Pure Bikram Yoga – Austin Downtown

The staff are very sweet, welcoming and knowledgeable. The facility is kept clean all the time and their class schedule works best with my work schedule. They are great!

I really liked my class I took. It was a great workout. Not spiritual which was sad, but very challenging. The staff was very welcoming and nice. However, the smell of the carpet was so overwhelmingly unpleasant! I was wanting to buy a membership here but I’m not sure I can get past the smell.

Pure Bikram is how a yoga studio should be run. Excellent instruction, online booking, clean studios, towel rental, water, mat rental, and starting on time. Even if hot yoga is not your thing, this is a great studio. And by the way hot yoga rocks.

You will be challenged and you will feel great after completing the class because it’s not something many of us do on a day-​to-​day basis. For starters, the high heat of the room helps to detox your body and the class pushes your body to stretch in ways you didn’t think were even possible.

The teachers are amazing. The front desk is extremely friendly. The overall environment is very inviting and the energy in the room is FANTASTIC!

I was pretty terrified to do 90 minutes of bikram. I was almost certain I wouldn’t make it all the way through!
I was relieved to find that although I was clearly the beginner in this class, I felt zero intimidation and the instructor was very thorough in how he described/​showed you the positions. He helped correct you when need be though.
Drink. tons. of. water. And bring your water bottle in, I almost didn’t and am so glad I did, along with a towel.
A lot of the reviews below are mentioning the crammed studio — I went for a 5AM class so I can’t speak to that — and it wasn’t as encouraging/​spiritual as most other yoga classes I have gone to which was disappointing, but I still felt great afterwards and if I chose to do bikram again I would definitely go back to this studio.

Kristin was a great instructor. We have done a lot of Bikram yoga over the years in San Francisco, and my husband and I loved her class. She really helped everyone improve and focus on making the most of their practice. We will definitely go back when we visit Austin again in the future.

I visited the Pure Bikram Yoga studio, Downtown, North and South Austin, during the month of January 2015. I have been doing Bikram yoga for 4 years and have gone to studios in many cities. I am impressed with the staff here at Pure Bikram Yoga, Austin. You are greeted by name when you come in and often the instructor will call out a correction to you in class. I know that some people do not like to have their name called out in class, but I like it. Often it happens just when I need it, my mind may be starting to wander or whatever, and the correction calls me back to the room and the posture.
There was a 30 day and a 60 day group challenge (30 classes in 30 days) going on while I was there and I enjoyed being a part of that. Each studio had their own team and it was great to be a part of that.
Be prepared that the locker rooms are small and crowded. I found if I stayed in final savasana for 10 minutes or so, it gave the crowd a chance to clear out. Also the rented yoga mats are cleaned right in the hot room, there is a spray to wipe them down with. This is done during final savasana and could be disruptive if it was right next to me.
There is a great group of people at these studios. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

If you have not practiced Bikram Yoga this review is not for you as it refers to this studio in particular and not Bikram Yoga in general. I have practiced Bikram Yoga for 12 years in studios throughout the country and it was easily the most unpleasant yoga experience I have ever had. (In fairness to the studio I have only visited on one occasion and this was the day after Christmas.) I purchased two one-​week passes for my gal and myself and had a sufficiently bad experience that we did not return despite having paid $ 100. There were a couple of positives. The teacher was pleasant, knowledgeable and friendly as was the front desk person. However the class was too crowded to be able to practice and even though the room was packed to the gills, students were allowed to enter even after the initial breathing exercises had ended which necessitated entire rows having to move mats during practice. Even though this was easily the most crowded Bikram class I have been in in 12 years of practice the teacher noted that the room at times held 20 more practitioners. One might say that the studio has no control over the number of people who show up. However I noticed they had a second room and could have started a second class ten minutes later. Given the number of late and last minute arrivals this would not have been difficult.
One part of the 1 week deal was free towel and mat rental. What they did not state is that practitioners are expected to clean their own matts after practice. This creates several issues: 1) After sweating for 90 minutes in a crowded room no one wants to spend another 5 minutes spraying and cleaning a yoga mat especially when several people are trying to use the same limited space and materials in a crowded environment 2) Practitioners trying to do their final Savasanna are being stepped over and inadvertently sprayed with disinfectant at the end of class 3) it is easy to see that there was not much effort put into cleaning mats which leads to grave concerns regarding hygiene.
The locker rooms were gross and crowded and way to small for the number of attendees with toilets placed with in 3 – 4 feet of lockers. When two of my fellow practitioners dropped pre-​yoga deuces before class the entire facility became uninhabitable. (Better ventilation systems? More Space?)
If you are interested in trying Bikram Yoga do not use this studio as the practice is fantastic and the experience this studio provides is not reflective of that. This was a $ 100 lesson learned for me I would recommend not making the same mistake

