Bikram Choudhury began studying yoga at the age of four. At 12 he was the youngest ever national yoga champion of India, holding the title three years until Bishnu Ghosh, his guru, asked him to stop competing for the sake of other participants. Bikram went on to pursue an athletic career as a marathon runner and a champion weightlifter, setting world record lifts and competing in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo. At age 20, a weight lifting accident severely crippled him. With the guidance of his guru, Bikram created his 26 pose series which restored his health Quickly he established himself as a world expert teacher, opening schools throughout India. Combining Eastern doctrine with three years of working with Western doctors and scientists at Tokyo University Hospital, Bikram perfected his comprehensive system. Bikram scientifically formulated and demonstrated yoga's ability to regenerate tissue and cure chronic ailments. Thus, he became known as "The World's Most Knowledgeable Yoga Teacher". An exact technique and a series of fixed poses, the class will bring health and peace to anyone. ABOUT BIKRAM YOGA Every posture in the Bikram series is meant to be performed in a given order, to the best of one's ability. A principle of the class is that one can learn to steadily make new demands of oneself, to work harder, deeper, yet calmer. Of equal importance is the theory that physical exertion and relaxation operate most effectively simultaneously. A near-perfect fitness routine, hatha yoga provides the means for people of any age not only to get and say in shape but also to develop balance, coordination, and a sense of centeredness. It renews, invigorates, and heals the body - stretching and toning the muscles, joints, and spine and directing blood and oxygen to the internal organs(including the glands and nerves). Unlike conventional forms of exercise, such as weight training, walking, biking and hiking, hatha yoga stresses quality of movement over quantity. A consistent hatha yoga practice can quiet the mind and refresh the body, bringing health, relaxation, and happiness.