Buffalo Rising Online

Oct 1st 2008, 8:00am By Thomas Tarapacki

After being displaced by a fire late last year, Bikram Yoga Buffalo is alive and thriving at its new location on Elmwood Avenue.

Bikram Yoga Buffalo is now located at 912 Elmwood Ave. near West Delavan. The studio had been located on the 4th floor of the Elmwood Parish Commons at Elmwood and West Ferry until a fire back in November severely damaged the building. Bikram moved to 912 Elmwood immediately following the fire, and over recent months has undergone extensive remodeling. While the Parish Commons is now being rebuilt, the Bikram Yoga Buffalo looks to stay at its current location.

Bikram Yoga, also known as “hot yoga,” is practiced in a hot (over 100 degrees), humid environment in order to help you stretch your muscles and sweat out toxins. The program's progression of 26 postures and two breathing exercises in a 90-minute session are designed to strengthen bodily systems and can prevent illness and injury, promote weight loss and enhance energy, athletic performance and overall health. The Bikram is Bikram Choudhury, who developed this style of yoga. He and his wife Rajashree were both yoga champions in India. Choudhury founded the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills in 1974.

Mark Drost is the director of Bikram Yoga Buffalo. He has been teaching Bikram Yoga for 7 years, and has taught in over 50 studios and has founded or co-founded 7 studios. He was living in West Palm Beach, Florida when he came back to his hometown to start Bikram Yoga Buffalo in 2003.

Mark explained that Bikram Yoga is practiced in a heated room to facilitate deeper stretching, prevent injury, relieve stress and tension and to detoxify the body. Roberto Valenza, an instructor at Bikram Yoga Buffalo, added: “I can’t imagine doing yoga in a cold room. When your muscles are cold they are tight, and it’s more likely that you’ll hurt yourself. Besides, don’t forget that yoga was invented in India, where the weather can be quite warm.”

What’s so special about Bikram Yoga? “Things happen in Bikram Yoga that don’t happen in other yogas,” according to Roberto. He pointed out numerous physical benefits, including reducing back pain and lowering blood pressure. “Look in the mirror at yourself, and give me three months,” he added. “Three months later you’ll see a miracle.” As with other yogas, Bikram also promises mental and spiritual benefits, including decreased stress, anxiety, depression and anger.

Mark added that Bikram Yoga is relatively simple style of yoga. “While yoga can sometimes seem intimidating to beginners, they are drawn to the simplicity of Bikram Yoga,” he pointed out. “It’s the simplest yoga and easy in terms of the postures --- anyone can do them.” Mark said that this simplicity makes it a gateway for other types of yoga. After starting in Bikram, some practitioners then move to other styles of yogas. “Every practice has its own benefits,” pointed out Mark.

Bikram is the “most therapeutic” of all yogas, according to Mark, and he maintained that it helped him deal with back problems that were plaguing him. “I crawled out of my first three classes,” recalled Mark, “but in two weeks I was like a new person.”

“Bikram Yoga also attracts a larger percentage of men who view it as an intense physical workout,” Mark said. Many men like the fact that the postures can produce a training effect without pounding the spinal column.

Mark advises first-timers to arrive 15 minutes early and head up to the 2nd floor to register. You’ll be sweating a lot, so bring mats, towels and water, although they are also available at the studio. You’ll be asked to leave your shoes outside the room and turn off your cell phone.

Some other suggestions: Come on an empty stomach, and try not to eat at least 2 hours before class. However, make sure you are well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. It’s also a good idea to tell the teacher at the start of the class whether you have any injuries or special conditions.

Mark cautioned that some beginners may initially have some difficulty with the heat. If that’s the case, he advises them to stay in the room, but sit down until they feel better.

First-timers can take a single lesson for $15 ($10 for full-time students and seniors) or try the introductory special that allows for 2 weeks of unlimited yoga for $50. There are no levels in Bikram Yoga, so people of all abilities practice together in the same class. The start times are listed on the web site and in the brochures you can pick up at the front of the building.

Although the cold weather is coming to Buffalo, you can expect temperatures to stay quite warm at Bikram Yoga Buffalo.

www.bikramyogabuffalo.com
716.882.4151