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What is Bikram yoga?
Bikram Choudhury is an internationally renowned yoga teacher from India who has taught over three million students.  He brought his system to the United States in 1971 at the invitation of the American Medical Association. Bikram’s yoga is a routine of 26 poses which works the whole body in 90 minutes. The poses work synergistically and cumulatively to return the body to a balanced state.  The yoga builds energy, stamina and flexibility.  It incorporates strength, challenge, gravity, balancing and most importantly the tourniquet effect.  This technique allows the stretching, squeezing and massaging of the internal organs, flushing out the cardiovascular system and stimulating the endocrine and nervous systems in order to release any deficient hormones and enzymes.  The body is self-regulating and self-adjusting.

A regular yoga practice:

  • Regulates cholesterol in the blood
  • Supplies oxygen and nutrients to parts of the body that have been blocked or stagnant
  • Eliminates toxins
  • Flushes the lymphatic system
  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Balances the endocrine glands
  • Improves the spine’s flexibility and health
  • Expands lung capacity and strengthens the heart
  • Lubricates joints
  • Strengthens bones, and stretches and tones the muscles

As we age our muscles tend to get stiffer, creating more pressure on the joints. By regular stretching we prevent this gradual stiffening and joint deterioration and that is why yoga has a rejuvenating effect.  Through a regular workout we liberate a vast amount of energy which we can use in our daily life to feel more alive and self fulfilled.  We look, move and feel younger. In a three year research project at the Tokyo University Hospital, Bikram helped doctors prove that yoga regenerates tissues and thus helps cure chronic aliments. The routine is dynamic and exhilarating.  The room is intentionally warm so that your muscles will stretch more easily.  The series works equally well for beginning as well as advanced students.  Bikram say: “Never too late, never too old, never too bad and never too sick to do yoga and start from scratch again.” Wear light stretch clothing, shorts, tank top or swimsuit.  Bring a towel and water.  Some days you won’t feel like coming at all - these are the days that yoga will benefit you the most.  Yoga “house cleans” your body, mind and habits.  Expect a change.

Bikram’s Yoga College of India

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