Practitioners of Bikram Yoga, true Bikram Yoga, know that "party time" usually comes after the third posture, Eagle Pose. At that point, and not earlier, are participants invited to take a sip of water or wipe down.
But the concept of Party Time is going to be expanded this coming Saturday, during the official Grand Opening of True Bikram Yoga at 1347 Boston Post Road in Madison, CT, in the same plaza as Cohen's Bagels, across from Constitution Park.
On that day, all classes will be free. Classes are being offered at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. And, after the 4 p.m. class, there will be a celebration that will include music, comedy, salsa lessons, Reiki, and fresh juices and food.
A long-time dream come true
Robin Brace of Guilford, the owner and operator of the new studio in Madison and another in New Haven that has been open for many years, says the opening of the Madison studio is a long-time dream come true.
"Ever since we've been in New Haven, people on the shoreline have been begging me to open one out here," she said. So she had her eye out for an ideal property near the Madison-Clinton town line, about halfway between New Haven and Old Saybrook. She wanted a space that would not only be perfect for the intense and specific Bikram Yoga routine, but that would also serve as a sort of community gathering space with a juice bar, massage services, and other services.
The space at 1347 Boston Post Road, on the upper floor, was perfect, and is perfectly located, Brace said, since it is only minutes off of Exit 62 off of I-95.
A destination and event space
"We really want to create a destination here," Brace said of the Madison studio, which had its soft opening more than a month ago. Classes have been offered as Brace got the space into shape for the Grand Opening Saturday. "This is a great event space."
In addition to Brace, instructors will include Manami Ohashi, formerly of Kobe, Japan and now of Madison. Also, Carolina McMahon of Guilford, Brenda Gallagher of Berlin, Chris Nigrini from Wallingford, and Kristina Bruk from New York City.
The yoga routine at the Madison studio will be the same as the routine in the New Haven studio and, in fact, the same as any true Bikram yoga studio around the country or around the world. No matter where you do Bikram, it's supposed to be the same 26 postures and two breathing exercises done in 105 degree heat (38 percent humidity), for a total of 90 minutes.
Doing it just so
Bikram Choudhury, who designed and synthesized the yoga routine, is insistent that the owners of the studios do it just so. In fact, in a message on the main Bikram Yoga website, he said he is considering taking legal action against any studio owners who cut the routine down to 75 minutes or, heaven forbid, even 60 minutes."
If he sounds a little intense, that's because he is insistent that the routines be done in the true way, just as he designed it. According to the Bikram Yoga New Haven website, "Bikram Yoga is a demanding series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, suitable for all ages and levels of ability. Each posture stretches, strengthens and prepares specific muscles, ligaments and joints for the next posture. The Bikram method also stimulates the organs, glands and nerves, moving fresh oxygenated blood to 100% of the body, restoring all systems to a healthy working order. Bikram scientifically designed this 90-minute program to deliver total health through the balancing and strengthening of every system in the body in order to prevent illness, injury, promote weight loss and limit the effects of aging. The series of postures combine skills of concentration, patience, determination and self-control which increase mental clarity and reduce stress. Bikram Yoga is practiced in a heated room to warm your muscles, allow a deeper workout and cleanse the body by flushing toxins."
True Bikram
Brace said she is calling her new studio, "True Bikram," because that is exactly what people will get when they come there, the exact routine, just as it is supposed to be delivered.
At the same time, she said she's confident the new studio on the shoreline will benefit other yoga studios, because Bikram Yoga often attracts people who are interested in fitness.
Once they start, they become interested in yoga, and trying other kinds of yoga. "We will complement each other," she said of the other area studios, which offer many other styles of yoga.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
