What is Bikram Writing?
Bikram Writing is a 90-minute writing class that borrows from the discipline, group dynamic, and structure of a yoga class. Aside from a little stretching, and perhaps a yoga outfit, however, this will not actually resemble a yoga class. I promise no lotus positions, downward dog, or extreme temperatures. Instead, look forward to fun writing exercises, encouragement, inspiration, and time to work on your manuscript.
How did it begin?
Several years ago, I had an amazing 3-month run of doing Bikram Yoga 6-7 days a week. I loved that it had structure, a set time, and a community of people that attended regularly. During this time I got very little writing done, to the extent I wished my writing practice had more in common with my yoga practice. What was it about Bikram Yoga, I wondered, that created such dedication. What would Bikram Writing look like? Out of these queries grew a piece called Bikram Writing 101. While the piece was pretty tongue and cheek, published in the humorous McSweeney’s on-line magazine, what compelled me to write it were some serious yearnings that still hadn’t been quenched. In September 2009 I held my first Bikram Writing class in my living room. For the next two years classes met at the San Francisco main library. Now in its third year, Bikram Writing is trying out a new location in the Mission, a conference room run by Paxton Gate above their kid’s store at 766 Valencia.