I first visited this studio about 3 years ago during Austin’s free day of yoga, and my experience was less than optimal. However: It was all my fault! I did not prepare correctly. Now that I’ve been practicing for about two months, two to three times a week, I think I have a pretty clear picture of why some people have good and bad experiences. And I’m so grateful that I stuck with it this time.
I had a baby about 11 months ago and had been really needing a good exercise regimen to help me lose weight and re-​gain strength and flexibility. I knew from trying the Bikram class previously that this kind of yoga is really, really athletic. You literally sweat buckets, and your heart rate rises not only from the poses but from the heat (105 degree) and the humidity. I’ve had friends tell me that they had lost weight quickly with this practice, so I was hoping I’d be able to do the same. I’m not a big jump around kind of exerciser. I much prefer challenging myself in a more low-​key kind of way, so this seemed like the perfect thing.
Three years ago, my big mistakes were:
1) I didn’t drink enough water ahead of time. You need to hydrate (drink more than you would think). I currently take the 10am class and I make sure to drink tons of water both the evening before and then starting when I wake up in the morning (along with my cup of coffee). No water = severe dehydration. And that sucks. Also, the more water you drink, the cooler your body remains internally. Now that I’m aware of this, I take class and focus on the poses and not on the heat. I also bring a large thermos of ice water with me to class and sip it whenever I need extra cooling down in between poses.
2) I ate a regular-​sized meal that day before I took class. Don’t do this. Again, I currently practice in the morning, so the most I eat is a piece of toast or a small banana about 2.5 before class. Any more than that (or eating too close to class time) and you will find yourself absolutely miserable.
3) I went on a day that was way too crowded. Free days of yoga are great and all, but all of those extra bodies make it very difficult to maneuver and you will feel extra claustrophobic in a Bikram class. If you’re going to check it out, choose a class time that works with your schedule but know that after work and weekends are more jam-​packed than others.
Pure Bikram Yoga offers babysitting (for the 10am class on M-​W-​F), so I’m able to actually begin and continue in the yoga practice that I’ve longed for, and for that I am very, very grateful. After 2 months, my very tight hips and low back are stronger and more flexible, and I am now wearing my pre-​pregnancy jeans (yay!) Also, I have so much more energy and endurance for chasing after my active toddler.
As for other reviewers complaining that the teachers «bark orders» and encourage you to hurt yourself: please know that this is a bit of a distorted point of view. In this practice, the instructor wears a mic and goes over what is basically a script that doesn’t change from class to class. They stand on a platform and watch the class – and give little corrections here and there as needed – but they are hardly barking. It may feel invasive to some people to be given a correction, but that’s a personal thing I guess. They are not drill sergeant-​ish. I’ve only found the instructors to be encouraging. They make sure to tell you that you are to challenge yourself, but that you should also listen to your body. Push yourself to do the best that you can and go a little bit further each time. You are encouraged to stretch, and that it may feel like a bit of a «pain sensation,» but that’s what happens when you stretch! Totally normal.
The smell: It smells like carpet that has been shampooed and then someone turned on the heater, so it’s got a sort of wet/​humid/​carpet smell. You get used to it. It doesn’t bother me in the least anymore, although it was definitely noticeable when I first started. It is what it is. They do sanitize. And you are mostly on your own mat and your own towel, and no one is flinging their sweat onto you. The poses are too slow for sweat-​flinging! You are drenched in your own sweat.
I am really addicted to my Bikram practice now, and if they offered babysitting everyday I’d be there everyday!

