"The true meaning of Yoga is the union of the mind, body & spirit." Bikram Choudhury

Lifetime of Yoga

Bikram Choudhury began learning Hatha Yoga poses in his native India, at the age of three. At five, he began studying with Bishnu Ghosh (Paramahansa Yogananda’s brother) and quickly became a yoga champion. At age eleven he was the youngest contestant ever to win the National India Yoga Competition. At 14, Swami Shivananda declared him "Yogi Raj" (King of the Yogis). At age 20, a weightlifting accident crippled Bikram.

Eastern Discipline & Western Medicine

With the guidance of his guru, Bikram created his 26 posture series which restored his health. In a United Nations sponsored research project at Tokyo University, Bikram helped doctors prove that yoga regenerates tissues and cures chronic ailments. Combining Eastern discipline and Western medicine, Bikram perfected his comprehensive system suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.

In the USA since 1973

Bikram arrived in the United States in 1973 at the invitation of President Nixon and the urging of Shirley Maclaine. He quickly became the foremost yoga teacher in the West as celebrities, athletes, and others began to flock to him. Since that time he has been healing thousands of students at his school in Beverly Hills and travelling the world extensively, bringing the benefits of Bikram’s Yoga to millions of students worldwide.

For more 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, tapes and more.

Bikram Yoga is a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Each posture stretches and strengthens specific muscles, ligaments, tendons 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 helping to restore all systems to a healthy working order.

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 and injury, promote weight loss and limit the effects of aging. The series is dynamic and exhilarating. The series of postures combine skills of concentration, patience, determination and self control that increase mental clarity and reduce stress.

The room is intentionally heated to 40C degrees and about 40% humidity to warm up the body and assist with circulation, promoting detoxification and providing optimum conditions to improve the functions of the body's internal systems.

The heat provides a challenging environment which increases your strength, concentration, endurance and stamina. It also allows you to work safely and deeply into the postures.