Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class Second Edtion. Edited

Customer Reviews

A must for anyone new to hot yoga

2008-07-08
The style is a bit annoying to read but the explanation of poses along with the (extremely dated) photos is very helpful especially for beginners.

I read the book through once... then realized that it is broken up into 2 parts -- for each pose. The top portion is for advanced students who have a general idea of the poses. The bottom portion is for complete beginners. Although Bikram writes in the book that someone who has never taken a class can follow the book, I would highly disagree with that. I think you need to have gone to a few classes to get a general idea of the flow, then you can read about each poses and tips to get a deeper stretch/proper form.

I wish they would have redone the photos for the updated copy. Now that I have read through it once, I find that I go back to it for reference for some of the poses I find more challenging. I would highly recommend this book.

Without pictures pathetic!!!

2008-04-10
I bought the CDs set for 24 dollars becuase I thought there would be some videos that would help me to make perfect postures but to my surprise the CDs are just Audio. I mean what the heck??? How can one get the idea of what Bikram is blabering???? Total wastage of the money and CD don't even work properly if you try to copy them to your disc. How sad and pathetic...

Bikram is a pioneer!

2008-03-23
This is a great book for Bikram lovers! Nice pictures of all the postures in his beginning series. Also dicusses the right way and the realistic way of doing the poses. "26 postures, 2 breathing exercises, every day!" Bikram created this sequence with his teacher Bishnu Gosh after Bikram blew out a knee in a weightlifting accident. Doing this sequence healed his knee without needing the surgery the doctors where recomending. I love the Bikram quote "you can [...] with the Gods, but you cannot [...] with the knees!" Lots of people experience this truth for themselves when they jump into a yoga practice with a little to much gusto:)

Wonderful Addition to any Birkam Yogi

2007-08-16
After taking Bikram Yoga classes for five months, I bought this book, and my practice will never be the same! Bikram breaks down every pose, through pictures and words, allowing you to truly understand what the body should look like and how it should feel in each pose. Even better, he also shows you through words and pictures how the body shouldn't look, allowing you to know what you are doing wrong. I would recommened this book to any Bikram Yogi, as well as anyone who is interested in a great work out for not only your body, but for your mind as well.

100% Satisfaction

2007-03-08
This is the best exercise/health book I have ever purchased. Well illustrated and written. If you do Bikram Yoga this is a definite book to have.

Bilram's Beginning Yoga ClassSecond Edition

2007-01-19
Bikram Choudhury, author of the newly revised Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class and yoga guru to the stars, is on a mission to heal America through yoga. Bikram claims that faithfully doing his yoga routine, which consists of 26 hatha yoga asanas (postures) set down by Patanjali over 4,000 years ago, can fix everything from chronic diseases (like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis) to obesity and depression. According to Bikram, his beginning yoga class exercises 100 percent of the body, increases energy, and leaves you looking and feeling fantastic.

The book contains nearly 200 photographs illustrating each of the poses. Each asana is also accompanied by detailed directions on how to do it the right way. Can't quite twist your leg around your head or touch your nose to your knee? Bikram will tell you how to modify poses so one day you, too, can resemble a pretzel.

This is not an easy workout. Even intermediate students will find Bikram's yoga routine, which requires about an hour to complete, challenging. Need encouragement? Beginning Yoga contains suggestions for maintaining proper yoga practice, a section on the medical benefits of yoga, notes from Bikram's students, and a good dose of Bikram humor and philosophy. If you can't get to one of Bikram's 100 yoga centers and want to give his style of "hot yoga" a try, open up Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class and let Bikram work his magic on your body, mind, and spirit. --Ellen Albertson

Everything It's Cracked Up To Be 2006-09-29
I came to practice Bikram's Yoga after a studio moved into my neighborhood and my curiosity got the best of me. It's absolutely all it promises to be, and my enthusiam for the yoga spills over to the book.

I got the most benefit from the decription of the underlying philosophy of the yoga's design, and the history of how yoga in the US evolved. It was less immediately helpful as a posture guide, although I reference it often after a class when I have some new success or difficulty with a posture.

Definitely worth the money and goes a long way to help deepen your understanding of your Bikram yoga practice.

Great yoga, book is a little different from the class 2006-07-16
Love Bikram yoga, so glad I was introduced to it. I attend class at a local studio and wanted the book for times when I do the yoga on my own and to check out some of the instructions for the postures. I find the book very helpful - and note that in some regards it differs from the class. So, it is good to have an instructor, who has been to Bikram's latest instruction, to supplement the book.

A PERFECT companion to your Bikram Yoga Practice. . . 2006-05-09
I've been practicing Bikram Yoga since December 28, 2005. In total, I've lost 10 pounds and a TON of inches. I've gone from a size 16 to a size 14. My skin has the "Bikram Glow" AND I feel absolutely amazing. The physical benefits of this practice are obvious what most people don't realize is that your mind/Spirit will get a challenge as well. I am more loving to myself and stronger at heart. This Yoga is TRULY a whole body experience. You will come out of each class feeling a little better than the last. It's a healing process and each day I feel grateful to finish a class.

This book has been a gift. It's falling apart because I've been making notes, highlighting and marking it up - usually after class. My book goes everywhere with me, I read a little here and there and realize that each time I've read something, it's different. I understand it in a different way that make my posture "grow".

I don't know if reading it alone will you recieve all of the benefits BUT I can definately say that it's a wonderful guide to your Studio practice.

I wish everyone all the best in their beautiful practices!

Namaste. . . .Bella

If you're a beginner, get this book! 2006-03-15
I am a beginner with only three months under my belt (or on the mat so to speak). What I like about this book is the two track explaination, i.e., instructions for someone that has been doing yoga for some time and a track for those that have, quite honestly, a ways to go. Many yoga books show beautiful people in beautiful postures and I think...ok, what about me, I'm not even close. This book gives specific instructions and pictures of those beginners that have less than perfect form - and what your issues are to improve. I also like the funny comments that are given in the text - it makes the book a good read and not just an instructional manual...sort of a "Yoga for Dummies". There is also a lot of truth in this book. When it talks about going back to yoga when you are injuried - not as most people think of resting and letting things heal - it is good advice. I strained a muscle when I first started and without this book I would have given up going to yoga and taken the rest, drugs, approach to healing. Instead, I went back to class (with a healing intention)and felt 100% better for it. Why this works is one of the best ways to heal our bodies is to get oxygenated blood flowing into the injuried areas and HOT yoga cannot help but do that! I'm an avid surfer and in just three months of yoga practice I am amazed at how much stronger and flexible I am...can't wait for the water to warm up!