Calling all yogis: whether you’re a diehard or curious first-timer, the mother ship has arrived. Bikram Yoga Downtown, a spa-inspired studio meditative ambiance, is complete. Their staff is ready to lead you through this infamous full body practice—to sweat with you. Say hello to your new studio, young grasshopper.
The ingredients of the Bikram workout are simple: a controlled hot room, 26 postures, two breathing exercises, and willing yogis. Each of these components is wrapped into an intense 90-minute workout that symbiotically works every muscle. Across the globe, the series is taught uniformly with the same postures and time flow. Thus, students inherently know what they’re getting themselves into every time, a workout demanding attention to detail, incremental progress, and self-awareness. Founder Bikram Choudhury holds the bar high, and infamously tells his students, “Give me 30 days, I’ll change your body. Give me 60 days, I’ll change your life.”
Based upon ancient Indian lineage and Bikram’s renowned yoga career, the series was brought over to the US in the 1970s. Today it isn’t uncommon to see all walks of life in a certified studio. If you’ve seen a group of yogis near one, they’re probably drenched in sweat, twenty minutes out of class, and already reaping the medical benefits. Marie Acain and Oleg Vydra, Bikram Downtown’s founders and talented Las Vegas yoga leaders, emphasize the healing qualities of the practice.
“As long as you’re attempting to the best of your ability, you get 100% benefit,” Vydra explains, “I know that if someone takes the time, they will have great results.” Vydra speaks from a personal account on this regard, since he was formerly plagued by hereditary back problems prior to ever trying yoga. As a last resort, when hitting the point of debilitating pain with no luck from modern medicine, he walked into a Bikram studio. “And then the yoga bus hit me,” he chuckles. “It was love/hate for awhile. It’s not easy. But, I believe in the practice and want to share it with others because I don’t go to the doctor anymore. I’m living proof. It’s been over a decade with my back being better.”
And well, we all need some sort of healing, and coupling the mind and body together for the endeavor is an engrained yogic principle. It simply starts with showing up and learning how to breathe. Although high-intensity and designed to be challenging, Bikram’s series is still considered beginner yoga. “Anybody can walk in and attempt to do the postures correctly to the best of your ability even if it’s just 5-10%, and you will receive 100% effect for your body,” Vydra explains. “There is no competition. Everybody has a starting point. We’re also here to make it fun and enjoyable.”
Above all, it works. In shape or not, this practice was made for all bodies. “The feeling when you’re done is addictive,” Acain touches on. “Yoga is all about continuity. At the end of the day it’s about the human mind and the human body—it’s kind of like music: it transcends, and everybody wants to feel good.”
Acain also spearheaded the design of the space, and has successfully made the experience look just as luminous as it feels. Setting the tone with a “designer industrial look,” both peace and concentration energize the space. “Our goal is that people will never feel the envy of anybody else. It’s all about the feeling.”
And truly, all levels are welcome. The question is, are you up for the task? Acain and Vydra are confident you are. So, get your mat, towel, and water bottle, face the mirror, and focus your eyes on your eyes. You’re in good hands with not just the expert instructor, but yourself.
Bikram Yoga Downtown
124 South 6th Street Suite 180
Inside John E. Carson building
702.724.1616
bikramdowntown.com