I am absolutely addicted to bikram. The teachers are always amazing and recently, Tedd encouraged my practice in a new way. I’m always challenged and always learning.

I have been practicing yoga for 4 years now, and I have visited a few different Austin studios. I had a free pass for this studio, so I wanted to go try it out. I was pretty disappointed. I enjoy getting a really good stretch and I want my instructor to encourage me to my full potential that day; however, being yelled at and feeling like I am at boot camp is not what i am looking for. Several times the instructor mentioned that certain positions are supposed to hurt, or that there is supposed to be pain involved. From my experience, you might be uncomfortable in a position and it might be hard, but if it is «hurting», you are probably pushing yourself too far. I feel like this militant style of teaching pushes people further in positions than maybe they should go. I had to mentally tell myself sometimes, «she is pushing you to really go hard, but you know your body and where your stopping point is today.»
Also, the smell of sweat and the carpeting in the studio. Putrid. Could not breathe by the end of class. I liked that I was able to get a grip and some traction on the carpet, but not worth it for the smell and worrying about hygiene.
I really enjoy fitness and exercise based yoga. Slow, meditative yoga is not really a good fit for my active body & mind. But this felt like boot camp and was not enjoyable at all.

This yoga is amazing.
It really will change your life.
I know because Bikram yoga was recommend to me after I injured my knee back in 2005. Since then I have practiced the yoga off and on.
When I went the first month it was around $ 60 w/​a student discount. Even at the time I thought it was a little steep compared to the $ 20 everyone else was paying at Gold’s.
I have recently made my way back to the yoga and I am SO SO SAD to say I cannot afford to continue going to class:(:(
A month is now over $ 100!!! Why?
I mean, I guess I get it… it’s not 2005 anymore and everything naturally seems to increase in price and popularity, but this is just really, really, really expensive and did I already say sad? What happened to the student discount? I’m just trying to get my yoga on…
Thank the stars I bought the Bikram cd set years ago! At least the yoga isn’t out of my life entirely, but it’s not still not the same as being in class :(

I really wasn’t a fan of this style of yoga, but it may be personal preference. I’ve done hot yoga for years so this isn’t new to me-​but this style I did not like at all. I stopped by for a trial class and thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but methinks not.
First of all, they had us all line up for the instructors birthday and she crawled under our legs while we were supposed to spank her. umm. no, I think I’ll just «go to the bathroom» for a minute. Also, the room was carpeted which is a little terrifying when this much sweat is concerned. Turns out I was right about the carpet. between the reeeeeally over-​crowded room and not so clean surroundings it smelled like the nastiest gym bag you can find. They were also really pushy about buying extra classes, didn’t even ask me how the class went, when I was only one class in to my five class pass. Also-didn’t use the other four-​not worth it.
Anyways-​the instructor yelled out poses and steps loudly like a jazzercize class and it was so freaking hot in there I thought I was going to faint several times. I wish they would warn new people to not sit next to the heaters because good god, it was like I stuck my head in an oven. I’m sure it doesn’t help that the room was packed to the edges. It gets so hot in there they have to offer you drinks/​supplements after class to make sure you don’t get too dehydrated. Also, everyone is 90% naked. I don’t care but I know that’s not the atmosphere everyone is comfortable working out in.
Also, I have a bad knee which I indicated at the beginning of class, and roughly 30% of the poses were just not going to happen-​waaaaayyyyy to much of a risk of injury, yet no adjustments or alternatives were offered. Ended up spending a lot of time in child’s pose because there is no chance I’m blowing out my knee again. There was also not enough warm up for the poses they instructed. I am very limber but I was afraid of hurting myself several times.
This is NOT a relaxing yoga class, at all. if that’s what you’re looking for stay away!

