Local spotlight: Bikram's Yoga College of India

Let me catch you up on what is happening in my life these days:

Several months ago I started dieting. Work has been a challenge, and although it is very rewarding, I would go home at the end of the day too exhausted to do anything but sit and stare at the television. My uncle died. He was a wonderful man who loved his family, and I watched them struggle to see life without him. In the process of grieving, I felt sad. I felt hopeless. I felt apathetic. Helping the people I loved deal with their grief and pain drained me. At the end of it all, I felt my hands in the air saying, “I give up.” But that isn’t me. I don’t give up. Never have, never will.

It is amazing what your mind decides when you know when it is time for change. There I was: sitting at home contemplating another failed attempt at dieting, feeling rather defeated and knowing that something had to give. Overall, I felt tired. Many people reading this exact same sentence know that feeling. They have been in that same place I described above. What to do? I went to took to the internet and typed in “exercise programs for people who need change.” Click here. Click there. Click. Click. Click. Then I stumbled onto something. Bikram Yoga; “Hot room yoga” as some call it. I had done it once before and enjoyed it. I needed someplace close. I needed some place affordable. There it was: Bikram’s Yoga College of India. I shrugged off my immediate reservations and made the appointment. Then, I called a friend for moral support.

We both showed up two Saturday’s ago excited about the prospective challenge ahead of us. Would we like it? Would we want to do it again? Will it work? Will the teachers call us out and make us feel silly or terrible about being so new and out of shape?

Yes, we liked it. We chose to do it again (we signed up for a month of unlimited classes). Yes, it works. We both felt renewed and cleared (if there is such a thing). Finally, no. The teachers were nothing but gracious and supportive. After getting several classes (and lots of research) under my belt, I knew I had to tell as many people about it as possible.

Now, you are caught up.

I don’t list all of this background info because anyone cares. I am the customer this time, though. Those business owners who are looking to connect to a customer’s pain and solve a problem – this is how you do it:

It started with the internet. After several minutes of “surfing” the web, I found Bikram Yoga. So I retyped “Bikram Yoga Broomfield” into my browser and right at the top of the page was Bikram’s Yoga College of India – Westminster/Longmont. I have questions. What time are the classes? How much is it? Who is teaching? What is their philosophy? Who the heck is Bikram? Why is his yoga so great? Is there a beginner’s class? Are there specials? I got answers to every single question I had. Then, one more that I needed to talk with someone about. There was the contact info. Plus, I got a fast response.

After a few more classes, I wanted to talk with the school’s director. His school was phenomenal. In two very short weeks I am feeling better. I have already started losing weight. More than that, however, I felt in balance again. I felt clear and excited for the next sunrise. I actually was looking forward to the 90 minutes of class that forced me to figuratively kick my own behind. After one rather challenging and very rewarding class I sat down with Kevin Lincicome, the director/teacher of Bikram’s Yoga College of India. I asked him how he got here. Ironically, his answer wasn’t much different from mine. After years of suffering back pain, trips to the chiropractor and massage therapist visits he decided something had to give. He tried Bikram yoga and was hooked. It has changed his life. He slimed down, gained mobility in his body and ultimately freed his body of the pain that had held him hostage for so many years.

Kevin knew, then, that he wanted to do this. He decided to sign up for the training to become a certified Bikram yoga instructor. Bikram Choudhury, the creator of Bikram Method Yoga, personally trains and certifies his instructors to ensure that his methods and philosophy are preserved and properly taught. To be certified as an instructor in the Bikram Method of Yoga, an instructor must complete an intensive nine-week training requiring over 500 hours of study. A studio guided by a Certified Instructor provides the best possible instruction in the Bikram Method. Certified Instructors have a continuing connection to Bikram Choudhury and his training staff, allowing the Certified Studio to draw from all of the resources Bikram's training center has to offer. This includes special seminars, posture clinics, guest instructors, and answers to questions which may arise in a particular student's practice. After completing the course, he opened his school in Westminster and Longmont.

Kevin is approachable. I spoke with him via email and in person. He was friendly and kind. Plus, he taught one of my classes and was supportive and constructive in his guidance for myself and the other students that morning.

I have heard horror stories of people who attend these classes and get made fun or altogether treated poorly. I haven’t had that experience. The culture at this school is one of openness and compassion. Even the students there are welcoming and supportive. I asked Kevin about this strange rumor and he acknowledged that some teachers believe that tough love is the only way to inspire new students. It isn’t his way, though, and doesn’t encourage or reward that style of teaching. In fact, the teachers will say, “This is your practice and your 90 minutes. Put into it what you want to get out and enjoy this time for you.” How refreshing in a world that doesn’t often encourage me to have my own minute – let alone 90 of them.

I asked Kevin what his dream for this school would be. The answer may surprise you. It surprised me. “To bring Bikram Yoga to as many people as possible. To allow it to change their lives as it has changed mine.” Don’t be fooled – Kevin likes making money and is looking forward to making more. He knows, as we all do, that providing answers, service and consistency will get business through the doors. It is natural.

My experience with Bikram’s Yoga College of India has been one of amazing opportunity and reward. As a student (customer), I have found this experience easy to commit to. The drop in class was affordable, but I got 30 days to practice as many times as I wanted to for only $59. No strings. Just go in and practice. There were answers on the website. I got support in person. Plus, I was able to talk with Kevin as if he were a normal guy. He doesn’t do much marketing in the way of print or mass media. He simply offers service, consistency and accessibility. That makes all the difference.

I would encourage any business owner to be the same way. Get a website. Answer as many questions as you can. Follow up with information requests. Meet with your customers. Be a person and not an owner. Mostly, be passionate about what you do and expect that you will bring solutions to the problems of your customers. You will be successful.

If you need a website that delivers the answers that your customers are looking for, call me at 303-339-7022 or email cathyh@allegra-frontrange.com.