With today’s technology and scientific advances, celebrities have never had it so easy when it comes looking good and getting fit.

Yet, stars including Lorna Tolentino, Ara Mina, Ruffa Gutierrez, Edu Manzano, John Estrada, and even Hollywood biggies like Madonna, Lady Gaga, George Clooney, Beyonce and David Beckham, engage in a certain kind of exercise rooted in a centuries’ old discipline that not only keeps them in shape but also helps prevent disease, beat stress, and promote mental well-being.

Bikram Yoga is a sequence of 26 postures done in a heated room (40 degrees Celsius). This 90-minute series was developed in the ‘70s by Bikram Choudhury as a universal “prescription” of poses.

In the Philippines, there are only five accredited Bikram Yoga studios one of which, Bikram Yoga Greenhills. It is owned by Al Galang who has been a Bikram Yoga practitioner for nine years and a certified Bikram Yoga instructor.

“I graduated from teacher training at the Bikram Headquarters in Los Angeles in July 2006. It was a very grueling 700-plus hours of training in a span of only nine weeks. These days, my schedule permits me to teach only three to four regular classes a week. This is in addition to the private classes and one-on-ones that I provide on a regular basis,” he shares.

Al says that many celebrities who have tried Bikram Yoga are now very devoted practicioners. “Lorna Tolentino has been a private student of mine for about four years now. Because of her busy schedule, she disappears from time to time, but she always finds a way to come back. Like her, and my other more devoted celeb clients are Ara Mina and Dr. Vicki Belo. Bikram seems to be such an effective way to help them keep their weight off and give them the stillness and clarity to juggle their stressful lifestyles.

“As for Hollywood celebs, Lady Gaga is the pop star most commonly spotted going to her private classes. George Clooney will do Bikram anytime he’s near a studio, even when he’s traveling. David Beckham recently got into it to extend his playing career, and Beyonce loves it so much that she brings along friends and family for private group classes,” Al enumerates.

The highest profile Hollywood celebrity that Al has had the honor of teaching is tennis player Serena Williams. “She attended a class of mine, earlier in my teaching, when I was still teaching at headquarters. Her athleticism shines even in yoga, it’s truly inspiring,” he reveals.

A total body workout and a form of relaxation and meditation, Bikram Yoga can burn 500 to 1,250 calories per session—perfect for losing weight and keeping the unwanted kilos off. The heat in the room makes the muscles more pliable; hence, Bikram Yoga practitioners are able to do the postures deeper but safely. “Bikram Yoga works. It has been proven time and time again, with weight loss, disease prevention, skin problems and other cosmetic issues. All of these benefits are even more valuable for people who live and work under the spotlight.”

No wonder that many of Al’s celebrity clients were actually referred to him by showbiz friends who are into Bikram Yoga. These days, everyone does yoga at his studio: from mothers, fathers, doctors, teachers, lawyers, businessmen and politicians; to students, musicians, homemakers, chefs, athletes, couch potatoes, kids and senior citizens, etc. They are taught by teachers from San Diego, Vancouver, Chicago and Thailand.

“We call Bikram Yoga the number one preventative medicine. The more regularly one practices, the less likely one will get sick or injured. The less time one spends ailing, then the less money is spent on cures and treatment. The only concern you might have is that you might live too healthy for too long!” Al laughed.

He doesn’t deny that Bikram Yoga can be challenging but then again, no pain, no gain, right? “Keep an open mind. Everyone has his own Bikram success story. Bikram Yoga will help you become the best version of yourself in every way—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually—if you give it a chance to work on you.”

And Bikram Yoga does not discriminate. “My guru, Bikram Choudhury, always says this: ‘You’re never too old, never too bad, never too late and never too sick to start from scratch once again. If you haven’t tried Bikram Yoga yet, what are you waiting for?” Al Galang ends.