizers by Marmalade Café, and cocktails.