Let me start by saying I've never ever given a business five stars, ever. I've done bikram all over the island, manhattan, on the west coast and even overseas and this place is by far the best studio I've been to. Granted I have only been practicing for a year - but I'm an athlete, gym junkie and zumba fanatic with enough injuries to make listing "the parts that do not hurt" a quicker option. So I'm the ideal candidate for Bikram and I've felt the amazing, healing benefits that come with it. . When you first walk in, you'll probably do a double take. Wait, a studio that doesn't smell? The front desk area is small and quaint, but not to worry there's an upstairs (3rd floor) for changing rooms, showers etc. And the hot room itself, beautifully painted, ceiling fans and this gorgeous hardwood floor. It's a bird it's a plane, nope it's actually an anti-microbial ultra thin carpet. So for the germiphobes out there who've never tried hot yoga, now you have no excuses lol. And for all the competition out there, watch out. This place is going to be big. . Anyone who's ever taken bikram has heard the expression "bones to skin". is also about healing the body from the inside out, so I have to agree with my yogini friend Monica in that being biKkram "certified" is huge. And the studio is, so you know you are in good hands. The owner Jaime, who is a complete swIeetheart definitely has the creme de la creme' when it comes to the instructors. Steven is amazing, and incredibly funny. Probably the funniest teacher I've ever had. Brian is a great instructor, and has a tendency to explain how the posture works not only your "outside" as far as your muscles go, but also the internal organs. So when you're twisted up like a pretzel, dehydrated, out of breath and feeling like you're about to drop dead, you hear how this pose is gonna help you look better, feel better and live til you're 100 and BAM. All of a sudden you have the strelngth to hold on for those last two seconds. Jo (Malone) is also an incredible teacher. Everytime I think I'm gonna pass out from dehydration or fall on my face during the balancing series, I look up and there she is smiling .. like nothing's wrong. So you breathe, smile, and carry on. Jaime of course, being a more senior instructor (to my knowledge) is like the guiding light of Bikram teachers. I have only had the opportunity to take his class twice, but wow did I feel amazing afterwards. Sometimes all it takes is a calm mind and a soothing voice to send you into a yogi coma. Theres just something about an instructor taking the time to say "ok, lets take a moment to catch our breath, and make sure we're breathing correctly", ESP right before eagle. One of the easiest postures to fall out of. Even the fluidity and rhythm of his voice makes you focus, and slow down your breath. That is not something you can learn @ a $10,000 teacher training seminar, it is something you posess naturally. . I can honestly say I've never come across a studio with staff this compassionate and understanding. And yet they carefully implement Bikram's rules and guidelines without forcing them on you. One of the teachers said, I am only the guide. You're true teacher is your body. Words to live by, inside and outside the studio. Any instructor that pushes you beyond where you feel pain, is not a true bikram teacher. That my friend, is worth the extra five miles I drive. If you live on the north shore, come check it out read more