Category: Practice

Bikram Yoga for Men!

Event Announcements, Special Classes
men yoga hawaii triangle bikram

May 1 – 31, 2018

Bikram Yoga for MEN

5 FREE Classes

chronic pain managementTo get started on your 5 free classes:

  1. Come to class as soon as you can!  Arrive 15 MINUTES before any beginners’ class – live schedule found here.
  2. Drink several glasses of water *before* you come to the studio, and bring a large bottle of water with you
  3. Towel-mat rental is $5 (cash only) OR you can bring your own bath towel and yoga mat
  4. You are eligible for this special if you have not been to BYCA in 2018
  5. Bring other guy friends or family members with you to any of your 5 classes – they can do the special too
  6. You have until May 31 to complete the 5 free classes
  7. If you complete the 5 classes, you are eligible for a special 10-class Trial Membership (good for two months) at 50% off – you can buy it at the front desk, or we can send you a link upon your request.

Youth Yoga – Celebrating our Kids at BYCA

Event Announcements, Postures, Practice, Special Classes, Special Projects, Student Highlights, Testimonials, True Stories

If you have not yet attended our Thursday evening warm class, you have yet to be part of a special treat.

Since 2016, we have regularly invited youth ages 6 and up to participate in the second half of the traditional Bikram Yoga series, and many have “graduated” to practicing the whole class now.

This month we have a few very special things to celebrate.

One-Year Anniversary

First: our youngest student, Summer, has been practicing regularly since mid-March, 2017. 

Flattery and Criticism: An Introduction

Mental Benefits, Philosophy, Practice, True Stories

by Ann Chrapkiewicz

Over a decade ago, one of my most influential yoga teachers at the time presented me with a quote:

“To the Yogi, criticism and flattery are no different.”

It made sense to me on some levels, and I thought I could relate to not caring about the status quo.  I had a history of peacefully withdrawing from certain social circles and finding my own way.

Leaving the Prison of Pain and Nothingness

Ethnography and Culture, Philosophy
backbend lunge skeleton yoga

by Ann Chrapkiewicz

Would I rather feel Pain?  Or Nothingness?

This is the broad choice I have been given, the dominant set of options I was born into.  Not just me, personally, but I, the human of 20th and 21st century North America, and probably many other places and times.

Whether I am experiencing emotional pain and choosing alcohol…
In the process of childbirth and being pressured to get an epidural….

Bikram Yoga for Men!

Event Announcements, Special Classes
men yoga hawaii triangle bikram

November 1-30, 2017

Bikram Yoga for MEN

5 FREE Classes

chronic pain managementTo get started on your 5 free classes:

  1. Come to class as soon as you can!  Arrive 15 MINUTES before any beginners’ class – live schedule found here.
  2. Drink several glasses of water *before* you come to the studio, and bring a large bottle of water with you
  3. Towel-mat rental is $5 (cash only) OR you can bring your own bath towel and yoga mat
  4. You are eligible for this special if you have not been to BYCA in 2017
  5. Bring other guy friends or family members with you to any of your 5 classes – they can do the special too
  6. You have until November 30 to complete the 5 free classes
  7. If you complete the 5 classes, you are eligible for a special 10-class Trial Membership (good for two months) at 50% off – you will receive a link to purchase the membership via email after your 5th class.

There is No Such Thing as Monday

Mental Benefits, Philosophy, Practice, Teaching and Coaching
Toe Stand - Original Hot Yoga - Bikram Yoga

by Ann Chrapkiewicz

A few Sunday mornings ago, I was teaching* class.

It was one of those lovely classes where everyone spaced themselves so beautifully in the three rows of our practice room; people hardly took their eyes off of their focus points for the entire warm-up portion of class.

We were finishing up the standing series, on the second side of Toe Stand, when one of the great yoga lessons emerged.

Big Girls Bend: My (Ongoing) Journey as a Fat Yogi

Guest Blogs, Mental Benefits, Philosophy, Physical Benefits, Practice, Student Highlights, Testimonials

by Marini Lee, Ph.D.

I’ve been practicing bikram yoga for almost 12 years now. According to the Western world (and my recovering internal body critic), I should look differently. I should be thin by now!!!! Shouldn’t I?

Well, I’m not.

First of all, being and/or getting “thin” is not (nor should be) the goal of yoga. Yoga means “union.” It is my understanding that this union is about optimal health – mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

Healing Asthma, Sciatica, Wrist Sprains, …. and Growing Almost an inch!

