1 BYS Multi Column Hero Studio Agreement & Waiver

Richard Mercer

Richard Mercer is a Connecticut native and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, where he played NCAA Division 1A football as a tailback. He has always been physically active and spent years in gyms working out with weights and doing various forms of cardio exercise. As a teacher, Richard draws from his extensive background in competitive athletics, blending focus, discipline and compassion to bring out the very best in his students.

A friend introduced him to Bikram Yoga at the end of 2003 and, although he’d never practiced any form of yoga before, he gave it a try and got hooked. After years of being tight and sore, he found that he soon became more flexible and his soreness dissipated. He was amazed by the intensity of the workout, and has been able to remain in top physical condition.

After over twenty years as a top level executive in Corporate America, he decided to leave corporate and go to Bikram Teacher Training in April of 2007. This encompassed nine weeks of full time training in Honolulu, HI, where over 300 trainees came from 37 countries around the world. He completed two Bikram classes per day, 5 days per week, additional classes on weekends, and he attended daily lectures and posture clinics. His training included lessons in anatomy, physiology and yoga theory. All told, he spent over 900 hours in training prior to graduating and becoming certified by Bikram’s Yoga College of India.

Richard was also the winner of the “Longest Awkward Pose Award” for which he holds the current World Record at 3 minutes, 33 seconds.

Recognizing the value that this yoga could bring to so many people, Richard decided to open a studio where he resides in Simsbury. He, and his wife, Laurie Krause, located and purchased the perfect property. Once the purchase was complete in June of 2008, the fun began and the construction started that fall. The process certainly brought newfound expertise in patience and developed a much deeper understanding of the saying: “Don’t push the river, it flows.” Given the growth and spirit of this extremely supportive community, it was all absolutely worth it.

Richard is also certified in Ultimate Hot HIIT and 26+. He is certified in Medicinal Essential Oils, creating many healing blends for various ailments as well as natural and safe perfumes.

Richard and Laurie live in Simsbury. Their children have now grown – Bianca is in Georgia, Blake is in Arizona, Min is in New York City and Zack is in Nebraska.

Laurie Krause

Laurie Krause, also a Connecticut native, spent 32 years in senior management positions in regional banks, national financial institutions and mortgage companies, including her own mortgage company, which she ran for over 12 years. She now works for a technology company and travels extensively. When she is not on the road, she works out of her office at the studio.

Laurie has been practicing Bikram since early 2004 when Richard talked her into coming to a class. When she started, her back was so painful she couldn’t stand for more than a few hours. She had been diagnosed with multiple auto-immune disorders, including Lupus, Reynaud’s, Sjogren’s, IBS and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and also has Lyme Disease. She credits Bikram, as well as removing chemicals from both diet and environment, for allowing her to completely cease taking the numerous prescriptions she had been on. She has been pain-free ever since and no longer tests positive for any of the auto-immune issues. She found that Bikram also quiets the mind. Her true passion, however, is horseback riding and Bikram has provided huge benefits in improving the balance and stillness required for effective communication with a horse.

Laurie graduated from Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in June of 2010 and is a Certified Bikram Yoga Teacher. She is also certified in Ultimate Hot HIIT and 26+.

You can read her blog from her Teacher Training Adventure here.

Certified in Traditional Chinese Herbology and Medicinal Essential Oils, Laurie can assist you with various tonics and formulations, as well as cold, flu and cough remedies.

The following article was published in "The Valley Press" in June 2019:

BIKRAM YOGA IN THE VALLEY ~ SIMSBURY’S 10^th ANNIVERSARY

Ten years ago this month, after more than a year of renovation, the complete rehab of the former Valley Auto-Body shop at 7 Deer Park Road, Simsbury CT was finished and Bikram Yoga Simsbury opened its doors.

Richard Mercer and his wife, Laurie Krause, purchased 7 Deer Park Road in June of 2008, after working with its former owners for nine months to complete the environmental clean up of the site. Their vision of a wellness community in Simsbury, which would house their new Bikram Yoga studio, was begun.

In their ten years in business over 10,000 clients have come through the doors. Richard and Laurie have added additional classes such as Low Impact Hot High Intensity Interval Training, Hot Power Flow, All Level Flow Yoga, and 26+.

They have added a smoothie bar and carry many different alternative medicine modalities, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, healing essential oils and herbal tonics. They also carry a full line of Charlotte’s Web CBD oil products, as well as several other CBD lines.

Bikram Yoga Simsbury offers yoga mats, towels and a large selection of Way Towel Mats. They carry both men’s and women’s yoga clothes.

Class Descriptions:

Bikram Yoga - Our daily lives can lead to a lot of body stress and disconnection. Bikram Yoga class counters the external negative influences we regularly encounter. You leave feeling free and grounded. This set sequence class of scientifically designed yoga poses is excellent for beginners and experienced yogis alike. You can easily moderate the intensity level to suit your needs and the exactness of the instruction always offers new learning experiences and opportunities for meditation.

26 Plus - Done to music, is a fun twist on the original Bikram Yoga. We add fun variations in the 2^nd set to spice up your practice and help you feel amazing.

BYS Hot HIIT - A fast-paced, high intensity, low-impact workout done to music that will make you feel fantastic. Do you want to lose weight, get stronger, and see changes quickly? Bring a friend and have a blast.

Hot Power Flow Yoga - An amazing athletic, flow yoga class done to music that gives you everything you need in a workout: strength, flexibility, and peace. Are you ready to get stronger and try something new? Grab a Hot Power Flow Yoga class today!

All Level Flow Yoga - You can expect to move with your breath and focus your attention. This well-balanced flow class will get you out of your head and into your body and your breath.

Bikram Taped class - As an accommodation to our studio members, we offer a teacher-less class which is done to an audio tape of one of our live classes. These are available on our Hot HIIT days, or by prior arrangement (as our schedule allows).

Keeping safety and the integrity of the practice in mind, we require that you have previously completed at least 20 teacher-taught classes in order to join these taped classes.

Alternatively, please speak with Richard.

Best In The Valley

We are very proud and grateful to have been awarded the Valley Press Best Place for Yoga 2019 Award.

As this is a reader’s choice award that is voted upon, it means even more to us that you, our awesome community, took the time to vote us in.

Thank you,

from the bottom of our hearts, and we will continue to work hard to earn your trust and support.

YOU MUST SIGN THE WAIVER TO BE ALLOWED INTO CLASS.

CT requirement is for contactless payment. In order to comply, everyone must book classes online via their personal ID & password and must have a credit card on file.

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Signed Studio Agreement

Laurie & Richard

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