Bikram/Barkan Yoga – 105 - 90 degrees

What is Yoga?

Yoga means the union of body, mind and spirit.  Hatha  yoga is a special branch of yoga designed to bring balance and harmony to the physical which is the foundation and catalyst for vitality of mind and evolution of the spirit.  Thousands of years old, it is the perfect exercise for a lifetime of fitness. "Hatha" 's true translation is: " forceful yoga".  This doesn't mean you are forcing the practice, or struggling, it means you are practicing with intention.

Why is the room heated?

The temperature increases blood flow to all areas of the body, which is essential in distributing oxygen and removing toxins.

The heat facilitates deeper stretching and reduces the chance of injury.  Although daunting at first, the perception quickly changes by feeling the body move to new levels of flexibility because of the heat.  Although the body has many organs to help move toxins out of the body, the sweat glands move 80% of the load!

What is Bikram Yoga?

Bikram yoga is a demanding series of 26 specific postures and 2 breathing exercises suitable for all levels.  It was created by Bikram Choudhury, an internationally known yoga teacher.  It is designed to work the entire body in 90 minutes.  The sequence of the postures works synergistically and cumulatively, each preparing the body for the next.  This energizes a sedentary lifestyle, heals damage from high impact sports, and slows normal deterioration that comes with aging.  The body returns to a more balanced state of health. Instructors teaching the Bikram method have attended Bikram's reknown 9 week teacher training and have graduated with full credentials.

What is  Barkan?

At Yoga Quest we were motivated to explore beyond the Bikram series to include more of the 200 postures coming from Calcutta, and Bishnu Ghosh, youngest brother of Paramahansa  Yogananda.   Yogananda came to the United States in 1920 to disseminate the teachings of Bhakti yoga, or the path of devotion.  He is known world wide for his book "Autobiography of a Yogi".

The Barkan Method incorporates these postures, as well as postures from other styles of yoga. Jimmy has found that even though consistency is important to measure results, daily variations are necessary to challenge, excite, and help students become unlimited in their practice.  One aspect in the vinyasa series is a "flow" of movement from posture to another without rest in between.  This aspect produces more of a cardiovascular workout.  By moving through traditional Sun salutations it also strengthens the upper torso and shoulders. Our Hot Yoga certifications are through Jimmy Barkan, a longtime teacher for Bikram, who designed the sequences we offer. Both the Hot Yoga 75 and the Vinyasa stem from the Barkan method.