Healing, Physical Benefits, Student Highlights, Testimonials, True Stories

Meet Sarah Cook, 34, of St. John’s, Michigan.  Sarah started practicing Bikram Yoga with us in the spring of 2014, upon a recommendation from her sister.  As of this writing, Sarah has practiced exactly 365 classes!  Sarah has had some exciting updates recently, but her whole history of benefits is very diverse, and quite exciting!

Year 1:

“Before I started yoga, I had gotten a bone bruise (near-fracture) close to my knee, and after 4 weeks on crutches, I was supposed to do physical therapy. 

No, YOU! YOU are ready for yoga!

Mental Benefits, Philosophy, Practice, Teaching and Coaching, True Stories
all ages full locust bikram yoga
by Ann Chrapkiewicz

Are you ready for yoga?

As inclusive as North American yoga wants to be, yoga in its deeper dimensions demands certain qualities.

Are you ready for yoga?

Well, I have a yoga mat and I hydrated well.  So yes, I think so.

But the question again: are you ready for yoga?

The yoga clothing companies would like you to think you are.  

2017 Spring Yoga Buddy Challenge – Inspiration, Highlights, and Special Projects

Event Announcements, Guest Blogs, Practice, Special Projects, Student Highlights, Testimonials
Half Moon Ghosh Yoga Bikram Yoga Backward Bend East Lansing MSU

by Ann Chrapkiewicz

……………………………………

Our annual Spring Yoga Buddy Challenge is a true highlight of the year and takes place from April 1 – May 31 each year.

It expands and deepens our practice and understanding of yoga, and it is so much fun!!

All teams who completed the challenge by May 31 received a unique 2017 Yoga Buddy shirt for each team member.  (These are also available for sale if you would like one.)

You can view more photos on the Facebook album here.

Ann Chrapkiewicz Representing Michigan at USA Yoga National Championships

Athletes, Event Announcements, In The News, Postures, Student Highlights
yoga national championship standing head to knee USA Yoga Midwest Regional 2017 Chicago

East Lansing, Michigan – July 21, 2017 –

Ann Chrapkiewicz – Lansing-area yoga practitioner and native of Dearborn, Michigan – will represent the state of Michigan in this year’s USA Yoga National Championship.   Ann took 3rd place in the MidWest SuperRegional Championships held in Chicago in May 2017, and 1st in the state of Michigan.

The national event will take place as part of the Meijer State Games of America on August 5 and 6, 2017, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

July 2017 Intermediate Yoga – Instruction and Silent Classes – Weekday Mornings

Event Announcements, Practice, Special Classes
intermediate standing bow pulling standing rainbow pulling

Those with at least one to two years of regular practice and 250 or more classes’ experience in the traditional 26&2/Bikram Yoga method are invited to join us for a unique practice intensive in intermediate preparations and postures in the Ghosh lineage.  This round will be an immersive, daily, morning practice (6:15 am – 8:15 am) for the entire month of July, held Monday through Friday for four weeks (with the exception of Friday, July 14).

Live Asana Demonstrations at the USA Yoga Mid West Super Regional Championships

Athletes, Event Announcements, Postures, Student Highlights
Ann Half Spine Twist Cropped 2017 Mid West Chicago

East Lansing, Michigan – May 25, 2017 –

Three practitioners at Bikram Yoga Capital Area represented the state of Michigan in this year’s USA Yoga MidWest Super Regional Championships in Chicago, IL, this past weekend.

BYCA students Lauren Anastos, Lindsay Gray, and Ann Chrapkiewicz performed their routines with steadiness, focus, and calm.  They all had a very enjoyable, positive experience!  The best possible outcomes for all.  As a group, the three of them did not pressure themselves to “perform” or compete, nor to train beyond their capabilities.

BYCA Students Representing Michigan at USA Yoga MidWest Super Regional Championship

Event Announcements, Postures, Student Highlights
BYCA students backward bending their spines at a posture workshop

East Lansing, Michigan – May 18, 2017 –

Three practitioners at Bikram Yoga Capital Area will represent the state of Michigan in this year’s USA Yoga MidWest Super Regional Championship.  The event will take place at the Latin School of Chicago in Chicago, IL, on Sunday, May 21, 2017.  Those interested in attending may find detailed information here.

The participants were invited via USA Yoga’s official qualifying procedures.