CHIEF’S BIO

My name is Conrad Gacki, nicknamed “Chief” by my son Bron. I took my first Bikram Yoga class with Bikram on the big island of Hawaii in August 1999, while vacationing with my daughter Alexis. Alexis had opted to attend University of Hawaii at the time, smart girl! Alexis convinced me to interrupt our vacation to try a yoga class. Just two years prior to this, Alexis told me she wanted to quit going to school to go to Bikram Yoga teacher training. I had to persuade her to finish school, and told her that she should just continue taking classes, and that her desire would evaporate over time. Apparently she wasn’t giving up, and wanted me to see for myself. After 4 knee surgeries, a spinal fusion, and no physical activity for 11 years, getting me into the hot room took a lot of convincing! So there I was, face to face with the character known as Bikram, what did I get myself into?! Directly after my first class, I did not pass GO, and did not collect 200 dollars, instead I passed out on the beach and couldn’t even stand up straight when getting up.
My daughter suggested we say goodbye to Bikram on the way out, that maybe he could help. Bikram had me standing up straight in no time, and I found myself in the second yoga class of the day. Bikram’s words were, “leave your problems at the door and just do yoga.”
The next morning my body was clearly out of alignment, and at this point my usual solution was to lay down for 3 or 4 days and wait it out. I couldn’t help but think my vacation was ruined and still my daughter had ultimate confidence that Bikram and his method would continue to help, that pain kills the pain. I figured, might as well, right? Can’t dance.
On the second day Bikram said to me,”why are you standing crooked?” Bikram had me doing half moon pose for the first part of the class until I could stand up straight and join the class. I kept looking around thinking I was the only one not getting it, later I found out I was in a seminar for Bikram teachers and Alexis’s teacher gave her permission for us to attend.
I came to light that I had been wasting so many years avoiding physical activity which I had equated with pain and injury, when all I needed was Bikram Yoga.
Subsequently, I attended as many Bikram classes as I could while practicing at home before I took the plunge and went to teacher training in spring 2003. To this day when Bikram sees me he says, “Hi, Dad,” which admittedly I enjoy! My son Conrad and I decided to open up our own Bikram Yoga studio in Naperville in 2004, so yoga would be closer to home. I am so grateful to my daughter for getting our family started and am endlessly inspired by our excellent teachers and students everyday.