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 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.
the Class & Etiquette Bikram Choudhury Bikram is practiced in a heated room about 105º F 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. 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! Clothing should be appropriate for the temperature keeping in mind you will sweat! Please wash any scents or perfumes off before class. You will need a yoga mat, a large towel and water (all available at the studio for rent/purchase). Keep in mind class starts promptly at the scheduled time. It is important to show up before class to sign in and get set up. Important information is discussed 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. If you are a regular student and life happens... you’re a few minutes late, please enter the room between postures. The yoga room is our sanctuary, please respect it and others using it. Keep voices at a whisper and conversation to a minimum. 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 phone or pagers in the yoga room.
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.comhttp://www.bikramyoga.comshapeimage_5_link_0