"Yoga is the only exercise in the world you can do at any age. There is always some posture that will improve your health, mind and soul." Bikram Choudhury

Find out what you need to know and what you need to bring for your first class.

THIS IS HOT YOGA

The yoga room is intentionally heated to 105 degrees to promote weight loss, keep the muscles warm (to allow for deeper and safer stretching), increase the heart rate for a better cardiovascular workout, and cleanse the body of toxins through sweat.

YOU CAN DO IT

No prior yoga experience is required.  This yoga is for all levels of athletic abilitiy and all body types.  You just go into the posture to the best of your ability and each class you do more.  Just like any other physical activity, you will get used to it with practice. Every body adjusts to the heat differently, some people love it the first class, sometimes it can take a few classes to get used to it. Your body is amazing and has the ability to acclimate to anything with practice. If you are ever overheated in the class, you are always welcome to take a break and just join us when you are ready. 

Even if you have a difficult time the first class, try the class a few more times.  It gets much easier with practice, we always do the same 26 postures in the same sequence so you will learn the series quickly and improve with every class.

If you have never been to a yoga class before, or even if yo have, there are a few guidelines to help you through your class. 

men and women of any fitness level

Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class is a demanding series of 26 postures (asanas) and two breathing exercises (pranayamas), which is suitable for all ages and levels of ability. Each posture stretches and strengthens specific muscles, ligaments and joints needed for the next posture. The Bikram method also stimulates the organs, glands and nerves, moving fresh oxygenated blood to 100% of the body, restoring all systems to a healthy working order. Two great articles are Men and Yoga which is about regular men who have found the benefits of Bikram Yoga and Core Values which describes how NFL safety Tony Parrish uses Bikram Yoga to stay fit and strong.

heal your body

Bikram scientifically designed this 90 minute program to deliver total health through the balancing and strengthening of every system in the body in order to prevent illness, injury and limit the effects of aging.  Bikram created this yoga for people in chronic pain. He created it to eliminate their pain and to reverse the signs of aging.

In addition, the series of postures combine skills of concentration, patience, determination and self-control, which lead to increased mental clarity and reduced stress.

Tourniquet effect

The yoga works by a tourniquet effect, stretching, balancing (using gravity) and creating pressure all at the same time. The blood supply in arteries and veins is being cut off, creating pressure. When released, a lock gate effect is created, causing blood to rush through veins and arteries, flushing them out. Also pressure is applied to the heart by its' relative position to the rest of the body.

more information

For information on Bikram yoga, check out Bikram's Yoga College of India. Here you can find out more about Bikram, Bikram yoga, teacher training, schools, books, videos and more.