
“I consider Inner Fire Yoga an important part of my life here and am grateful to be able to share in such an inspired, knowledgeable and experienced community of yogis, both teachers and students.”
Erika Hanson

“Although, it sounds like a cliche: Yoga has allowed me to explore myself, become empowered, confident, enjoy every day, and really understand what it means to be alive. There are days when I am tired, sore and just plain worn out; however, if I go to yoga I am able to leave all those negative feelings, thoughts, and pain behind... and rejoice in the sense of community, self-worth, flexibility, and strength that Inner Fire Yoga offers. Thanks for being here and offering so much.”
Laura Patterson

“My love for yoga at Inner Fire does not just stem from the physical and mental practice; it also comes from the inspirational teachers and fellow yogis. It truly is a community, a family of like-minded people. I have met some amazing human beings who have become lifelong friends.”
Erica Johnson

“Initially, I treated hot yoga like a cardio workout! It reminded me of football two-days in high school; though I don't ever remember my high school coach shouting, "If you're too tired, just do child's pose, remember it's your practice." The physical aspect is still challenging: I may never "give my knee a little smooch," in Standing Split (though my Standing Moon pose has improved hundredfold). Now, however, the mental and spiritual aspects of yoga capture my imagination. When I dip into Warrior II, I feel it in my bones and muscles, in my mind and in my heart. At the end of the day, I own my yoga practice, and that knowledge or feeling brings with it a sense of personal satisfaction.”
Richard Hamel

“Yoga is one of my good habits, 3-5 times/week, usually Inner Fire Flow 75. It helps me have patience as I try to learn how to play the piano. My systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings are both 7 points lower than last year. Drinking lots of water keeps me regular and the intense sweating really helps my skin tone. Yoga helps me concentrate on just the present, losing the distracted parts of my mind and coming to my senses.”
Jeff Ford

“I no longer use heating pads and ibuprofen, or beg for someone to massage the knots out of my back. I use the time on my mat to connect with my Faith, my values, and my feelings. And although I may never be the "calm" person I used to wish people would see me as, I will go through this life being the sensitive person I'm supposed to be. Full of feelings and intensity, and tearing up easily at all the brutiful (brutal and beautiful) life around me. Yoga at Inner Fire helped me accept that. Grateful, Lisa”
Lisa Witkowski

“It has been over a decade since I walked into Inner Fire Yoga and had a life-changing experience...found one of the loves of my life...hot yoga. Here was a place where I could face myself head-on. The challenge of pushing & pulling, "dancing" with the forces of gravity, and having the heat to work in, were so incredible. I couldn't believe it! Having had a serious back situation, surgery, broken my 4th & 5th metatarsals, fractured my radius, a meniscus repair, over 120 stitches, nearly bleeding to death, an emergency hysterectomy, cancer, & other issues, I could & can fully participate!”
Sue Hogg

“I first came to Inner Fire Yoga on the recommendation of a physical therapist after not having balance in my regular workout routine, and I have definitely found that here. Spending more time on my mat has taught me not to be frustrated with imperfection in my practice, but instead see it as unique expression and opportunity for growth.
In living and traveling other places I have never been to a yoga studio with so many skilled teachers, I could easily name 7 or 8 favorites. It's truly amazing to go to any practice and know I am going to feel both challenged and refreshed.”
Rachel B.

“I first started practicing yoga about a year and a half ago and it was the best decision I could have made for myself. I tried other forms of exercise at different gyms throughout the last ten years and not only did none of them stick, but I never really saw results. I would dread going to spinning or body pump classes and would constantly watch the clock excited for it to be over. I also tried out a few yoga classes at one of the big gyms in Madison and always wondered why I was not a fan. I now know that it was because it wasn't heated. I could never imagine going back to practicing yoga at a non-heated studio. When I discovered Inner Fire, I will admit the heat took some getting used to, but now I love it and wouldn't want it any other way. The instructors at Inner Fire are so great, and I honestly look forward to each and every class that I attend. I quickly discovered after joining Inner Fire that it became super easy to incorporate into my daily routine not only because of all the convenient times and class choices, but also because I know and can see how good it is for me.”
Sarah Maughan

