Bikram's Yoga College of India

04/27/2008 Posted by mentabolism

It's not a spa. You won't be pampered. But you will get an unbelievable workout/stretching session that will challenge your body, mind, and spirit. The instructors are following the philosophy/requirements of the founder of this school of yoga. If you want your butt kissed, or to be stroked and petted, go somewhere fancy and get a massage or go do some wimpy yoga. But really, you'll do yourself, your whole self, a much bigger favor by putting your ego aside, showing up to work, and following instructions. After a few times you'll even appreciate the discipline involved, and the fact that the rules are the same for every damn body.

03/18/2008 Posted by barrybryant

If you need to be disciplined, this is the studio for you. Bikram has an aesthetic that everyone understands. If you find subtlety unappealing, you'll love this place.

Pros: It's a Bikram studio

Cons: emphasis on the obvious to the point of obnoxiousness

01/19/2008 Posted by jmcmichael23

I started doing Bikram here mid December, and it was about half as crowded as it has been in early January. Bikram yoga seems to be a popular New Year's resolution. Anyway - if you try the popular times (anytime besides early morning) during this part of the year, it's going to be crowded and real busy. I can testify to the fact that the staff tend to be real friendly and helpful when they actually have time. Try the early morning classes - especially during the weekdays. Plenty of room. And the carpet hasn't started getting saturated yet. I'll ask them about the carpet and report back here.

01/12/2008 Posted by otmatthew

I agree that the carpet in the room is an unfortunate choice for flooring. The concensus is that the room temperature is 105 degrees. Any surface below my sweating body is soon to be soaked...especially if the room is 105 degrees! Ladies and gentlemen, you do NOT want to put your mat and/or towel and/or water bottle in the puddle that I work very hard to create. You DO want the floor sanitized between calsses...don't you?!?!

Pros: The discipline itself is a great mind-body experience.

Cons: The environment is uninviting.

01/10/2008 Posted by sno66

The basics of the class were good and the level of heat was excellent, but the service and the do it "my way or the highway" mentality has got to go! I have taken Bikram all over the country and even though a participant needs to be pushed everybody is different. The instructors don't take into effect that someone may not feel 100% and may need to make adjustments and do poses a little different just to get through it. Also, having a carpeted room has to be the most unsanitary situation I have ever been in. When you are face down on your mat you can smell the mold in the carpet. There needs to be a standard wood floor that can be mopped and sanitized after every class. St. Louis needs more Bikram Studios, HELP!

Pros: heat, basics of Bikram

Cons: wet, sweaty, smelly, moldy carpet. Front desk staff not very friendly

04/04/2007 Posted by jpl25

This is a great yoga studio. Bikram yoga is a very demanding practice. The beginning class is 90 minutes long and in a room that is 105+ degrees. The practice requires focus and determination. I remember my first class vividly. I wanted to run out of the room screaming after about 20 minutes because it was so flipping hot. But, because of the instructors and in partucilar the owner, Carol, who was teaching my class that first day, I stayed. It wasn't pretty but I did it and I did it because Carol was incredibly supportive. It was not necessarily specific to me, but her support was to the entire class. She was positive and upbeat, yet also still demanding (in a good way) that we give 100% effort. There are rules that must be followed. You need to remain still if you are not participating in a pose. You need to remain in the room even if you are not participating and even if you are just done and can't do any more. This is out of courtesy for the others in the room, so you are not a distraction to them. You have to pay attention, close attention, and listen to the instruction. This is very difficult to do when you keep thinking to yourself, "It is freaking hot in here!" But, the more you work past your distractions and focus on the practice, the better your practice becomes and the better you feel. If your idea of yoga is hanging out in an air-conditioned room, doing some streching and maybe closing your eyes for a little nap this is not the place for you. If you want to be challenged, if you want to give 100% effort and if you want to improve your health and fitness level, come here!

Pros: Parking, Class availability

Cons: The smell

10/31/2006 Posted by roxycraft

I do not agree with the other reviews. This is a great Bikram studio! The instructors have always been very helpful and friendly to me. I have been to other Bikram studios around the country that do not have the structure that this studio has. The lack of discipline at those places was so distracting to my practice! I can appreciate that they enforce their rules for the comfort of all of the students. They were also just named best yoga studio in STL by the RFT and most classes I attend are packed. They are definitely doing something right!

09/10/2006 Posted by patriciah

I completely agree with the other review. Do not waste your time, the girls at the front are sooooooo rude. It makes me sad because I really loved the class but had to quit going because I did not agree with the way they treat people.

09/08/2006 Posted by lowendtheory

I was treated to a barrage of attitude from the moment I walked in the door. Expect to have studio rules lectured at you as if you were back in elementary school. I wish I could blame this interaction on a less than amicable new front desk person but the woman (who could not have been more rude) explained to me that she was the owner. The class itself was fine (I've done bikram in three other cities and it's so standardized that they're all pretty much the same). The instructor was good aside from chastising two women who were unable to complete the class (which is run at a temperature of about 105). I've only lived in Saint Louis for one year but in that time I have been constantly amazed by the courtesy and friendliness of its locals. My experience at Saint Louis Yoga could not have been further from this. I was shocked at the treatment I received and will never return.