What is the 'Hot 26' Yoga Method?

The terms 'Hot 26', '26+2', or 'Classic Hot Yoga' are alternative names for the specific sequence of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises that was originally developed and popularized by Bikram Choudhury. For the practitioner, a class labeled 'Hot 26' is, in terms of the physical practice, functionally identical to a class labeled 'Bikram Yoga.' The adoption of these alternative names became widespread throughout the yoga community primarily as a response to the serious legal and ethical controversies surrounding Bikram Choudhury, as well as his unsuccessful attempts to claim copyright over the yoga sequence itself. Many studio owners and teachers wanted to continue teaching the powerful and therapeutic sequence they believed in, without being associated with the founder's name and actions. Therefore, when you see a 'Hot 26' class on a schedule, you can expect the same 90-minute, 26-posture, 2-breathing-exercise sequence performed in a room heated to 105°F with 40% humidity. It represents a conscious choice by the studio to honor the lineage of the yoga itself, separate from the problematic legacy of its founder.