Bikram Yoga Studio Under New Ownership

There was a time when Renata Walicka Zeh was not a fan of Bikram yoga. In fact, she said, she nearly had to be forced to take a class.

Now, along with her husband, she’s the new owner of the in Setauket.

Zeh is a former archeologist. Her journey to Long Island began in Poland, where she was born and raised. She said she traveled to several other countries for her education before settling into her career in London.

That's when a friend first pointed her towards yoga. Zeh said she initially believed she lacked the flexibility for yoga, and that chronic injuries from sports didn’t fit with her version of what a yoga student is. But after five years of resisting, she said she finally relented and gave it a try.

"My body knew that this was something fantastic for my body," Zeh said. "That doesn’t mean that my mind was in line with my body. My mind was protesting. ... I’ve had lower back problems for 30 years. I instantly knew that this was going to help me, but in the beginning it was definitely challenging."

In London she met her future husband Bill, who happened to be from Port Jefferson. When his business was done in the United Kingdom, the couple moved to Long Island.

After searching for her calling on Long Island, Zeh said she decided that she would become a certified yoga instructor. Once certified, she quickly became a part of the Bikram Yoga studio of Setauket. Then the owners, Pete and Trish Monsen, approached Zeh with an offer to take over the studio.

"I was surprised," Zeh said. "Then I realized that it’s something that I could take on."

The Monsens sent an email to their clients in November that said they were moving on from Setauket, but would continue to operate their Bikram yoga studio in Bayport.

"Thanks again for many wonderful years, and enjoy your new leader, Renata!" the email read.

Zeh said she believes that her passion for yoga will be evident in her management of the studio.

"I think with any change, passion comes to mind,” she said. "It's a change that allows me to express my passion about this practice. ... Sharing that passion and knowledge is an exciting prospect."

Editor's Note: Learn more about Bikram yoga by watching .