Hot Yoga Guru Visits Harlem, New York

May 3, 2010 - PRLog -- On May 22nd, Harlem will get a whole lot hotter when the founder of Bikram (“Hot”) Yoga, Bikram Choudhury, arrives in Harlem for the first time ever to speak at The Riverside Church’s South Hall.
The controversial hot yoga guru, who copyrighted his 26 classic Hatha Yoga postures and two breathing exercises performed in a heated room and who generally is referred to by just his first name, Bikram, will visit and speak in Harlem at the request of the Harlem born and raised sisters and owners of Bikram Yoga East Harlem, Stephanie Pope Caffey and Jennifer Pope.
The yoga sisters, who opened their studio located at 4 East 116th Street in East Harlem just a year and a half ago and right in the middle of the recession, have turned it not only into a haven where Harlem residents flock to de-stress, tone-up, slim down and connect with their authentic selves, but it has also become a place for residents to connect with their community as well.
“In the short time that we have been open, we have seen lives changed by us being here. Harlem has changed, and through this yoga studio being in the community we are able to bring old and new Harlem together on common ground. No matter who walks through our doors, the goals are ultimately the same…to feel better…from the inside out.” says studio owner and head instructor Stephanie Pope Caffey.  “We have testimonials of weight loss, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels being lowered, relationships being healed… we even have students who have gotten better jobs as a result of their Bikram yoga practice.”
The studio actively gets off the mat and participates in many Harlem initiatives to help keep the community and its businesses vital and sustainable such as Harlem Park to Park (www.harlemparktopark.org), The Power of One (www.the-powerofone.com) and The Harlem Business SuSu. You will often find the sisters at community expos and fairs introducing the benefits of yoga to those who may not ever have considered yoga as an option to improve their health and well-being.
“We are ‘round-the-way’ girls.” says Jennifer Pope, who serves as Operations Manager at the studio. “We grew up right across the street from the studio in Taft Projects. To be fortunate enough to bring Bikram Yoga to the community, and now Bikram Choudhury, himself, well…needless to say, it is very exciting. Everyone, even if you have never done yoga before, should come out to experience this life-changing event!”
The Riverside Church’s South Hall is located at 490 Riverside Drive at 120th Street and will open its doors on May 22nd at 5pm. Attendees will be greeted in the lobby by several businesses and associations including Zico Coconut water, Experience Harlem, The Hue-Man Bookstore and The Mount Morris Park Community Improvement Association. The lecture with Q&A will take place from 6-9pm with book signing taking place from 9-10pm. General admission is $50. For more info or to purchase tickets call 212-369-1830 or visit www.bikramyogaeastharlem.com