“Like most people, my yoga practice journey started as a means of physical stretching and stress reduction. Three years ago, as a new mother, I was not able to balance my roles as wife, mother, and student. I was also fighting both postpartum and my inherited tendency towards depression as I struggled with the shame and fear of not being good enough. It was my husband who suggested I practice yoga as a way of healing and intentional distraction.
When I first stepped into Inner Fire Yoga, I felt there was something special about this studio. The heated room brought me a sense of warmth that reminded me of my hometown in China, and the collective practice reminded me I was not alone. After the first class of sweat, I felt rejuvenated and relieved. Since then I have been a regular practitioner at Inner Fire Yoga for the last three years.”
Li Li

“For years I've struggled with depression, anxiety, and body image issues, and I needed to heal from my stress, self-doubt, and past relationships. I'll never forget the relief and emotional release I felt after my first class.
I've been practicing regularly since September of 2015, and have since developed mental and physical balance, strength, patience, and discipline. The mind-body connection I tap into in my daily practice has positively affected my outlook in every area of my life.”
Claire McDonald

“My first class was Power Flow with the lovely Miss Julie Logue and I thought I was going to die. *SPOILER ALERT* I did not die and was actually rather intrigued by the detoxification and total body workout I felt. Initially I became addicted the physical benefits - increased heart rate, sore muscles, extreme sweating, attempting new poses/balances, etc. Now I find myself looking forward to an occasional Slow Power class to wind down and concentrate more on my breathing and mind."
Tristan Prescher

“I began my practice as a way to counter balance weight lifting and running, but quickly found that a regular practice helped me be calmer, less reactive, and gentler. I take from my regular practice more than just physical strength, but the mental strength to let things be as they will be without pre-judgement. Inner Fire has been a home away from home.”
Danielle Delaney

“Yoga has and will continue to save my life. Yoga is where I feel safe, free, back to my full self. Yoga is where I can set down the roles that I play the rest of the time. I can just "be" - I am fluid. Inner Fire Yoga is a community that offers sanctuary to me on a nearly daily basis. I have been practicing yoga for 13 years now. The last five years, I have been at Inner Fire Yoga and this is where my practice expanded into a lifestyle.”
Rachelle Winkle-Wagner

“After initially being concerned that I would be uncoordinated and inflexible, I fell in love with the class. Each instructor helped me learn more about each pose and with verbal cues and hands-on assists, I slowly became more adept at power flow. What's amazing about the classes is that I continue to learn.”
Kurt Lin

“In general, I've always had a hard time taking time for myself or my health. I used to scoff at the idea of hot yoga. I didn't understand why anyone would subject themselves to raised temperatures and exercise at the same time. A few years ago, my daughter convinced me to try an intro to yoga class one afternoon, "just to do something new together". Even though it was challenging, I left feeling calm and invigorated -- enough to try another class the next day! We started going a few times a week, and with each class, I gained a lot of confidence. Stress from my every day life melted away once I settled into a child's pose.”
Archana Malla

“I have realized all the benefits my friends told me about and more. Flexibility, strength, balance, breathing, endurance have vastly improved. Chronic lower back pain has largely disappeared. I have always been a pretty disciplined and determined person, and yoga has channeled those qualities in very positive direction. And it has certainly taught patience and humility.”
Jim Doyle

“In December of 2006 I joined Bikram of Madison (now IFY). I don't think I ever went back to the gym; the feeling of calmness and cleansing, flexibility, better posture, balance, strength, focus, more energy, (God forbid) lower stress, digestion, inner calmness, I could go on and on. For years I practiced and practiced to get that pose, now I practice to keep the calm breath and just be. I feel it's always practice and I just love to see people of all ages and sizes join IFY, to reap the benefits of life that I feel.”
Janice Binter

“My friend Chris brought me to my first yoga class, and for the first time in six months I felt GOOD. I felt in control of my back and my body, and not the other way around. I felt happy. I knew that I could never go back to the way things were. And so began a new chapter, wherein I made the enrichment of my mind, body, and spirit the center of my life. In September of 2015 I came to my first class at Inner Fire, and I haven't looked back.”
Erik Bergeson

“Throughout the years I have always come back to Yoga. I feel so much better about life when I come to Inner Fire. The teachers, so many happy, uplifting Yogis, and the quality of the studio, keep me growing and healing.”
Ed Corcoran



















