Bikram Choudhury began learning Hatha Yoga poses in his native India, at the age of three. At five, he began studying with Bishnu Ghosh (Paramahnsa 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. 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. 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 traveling the world extensively, bringing the benefits of Bikram’s Yoga to millions of students worldwide.
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Student Testimonials
"I swear by Bikram and the benefits it has done for my body."
- Kelsey V.
"I have developed tremendous strength, tone and stamina. More importantly, Bikram Yoga has given me a place to go where I find solace and respite from the outside chaos of life."
- Olga M.
"My quality of life has improved dramatically. The commitment and self-discipline encouraged by this yoga has effects off the mat, and as a result, my self-confidence and self esteem are high and I can think clearly."
- Sharon M.
"After 11 years of taking blood pressure medicine, I no longer need it."
- Kesha D.
"I am much happier because of this yoga."
- Leigh H.
"The practice of Bikram Yoga has been life changing for me arming me with focus, patience, determination and strength I didn’t know I possessed! In addition, the medical benefits are amazing; I used to take arthritis medication daily and experienced a lot of aches and pains, especially in my knees and hips and I no longer have the pain or need medication!"
- Julie M.
"I have osteoarthritis in my right index finger, left knee and right big toe. Now after practicing Bikram Yoga for 8 months, my index finger does not hurt all the time. I have significantly improved mobility in the finger and swelling of the joints is significantly less, with one of the joints now at almost normal size."
- Wendy B.
"Going into my pregnancy with 3 years of Bikram Yoga training, I was not about to give it up. As long as I felt fine while practicing, I saw no reason to stop."
- Rebecca L.
"I can't imagine my life without Bikram Yoga."
- Shelly D.
- Improves overall health and wellness
- Strengthens joint and muscle function
- Alleviates stress and fatigue
- Improves posture and balance
