by Kara-Leah Grant The moment I was a chapter into Hell-Bent: Obsession, Pain and the Search for Something like Transcendence in Bikram Yoga I knew I had to track down the author Benjamin Lorr and interview him for YLB.So I did.And he didn't disappoint. Benjamin was an overweight school teacher who'd graduated with a double degree in environmental biology in creative writing when he walked into his first Bikram Yoga class in 2008. Within three months he'd lost 45 pounds, met a yoga … [Read more...]
How Bikram Yoga Evolved into Evolation Yoga with Mark Drost and Zefea Samson
by Kara-Leah Grant Mark Drost was once a Bikram Senior Teacher, completely immersed in the Bikram World.Like so many though, there were aspects of the Bikram Culture that bugged him. He could see the yoga was run on fear and control and it didn't sit well with him.After six years in the inner circle, and after meeting his wife Zefea Samson, Mark left. He and Zefea took everything they had learned during their time with Bikram, and prior, and used it to create Evolation Yoga. They … [Read more...]
The NZ Bikram Yoga Community Responds to the Bikram Sex Scandal
by Kara-Leah Grant In the last year five women have filed lawsuits against Choudhury, with charges ranging from rape to sexual harassment. The allegations are serious, and according to an in-depth Vanity Fair article about Bikram and the charges, the plaintiffs all tell a similar story.A young woman is singled out for attention, Bikram tells her how wonderful and special she is, using spirituality to imply there's a unique connection - like shared past lives. The attention becomes … [Read more...]
Why yoga teachers are either shot, or placed on a pedestal
by guest author and Wellington Yoga Teacher Bruce Foley Being a yoga teacher feels like two opposing forces pulling at me simultaneously.I am attracted to the act of teaching and derive great pleasure from it. It makes me feel good about myself as it tests my sense of courage and self-belief. It answers the question as to whether it is OK to trust my instincts because an intuitive class structure rarely lets me down.I see validation; recognition and understanding [of the path chosen] in … [Read more...]
Is Bikram Choudhury really an alien?
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat On Sunday I drove a 440 km round-trip to see Bikram Choudbury speak.Was it worth it?Absolutely.Not only did I get to meet more of the NZ yoga community, but I also got to check out Bikram The Man in person as he took the stage for a three and a half hour lecture.Yep that's right - Bikram spoke with barely a pause for breath for over three hours, and if it hadn't been for the insistence of the organizers, he would have kept on going. And … [Read more...]
January 15th: Auckland, Bikram Choudhury Lecture & Book Signing
Bikram Choudhury, yogiraj and master teacher of his own unique yoga series, is coming to New Zealand for the first time!Bikram will host a lecture and book signing event which will raise funds for the Christchurch Bikram Yoga studio, which had to rebuild after the devastating February 2011 earthquake.Come and learn from the Boss! The evening will be entertaining and thought-provoking, and will conclude with canapes, book signing/photo opportunities, and a cash bar. When:Sun 15 Jan … [Read more...]