What is the beginning Hot yoga series?
The beginning Hot yoga series is a combination of two breathing exercises (pranayama) 26 yoga postures (asanas) performed in a room heated to 100+ degrees (F). This 90 minute program systematically works the entire body delivering total health.
Deep breathing moves fresh oxygenated blood to 100 percent of the body, restoring all systems to a healthy working order. Combined with the yoga poses the 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.
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How do I prepare for class?

Please arrive 20 minutes early before the class begins, fill out our registration card and bring it to your first class and bring the following:

• Bottle of water, (You can purchase one from us)
  Note: Glass bottles are not allowed in the studio
• Towel (You can rent one from us)
• Yoga Mat (You can rent one from us)

Tips:

• Practice on an empty stomach; refrain from eating 2-3 hours prior to class.
• Hydrate! Drink water 1 hour prior to class beginning.
• Wear light workout clothing.
• Be prepared to sweat and feel great!

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What should I know before my first class?

If you are starting yoga for the first time, it is important to know your boundaries. If you were not a runner, yet decided to run a marathon, you would train and build up to it. Look at yoga the same way. While it's important to try and get better, it's equally important to recognize that yoga is a process. You build at the pace that suits you. Don't run the marathon on your first try!
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What is the heat for?

Heat therapy is known as a valuable healing tool. Its earliest known use dates from ancient Greek physicians who raised body temperature as an immune defense mechanism against infection. The yoga room is heated intentionally to 100+ degrees (F) to protect the muscles for safe, deep stretches, which allows you to work deeper in a shorter amount of time, seeing results faster. Heat takes the trauma out of stretching, aids in healing, and helps prevent injuries. The heat increases the heart rate for a better cardiovascular workout, helps to improve strength by putting muscle tissue in optimal state, and softens collagen around the joints for more freedom of movement.

Yoga is not just about working muscles. You are massaging deep tissues, glands, and organs. As you work deep within your body, you may start to release "poisons" or "toxins" that have been stored there a long time. Sweating once a day helps flush toxins from your body.
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How does yoga work?

Breathing exercises in the beginning of class, coupled with the heat in the room, begin to warm the body from the inside out. The metabolism starts to speed up, preparing all systems to start working. As the lungs fully expand and take in more oxygen, the heart starts to pump oxygen-rich red blood cells.

The 26 postures are sequentially designed to isolate portions of the body one section at a time by closing off circulation to a group of muscles, organs, and glands for a few seconds. Once released from the posture, oxygen-rich blood returns at a high speed to the closed part of the body, sending in nutrients and flushing out waste.

By using this method of stretching and contracting, circulation is improved and we open up blocked areas of the body. By the end of 90 minutes, you achieve a full body workout. Every cell has been revitalized, the spine has been strengthened, and all systems are restored to their intended 100% working order, giving you an energized body and a relaxed mind.
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What kind of benefits will I see?

To get the optimal results from your yoga exercise program expect to practice at least three times per week. Over a short period of time, with this frequency of practice, you can expect to see and feel the reshaping of your body. Physically, you will lose weight and inches, gain muscle tone, and improve strength and balance. Mentally, you will notice improvement in concentration skills and will power, and a reduction in stress. Medically, you will notice that you are sick less, and are not as prone to injury. Yoga has proven to help those suffering from insomnia, depression, Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and shoulder, knee and back injuries. Through these changes in the body, there are changes in the mind, attitude, and behavior. These are all positive changes to help improve your quality of life.
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What if I am not flexible?

This is the most common misconception that prevents people from coming to a yoga class. Yoga is not about how flexible you are already, but about strengthening your body and spine in all directions, and gradually improving your flexibility. Through a consistent yoga practice, your flexibility will improve, but it is not necessary to be flexible before coming to class.
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Pregnancy + Yoga: Prenatal and Postpartum Wellness

Research has shown that preparation before giving birth allows for an easier physical and emotional transition postpartum. We offer a 60 minute beginning yoga class for new mothers, mothers-to-be and infertility patients seeking life balance. This class includes modifications of postures designed to meet the changing needs of your body. Emphasis on breathing, body alignment, and helping aches and pains caused through childbirth, motherhood and infertility treatments. 

This class is open to all students; the room will be warm but not heated. It is an excellent opportunity for those not ready to experience the full 90 minute class or those beginners adjusting to the heat. The modifications help with back pain and extra/overweight issues. 

Conditions: As with any exercise program consult with your doctor prior to starting any physical activity.
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Who is Bikram Choudhury?

Bikram Choudhury is a world renowned master yogi. He 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 to ever 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, making it 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. He also has traveled the world extensively, bringing the benefits of Bikram's yoga to millions of students worldwide.
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What is the series of the yoga postures?

Below are illustrations of the two breathing exercises and the series of yoga postures.

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