Bikram Yoga is HOT yoga, but HOT yoga isn’t Bikram Yoga.

Bikram Yoga Traverse City & Grand Rapids are not only operated by the owner, but the owner also practices at them; affording a personal relationship with all the students. Our students work hard in class, are very disciplined and have a lot of fun. We get to know your name quickly. So come on in, transform your body, mind, soul, make some great friends, and most importantly, have fun!

About Bikram


Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide Bikram Yoga College of India.

Born in Calcutta in 1946, Bikram began Yoga at the age of four with India’s most-renowned physical culturist at that time, Bishnu Ghosh, the younger brother of Paramahansa Yogananda (Author of the most popular book on Yoga, The Autobiography of a Yogi, and founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles).Bikram

Bikram practiced Yoga at least four to six hours every day at Ghosh’s College of Physical Education in Calcutta. At the age of thirteen, he won the National India Yoga Championship. He was undefeated for the following three years and retired as the undisputed All-India National Yoga Champion.

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 school in Rishikesh India. 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.

Expect yoga to offer more than fitness. Yoga offers health, wellness, restoration and relaxation.

  • PLEASE BE ON TIME!! (There will be no late admittance for anyone)
  • Each class is 90 minutes
  • Prior experience is not required
  • Anyone is welcome to attend any class. Just pick a time that works for you and get here.
  • Bring a bottle of water. (Bottled water may be purchased at the studio)
  • Plan to arrive with plenty of time to park, sign-in, change clothes and be ready to begin on time.
  • Drink lots of water throughout the day, not just before or during class. Proper hydration is key to so many of your body's functions. With Original Hot Yoga you are simultaneously cleansing all the systems of your body from the inside out. It is important to stay hydrated so your elimination systems (bowel, urinary and skin) can support your efforts.
  • Bring a mat & large towel (required for class).(Towels and mats are available for rent)
  • Come with an empty stomach. (Heavy meals less than 3 hours before class are not recommended, you can drink juice or eat fruits up to 1 hour before class.)
  • Women should wear shorts or thin cotton leggings and leotard, jog bra or halter top. Men should wear shorts and/or bathing trunks. Since the room is heated, you want to wear something that you feel comfortable sweating in. Hot Yoga wear available for purchase at studio
  • Please no perfumes or scents
  • Children under the age of 18 need a parents signature on their registration form!
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOUR FIRST CLASS

You might feel very tired after class. This is absolutely normal and a good sign that your body is cleansing. Your energy levels should be restored to normal within several classes.
You might find yourself feeling extremely energetic and experience difficulty sleeping. Don't worry--this is a good sign that the yoga is truly filling you up with energy. You don't have insomnia. You just have more time to do the things you enjoy.
You might feel sore or stiff the day after your first class. Come back to class as soon as possible! Your body is waking up and coming alive and you want to keep the process going!
You might feel nauseous, dizzy or have a headache after class. This could be a sign that you are dehydrated. Please drink lots of water before returning to class. Or it could be a sign that you were trying so hard that you weren't breathing normally. Please breathe normally during every posture.
You might experience some skin irritation. This too is normal, it means that the skin is releasing toxins. Showering directly after class will wash the toxins away. It will also help normalize the body temperature.
You might feel very hungry after class for a while, or you might lose your appetite completely. Both reactions are normal. If you are concerned about your weight, don't worry too much either way. Once you get into a regular practice pattern, your appetite and your weight will normalize. You'll find yourself feeling and looking leaner and younger.

BEFORE CLASS


  • Please do not let the yoga room door slam when you come and go!
  • Please turn off cell phones & pagers & leave them in the lobby- never bring them into the classroom. (Exceptions to Dr.'s, switch to flash, or vibrate if flash unavailable)
  • Please drink plenty of water throughout the day, before coming to class, & after class. Hydration is very important.
  • Please sign in & print legibly.
  • Be on time to class.
  • Please have clean feet, body, & be perfume/smoke free.
  • Please ask questions before or after class, but not during the class.
  • Put your shoes on the boot trays instead of leaving them on the floor. Pay special attention particularly in the Winter. The bottom 2 racks are for tall boots.

DURING CLASS


  • Please refrain from talking in the yoga room at any time. (NO WHINING, NO COMPLAINING). Many students use the time before class to quietly prepare for class.
  • Do your very best to stay in the yoga room once the class begins. If an emergency requires you to leave, please leave & re-enter between postures.
  • NO GLASS CONTAINERS ALLOWED. The teacher will indicate the point in class when everyone takes their first water break.
  • Honor the silence of the room by moving quietly.
  • Focus on only yourself on the mirror.
  • Regular detergent is not enough to keep the embedded, resurfacing odor on your yoga clothes and mats away after you begin sweating during class. This process may disturb your fellow classmates near & far. "WIN" Detergent (AVAILBLE IN LOBBY) is the best specialty product for deodorizing your clothes.

AFTER CLASS


  • Please do not let the yoga room door slam when you come and go! Respect Others.
  • When you are done with your Final Savasana please take your yoga mat, towel, and other accessories with you to make room for the next class.
  • If you leave items at the studio, they are probably a sweaty mess. Please retrieve them immediately, please do not wait until your "Next Class".
  • Please observe silence after the Final Savasana. No loud breathing etc.
  • If using a rented mat please thoroughly spray cleaner on both sides at the mat cleaning station in the lobby, wipe down, HANG UP TO DRY.
  • If showering please limit your shower to 2 minutes. Be considerate of others.
  • Enjoy the peace & energy you're taking with you from class. Make up your mind to come back tomorrow!
  • Sorry we do not provide mat storage and lost and found mats are placed outside the front door for quick & easy pickup.