Bikram Yoga: Encyclopedia - Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury. He claims that his method is the only true hatha yoga practiced in the West. This claim is not accepted by many other schools. Bikram has designed a sequence of 26 yoga postures (or asana) and 2 breathing exercises that are performed in a heated room. The postures are vigorous and demand a lot from the students. The heated room, typically set around 95 - 105 degrees fahrenheit (35 - 40 degrees celsius) makes muscles more pliant and encourages sweating which acts as a purifier. The sweating also acts a body cooling mechanism which prevents overheating.

People of all levels, ages and body types practice together with a teacher acting as a guide, taking the class through the ninety-minute series.

Bikram teaches at the Yoga College of India in Mumbai and other locations around the world, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris and Tokyo.

Bikram Yoga - Intellectual property controversy

Bikram recently secured federal copyright registration under 17 U.S.C. Section 410 for his original work of authorship in his sequence of 26 postures (or asana) and 2 breathing exercises. Through registration of this work, the United States Copyright Office acknowledges Bikram's exclusive right to the distinct series of postures and breathing exercises comprising the sequence and Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class.

This development is controversial within the United States yoga community. Some practitioners object to the idea that Bikram can have exclusive control over a series of postures derived from traditional practices. Also, some object to the way Bikram conducts his business, and particularly to his stated plans to create a formal franchise of studios.

Bikram Yoga - Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class

Bikram's beginning yoga class is the name given by Bikram Choudhury to his series of 26 postures or asanas and two breathing exercises, and the accompanying "dialogue." Bikram's beginning yoga class runs about 90 minutes, and is generally taught in a room heated to 35–40°C (95–105°F). The heat ostensibly loosens joints and helps prevent injury.

See also

• Asana
• Hatha yoga
• Pranayama or breathing exercises

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Bikram Yoga", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki