Type A, All the Way
Bikram Yoga Boston

Reviewed on March 1, 2008 by YogaVicki.

Setting
The studio is a converted loft space and consists of one room, painted white with large windows, gray carpeting, and floor to ceiling mirrors. The mix of students is diverse, with nearly an equal amount of men and women, all varying in ages. The temperature in the studio can be scorching and truly uncomfortable depending on the teacher and the number of students practicing at the same time. The studio has a limit of 30 students. It's wise to get there a little early if you're aiming for a weekday 5:30pm class, as it does fill up. There are two showers available and space outside of the studio for changing and drying off is limited (it is downtown Boston, after all). It can get a bit crowded between classes, but that shouldn't deter you, since you're there for the yoga.

Instruction
I have practiced Bikram Yoga in Boston, Boise, Salt Lake, and Amsterdam. I practiced in Boston consistently for two months and can honestly say that the Boston Bikram teachers are some of the best Bikram Yoga teachers I've practiced with. While there are always new, less experienced teachers cycling through, the core senior teachers at this studio really know what they're doing. Classes are well paced and despite following the same Bikram dialogue, these instructors impart their own style of encouragement and individual wisdom. Some of my best Bikram Yoga experiences were with Brad, Greg and Michelle.

Practice
The practice is extremely challenging, while you do not need be athletic, or flexible to practice Bikram Yoga, you do need a strong will to be able to stay in an uncomfortably hot room for 90 minutes. Every Bikram yoga class consists of 26 poses and breathing exercises repeated twice. The room is heated to approximately 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Each Bikram yoga class practices the same routine and there is very little attention given to the individual. The instructors teach to the class as a whole. There are times when it can feel like drudgery, doing the same poses in the same sequence over and over again. There are also times when you can take comfort in its predictability, and performing the same routine also gives you a benchmark for improvement. The Bikram Yoga philosophy is a "no pain, no gain" philosophy. You will be encouraged to go to your edge during every pose. Some yoga purists may say that this is tantamount to the spirit of yoga. Personally, there are times when I feel rewarded by working through pain and struggle. This type of yoga tends to attract very driven (somewhat masochistic) people.

Summary
When I first started practicing Bikram yoga, I was skeptical. Bikram Choudry, the founder, sparked some serious controversy when he copyrighted his yoga sequence and built a business out of licensing it. It has been called various disparaging names in the Yoga world, such as "McYoga" and "Hollywood Yoga." From my personal experience, Bikram has done more good than harm. This yoga will change you significantly. I have come out of Bikram classes with better focus, better sleep and more energy. What's more, it's comforting to know that I can find a Bikram Yoga class in nearly every major city in the U.S. (and around the world).