…yours was the first non grungy Bikram studio I had ever been to. It was a revelation.

Susan S., NYC

I believe that your studio has fantastic, creative, compassionate, challenging and tremendously talented instructors. They are all very different, but they each possess such strong qualities in the yoga room, that it would be a lie to say that I haven’t been significantly affected by each instructor. I can’t imagine my life without the studio and the instructors. Bikram yoga has taught me to be mindful and I will be the first to say that, at times, it is a struggle. Some classes seem more hot than others. Sometimes I have an amazing class and sometimes I don’t. Whatever the situation might be in the room or with an instructor, I am constantly reminded that this class and my experience is about ME. Whether I have that amazing class or I struggle more than usual, it’s still about me… not the heat or the instructor or the people around me. Now I know a lot of this is more easily said than done, but being mindful is an active process and we can all always improve and strive to go deeper. Part of being mindful is being able to separate yourself from what’s going on around you and become more accepting. I am grateful for your studio and all of the instructors.

Anonymous

One of the questions I hear occasionally is, “Does Bikram Yoga help strengthen the muscles?” I’ve always answered yes based on my own personal experience but now, according to the University of California Wellness Letter, there is a clinical study that backs me up.

Stretching regularly may make your muscles stronger, suggests a study in the Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. Performing regular hamstring stretches (that’s the muscle at the back of the thigh), not only improved flexibility and increased range of motion in 30 young people, it also strengthened their leg muscles. And stronger leg muscles, in turn, can help prevent knee injuries, the researchers say. Stretching also relieves muscle tension and stiffness and often helps recovery from injuries—though it does not prevent injuries, previous studies say.

I’d argue against that last point, at least from a yoga perspective. While the simple act of stretching alone may not prevent injuries, the resulting increased strength may — as they pointed out — and, more importantly, the increased awareness of your body’s capabilities and limitations that comes from a regular practice of conscious stretching, may offer the best injury prevention.

After practicing at the Bikram Yoga Decatur studio for over three years, I can emphatically state that the Bikram series is the pinnacle of all yoga modalities! Bikram Yoga has improved my strength, flexibility and cardiovascular capacity. I have also gained better balance, an enhanced ability to focus, as well as more efficient elimination of both physical and emotional toxins. I find each class provides me with a physical challenge and an opportunity to learn something new on some level. Most importantly, I have found that my work with Eric and the talented teachers he employs has enabled me to jettison people, ideas and organizations out of my life which do not serve me –and thus create space for more elevated life experiences. I would encourage anyone to try Bikram Yoga and practice it regularly.

Linda Chmar, age 49, Attorney and Yamuna Body Rolling Practitioner

File this under famous athletes who do Bikram Yoga and please no cracks about my reading choices. This is Serena Williams talking…

I do a lot of yoga. I love Bikram yoga because you burn more than 600 calories in just one class. You need a lot of patience for yoga, but I love Bikram yoga because it’s in a super warm room so from the moment you walk in you’re just pouring sweat. I recommend everyone try this. It’s a great work out.

That’s all she says about Bikram Yoga but if you want to read the rest, here it is: “Serena Williams Talks To Star!”

One of our own, Susan Lippert, has begun the arduous process of enduring the nine week torture camp known as the Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Hawaii. I just received the first word from her which was mostly about her initial impressions because at the time of her writing she was only two days into it and there had been some technical problems so their schedule had been pretty light. The reason for this post, however, is to share a brief testimonial she offered from her experience at the nearby local Bikram Yoga studio.

the instructor pointed me out for having the best sit up in class. he said “you, over there in the black outfit, do your sit up again for the class to see”. so i did it again and he said it was perfect. then he asked me where i was from and i said atlanta. he then said “you must have very good teachers in atlanta because they taught you very well”.

So… want to learn how to do a proper sit up? We’re ready when you are.

PS - I told Susan that from now on when asked where she’s from she needs to say, “Bikram Yoga Decatur,” but I kid. I’m happy to share the glory with the Atlanta studio because Jason and Cristina were my mentors, after all, and I owe much of my success to them.

