Bikram Yoga Fremont Street

At almost 70 it’s about growing old not being old. This studio of Bikram yoga nourishes my body like nothing else. It is my supplemental health insurance at a fraction of the cost and a community of like minded health conscious people who support me in wellness. It takes a village and we have one right here on Fremont Street in Portland OR.

Definitely a great studio! And now with new ownership is even better, bright, welcoming and friendly, I love going there!

I’ve been practicing 3 – 5 times a week at Bikram Yoga Fremont Street since 2014. When it comes to Bikram, there’s a reason people get hooked. It’s transformational for your mind and body. When it comes to studios, well, they’re all a little different flavor. When the studio underwent an ownership transition in January of this year, I admittedly was a little bit worried as I wondered if all the things I loved about practicing at Fremont Street would change. I shouldn’t have been worried at all! In just a few short months the new owners Gretchen and Danelle have built upon all the existing best attributes of the studio while sharing their own fresh perspective, energy and light with all of us who practice here. I wholeheartedly appreciate their dedication to creating a sacred space for yoga that is beautiful, peaceful, safe and inclusive for all yogis who visit. It’s a beautiful thing. I love this studio and this community.

There’s something special about this studio and its community. The instructors are knowledgeable and help beginners learn while keeping the practice accessible to all skill levels. I always feel good when I walk through the doors because I know I’ll feel even better when I walk out. Even if you’ve tried Bikram before, try it again here and you might get hooked!

Under new ownership since January, 2016, this studio is a welcoming, supportive place to practice Bikram Yoga. The teachers, owners and students are friendly and kind, and the emphasis is on helping people improve their health. People are encouraged to listen to their bodies and back off if a posture is hurting them.
This yoga given me body awareness that I’ve never had before (as a person who didn’t come from a sports background) which has been helpful in dealing with some chronic pain issues.

Bikram on Fremont offers a friendly, clean environment with a handful of daily classes to fit your schedule. The new owners carry on the graciousness and upbeat attitude of the studio’s prior owner, and bring a freshness to the place.
I love it! Adrienne H

In the town full of yoga studios, here is a rare balance. You’ll find knowledgable yoga instructors and welcoming community– with out the snobbery. The people here are kind. The yoga is challenging but accessible for all levels. A mix of all ages, backgrounds, body types, and male to female ratios.

Got the traveling yogi package which was $ 39 for a week of unlimited Bikram yoga classes with mat and towel rental. I only went once because I typically only practice once a week, but the studio is very nice, very clean, and the staff were really supportive and excited that I was from out of town. The instructor gave great pointers the whole class and made you feel confident in your skills.

I decided to ignore the poor reviews on here and give this studio a try. Well it truly REEKS inside the practice space. The smell hit me like a wall as soon as I opened the studio door. I’ve been to other hot yoga studios and plenty of gyms to know that there is no excuse for this kind of disgusting environment. Bikram memberships are expensive, and for good reason! There is nothing with this rancid carpeting and mildewy drop ceiling that shows me that this studio is using their high membership rates for maintenance or repairs. This discovery was really a shame as the instructor seemed fine and the location is so close to my house. You couldn’t pay me to get a membership to this place :(

Great, authentic Bikram yoga. Appreciate there is no bs, no «yoga drama». Just straight up 90 min 26 & 2 ! !!
bikram yoga is access accessible to anyone. Unless you are dead, you can do it!
Staff is nice, studio unique.

Very true to the bikram style yoga with a clean quirky place and super friendly thoughtful instructors!
Try the traveling yogi package of you are in town for more than two days!

WARNING Owner Michael seems a bit bipolar, very odd teaching style, steer clear. Most teachers are authentic and kind, but Leota would rather spit shameful remarks and belittle students during class. A recommendation for her: channel a little more inner peace and a lot less inner demon. Also, we are not your dog, stop trying to control us. What happened to teaching with a positive attitude and respecting those who are paying for your service? Just a thought.

This place was awful. I have had multiple surgeries and the instructor tried to tell me what my body should and shouldn’t be doing. When I called her out for being disruptive while making comments about my personal medical information, she was rude and dismissive. I’m going to trust my neurosurgeon as my guide for my limitations rather than an simole, uneducated yoga instructor who can’t even demonstrate the poses.

One of the few AUTHENTIC Bikram Yoga studios in the area. Great teachers, friendly staff, cool vibe. I will be back to support this business whenever I am in town!

