Choon Hoch

Certified Bikram Yoga Instructor

Choon is a cancer survivor and, in her own words says, “After cancer you appreciate life so much and I’m so thankful I’m alive.” When Choon found out she had breast cancer she continued with her Bikram Yoga practice as often as she could.

The path that has led Choon to Bikram Yoga Teacher Training is an incredible one. During her treatment with breast cancer Choon required a port in her shoulder to administer the Chemotherapy. This port created problems for her after treatment ended, to the point where after they removed it she was unable to even lift her arm. She had surgery to try to repair the damage and her doctors told her that it would take her at least eight months for her shoulder to begin to recover. Choon immediately went back into the hot room. She paced herself and was conscious of taking care of herself by doing the best she could and laying on her mat if she needed to. However, she aimed to practice five or six times a week. Within four months she had no pain and full movement of her shoulder.

After this experience, Choon became enthusiastic about the healing properties of Bikram Yoga. Not only did it help her recover physically, but the sense of community from the studio helped her emotionally and mentally. As Choon says, “Yoga is good for you – there are so many people you meet, it’s like family all over the world. Yoga is self-love and world-love.”

Choon now tries to help other cancer patients through volunteering at Roswell and Gilda’s Club, and by teaching Qi-Gong. It wasn’t a big stretch then for her to feel compelled to take the healing properties of Bikram Yoga to the world by becoming a teacher. Choon attended teacher training in the fall of 2009.