Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class (Second Edtion) Paperback – Illustrated, August 7, 2000

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!

I had been practicing Bikram Yoga for over 6 months when I finally got around to reading this book and all I can say is WOW! What I learned from reading the book absolutely dropped the scales from my eyes. There is so much information contained within that I never realized about the practice. Everything from the general experience and attitude down to technique in individual poses. I had no clue how "off" my practice was, how I was taking the wrong overall approach, and his book really improved my practice. What was rather enlightening to say the least was how what is said in the class "dialogue" from the instructors is at times in direct contrast to what he talks about in his book. Suffice it to say that unless you've been practicing for years this book will make a huge difference in improving your practice. To be honest even if you have been practicing for years it stil may make a huge difference.

I attended classes at Bikram's Yoga College of India for three years, and have received instruction from Bikram himself during quite a number of those classes. About two years ago the college moved to a different location and since then I have continued my practice at home.Everything they say about Bikram the man is true. Yes, he is an egotist. Yes, with his millions of dollars and multiple Rolls Royces he has fully embraced the materialistic lifestyle of his adopted country and in particular of his home city of Beverly Hills. He is well aware of his egotism and materialism, and revels in both to the point of self-parody.None of this erases the fact that the 26 Bikram postures are perhaps the most concise, therapeutic, balanced and adaptable compilation of the yoga repertoire ever brought together under a single method.They are concise, in that every part of the body is exercised, but if the same part is exercised in more than one posture, it is always in a slightly different way, and always in a way that takes advantage of the repetition to further increase the flexibility of the body, and always far enough from the original posture to make the repetition meaningful rather than redundant (e.g., standing head to knee is posture five, while the seated head to knee is posture twenty-four). They are therapeutic, in that circulation is enhanced, muscles are stretched to release toxins, and intense heat and perspiration help to carry those toxins out of the body. They are balanced, in that each posture that stretches in one direction is invariably followed by another that stretches in the opposite direction (e.g., camel pose followed by rabbit pose). Finally, they are adaptable, in that every posture can be done to a greater or a lesser degree, allowing both beginners and long-time practitioners to benefit from exactly the same set of postures.In so many ways, this makes the Bikram postures "all you really need" - a comprehensive set of postures beyond which you need look no further in order to maintain your flexibility and health.Yes, just as some others have reported, I too made an effort to attend classes taught by "anybody but Bikram" while I was at the college. While he is very knowledgeable, his constant banter often interrupted the flow of the postures, and his classes invariably ran late as a result. But I will always be grateful to him for having developed his method, which has been of enormous assistance to me in maintaining my physical health and clarity of mind.

I never went to Bikram, but bought this book. It is well written, with lots of funny references. Can be quite boring though, if you are trying to go through everything at once. A year later, I went to my first Bikram class. I finally realized what this book is about! I really enjoyed reading a few postures a day and learning in class. The book is different from the dialogue, but it is immensely helpful for beginners. Every time I'm in doubt about something, I can go back to the book and reference it. I now went to the classes for 3 months and feel quite confident. I'm still looking at the book from time to time for some help, and enjoy reading Bikram's quotes. I would definitely recommend this book!