Traveler’s review– I was in Portland for the weekend and didn’t want to miss practicing so I searched for a studio. This studio had a relatively full schedule of classes AND a great ‘traveling yogi’ package. $ 39 for a week with mat and towel. I really appreciated the package price because it made the decision to get to yoga while traveling a very easy one.
The studio is clean, and has a Portland charm (tucked away in the back of a building, around the corner and up the stairs). Cami was welcoming, ran a good class, and was encouraging & engaged throughout.
The bathrooms and showers are co-​Ed and there was a short line for both, but people were courteous about keeping things moving along.
If you’re visiting Portland this is a great studio. If I lived in Portland I’d consider this for my home studio.

Just know you really should not; it is highly discouraged to leave class early or to step out for air if you’re hot. It’s a «discipline» to learn to tolerate the heat and be OK with it. The teachers are great. It’s weird if it’s your first time taking a class BUT you burn 800 calories! Can’t beat that! Bring a HUGE jug of water in a quiet jug, a towel or 2 and a smile! Two Thumbs UP

Unfortunately, not a good experience. I had tried Hot yoga a few times before and decided to check out this studio after signing up for a groupon deal. The owner/​teacher of the class was a bit creepy. Very uncomfortable to say the least, and not due to the heat.

The teachers, the atmosphere, the amenities, the warm and friendly owner, and the «studio dog» Macy, are great!
The teachers are all adept, approachable and easy to ask for individual tips or feedback after class. I have yet to leave a class without some new and useful tip. There is also at least one very advanced teacher here who provide awesome inspiration.
The amenities are very nice: clean, large dressing room with locked and unlocked storage, nice showers and bathrooms, a big lobby with a water cooler and nice seating where folks can sit on their own or together. The studio has a wall of windows, with a window that even opens (!), humidifiers, two walls of mirrors and smells clean.
This place has totally changed my misconception that Bikram would be too stiff and dogmatic for me. It’s serious enough, but there is also humor, warmth and friendliness, and it is easy to feel at home at this studio, and to know teachers and regulars by name.
I also enjoy finding folks of all sizes, ages, and experience levels, not to mention, wardrobe choices, here.
I have read some reviews of folks who have not liked Bikram, not liked being called by name. No one is here to torture or shame you. Bikram is a tough and excellent workout; it’s not for everyone., And, yes, teachers may call folks by name in class to give feedback and encouragement; that’s just how it’s done in Bikram land, it’s not personal, or intended to embarrass. For me, the feedback provides invaluable information that helps me improve my practice and the encouragement is awesome.
J. Micheal, the owner, is a friendly, caring character with a good sense of humor and a philanthropic heart. He can often be found in the lobby, and teaches class too. I like a business with an involved and present owner. You can see his touch in the shower signs reminding you to take a 2 minute shower «or feel guilty» and in the fun art and daily quote board. He runs one class a month that is a donation class for a non-​profit. He has helped me continue to do Bikram, which is life saving for me, after a challenging life change would have made it otherwise impossible.
I started doing Bikram because I could not find a groupon for non-​Bikram yoga.
I am completely hooked, five months into it.
Finding Bikram for me has been life changing, and I cannot get enough of it.
Bikram on Fremont is my home away from home!

Before coming here, I read some reviews and had some mixed feelings. But I got a deal on groupon and went ahead anyways. I have attended about 10 classes, with almost all the instructors here, and it has been an AWESOME experience!
During my first class, just like some other people mentioned here, the instructor called my name whenever I needed to adjust my poses. I am an introvert, I don’t like being «singled-​out» or «get all the attention»; but it definitely was not an attempt to shame you or anything in class! Do you prefer the instructor to come to you and whisper in your ears that you are doing it wrong? (eww that’s kind of more creepy and intimidating!). Or he lets you keep doing it wrong and hurt your body? Honestly, I think some people are being over-​sensitive to criticize this part of the instructor. And moreover, NO ONE in class really care about what is going on with others. So if you think everyone pay attention to you when you being called, ummm NO it’s not happening, they only pay attention to themselves. Yoga is all about meditation, concentration on yourself, and not being distracted by other things.
I myself attempted to walked out my first class to get some air, but the instructor suggested me to stay and lay down on my back. And it helped a lot. I believe it would be better than stepping out of the class, cool your body down too much, and surprise it with the hot air in the class — the flow is disrupted. Instead, just sit down rest for a few poses, you will be fine. And of course, you don’t chit chat or storm out of the class — that’s being disrespectful to the instructor and other people around.
It was a challenge for me during my first class. But then as I made effort to attend other classes, I knew I got better by being able to do more poses, got my name called less (or not at all! i must be doing it right!), and I could see my body was getting better.
Be patient, treat your body well, and you will feel better when it loves you back.

