We’d like to welcome our latest Advertiser to The Waterland Blog – Bikram Yoga Burien – offering this great Coupon that will stretch your yoga dollars far: [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Click image to print Coupon."][/caption] Opened last Fall, this is Burien’s hottest yoga studio – literally. If you’re not familiar with the practice of Bikram Yoga, it’s “a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises preformed in a heated room for 90 minutes,” according to their Facebook Page. “You will stretch and strengthen every muscle group, major gland and organ, ligament/tendon, bone/joint, and cell or your body: From the inside-out, Bones to Skin! Be prepared to transform.” And more info:
  • It’s HOT Yoga, where the room temp is set at 105 degrees, with 40% humidity. According to the business’ website, there are several reasons for the heat:
    • This heat is helpful in allowing the body to go deeper into postures safely, minimizing risk of injury by increasing elasticity of the muscles, ligaments and tendons, allowing greater flexibility with a lower risk of injury.
    • The heat also facilitates sweating, detoxifying through the pores and skin – the body’s largest eliminating organ.
    • Heat increases cardiovascular workout.
    • The intensity of the heat deepens the need for concentration and focus, strengthening willpower and self-control.
  • A typical 90-minute class burns between 650 – 1200 calories, depending on your weight and fitness level.
  • There are 26 Postures and two Breathing Exercises used in Bikram Yoga.
  • You don’t have to be a Yoga expert to take classes – just be sure to drink plenty of water though!
The ‘Bikram’ in Bikram Yoga refers to founder Bikram Choudhury, who, according to the company’s website:
Born in Calcutta in 1946, Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the Yoga College of India and creator of his unique sequence of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises known as Bikram Yoga. Bikram began practicing yoga at the age of four under the tutelage of India’s most renowned physical culturist of the time, Bishnu Gosh (younger brother of Paramahansa Yogananda, author of Autobiography of a Yogi, founder of the self-Realization Fellowship, and the yogi recognized with first bringing yoga to the West). Practicing yoga four to six hours a day under Bishnu Gosh’s guidance, Bikram became National Yoga Champion of India at the age of thirteen, “retiring” from yoga competition three years later as the undefeated four time All-India Yoga Champion.
Here’s a video explanation: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEzznV7LlyA[/youtube] Here’s a testimonial from a student:
My name is Gail Rojas. October 2011 started my practice of hot yoga. After suffering a pelvis fracture in August and being told that I would be lucky if I made a full recovery in a minimum of 8 months if at all, a good friend asked me to try hot yoga. My girlfriend has had several knee surgeries and is ready for knee replacement at any time but she is trying hard to delay it. Hot yoga seems to have helped her, why not me? So that is how it started. After limpin into my first class of total uncertain, I decided to research this Bikram stuff. To my surprise and delight, I found that Bikram himself, had designed this class after a severe knee injury he received at which time the doctors said he may never walk again. Thus the start of Bikram Yoga. This also convinced me it was a good choice for me as well. At my two month anniversary of practice, I proudly announced at the end of class that it was four months since my pelvis fracture and thanks to Bikram, I was celebrating my recovery! There have been other added benefits from my practice. Having been a dental hygienist for over 35 years, I have suffered from tendonitis in my elbow, forearm and shoulders. My tendonitis in my right arm had reached its limits with cortisone injections and unsuccessful physical therapy. Biklram Yoga has succeeded in making it go away after two years of pain that often woke me up at night besides daytime discomfort. At the almost 60 year mark of a relatively active life, there have been a few injuries and broken bones and pulled ligaments and periods of back, neck and hip pain. The heat, stretching and mind focusing in Bikram Yoga have helped me encouraged my body to heal and ease some of these besides hopefully helping my borderline osteoporosis. It may be hard work and maybe even pain, but great benefits! Here’s to a healthier and happier 2012 with thanks to Bikram and its encouraging teachers!
To learn more about Bikram Yoga Burien, check out their website here: http://bikramburien.com, “Like” them on Facebook here, or call (206) 457-8267.]]>

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