I’ve been practicing yoga for years, but am not particularly drawn to Bikram. The instructors and kind, compassionate, and not in the least intimidating.
They cram far too many people into a busy class time and the hygiene of the place overall is a concern.
The carpet grosses me out so much, I have to consistently redirect my gag reflex. It retains sweat and smell and its wet from other people’s sweat at the beginning of class. In addition, with the crowding, I kept getting the sweat from guy next to me all over, even though be was trying to be mindful. Yikes.
When we transition to floor exercises, I keep involuntarily holding my breath because of the smell and it’s really bad for my practice.
The instructors are so great, that it almost makes it all better.
Almost.

Injury waiting to happen.
So you think wondering if this hot yoga thing is right for you?
Imagine dehydrating yourself to the point of nearly passing out. Then have someone shout commands at you to do body positions challenging enough under the best circumstances. Fact is that dehydration doesn’t stretch you out or warm you up, it makes you less aware of your body, and in turn much more at risk of doing something wrong. In room packed with people, the instructor barks orders at you so quickly there is no time to know if your form is correct, and less time for them to correct you when it isn’t.
They are pushy outside of the classroom as well, presumptuously asking if you are interested in a 10 day pass or the unlimited, nevermind what you actually thought of the experience. Bottom line is that all they care about is the bottom line, not you or your well-​being.

I rather enjoy Pure Yoga and I haven’t had alot of issues with the teachers like others. Everyone seems pretty nice and it’s as militant as I expect Bikram classes to be. If you aren’t into that sort of class then I wouldn’t come here.

Bleeeeggghhh. Not my kinda place.
This place does not conjure the natural feelings of Yogic enlightenment– this place reminds me of a Califoney chain biz– where you have to fill out a ‘profile’ of info for their computer system, lots of retailish crap, loads of people waaay too comfy in tights.
THis is methodical Workout yoga, not really for balancing your Chi or anything soulful. Did I just go to an Aerobics class? Not for me.
If you want a low-​key, relaxing, «Austin”-vibe, this isn’t it. Ok place, but seems contrived and plastic. VERY sweaty and pretty stinky.

I think Bikram yoga in general is not for me. This studio is very bright, clean and modern, but the workout stressed me out instead of calming me down. Yeah, I did feel a weightless sensation after the sessions, but I think that was more from dehydration and exhaustion than anything.
Bikram yoga teachers follow the Bikram script, which is the same at every class, with the same postures. The poses don’t flow together as in other types of yoga classes — Bikram reminds me more of a typical aerobics class than the sweaty yoga I had done at Black Swan. I was really worried I was going to hurt myself because the instructors do not come around to modify your poses if you’re doing something wrong, but they may shout instructions at you. My back is really flexible naturally and the Bikram routine has you push your back «way back, more back, back, back, BACK» even if it hurts. Same with making yourself into a «Japanese ham sandwich.» It could have been the heat making me woozy, but my bullshit meter started going off the charts the first time I went here. «This pose massages the oblongata and the medulla… now straighten your knee very fast… yoga is science!» Yuh-​huh.
That said, the studio itself is nice and pretty. You will get a serious workout here. The instructors and owners are friendly and happy, the rooms are bright and clean (no smell) and the changing room is like a hotel spa. Mat rentals are $ 2 and towel or water rentals are $ 1. But, at the end of the day, I think I prefer a yoga method that is less Type A and more Type B, where I don’t have to worry about accidentally throwing out my back and knees.

