It took Stella only one Bikram class to realize that she had found a new direction for her life. Right away, this sequence made an impression on every part of her body. It felt like the most thrilling and inspiring experience that someone could come across. That very evening, Stella went online to see what teacher training options were available. Undeterred by the requirements, time commitments, and financial investment, Stella was determined to become a teacher. This began her frequent and regular practice. Stella grew up in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She spent many of her formative years traveling near and far, and finally arrived to the US in 1996, the travels did not stop there and to this day, she appreciates many cultures and philosophies. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 2007, she dedicated herself more fully to the practice of Hatha Yoga in New York City. Stella was certified to teach Bikram Yoga after completing the teacher training in Palm Desert, CA in June of 2009. Since then she has found all eight limbs of yoga fascinating and supplements her teaching by studying Sanskrit, Kirtan/Mantra and Vedic literature.