"Yoga is the only exercise in the world you can do at any age. There is always some posture that will improve your health, mind and soul. No matter how old or sick or out of shape, you can still stretch and have a new beginning with yoga.

While it energizes 100% of the body. It strengthens and develops the mind as well. The main difference between yoga and any other exercise is that it is the only kind of exercise you can do in any place, any position, any condition of health and at any age."

— Bikram Choudhury

Bikram's yoga class is a demanding 26 pose (Asana) series. Every pose is meant to be performed in the given order, to the best of one's ability. A principle of the class is that one learns to steadily make new demands of oneself to work harder, deeper, and become calmer. Of equal importance is the principle that physical exertion and relaxation operate most effectively simultaneously. The control of breathing, or Pranayama, and the centering of concentration accomplish this. As you advance you apply yourself ever deeper into the pose, beyond the physical discipline and into the mastery of self; by doing so we reach the true meaning of hatha yoga: "Ha" - sun, "tha" - moon, "yoga" - a union of opposites. A union: a meeting of body, mind and spirit.

Yoga is not an enigma. It is a science 5000 years old. It is unrivaled as a means of improving body health and suppleness, of creating peace of mind and absence of stress. But there are no promises of instant gratification. It does not magically change the world around you. The amount of effort you put into this process is returned to you . Then you begin to see, with patience and diligence, how you can, with peace, deal with this world and yourself in it.

Be prepared to work hard. Be prepared to make demands of yourself and to sweat. The room is hot by intention. Women wear leotards, men bathing trunks. Bring a towel and water bottle. Have a great class!