Co-owners Adam Roper and Erik Cummings didn't always sport the healthy bodies they do now, but through years of dedicated practice and, eventually, Bikram certifications, Adam lost 35 pounds and Erik addressed a shoulder injury caused by a previous bike accident. Today, the two yogis share their passion for the heated practice with the help of a team of fellow certified instructors and Bikram Yoga Harlem's unofficial mascot, a pint-sized dachshund named Sebastian Kumquat. The studio welcomes practitioners of all experience levels, with Bikram's series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises catering to even the rustiest of tin men. Balmy temperatures around the 100-degree mark warm the muscles, helping students achieve deeper twists, binds, and bends, and encouraging the body to expel harmful toxins and clingy droplets of T-1000.