The System of Bikram Yoga Poses

Posted on 2019-01-14

Bikram's 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+2 series that has 84 postures and are often referred to as the advanced class by Bikram Choudhury's guru "Yogindra" Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda, founder of the self-realization fellowship.

This hot yoga series which Bikram calls Bikram's beginning yoga class, is performed in a room 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 starts 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 the whole class
Eyes open the 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
In between all the poses on the floor is a savasana
Class always ends with Kaphalabati breathing

Breathing in Bikram Yoga

In Bikram yoga, like any other yoga style, the breathing is in and out through the nose (normal breathing). But each pose has a particular correct way of breathing.

Normal breathing: In and out through the nose. You never empty the lungs.
80/20 breathing: You fill the lungs completely, and in the posture, you just let 20 percent of the air out through the nose because the pose requires air in the lungs to maintain proper strength. This breathing is mostly in the backbends.
Exhale of the breath: You start with a full breath in, and when entering the posture, you exhale completely. This breathing is mostly in forward folds.

Bikram Yoga Poses

Down below is the correct order of the Bikram Yoga poses. If they are not in this order and practiced in a room with 40 degrees Celcius (105 degrees Fahrenheit), It should not be called Bikram yoga's beginner class. This sequence of postures is practiced if it is your first yoga class or if you are ten years into your practice. You always practice after your ability for the day. Try your earnest, and you will receive 100% benefit.

"Never too old, never too bad, never too late, and never too sick to start from scratch once again." Bikram Choudhury

Pranayama - Standing deep breathing

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

Standing series

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

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

Utkatasana - Awkward pose

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

Garurasana - Eagle pose

Squeeze 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, and up

Tuladandasana - Balancing stick pose

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

Dandayamana bibhaktapada paschimotthanasana - Standing separate leg stretching pose

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

Trikanasana - Triangle pose

Stretch up and down like a natural human traction

Dandayamana bibhaktapada 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 your spine, firm buttocks, lock the knee.

Padangustasana - Toe stand pose

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

Floor Series

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, don't give up

Poorna Salabhasana - Full locust pose

Inhale, look up, arms up and back

Dhanurasana - Bow pose

Chin away from the chest, look up, kick and kick.

Supta vajrasana - Fixed firm pose

Inhale, lift chest, and knees together

Ardha kurmasana - Half tortoise pose

Active stretch, keep stretching forward, sit down on your heels

Ustrasasna - Camel pose

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

Sasangasana - Rabbit pose

Little weight on the 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.

Kapalabhati in vajrasana - Blowing in firm pose

Spine straight, relax the belly, passive inhale, and actively exhale through the lips.

Bikram beginning yoga class audio recording with Esak Garcia

Precautions

You should not eat before yoga class. 2-3 hours is a good rule of thumb to stay away from an unpleasant experience

Hatha yoga must be practiced mindfully, and coming in and out of a pose should be done slowly.

You are changing the body's construction, so small steps are necessary with tiny changes in the poses. Treat them like a baby learning how to walk with baby steps.