you said “What! A. yoga. competition.??! ” as if you were against the concept and then when you were called on it all of a sudden it’s not the concept, it’s bikram’s interpretation of it that displeases you. in fact you “admire some aspects” – if that is the case why would you say “What! A. yoga. competition.??!”?

nevertheless – thank you for clarifying yourself and taking the time to explain your thoughts about bikram.

Gary – wuddup with you? So Locking your joints has long been known to cause an enormous amount of stress on the joint and off the muscles, which can lead to joint problems and/or injury. Are you not aware of this? Information can be found everywhere.
Regarding #2 what i am referring to is Bikram’s sense of entitlement to change a history rich in enlightenment, spiritualism and humbleness. Here’s a man who’s copyrighted his style of yoga, sends cease-and-desist letters to those who dare flout the copyright, and, in interviews, summarily dismisses all other forms of American yoga while also bragging about his large fleet of Rolls-Royces. He once famously told Business 2.0 magazine that his yoga was the “only yoga.” When asked why, he said it was because he has “balls like atom bombs, two of them, 100 megatons each. Nobody fucks with me.” That seems quite different then what was intended, at least to me. I was also under the impression there wasn’t room for an ego in yoga.
Regarding the competitions – I’m def aware that India has been doing competitions for thousands of years. And while i can admire some aspects I view it as just another way for Bikram to throw himself a party and discuss how great he is. All the postures in the compulsory series are drawn from Bikram’s copyrighted practice, and nearly all the optional poses usually are as well. So, again, i find a difference between competition in India & the States – one that I dislike.

My original post was definitely not a joke. What I’ve found is that most other forms of yoga are more humbled in their practice and promotion while most Bikram followers are starry-eyed about him – boosting the ego further. ( please note the MOSTS in that sentence) I personally find nothing attractive about the man as well as many faults with his practice. If you can’t see those things, decide to look past them or view them as *gulp* positives then that is fine. That is your decision. I choose something less Jonestown like. I prefer to concentrate on me and my practice and to work around how my body and spirit are feeling that day rather than do what Bikram and his words say – to ‘push more harder’ (when my body says no) or to fold like a ‘Japanese ham sandwich’, which are just dumb phrases. I decided to say my piece because i am tired of hearing about this practice and everyone saying it’s fantastic. (thank you Maykazine!!) I found most the aspects of it to be dreadful. At least we can agree on ‘to each their own’.
Happy Hump Day.

what is your basis for saying “you are not supposed to lock your knee”. who made that rule, where is it written, if at all? also, you say Bikram yoga is “not as yoga was intended”. according to who? what are the standards you are applying in making that statement? ie what is source for knowing hatha yoga’s true intentions?

also, what do you know bout yoga competitions? do you know of their history in India?

you original post is quite crazy and – not very informed. is it a practical joke? people have being doing bikram every day all over the world for decades. thousands and thousand and thousands of men, women and children of every size shape and color practice every day in almost every country and language. if there was truly a risk of them “blowing their knees out”, we would have heard about it by now?

Hehe – to each their own as you say.

Where he came from is one thing – who he is now is quite unappealing. Perhaps you prefer pompous, flashy, womanizing persons to lead you on your spiritual journey. The link between the man and the practice is strong – Especially when you attend such a strickly regimented class. You can feel the weight of his ego in the verbiage.

Additionally – Unless we are talking about two different things Bikrams Yoga College of India is based in California and is 9 weeks long not a year.

I have also failed to find the meditation in any of those classes. Except for when i returned home.

I feel this conversation will be unproductive unless you are willing to remove the veil and take a look at the raging issues of this man and his practice. I understand your will to defend but more importantly you must objectively research.

I wish you well.