Bikram Yoga - Williamsville (Finding your Bengal Tiger)

Bikram Yoga, Williamsville

            My new haunt at present I have been impressed since day one with. Located in the heart of Williamsville, it is set amongst the landscape of coffee shops and upscale boutiques. The schedule is regular and the teachers are not announced. You get a complete unbiased experience. I walked up the long staircase painted with a vivid flame design. I was not the least bit nervous as I was warmly greeted by a receptionist. They had coolers of stocked water, a professional store set up of product and everything to rent, yoga mats, hot towels and bath towels.

            I had done my homework and knew the new student special was either $20 for ten days consecutive or $39 for a month. There was no need to think, I paid for the month. Coming from an Ashtanga styled studio I was hit first with the degree difference. The studio was 110 degrees and anyone who lives in Buffalo for the most part that alone is not in your blood.  The Ashtanga style studio, my Voldermort, was set at 90 degrees. I rented a towel for my yoga mat.

           They had a beautiful well stocked locker room with all the amenities you could ever need. Their cubby holes all were hand painted with different postures. The halls were filled with vestiges of the Bikram legacy staying true to it. Their shower facilities are much needed after a 110 degree practice and were immaculate.

            When you enter there is no talking. The atmosphere is truly peaceful and lets you focus inwards.  

 Bikram Choudhry created his own flow of 26 postures which you do on each side that incorporate two pranayama breathing exercises.  Alignment and locking your knees for protection are the main focus really gearing your practice towards better health and improving your flexibility. The teachers stay on a podium with an eagle eye view, helping students. It was different from my ashtanga experience. Where I had gotten use to flowing in sun salutations and doing inversions this was more about health, receiving the health benefits immediately and improving flexibility.

I received excellent attention from day one. The teacher,day one, was kind, told me only to worry about my breathing. I even received a postcard in the mail thanking me and encouraging me back. The owner another day introduced herself and got to know me. She even connected me to a massage therapist who specialized in scoliosis. I have a curve in my back. They were all kind and sensitive about it. It made me feel good. 
In my experience so far I would say they are people who care, true consummate professionals who balance business with being personable and warm. Some people come to practice from my old studio. They ask me what happened and why I was there since I spent all my time at the old studio. I say now, it was time to move on.