Wow, what a wonderful place to practice and teach! In class the other day, Leah said «The people make the party.» So true. Bikram Yoga Fremont Street has a welcoming, warm (heh heh) community of dedicated practitioners and teachers, making it the perfect studio to try the yoga as a beginner. The room and lobby are beautiful, and you can tell that every detail of the environment was chosen with love and care. It even smells good!

I’ve practiced Bikram for years, and I’ve practiced at many studios in several states. The Bikram Yoga Fremont studio is stellar!
What I love about this studio is the comfort and cleanliness of the facility, the consistency and quality of the classes, and I love the sense of community and support I receive.
Unlike most other Bikram studios I’ve visited, Fremont has a HUGE lobby with benches, comfortable chairs and interesting reading material and art. Regulars come early to chat and relax before class, and newcomers are welcomed by the friendly desk staff and instructors. The studio has nice dressing rooms and two showers, so the wait after class isn’t long. Inside the practice studio, there is an anti-​microbial carpet. The studio doesn’t smell like a Bikram yoga studio… and that’s quite a feat!
The instructors are top-​notch, several of whom have competed at the USA Yoga competition, both regionally and nationally. Newbies are given personal attention and care during their first classes, and the regulars are given corrections and tips during class. The heat and humidity are always consistent, with instructors cracking the window or turning on the ventilation fan at appropriate times during the practice. Large, Southern exposure windows line one side of the room, letting in natural light. Of course, Bikram yoga being Bikram yoga, the series and dialogue are always pretty much the same, but the Fremont staff really know how to keep things interesting.
The prices at the studio are average for most cities, though the Traveling Yogi package is less expensive than I’ve seen when traveling… and it includes towels! Sometimes, you can catch Groupon specials, but the new student offer is always available (2 weeks unlimited for $ 25)
If hot yoga is your thing, I highly recommend this studio.
Kari
p. s. I used to have a Unilocal account with many reviews, but not only can I not remember my password, I can’t remember what email account it was!

Previous to Bikram Fremont I had never done yoga in my life, let alone hot yoga. I was super nervous to start… I’m a curvy girl and was afraid I would be judged because of my size or inability to perform.
Quite the contrary. I was greeted immediately with so much warmth and encouragement.
No one cares whether your 90 lbs or 300 lbs… Instructors and clients included. There is such a wide variety of ages, sizes, cultures, etc. and all are welcome. I have never once felt judged or condemned for not being able to complete or perfect a pose, and believe me, I’m far from perfect.
Each instructor has their own style and of course there are some I like more than others, but I always gain something from every one of them.
My questions are always answered enthusiastically. I’ve asked for help with my postures a few times and the instructors are more than willing to help me before, during, or after class. Very cool.
Most of all, I would like to give MAD PROPS to J Michael for being flexible with financial matters. I’m a struggling single mom/​student so it’s not always easy for me to meet the requirements… But he’s been so understanding and given me the opportunity to continue practicing when I wouldn’t have been able to do so otherwise.
I love the vibe, the instructors, the practice… I really can’t say enough positive things about this awesome studio and the people in it! :)

This place seems a bit more expensive than comparable spots, which is why I haven’t become a regular member. BUT, it’s a great studio and better than those comparable spots in terms of amenities. It’s always nice, clean, and welcoming. I especially love the carpet type flooring, great for when everyone gets real sweaty! The teachers are enthusiastic, fun and not intimidating. The overall space just feels serene and a lot of people kind of seem to hang out around the place after class, which is kinda cool.

Good ol’ fashioned clean, hot, sweaty fun!
Studio is cleaned after every practice. :-)
Rates ($) average for the industry. :-)
Great team of teachers! :-)
Great crew of regular practitioners! :-)

