That’s not whatBikram Yogais at all.
Bikram Choudhury, the founder behind the practice, isn’t your typical yogi.
Hemoved from India to Hollywoodin the 1970s and quickly secured A-list clientele.
He claims Shirley MacLainegot him on Johnny Carsonto get him his big break.
One writer evennicknamed himthe “Walter White of yoga.”
Here’s a look at the most shocking things about him and Bikram Yoga.
It is done in a room that is heated to at least 104 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity.
There are 26 yoga positions and two breathing exercises done in a specific sequence for 90 minutes.
Mirrors must be on the front wall.
Instructors are supposed to use only the company-approved dialogue for the classes, speaking in headsets.
The studios are not allowed to host any other bang out of yoga.
In addition, the instructors must be certified by Bikram Yoga as well.
That’s a lot of lucre.
Choudhury became filthy rich doing yoga
What Choudhury did was unique in the yoga world.
He also tried tocopyright Bikram Yoga, so that nobody else could teach it without paying him.
Ultimately, a federal courtruled in 2015that you cannot copyright an idea like yoga sequences.
But in the meantime, this franchising made him a very rich man.
They also reported that he owns over 40 classic cars.
And the teacher training is monumentally expensive.
And they have to get re-certified every three years, paying another $1200 or so.
He himself acknowledges that such intense heat can be unbearable.
But he also claims the heat is critical to making the body malleable and pliant.
However, according toConsumer Reports,the heat can make people overstretch their muscles, leading to injuries.
“It doesn’t correlate to burning more calories.”
Ourliver and kidneystake out the toxins when we use the restroom.
Also too much heat and sweating can literally make you sick.
Some people have reportedlysuffered heat stroke and infectionsfrom Bikram Yoga in that heat.
Too hot to handle for many people.
The first lawsuitcame in 2013.
Other women then filed lawsuits, saying that Choudhury pushed himself on them in varying degrees of sexual assault.
Another plantiff, Jane Lawler, accused him of repeated instances of sexual assault.
Because this was my Guru, and I thought of him as a father figure.
And I had said no."
She had sued because he reportedly fired her after she tried to investigate other women’s claims.
She also said that he sexually harassed her.
He hasdenied all the allegations.
People spend $1 million for one drop of my sperm."
I spoke with a number of these people for this story.
Nicole Stuckey ownsSome Like It Hot Yoga & Wellnessin Staten Island, NY.
She loved Bikram Yoga itself, but was unimpressed with Choudhury.
She said Choudhury “showed up late to lectures, then arrived with an entourage.”
The call was criticizing the association with Bikram.
Most importantly, she reportedly received immunity from any of the many lawsuits targeting him.
Now she officially won’t be looking at him anymore, forever.
The same article claims that Choudhury has fled the United States and went back to India.
He still faces more lawsuits, too.
She spoke toThe Daily Mail, saying, “Bikram is no longer the boss of Bikram Yoga.
I’ve been to hell and back, but the jury has spoken.
Bikram has tried to conceal assets and has fled America, but justice will be done.”
What does Bikram Yoga’s future hold?
Ironically, a name that was once so popular, and meant so much, has become a liability.
So, what will happen to the Bikram Yoga name?
One lawyer has a solution: calling the franchise “Jafa-Bodden Hot Yoga.
“Kevin Hughey writesabout his idea: “Tongue-and-cheek?
you’re free to defend a trademark in court.
But trust is arbitrated in customer relationships.
It takes a long time to build and even longer to rebuild.”
