Bikram method yoga is a twenty-six asana series designed by Bikram Choudhury to scientifically warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons in the proper order.

Bikram's twenty-six exercies sytematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to one hundred percent of your body, to each organ and fiber, restoring all systems to healthy working order, just as nature intended. Proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well-being will automatically follow.

Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide Yoga College of India. He began Yoga at age 4 in Calcutta under Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramhansa Yogananda. An exceptional student, Bikram went on to win the National India Yoga contest at age 13 and remained undefeated for 3 years. At age 17 Bikram suffered a catastrophic knee injury in a weight-lifting accident. The prognosis given by leading European doctors was that he would never walk again. Not willing to accept this, Bikram returned to Bishnu Ghosh's school for rehabilitation. It took a mere 6 months to make a full recovery. Inspired, and with Ghosh's urging, Bikram went on to open several Yoga schools of his own in India and then Japan. He has since brought his curative methods of Yoga therapy around the world.

Stephen "Skip" Wolfram is the founder and Director of Bikram's Yoga College of India, Longwood, celebrating 11 years in 2012.  Skip took his first class in 1997 and has been a dedicated student ever since.  "I took my first class out of desperation.  I suffered from chronic back and hip pain from a surfing accident in 1989 that fractured my L2 vertebrae, as well as an ACL replacement surgery that was not responding to physical therapy.  I had exhausted all of the treatment/rehabilitation methods offered by my medical doctors and a friend suggested Bikram method yoga.  After my first class I was blown away!  Not only did I feel better, my whole body felt electrified, yet supremely relaxed at the same time."  Skip served in the US Air Force for seven years and traveled extensively throughout Asia as a Chinese Mandarin linguist and earned his BA in East Asian Studies from the University of Hawaii.  Skip received his certification as a Bikram method instructor in 2000 and has taught over 8,000 -

classes.  In March of 2011 Skip had his right hip joint resurfaced as a result of lingering effects of his 1989 surfing accident.  "I frequently bodysurfed at Sandy Beach on the southeast shore of the island of Oahu.  The nickname of the beach is Breakneck Beach and there were daily ambulance trips to take injured bodysurfers to the emergency room.  On a day of waves that I did not consider very big I was thrown onto my back and doubled over hard into the shore. After ten years of practicing Bikram yoga, my back pain and knee problems had been cured but my hip was deteriorating and any physical activity aggravated it."  Skip is currently using Bikram yoga as his rehabilitation treatment from hip surgery.  "I practice this yoga because I know it works.  I am a student of history and yoga has proven itself effective for thousands of years."

Julie Ann Tonks is the General Manager and Instructor at Bikram Yoga College of India, Longwood. In addition, Julie is an independent distributor for Juice Plus. She was born in Sykesville, Maryland in 1974. She spent her later childhood growing up in West Palm Beach, FL. She was a ballet dancer for approximately ten years and danced for companies such as Palm Beach Ballet Society. She also played piano and competed in her early teens. Julie received her Associates of Arts at Palm Beach Community College in 1994. She completed an intensive Foreign Language Study Abroad in Jonquiere, Canada in 1995. Julie graduated from University of Central Florida with Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 1996. She worked for a comprehensive mental health organization for nearly six years as a case manager, clinical trails liaison, mental health court liaison, and assessment specialist. In 2007, Julie completed Bikram Yoga Teacher Training in Hawaii.

During Julie’s early years, she spent most of her time sick. She battled with severe digestive issues and frequent strep throat. Julie also suffered debilitating back pain due to scoliosis. After years of research, Julie understands and experiences the power of yoga and nutrition. “I finally found the most effective ways to maintain optimal health, Bikram Yoga and Juice Plus. I teach Bikram Yoga because I know it’s the best thing anyone can do for their life. I represent Juice Plus because I know that it is the best way to fuel and balance the body. I dedicate the rest of my life to helping people live happy and healthy lives.