Wow, i do not know where to start
I think I will start by saying, I was incredible skeptical of Bikram yoga. I had practiced this style of yoga at other studios that were not officially Bikram, but always avoided the actual Bikram locations because I did not like what I had heard about Bikram himself– he sued yoga to the people, my first yoga community (100% donation based) in NYC where I did my teacher training, which I did not agree with at all.
I am grateful that I did not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
I have had the most amazing experience at Fremont Bikram. From the first night I came in, the owner of the studio, J Michael, treated me with kindness and warmth. He had a lovely sense of humor, and I realized at the front desk that this would not be a scary experience.
His community of teachers is so diverse! You have high-​energy exciting and fun teachers like Cami, and you have down to earth chill teachers like Jessica. You have anatomical experts like Chloe, and good human beings like Justin. J Michael himself teaches the best class I have ever had in hot yoga land. He is ridiculously fluent in the practice, and infuses it with fun! So much fun!
So here’s what I will finish with. Take anything negative you heard about Bikram the man or the yoga, and throw it out the door. Go to this unique studio, and see for yourself. see how your body feels after the first practice, and after a week. See what it feels like to feel amazing in your skin, to feel powerful yet humble, to feel honest and true.
I do not think this kind of yoga is the only way. But I do think that it will get your metaphorical water boiling quicker than some other types of yoga would.
It was also really nice to see a lot of people over 40 at this studio. At most yoga studios, there seems to be a bias towards younger students, and it was refreshing to see a very diverse population of ages at this studio.
I will always be grateful to Bikram Fremont.
Bikram yoga is not black or white. see for yourself.

This is hands-​down the best Bikram studio I’ve been to. It’s clean and beautiful. There’s a sense of earnestness and focus in the air here. And every time I come here, everyone feels like family, whether they are familiar faces or new ones.
I walk out of this studio feeling euphoric. Yes, it’s HARD. Yes, it’s HOT. And it’s a bit counter-​intuitive to think that after 90 minutes of hard sweating, my energy level skyrockets but it does. I usually regret it if I drive my car to this studio, because I want to run or bike home!
One time, a couple years back I had a wonderfully difficult experience that I’ll never forget. I had been going regularly at the time, and I was proud of my practice. Michael, the owner, was teaching. As usual, he was insistent that everyone in the class move together, do the poses together, but that day I couldn’t keep up. I was blacking out, getting dizzy, and feeling tortured. I was frustrated, I took Michael’s insistence personally, and eventually came to tears. I was angry at Michael for being demanding… and then something clicked: I realized that it was my own ego making me feel this. I realized that it’s not Michael’s job, nor Bikram’s job, nor yoga’s job to take care of me. It’s MY JOB.
I have been a better yogi, and a better human, since that day.

This place makes me all warm on the inside… and on the outside :)
I’ve been practicing Bikram on and off for about three years now, and have made the rounds of Portland’s hot yoga spaces. After cutting my teeth at a studio that practiced hotter, harder, and more aggressively than I believe necessary, and most recently trying a spot that was cooler, mellower, and a bit lacking in inspiration, I found my Goldilocks zone here at Fremont St.
I don’t think it’s a secret that hot yoga practitioners can seem a bit stand-​offish, and I wouldn’t say this studio is the exception to that rule. I would say, however, that J. Michael and his team of instructors are welcoming, easy-​going, and genuinely interested in their clients’ practices, no matter what size, shape, experience level, gender, etc.
I have felt continually challenged to do my best, but not pressured to go further than I’ve felt comfortable; and to that end, Fremont St. is exactly what I want in a practice space.
After reading some of the reviews here, I wouldn’t blame people for wanting to steer clear, but my humble recommendation would be that, even if it’s rough at first, stick it out for a couple months; this studio is very much worth it.

Got-​Damn this is one sexy yoga studio ! Seriously this studio changed hands respectively almost 1 year ago and as with any new business it has gone through some changes, However of late it has become clear that this studio is in it for the long haul. The owner and teachers/​staff have a handle on how it should be done .
It is a no nonsense environment kept fresh, funky and super clean.
I practice in different Bikram studios when I travel and I am always so happy to come home to this studio… so if you are looking for a studio with a low key vibe in an awesome part of town. look no further… And tell em’ Boris sent ya!

This is the fourth studio I have practiced in so I am writing in comparison to the others.
It is very clean it is the only one that doesn’t have that smell, anyone who practices knows what I mean. Michael the owner is always there and very pleasant not to mention a great teacher. The room is really nice with natural light and the mirrors are clean. I have practiced places where the same sweat stain is on the mirror for days. The teachers are helpful but not pushy I like it here and hope to keep practicing here for a long time
update
Still practicing here and love it just as much. Reading some of the reviews makes me a little sad people are haters. This yoga is really hard dont make that be the reason you are angry.
FIRST TIME PRACTICERS
some tips so you don’t interrupt the regulars who pay alot more than 20 bucks for a living social deal
Dont drink water during poses especially the balancing poses
Try to set up half way over a line so there is room for everyone
Dont come to class stinking of perfume cigarettes or any essential oils
Dont interrupt other peoples practice by talking during class or stomping around the room snapping out your mat or slamming the door before or after class this is a place of relaxation and meditation
Have fun and smile this practice is hard and its amazing how wonderful a class can be when everyone motivates one another.