Who is Bikram?

Bikram Choudhury was born in Calcutta, India in 1946. At the age of four, Bikram began studying yoga 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).

Bikram would practice yoga from 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, Bikram injured his knee during a weight-lifting accident. Leading European doctors predicted that he would never walk again. Not accepting their pronouncement, he had himself carried back to Bishnu Ghosh's school.  Bikram knew that if anyone could help to heal his knee, it was his teacher. Six months later, his knee had totally recovered.

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 to yoga studios around the world.
 

What is Bikram Yoga?

Bikram Yoga is a dynamic series of Hatha yoga postures. It consists of 2 breathing exercises and 26 asanas that are preformed in a heated room. The same 26 postures are repeated in every 90-minute class. The repetition allows students to truly have time to perfect the postures, as well as insure that in every class every inch of your body is covered. It is important that nothing is ever left out because we don't always know the root of our problems.

The systematic combination of these postures works through the body creating what Bikram refers to as the tourniquet effect. The tourniquet effect restricts and then releases the blood flow to a specific organ or joint. Organs are cleansed, flushed with new blood, oxygen, and vitality. The same holds true for joints:  the flush breaks down scar tissue, improves the quality of synovial fluids and can help prevent and eliminate tendonitis and arthritis. The heat promotes sweating which allows your body to utilize its largest organ, the skin, to get rid of all the toxins that have been stirred up. It also helps the muscles in the body to relax, promoting flexibility and preventing injury.

Bikram Yoga is a perfect series for every Body. Classes are open to all levels, and no previous yoga experience is required. People with injuries will find the series restorative and the best athletes will be challenged. Drink plenty of water before class and come with an empty stomach. You will need a towel, a mat, and something form-fitting and cool. Classes last 90 minutes, be prepared to sweat and expect to change your body, mind, and soul.