Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga is a widely recognised system of hot yoga that emerged in the early 1970s and became popular across the Western world. Developed by Bikram Choudhury and influenced by the teachings of B. C. Ghosh, this approach combines a fixed sequence of postures with a controlled heated environment intended to enhance flexibility, discipline, and physical endurance. The method gained significant international attention due to its distinctive class format, charismatic founder, and large franchise network.
The style is practised in a room heated to approximately 40°C with 40% humidity, a setting designed to simulate the climate of India. The environment, along with the structured sequence of asanas, has shaped the identity of Bikram Yoga as a disciplined and physically demanding form of yoga as exercise.

Origins and Early Development

Bikram Choudhury was born in Calcutta in 1944 and began his study of yoga in the late 1960s. He arrived in the United States in 1971 and initially taught yoga at Californian health resorts. In 1974 he opened his first dedicated school in Los Angeles with the support of students, including the actress Shirley MacLaine and teacher Anne Marie Bennstrom. His classes quickly attracted well-known pupils from Hollywood, helping to elevate the profile of his method.
Originally, classes operated on a donation basis, following a model common in India. However, as attendance and interest grew, Choudhury introduced a fixed class fee. He later codified a 26-posture sequence based on the teachings of B. C. Ghosh, forming what would become the core of Bikram Yoga practice. His forceful personality and confident style contributed to the rapid rise of his school and later the international franchise.

Structure and Practice of the Bikram Yoga Sequence

Bikram Yoga classes follow a fixed 90-minute format, comprising 24 asanas and two pranayama exercises. The class begins with a standing breathing exercise, followed by a standing sequence of postures, a resting period, floor-based asanas, and a concluding pranayama practice—Kapalabhati—followed by a final savasana.
Several features define the practice environment:

• Heated room at 40°C and 40% humidity
• Carpeted floors and mirrored walls
• Strictly standardised sequence and dialogue
• Instructor adjustments made through verbal cues or mirroring

The mirrors aid students in self-correction while enabling instructors to supervise alignment. Some postures, such as Dandayamana-Janushirsasana, are less common in other yoga styles, further distinguishing the Bikram sequence. Teachers trained in Bikram Yoga learn a set dialogue but are encouraged to develop personal style and delivery within that framework.

Expansion and Global Popularity

Through the 1980s and 1990s, Bikram Yoga experienced substantial growth. Choudhury’s approach—emphasising discipline, endurance, and a rigorous class culture—proved compelling to many practitioners. By 1984, classes cost approximately US$20, reflecting both the rising demand and the prestige associated with the method.
By 2006, Bikram Yoga had reached a peak of nearly 1,650 studios in at least 40 countries. The franchise spread across North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Numerous students pursued formal teacher training, contributing to a large global teaching community and a systematic expansion model.
From 2012 onwards, the number of studios declined, though significant centres remained active in many countries. The decline coincided with both growing competition from other forms of hot yoga and controversies surrounding the founder.

Teaching Style and Class Culture

Choudhury became known for a demanding and often abrasive teaching style. His approach relied heavily on pushing students to work through discomfort and cultivating a strong mental focus. Many accounts reference his charismatic presence and the intense atmosphere of his classes, which fostered a culture of hard work, discipline, and commitment.
Observers described the classes as combining physical challenge with a distinctive in-class narrative, blending humour, provocation, and strict motivational cues. For some practitioners, this created a sense of community and dedication; for others, the environment appeared authoritarian or overly intense.

Health Effects and Considerations

Research into yoga-related adverse events indicates that Bikram Yoga has been associated with a small number of reported incidents, including rosacea, hyponatraemia, and a psychotic episode. The heated environment and physically demanding sequence mean that participants must maintain proper hydration and be attentive to their physical limits.
Despite these concerns, many practitioners report benefits such as increased flexibility, endurance, and mental focus. The style’s consistency and structured format make it accessible for those seeking predictable, repeatable practice sessions.

Copyright Disputes and Legal Issues

Beginning in 2011, Choudhury sought to claim copyright protection over the Bikram Yoga sequence, attempting to restrict its teaching to authorised studios and certified instructors. Legal actions against organisations such as Yoga to the People and Evolation Yoga challenged their use of the sequence. Courts ultimately rejected these claims, ruling that yoga postures could not be copyrighted in the manner proposed. The United States Copyright Office later clarified that asanas are not subject to exclusive proprietary control.
These rulings allowed studios unaffiliated with Choudhury to continue teaching sequences similar or identical to those used in Bikram Yoga.

Allegations and Controversies

Bikram Yoga has been significantly affected by allegations of misconduct against its founder. Choudhury faced multiple accusations involving inappropriate behaviour, abuse of authority, and sexual misconduct. In 2016, after legal judgments resulted in substantial financial penalties, he left the United States and returned to India. Management of Bikram Inc. in America was subsequently assumed by Minakshi Jafa-Bodden, his former legal adviser, following her successful lawsuit.
The allegations became more widely known through a 2019 documentary titled Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator. The film explored Choudhury’s early life, the evolution of his teaching, and testimonies from women who alleged abusive behaviour. While the documentary generated widespread discussion about power dynamics in yoga communities, it was later challenged by Choudhury’s legal representation.

Global Decline and Continuing Practice

Despite controversy, many studios continue to teach the original sequence, often rebranding it simply as hot yoga or the “26 and 2” sequence. Teachers and practitioners who value the method emphasise its structured form, disciplined style, and potential physical benefits independent of the founder’s personal actions.
In many regions, schools have sought to preserve the practice while distancing themselves from Choudhury, contributing to the ongoing evolution of the hot yoga movement.
Bikram Yoga thus remains an influential and recognisable branch of modern postural yoga, shaped by its rigorous sequence, heated environment, and complex history of rapid expansion, legal dispute, and cultural scrutiny.