About Yogis Unite
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
Yogis Unite Founders
Sharon Jalene
Sharon Jalene graduated from Bikram Yoga teacher training in March, 2004, after discovering the powerful, healing benefits of the practice only six months prior. Sharon says, "I always was sick, in pain, and starting down a path of prescription drugs and misdiagnoses from a medical community used to treating symptoms, not the overall person."
"After only a few weeks of practice, I felt better, lost weight, had more energy, and a peace of mind I had never before experienced. I did the Bikram recommended 60- day challenge. I knew from the first week I wanted to be a teacher, because this was the most profound thing I'd ever participated in my life."
Along with her passion for Bikram Yoga, Sharon is a professional musician and songwriter, having performed across the United States as well as 17 foreign countries. Sharon is excited to combine her personal creativity, Integrative Physiology, and Bikram Yoga toward an overall healing path in Yoga Therapy. Sharon is also an ACHE Board Certified Hypnotherapist specializing in Sports Performance, Behavior Modification, and HypnoMeditation.
Dray Gardner
I was turned on to Bikram Yoga two years ago due to lower back and sciatic nerve issues. Due to nerve and tissue damage from years of contact sports my legs were basically dead. I took my beaten body to chiropractor, Dr. Chris Paulbick, who told me I needed to stretch.
Heeding his advice, I walked into a Bikram Yoga studio in Las Vegas in the middle of a 30-day challenge (30 classes in 30 days). Within a week I was doing a 60-day challenge! My body began to heal and the pain was gone.
yoga took my mind and my body to places I had never been before: balance, discipline, focus, determination, strength, flexibility, meditation and peace of mind. I really became sold on Bikram when I learned that every muscle, tendon, joint, internal organ, & body system down to the cellular level gets worked in the 90 minute, open-eyed, moving meditation. I soon gave up many of my other physical activities for Bikram Yoga.
With the understanding, encouragement, support, and sacrifices of my family, I was able to attend teacher training. It then became obvious that I needed to share the multiple benefits I had received. With all I gained through the struggle - the peace, the advancement, the breath, the union – Bikram Yoga truly became my life’s passion.
I enthusiastically welcome you to Bikram Yoga and I look forward to witnessing your struggle, advancement, strength, and ultimate transformation. The divine spirit in me acknowledges and connects with the divine spirit in you. Let no one steal your peace.
Namaste.
Yogis Unite Board Members
Shelley Collins
Shelley Collins is a long time resident of Las Vegas. I am passionate about children, mine and other peoples. I truly believe they are our future. I was a public librarian for many years and am currently a teacher. I am very excited about bringing healthy fun activities for our community. Town Square is the perfect venue for gathering with friends and family. When I am not teaching, I am practice yoga, watching my own children play sports, or shooting photographs.
Erika Bañuelos
Erika Bañuelos has been practicing yoga for nearly 10 years and teaching Bikram yoga for over 7 years. A certified Bikram yoga instructor since 2002, she has worked as an engineer for the construction industry since 1994. Erika is the CEO and Founder of EBC Solutions. In this role, she looks after any construction engineering opportunities in the commercial, non-profit and Federal arena. She is a big believer in having fun while working hard. She is believes in cooperative capitalism; employing friends and colleagues with BIG dreams and cooperative attitudes in order to gain prosperity and create opportunities for each other.
Erika is an avid sports fan, having spent 4 years on the Woman’s varsity soccer team in college. She is known to schedule her work days around the World Cup Soccer games as well as cheer for the Pittsburgh Steelers on any given Sunday. Erika has taken or taught Bikram yoga at every major city she has travelled too including Paris, Miami, L.A. Las Vegas and several other cities. After working with professional boxers, she has rekindled her love for boxing.
Erika studied Civil Engineering and Spanish at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She has volunteered for the University for over 7 years and has recently accepted a National/International role with the CMU- Hispanic Alumni Association.
Rodney Taylor
Raised in Southern California and then following his dream of playing football. Rodney came to Las Vegas in 1982 to play football for U.N.L.V. Rodney has always been involved in the community. Even while attending school he volunteered at Clark High School Varsity football team which taught him how to build on relationships. This helped Rodney work with his community even further with non-profit organizations his 1995. Rodney learned early in his life how important being a “team player” really were.
In 1999 he wanted to strengthen his leadership abilities so he attended Choice Center which lead him to volunteer into a leadership coaching position there which is still available to him today. Over the years Rodney has sharpened his skills even further into the Banking industry both private and institutional. All these experience have created a very industrious, service oriented individual who strives to see those around him succeed.
Choice Center 1999- Current Leadership ( connecting people), Banking 12 yrs. , Non- profit-1995
Michelle Atkins
My name is Michelle Atkins. I have been a Bikram yoga student for 2 yrs. About a 1 ½ years into my practice, I noticed a lump in my throat. It was diagnosed with thyroid nodules, a goiter. I had 3 biopsies, and all three were benign. Since the news with my thyroid I have also been doing Moksha yoga. I am grateful to the practice I have obtained over the last 2 yrs.
I was asked to be part of Yogis Unite and I jumped at the opportunity. I love being around yogis…they are positive and uplifting individuals who care about health and wellbeing. My love is to better myself in service to our community, body, soul and spirit.
Namaste,