Bikram Choudhury

Full Name and Common Aliases

Bikram Choudhury was born Muktananda Sahoo in Kolkata, India on September 11, 1944. He is commonly known as Bikram Choudhury.

Birth and Death Dates

Choudhury passed away on September 8, 2022, just three days before his birthday.

Nationality and Profession(s)

Indian-American yoga master, founder of the Bikram Yoga style, and author.

Early Life and Background

Bikram Choudhury was born in Kolkata, India to a Bengali family. He began practicing yoga at the age of 4, studying under the tutelage of legendary yoga master Ganga Singhji in Calcutta's Bagbazar Street. Choudhury's early life was marked by intense physical training and spiritual study, which formed the foundation for his later development of Bikram Yoga.

Major Accomplishments

Choudhury's most significant achievement is undoubtedly the creation of the Bikram Yoga style, a 90-minute sequence of 26 postures (asanas) designed to be performed in a heated environment. This unique approach has become one of the world's most popular yoga styles, with over 1,000 studios and millions of practitioners globally.

Notable Works or Actions

Choudhury is also known for his bestselling books on yoga philosophy, "Light on Yoga: The Bible of Yoga Posture" (1971) and "Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class". He has taught yoga to celebrities, world leaders, and royalty, including Michael Jordan, Madonna, and the Dalai Lama.

Impact and Legacy

Bikram Choudhury's impact on modern yoga is undeniable. His style, characterized by its strict adherence to a set sequence of postures performed in a hot room, has influenced countless other yoga styles and practitioners worldwide. His books have been translated into multiple languages, introducing millions to the world of yoga.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered

Bikram Choudhury's quotes often emphasize the transformative power of yoga:

> "Yoga is not a hobby; it's a lifestyle."
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> "The body is your temple, keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in."

His legacy extends beyond his physical teachings, as he has inspired generations of yoga enthusiasts to adopt healthy lifestyles and cultivate self-awareness. Today, Bikram Yoga continues to be practiced worldwide, a testament to Choudhury's enduring impact on modern yoga.

Note: Despite controversy surrounding some aspects of Choudhury's life and business practices, his contributions to the world of yoga remain significant and widely recognized.