Bikram Yoga
Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide hot Yoga craze known as Bikram yoga.
Born in Calcutta in 1946, Bikram began Yoga at the age of four with Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda (Autobiography of a Yogi, founder of the Self Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles).
Bikram practiced Yoga four to six hours a day with six thousand other students at Ghosh's College of Physical Education in Calcutta; and at the age of thirteen, he won the National India Yoga contest. He was undefeated for three years.
At seventeen, an injury to his knee during a weight-lifting accident brought the prediction from leading European doctors that he would never walk again. Not accepting their pronouncement, he had himself carried back to Bishnu Ghosh's school, for he knew that if anyone could help to heal his knee, it was his teacher. Six months later, his knee had totally recovered. Ghosh was a celebrated physical culturist and the first to scientifically document Yoga's ability to cure chronic physical ailments and heal the body.
Bikram was asked by Ghosh to start several Yoga schools in India. There Bikram came into his own. The schools were so successful that at Bishnu's request Bikram traveled to Japan and opened two more. He has since brought his curative methods of Yoga therapy around the world.
Bikram's Yoga Routine
Bikrams Yoga is a routine of 26 poses, which works the whole body. The poses work synergistically and cumulatively to return the body to a balance state. The balance, and most importantly the tourniquet effect.
The Bikram 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 self-regulating and self-adjusting.
Is Bikram the right yoga for me?
If you have
never practiced yoga before, and wish to come on an ashtanga course it is advised that
- you are between 14 and 40 years of age (if not and you still want to come, phone Dave 091-637680)
- you have no injuries especially to your back, neck or knees
- you are prepared for a strong physical workout which will involve plenty of sweating due to a very hot room
Bikram yoga in Ireland
Classes in the States can be huge as there is big demand for these classes. In the Burren Yoga and meditation Centre the classes are limied to 15 participants.
A regular Bikam 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 bones
- Stretches, tones and firms the muscles
- Promotes weight loss
- Produces a healthy glow from the person
Fun and high energy
The routine of Bikram Yoga is dynamic and exhilarating.
Sweating and Heat
The room is intentionally warm so that your muscles will stretch more easily and also helps sweat out all the toxins in the body.
For upcoming Bikram courses please see
Bikram yoga with Niamh Jones April 03
Bikram yoga with Niamh Jones May 22
Bikram yoga with Niamh Jones Jul24
Full Calendar of yoga holidays including all Bikram retreatsPHotos of Bikram course with Niamh Jones
We had a great fun Bikram yoga retreat with Niamh Jones ;-)
Bikram Hot Yoga February 2006Precautions list for Bikram yoga
We are committed to teaching yoga is the best and also the safest way possible at the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre.
To see a list of precuations we give to everyone on our Bikram yoga courses please see
Precautions for Bikram Yoga class
