Maybe Bikram is Right

Title: 
Maybe Bikram is Right?

Word Count:
403

Summary:
I laughed at his rhetoric, equally, as much as watching Jerry Seinfeld or Ray Ramano, do a stand up comedy routine. The man is pure entertainment and he has a point.


Keywords:
health. healthy, yoga, fitness, bikram, right, wrong


Article Body:
For some reason, I had the time to sit down and watch a little television, and as luck would have it, Bikram Choudhury was being interviewed on 60 Minutes Wednesday.

My wife, Marie and I don�t often get home at that time of the night, as we are usually closing up the wellness center, so this was fate and a bit of luck.

Our center does not have 105 degree Bikram classes or hot Yoga classes, but we are familiar with Bikram�s style and his wife�s many accomplishments.  Rajashree Choudhury is a five-time winner of the All-India Yoga Championship competition.

I am not a Bikram fan, but I am not swayed by some of the anti-Bikram articles that work their way into the world of Yoga.  

Before I touch some of the finer points of his interview, I must concede that he snatched the lime light with exuberance and now I know why some love him, while others don�t feel so warm and furry about him.

I laughed at his rhetoric, equally, as much as watching Jerry Seinfeld or Ray Ramano, do a stand up comedy routine.  The man is pure entertainment and he has a point.  

In reference to his style of yoga, he said � I don�t sell cheesecake, you know that.�  The fact is anyone who visits a Bikram style Yoga class knows what they are getting into.  How could you miss 105 degrees Fahrenheit? 

More to the point, America is a country of extremes and there are estimates that only 10% of the population exercises regularly.  While, another 35% of the population, drift in, and out, of exercise, depending upon the season, a fad, or a whim.

The remaining 55%, of America�s population, have taken a pledge to avoid exercise at all costs.  Maybe the �couch potatoes� can only grasp the concept of a �kick in the pants.�  

Some people need a drill instructor personality and as Bikram would say, �torture chamber� to understand Yoga.  America made him the �Guru of the Stars,� and he understands public relations.  Let�s give credit, where credit is due.  If you love Yoga and missed this interview, see if you can catch the re-run.

There is a strange need, on a massive scale, for �stern but loving parent� type teachers in Yoga classes.  Now if you�ll excuse me, I am about to organize the Extremely Hot Navy Seals Power Yoga Boot Camp.