Do you practice Bikram yoga?

For those who answered "YES", don't miss the "HELP US add more studios" request at the bottom.

Athletic-Minded Traveler LLC is dedicated to providing first rate information to those who prioritize an active and healthy lifestyle. All of our hotel and work out venue recommendations are based upon first hand personal tours. Our "Eat Well" listings, which include restaurants, grocers (such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and local specialty markets), and farmers' markets are compiled using MVP reviews, third party sources, and user feedback.

Just recently The Team started adding MORE Bikram Yoga studios to the "Work Out" section of the site. It has been a gradual process, in large part because we require an "inside scoop" about the studio--location, locker room, # showers, parking etc. Since our service is designed primarily for business travelers who may be pressed for time and unfamiliar with the city, we want to adequately set expectations about the work out experience. And most Bikram addicts know that often a studio is located slightly off the beaten path.

Why Bikram Yoga Studios?
What really tips the scales in Bikram's favor (versus other Hatha studios) is that every studio teaches the same sequence of postures, so you always know you're going to get a full-body workout; a great benefit for travelers. Other reasons we like Bikram Yoga:

1. The heat means you'll sweat. Classes are conducted in a room heated to 105+ degrees. Some studios are hotter than others. If you love to sweat, bring an extra layer.

2. It WILL work you out. Don't let any preconceived notion about yoga fool you into think that it will be easy. Hardly. Simple? Yes. Easy? NO. The 90-minute class consists of 26 beginner poses. Beginner poses. So you will be able to do the class. It's the heat and how hard you push that challenge both beginners and seasoned athletes alike.

3. It's a big stress reliever. A University of Missouri--Columbia study indicates that intense exercise has a larger effect on stress reduction than more moderate forms. (I chuckled when recently reading about a woman who felt the "slow pace" of yoga did nothing to help her get through a painful divorce. Clearly she was not practicing Bikram Yoga.)

4. Consistency. All Bikram classes are the same. You'll get 90 minutes and a full body work out. You can do Bikram in San Diego, Toronto or another city and for the most part the experience will be the same. (*We're still waiting on the Toronto inside scoop.)

HELP US ADD MORE STUDIOS!
So if you do in fact practice Bikram Yoga and can provide to us the "inside scoop" on your studio, please do so. If the studio is located in one of our covered cities, just email us the details at info@athleticmindedtraveler.com or comment on this blog. Also feel free to post about your studio in our Forum under the "Work Out" category.

Thank you.