Bikram Choudhury Biography: Ethnicity, Parents, Instagram, Net Worth, Wife, Yoga Studios, Age, Controversy, Children

Bikram Choudhury is an Indian-American yoga teacher and entrepreneur who rose to international prominence as the founder of Bikram Yoga, a highly structured form of hot yoga.

He is widely recognized for popularizing a sequence of twenty-six postures performed in a heated environment, transforming yoga into a global commercial fitness movement.

His rise to global recognition was significantly propelled by his influence among Hollywood celebrities, athletes, and high-profile clients, alongside the rapid expansion of his franchised yoga studios, which established him as one of the most commercially successful yoga figures of his era.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Bikram Choudhury
• Date of Birth: February 10, 1944
• Age: 82 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, India
• Nationality: Indian-American
• Profession: Yoga Guru and Entrepreneur
• Eye Color: Dark Brown
• Hair Color: Black
• Parents: N/A
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Rajashree Choudhury (divorced 2016)
• Children: Anurag Choudhury, Laju Choudhury
• Relationship Status: Divorced
• Religion: Hinduism
• Ethnicity: Indian
• Net Worth: $75 million

Early Life and Education

Bikram Choudhury is now at the age of 82 years old, was born on February 10, 1944.

He was raised in Calcutta, India, where he began practicing yoga at a very young age under the guidance of Bishnu Charan Ghosh.

His early life was shaped by rigorous physical discipline and immersion in traditional yoga training.

He studied at Ghosh College of Physical Education, where he focused on Hatha yoga techniques and physical conditioning.

During his youth, he claimed to have won multiple national yoga championships, though some of these claims have been disputed.

A serious knee injury in his late teens became a turning point in his life, as he credited yoga and heat-based therapy for his recovery, which later influenced the development of his signature hot yoga method.

He did not pursue a conventional university education, instead dedicating his path to the practical study and teaching of yoga.

Personal Life

Bikram Choudhury married Rajashree Choudhury in 1984, and together they built a global yoga empire.

The couple had two children, Anurag and Laju, both of whom became involved in the yoga community.

After more than three decades of marriage, the relationship ended in divorce in 2016.

The settlement included significant financial and property divisions, with Rajashree receiving valuable assets.

Following the divorce and subsequent legal issues, Bikram has largely lived outside the United States and has maintained a private personal life.

Career

Bikram Choudhury began his professional career after moving to the United States in the early 1970s, where he established his first yoga school in Los Angeles.

His teaching style, known for its intensity and discipline, quickly attracted attention from celebrities and athletes.

He developed the Bikram Yoga system, consisting of a fixed sequence of twenty-six postures and two breathing exercises performed in a heated room.

This method became widely popular and led to the creation of a global network of franchised studios, which at its peak numbered over 1,600 locations worldwide.

In the 1990s, he introduced a formal teacher training program, which became a major source of revenue and helped standardize his method internationally.

He also attempted to copyright his yoga sequence, leading to a high-profile legal battle that ultimately ruled against him.

In recent years, he has continued to conduct training sessions and seminars internationally, particularly in regions outside the United States.

Net Worth

Bikram Choudhury has an estimated net worth of $75 million.

His wealth was primarily generated through the global success of Bikram Yoga studios, high-priced teacher training programs, and international business ventures, although portions of his assets were affected by legal judgments and divorce settlements.

Controversy

Bikram Choudhury has been involved in significant controversies that have impacted his reputation and career.

Beginning in 2013, multiple civil lawsuits were filed against him by former students, alleging sexual harassment, assault, and misconduct.

In 2016, he lost a major legal case brought by his former legal advisor, resulting in a multi-million-dollar judgment against him.

His failure to comply with court-ordered payments led to legal consequences, including an arrest warrant issued in California.

These events were further highlighted in the 2019 documentary Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, which examined the allegations and the broader culture within his organization.

Despite these controversies, he continues to operate internationally within the yoga community.

Social Media

• Instagram: @bikramchoudhury
• X: @bikramyoga
• YouTube: @bikramyoga

Books

• Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class (1978)
• Bikram Yoga: The Guru Behind Hot Yoga (2007)