Mum, 62 dies on £13,000 Bikram ‘hot yoga’ course in Acapulco
‘Superf it’ Scottish devotee was training to teach others
‘One of the best in the class – she was very, very fit’
A SCOT has died in Mexico while studying an intense form of yoga popular with celebrities such as Sir Andy Murray, Madonna and David Beckham.
Phyllis Main, 62, became ill while taking part in a Bikram ‘hot’ yoga course in the city of Acapulco.
The mother of two was on a nineweek programme at the five-star Princess Mundo Imperial hotel, learning how to become a certified Bikram yoga teacher.
Ms Main had travelled from her home in Glasgow to join hundreds of others who paid up to £13,000 for the course.
Bikram yoga involves 90-minute stretching sessions in stifling heat.
Ms Main was a couple of weeks into her trip when she apparently fell ill with ‘stomach pains’.
The bank worker was taken to hospital but it is not known whether her illness had any links to the yoga training. However, the Mail on Sunday understands that family members were concerned that Ms Main had been ‘abandoned’ by Bikram officials.
It is understood that controversial founder Bikram Choudhury, who moved to Acapulco some years ago, was also present at the course, despite being accused of rape and sexual harassment in the US.
Ms Main’s son Ross, 33, was on holiday in America at the time she fell ill and rushed to her bedside before she died on Monday.
He is understood to be returning home with her body. Her family are said to be ‘devastated’ but have declined to make any comment.
Fellow yoga enthusiasts and friends of Ms Main told of their shock. At the Damn Hot yoga club in the Glasgow’s Finnieston area, which Ms Main visited regularly, an instructor said they were ‘upset at the loss of a very loved student’.
Another student who knew Ms Main said: ‘It’s shocking. She was extremely good, one of the best in the class. She was very, very fit.’
Ms Main had excitedly updated her social media followers both before and during her trip.
Before travelling, she posted on Facebook: ‘Acapulco tomorrow to become a Bikram Yoga teacher. Love this yoga. If it’s not 90 mins it’s not Bikram Yoga. Will miss you all.’
She also told how she performed yoga ‘in front of the Boss’ but added: ‘Acapulco is beautiful, only wish it had less humidity.’
Ms Main was understood to have been given a clean bill of health by a doctor before she left.
The cause of her death has not been announced and it is not yet known how she became ill.
Bikram yoga has become a hugely popular worldwide brand but it was rocked by a scandal when former students accused Mr Choudhury of rape and harassment.
He was alleged to have taken advantage of more vulnerable students, many of whom had joined his intense yoga regime to help them with mental health issues.
Training courses have been described as intense and demanding, with Mr Choudhury himself reportedly saying they are ‘one big brainwashing session’.
The Foreign Office said: ‘Our staff have provided consular support to the family of a British woman who died in Mexico.’
It is understood Bikram yoga intends to refund the £13,000 fee to Ms Main’s family. A spokesman said: ‘Bikram Choudhury is mortified by this tragedy and his thoughts and prayers go to Phyllis Main and her family. This is the first time any such instance has occurred in the 54 years he has been professionally training.’