Bikrams beginning yoga class

The sequence of the Bikram yoga poses sometimes referred to as the 26+2, is a system of hatha yoga poses and was created sometime in the early seventies by Bikram Choudhury. The 26 postures are picked from the classic 84 series by Bikram Choudhury's guru "Yogindra"  Bishnu Ghosh brother of Paramahansa Yogananda founder of the self-realization fellowship.

The series that Bikram calling Bikram's beginning yoga class is performed in a room that is heated to 40 degrees Celsius and takes around 90 min including the Shavasana. All postures are done twice with a couple of exceptions (Tree pose, Toe stand pose, and Spine twisting pose. The sequence is always practiced the same way and the certified yoga teacher is to follow certain instructions. 

How do I know it is a Bikram yoga class?

• Class always start with Pranayama deep breathing
• The sequence of poses is always practiced the same way and the certified yoga teacher is to follow certain instructions. 
• Breathing through the nose during whole class
• Eyes open whole class
• The yoga teacher is not practicing with class, only teaching by verbal instructions and no hands-on corrections
• Yoga class is alignment focused with a lot of verbal instructions 
• Class always ends with Kaphalabati

Down below is the correct order that postures are practiced also alignment cues you might here in class.

Pranayama - Standing deep breathing

Feet together toes and heels touching, knuckles to the chin at all times

Ardha chandrasana with Pada hastasana - Half moon pose with hands to feet pose

Interlace your fingers make a nice and tight grip, straighten your arms completely 

Utkatasana  - Awkward pose

Stomach in, chin up, chest up, body in the heels, sit down more

Garurasana - Eagle pose

Squeece your knees together, pull your elbows down

Dandayamana janushirasana - Standing head to knee pose

Stomach in, kick heel forward, lock the knee

Dandayamana dhanurasana - Standing bow pulling pose

Hold your foot from the inside at the ankle, kick right back an up 

Tuladandasana - Balancing stick pose

Come down until your whole body is parallel to the floor, stretch and stretch and stretch

Dandayamana biphaktapada paschimotthanasana - Standing separate leg stretching pose

Pick up your heels from outside, body weight on toes, chin away from chest

Trikanasana - Triangle pose

Stretch up and down like a natural human traction

Dandayamana biphaktapada janushirasana -  Standing separate leg head to knee pose

Stretch up, tuck your chin into your chest, round your spine

Tadasana - Tree pose

Stand tall, straighten spine, firm buttock, lock the knee

Padangustasana - Toe stand pose

Fold from the hip, sit on the heel, palms together in namaskar

Savasana - Dead body pose

Heels together, palm open, eyes open, mouth closed

Pavanamuktasana - Wind removing pose

Tight grip, elbows in, pull the knee down towards the shoulder

Situp

Feet together, flex your toes, arms overhead, sit up double exhale

Bhujangasana - Cobra pose

Elbows in and down, chin away from the chest, look up and lift up

Salabhasana - Locust pose

Kiss the towel, lift both legs up, don't give up

Poorna Salabhasana - Full locust pose

Inhale, look up, arms up and back

Dhanurasana - Bow pose

Chin away from chest, look up, kick and kick

Supta vajrasana - Fixed firm pose

Inhale lift chest, knees together

Ardha kurmasana - Half tortoise pose

Active stretch, keep stretching forward, sit down on heels

Ustrasasna - Camel pose

Hips forward, chest up, chin up, look back, inhale go back

Sasangasana - Rabbit pose

Little weight on head, stomach in and hips up

Janushirasana with paschimottanasana - Head to knee with stretching pose

Good grip with interlaced fingers, elbows in, face closer to stomach

Ardha Matsyendrasana - Spine twisting pose

Find length on inhale, twist on exhale

Kapalabathi in vajrasana - Blowing in firm pose

Spine straight, relax belly, passive inhale and active exhale through lips

Bikram beginning yoga class audio recording with Esak Garcia 

What are the benefits of Bikram hot yoga?

Some benefit could be: 

• Improves the flexibility
• Stimulates internal organs
• Increase circulation
• Can reduce lower back pain
• Stimulate the digestive system, Improved digestion
• Improves concentration
• Clears the mind