I went here after getting a 5-​class Groupon. Like the other reviewers, I wanted to give this place a good review, because the instructors were great and the program is good – as an idea. But the execution is weak. this is the first yoga studio I’ve tried I did not like because of the facilities/​business side of things…
1. It is REALLY overcrowded. There is not enough space to even do poses when you need your arms extended fully to either side. It’s so crowded I was bumping into my neighbors repeatedly. When the guy in front of me lost his balance doing standing bow, he almost knocked me over too by accident. Then he of course felt bad:/ He didn’t even fall over or anything, he just lost his grip on his ankle. But the quarters are so tight, that was enough. Doh!
2. It is SO stinky. I have done hot yoga at several other places. It hasn’t been an issue except here. I think it is because of the floor. All the other studios have hardwood floors. Pure has a weird padded/​carpeted floor that I think you can’t quite clean enough. The smell is… overwhelming. To the extent that I don’t think I can finish out all the classes on my Groupon. I think I’m going to stick to Black Swan. And if I do do hot yoga again, go to Sun Stone over in the Triangle.
3. I forgot my mat. They have some there for rent, but it costs $ 2, which is weird because they’re just sitting in the studio. People are left to clean them themselves, which they may or may not do. If they do, then I have to agree with the other reviewer who mentioned getting sprayed with cleaner… you’ll get sprayed with cleaner cause of the tight space. Also, if they are not washed or cleaned or cycled out, then why are they $ 2 to «rent»? My gym doesn’t «rent» their mats. The mats are part of the equipment. (Other studios too.)
The instructors were really nice. If they made some small business changes — the floor, the mats, class size, etc. — I’d give them another shot.

I really, really want to give this place 5 stars because I love Bikram yoga and the teachers here are great.
But, I just can’t keep letting the business aspect of it slide below the passing line anymore.
First, there’s NO space. No space to practice yoga because the classes are SO jammed packed. I can’t keep waiting for the occasional class when there is slightly more room, or keep changing my schedule to accommodate those rare times. Classes here are expensive for what you get, and at the very least there should be room for all those paying to do their poses in peace. (You can’t even see yourself in the mirror unless you’re in the front row, and it’s really difficult for tall people to practice here at all because your head is always in someone’s feet).
Second, they rent out their mats. Cool. Except that renters are expected to clean the mats themselves, which means:
1. They spray the cleaning solution on the mat right beside your head (because there’s no space so you’re only a few inches away from the mat beside you) and the spray solution will get all over your face and body. Even if the renter is polite and sprays into a clothe first, you still have to inhale the chemicals during what is supposed to be the final relaxation pose. Why are they cleaning during this time?
2. Mats are hung on the back wall, which means that people are stepping on you the whole time to get there to hang their mats back up (since there’s no space, there’s always a few packed sardines forced to practice in the corners). I’ve also seen someone clean their mat while hanging it on the hooks, and while standing in between someones feet that was still in relaxation pose. Wtf? So rude. But since there are rude people out there, and the employees here are on yoga cloud 9, no one seems to notice or care that this keeps taking place? Some boundaries are needed here please.
3. Some people just hang their mats back up without even washing them. That’s so gross and inconsiderate to future mat renters.
So, they will tell you, «who cares? Let’s just sweat all over each other, we share each other’s space here.» But what they don’t realize is that they’ve lost ALL boundaries, to the point of being rude. ^^ That is rude pure and simple.
I’m so disappointed, because I do believe that Bikram yoga is one of the best forms of exercise, but for a downtown location. they need a larger space!

As, a beginner yogi, I found Pure Bikram Yoga to be very welcoming and great for yogis of all levels. The class really pushed your body to the limits (the class will be intense the first time — BE SURE TO HYDRATE), and the instructors are very instructive, providing helpful comments through all the positions, especially if you are new. There is no need to be concerned about being embarrassed from falling down or not being able to do poses. The teachers encourage you to take breaks as you need them, and to try your hardest when you can.
Pros: Deep clean carpets daily, all-​levels, friendly and helpful instructors
Cons: Can be crowded at peak hours, can start smelling like a gym (you WILL sweat)