the Yoga

Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class is a twenty-six posture series designed to scientifically warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons, in the order in which they should be stretched. While the yoga gently guides the body into correct alignment, strengthens and tones the muscles, lubricates the joints, and promotes flexibility, it provides tremendous benefits on the organs, glands, and fluids of the body by aiding in the release of toxins.

Bikram Yoga’s 90 minute, twenty-six posture sequence systematically moves fresh, oxygenated blood to one hundred percent of your body, building core strength while restoring all systems to healthy working order, just as Nature intended. Proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well-being will automatically follow. The focus and intensity of the class help to build mental clarity and determination.

Bikram Yoga is a practiced in a heated room about 105 degrees and 40% humidity for 90 minutes. Practitioners will sweat a lot! Don’t let this scare you though, Bikram yoga is meant to be done by all. The heat is your friend and will promote flexibility and aid in detoxification.

frequently asked ???’s

Should I Eat or Drink Before a Session?

It is often said it is best to practice on an empty stomach. Try not to eat a meal for at least two hours before class, but a banana or energy bar before class generally will not hurt… you will use a lot of energy. Come prepared to sweat, so be well-hydrated as well. Drink water!

What Should I Wear?

Clothing should be appropriate for the temperature. Keep in mind that you will sweat! Women typically wear shorts and sports bra or tank. Men wear shorts, and optional shirt. Everyone is barefoot. Please wash any scents or perfumes off before class.

What Will I Need to Bring?

You will need a yoga mat, a large towel (to fit over you mat) and water (all are available for purchase/rent at the studio). If you want to shower after class, bring a second towel and change of clothes.

How long are the classes and is there a “beginner” class?

All classes are 90 minutes long. You should plan to arrive 15 minutes early and allow yourself at least 15 minutes after class. So it’s best to allow yourself 2 hours. There is no “beginner’s” class, so newbies may join any class on the schedule that fits your schedule.

What if I’m Late?

Keep in mind classes start promptly at their scheduled time. It is important to arrive before class to sign in and get set up. Important information is presented for first-timers at the beginning of class, so if you are new to Bikram Yoga make sure to arrive about 15 minutes before class. Beginners will not be allowed in the class after it has started! If you are a regular student and you’re a few minutes late (life happens), please enter the room in between postures. After the breathing exercise no one else can enter the room.

The yoga room is our sanctuary, please respect it and others using it. Keep voices at a whisper and conversation to a minimum in the hallway outside of the yoga room. While class is in session do your best to not be distracting. Please avoid leaving the room and limit movements to between postures. No shoes, cellular phones or pagers are allowed on the yoga room.

Bikram Choudhury

Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide Yoga College of India™. Born in Calcutta in 1946, Bikram began Yoga at the age of four with India’s most-renowned physical culturist at that time, Bishnu Ghosh, the younger brother of Paramahansa Yogananda (Author of the most popular book on Yoga, The Autobiography of a Yogi, and founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles).

Bikram practiced Yoga at least four to six hours every day at Ghosh’s College of Physical Education in Calcutta. At the age of thirteen, he won the National India Yoga Championship. He was undefeated for the following three years and retired as the undisputed All-India National Yoga Champion.

At seventeen, an injury to his knee during a weight-lifting accident brought the prediction from leading European doctors that he would never walk again. Not accepting their pronouncement, he had himself carried back to Bishnu Ghosh’s school, for he knew that if anyone could help to heal his knee, it was his teacher. Six months later, his knee had totally recovered. Ghosh was a celebrated physical culturist and the first to scientifically document Yoga’s ability to cure chronic physical ailments and heal the body.
Bikram was asked by Ghosh to start several Yoga schools in India. The schools were so successful that at Bishnu’s request Bikram traveled to Japan and opened two more. He has since brought his curative methods of Yoga therapy around the world.

For more information visit www.bikramyoga.com