BIKRAM Choudhury, founder of Bikram Yoga - a popular form of Hatha yoga that sees practitioners doing postures for 90 minutes in a room heated to about 40 deg C - has one big ambition: to turn yoga into an Olympic sport.

He and his wife, Rajashree, both recognised yoga champions from India, set up the International Yoga Asana Championships - a United States-based worldwide competition that got its start in 2003. The competition has now seen seven instalments, and is the first step towards Olympic recognition.

Singaporeans are making a name for themselves in the competition - which is a controversial event, because, to many people, the idea of competition goes against the philosophy and spirit of yoga. Still, such competitions are common in the birthplace of yoga - India.

This year, two women from Singapore placed within the top 10 in their category in the US competition.

Ms Gloria Suen, 33, an associate director in consumer banking strategy and business development, took third place; Ms Eleanor Xu, 30, a yoga teacher at the Bikram Yoga City Hall studio, took seventh. In the youth division, Singaporean Madeline Lu, 12, took first place in the girls' category.

Last year, a Singapore representative, Mr Dev Kapil, took first place in the men's division.

Calcutta-born, Los Angeles-based Rajashree, 44, will head a yoga seminar - organised by Bikram Yoga City Hall - on March 6. The seminar will focus on both the physical and emotional aspects of yoga.

Rajashree, a five-time winner of the All-India Yoga Championship in India, spoke to my paper about the Olympic dream, and what yoga means to her.