I am a forty five year old male who was introduced to Bikram Yoga roughly 6 years ago at the Atlanta studio. Being a drummer, I immediately liked the rhythmic timing of tension and release in the series. As my early practice took shape, I developed affinity for certain postures, dread of other postures, and the improper tendency to compare my poses to others'. I went more or less regularly for a year or so, during which I injured my lower back several times, from careless lifting at work to pushing postures too far. I gradually fell back into some old bad habits and drifted away from practicing for the next year and a half…

Flash to the opening of Bikram Yoga Decatur. They've got this deal: 10 days unlimited for $25. The first class back about killed me. Anyway, I think I did 7 out of the 10 days: a pretty good start. For the next couple years I'd buy 20 classes at a time, hitting 2 or 3 afternoons a week. I began to lose weight, acquire some muscle tone, and notice the natural progress that occurs in the postures when extra body mass is no longer in the way. My previously injured lower back was beginning to feel strong, now that it was getting stretched and no longer carrying extra weight.

As my practice has progressed, many of the things which bothered me early on have moderated or fallen away. I now enjoy postures I once dreaded. If I catch myself comparing my depth of posture with others', I let it go and try to smile about our human condition. I generally know when to push deeper into poses and when to take it easy. There are plateaus one reaches with continued practice: positions I used to think I would never be able to do, I now assume regularly. I go to morning classes when I can fit it in. I even set up in the hot corner…occasionally. These details are neither here nor there: as long as I am breathing and doing the positions to the best of my ability, I am receiving the benefits. It is a moving meditation, peaking with the endorphin headrush after the second camel, which is sometimes the highlight of my day…

I recently attended Bikram's Atlanta workshop. The man is an interesting speaker, teacher, and showman. The posture clinics were quite helpful and I found my practice injected with a new energy. Since then, I have been buying unlimited monthly cards and trying to make a class every day. Thanks to Eric and the kick ass staff at BYD, this has been a great experience for me.

"You got it, boss."

I just returned from home for the holidays… everyone was very shocked at how “thin” I’d gotten since they last saw me in May. How did this happen? I’ll explain…

I entered the Atlanta Bikram studio somewhere around the fall 2000 timeframe. Loved it, but was a sporadic practioner at best… when I moved to Decatur in 2004, I came to Bikram Yoga Decatur and recognized the tall, tattooed guy that runs the studio from earlier days at the other studio. About a year ago, after much procrastination, I began to take my practice seriously - I always wanted too, but a busy life and schedule prevented me from doing so… till I woke up one morning about 30 pounds overweight and feeling really bad about my self.

So, I dumped my then boyfriend, joined Weight Watchers Online, and started attending the studio on a 4-5 times a week basis. I have an occasional bad week when I’m not able to get to class because of my schedule, but I don’t give up. I’ve lost 25 pounds and my body mass index has decreased, my self-esteem has increased, and I love practicing at the studio. The detoxifying effects of the heated room help with my circulation and I no longer say, “I feel bloated.” I put my practice first - ahead of planning everything else. When I travel, I have attended other Bikram studios - it’s like coming home no matter where you are.

It’s nice to purchase a 3 month unlimited card and know I’m getting my money’s worth as opposed to those occasional 10 class cards where I might have used 6 at best. It’s nice to have balance in body, mind, and spirit - thanks Bikram Decatur. I’m a healthier, happier yogi today - Namaste.

– Cheryl Carroll

It’s a common belief that people who work out with weights are inflexible. Somebody forgot to tell Tony Parrish. Take a look at this Sports Illustrated article about the San Francisco 49ers player then take a gander at the photo gallery of Tony’s Bikram Yoga postures that accompanies the article.

Bodybuilders and people who work out with weights don’t have to be inflexible. Just add some yoga to the mix.

It’s been awhile since I thanked you for your hard work, light-heartedness, and overall entertaining, wise instruction. I’ve lost lots of weight and feel about as good about myself as I’ve felt in many years. If I get through this blasted dissertation, and maybe into a better life path–to a huge extent–it will be because I’ve drawn upon you people and the energy you’ve helped me gain. Many, many thanks. I think ya’ll are really great!

– One of your devoted students, Melissa