Bikram yoga is based on a sequence of 26 yoga poses, including two breathing exercises, which was created by Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury. Bikram studios and classes are found in nearly every country and state. Some hot power yoga or hot yoga classes, inspired by the Bikram style, provide yoga students with a similar intense workout and experience, but will vary in pace and poses taught from instructor to instructor. Choudhury received federal copyright registration for his yoga sequence on February 5, 2003. On the Bikram Yoga College of India website, which is the official source for Bikram yoga information, Bonnie Kuykendall describes the rigorous training that an instructor must go through, "To be certified as an instructor in the Bikram Method of Yoga, an instructor must complete an intensive nine-week training session requiring over 500 hours of study."
Step 1
Decide whether you specifically want Bikram yoga or just hot yoga. Find out more information about Bikram at the official Bikram website and read about other types of yoga (see Resources below). Sometimes non-Bikram, hot yoga is easier to find than official Bikram yoga, depending on your location.
Step 2
Use the class finder on the Bikram College of India website. From the homepage, click on "class finder," then on "International" or "United States." Look for the city nearest you.
Step 3
Contact your local Bikram studio, or peruse their website, to find out about class times, fees, class etiquette and what you will need. Bikram yoga classes often have very specific guidelines about entering the studio, drinking water, talking and placement of yoga mats, so you will probably feel more comfortable if you get as much information beforehand as possible.
Step 4
Ask local yoga studios and yoga instructors if they know about any Bikram yoga classes in your area, if you prefer not to search via the internet. They may also be able to direct you to hot yoga style classes if Bikram is not available.
Step 5
Buy a yoga mat. The Bikram yoga studio you go to may lend or rent mats, but for hygienic reasons, it is better to have your own mat. Many yogis like to use skid-less yoga towels that are lightweight and machine washable for hot yoga classes. You can put these on top of a regular yoga mat to prevent slippage during your practice.
Tips and Warnings
- Ask your Bikram yoga instructor any questions you have and let them know if you have a special condition such as high blood pressure, pregnancy or if you are on any medications.
- Bikram yoga is an intense physical exercise. Consult with your doctor before starting a Bikram practice.
Things You'll Need
- Yoga mat and/or yoga towel
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