Bikram (hot) Yoga

[synergy]

I went to my first class tonight.
I'd been meaning to go for years, but somehow never had. My boyfriend recently got a wii fit though, and has been working out incessantly, which is bringing out a bit of competitiveness. I don't want him to be in better shape than me, hehe. A few days ago, I had a brilliant flash of insight and decided hot yoga was the way I should do it.

I loved it!
(I knew I would, but I still prayed to love it before I went in, I'm such a dork)

The room is heated to 105F, (40C) and is at about 40% humidity.
You have to bring a mat, water and a towel.
The towel, I discovered, is an essential.

You will sweat, and by sweat, I mean SWEAT. No one of this glowing or perspiring crap, there are rivulets of water flowing down you.

So, why do yoga in a hot, humid room instead of a regular room?

You get all the benefits from regular yoga, but it also helps detox your body as you sweat, and you are a lot more flexible when your muscles are warm.

The downside is classes are more expensive, but after tonight, I have to say, it's worth it.

The interesting part will be how I feel tomorrow.

Any other hot yoga addicts? (I know it's only been once, but I know I'm hooked)

[*AHIMSA*]

Glad you liked it! Me? Not so much. I don't care to exercise in even moderate heat and humidity.

[jAded]

All the studios in my area do some thing where you go for 31 days straight to kick-start you and also allow you to go for 9 consecutive days at the cost of one when you first start.

I've heard some differing opinions about the benefits and risks of Bikram, and if I get back into yoga will probably stick to iyengar, but those I know who have done it love it.

[paisleyjane]

I've been meaning to go. Same as you, it's been years in the making but I just haven't gotten around to it.

A good friend of mine just started going on Tuesday nights, and she calls me EVERY week to see if I want to join her. She's only been a handful of times herself but she says she LOVES it.

I am a bit hesitant to exercise in that degree of heat. I could see myself getting dizzy or anxious. I hope not, though!

Glad you like it. I'll post here if I do ever get my butt to one of the classes :)

[rockindancer86]

I'd love to try it, too, but apparently the one near here isn't so much 'hot' yoga as, really, 'sort of lukewarm' yoga. so I'm not sure it's worth it...

[greensgood]

hot yoga is great! glad you tried it and like it, lots of benefits.

[DMZdogs]

Be careful....a lot of people end up injured doing Bikram yoga BECAUSE you are more flexible when your muscles are warm. It's easy to overdo and not even realize it until later.

Personally, I don't like it because it's boring....just the same 26 poses over and over. I much prefer not being limited by such a small number. I do prefer exercising in a warm room over a cool room though. But that's because I'm a wimp about the cold and if corpse pose goes on too long, I get major shivers as my body cools down (when I'm in a cool room).

[synergy]

Be careful....a lot of people end up injured doing Bikram yoga BECAUSE you are more flexible when your muscles are warm. It's easy to overdo and not even realize it until later.


Thanks for the heads up.
I was watching out for that.
I used to be a gymnast though and in the summer we'd train in ridiculous heat like that (less humidity though), so I know what my body can take.

I think it's something I wouldn't ever recommend to someone who was fairly new to yoga, or who is quite "competitive" and can't honor their body where they are at in the poses.

It actually surprised me that they said beginners were welcome.

[nataliex1122]

I was a hot yoga addict for a week because they had a $20 for 7 days special for new comers. I absolutely loved it I felt amazing afterwards, but it's $15 for each class you take. I was actually going to pay for a month of it, but on my way there I was late and got a speeding ticket, so I used to money to pay for the ticket. :lol:

I agree with it not being great for people who are competitive or go in thinking they have something to prove. You really have to listen to your body and know when to stop. If you honor your body you will be glad you did.

I was really unsure about the heat at first, as I love the cold and can't stand being too hot but for some reason it was quite nice. As synergy was saying you sweat a LOT which cools you down. I'm sure you guys know this but bye sure not to wipe off your sweat with a towel during your practice, your body needs it!

[Angelik]

That sounds really interesting! I have done a little yoga in the past, and I do love it. I keep saying I need to start working out. I may have to see if there are any classes offered around here. I'm definitely not the type to push myself too hard if my body says no, so I could probably do it.

[synergy]

I'm sure you guys know this but bye sure not to wipe off your sweat with a towel during your practice, your body needs it!


I actually didn't know that and the instructor didn't mention it either. Why do you need to keep the sweat on your body?

(I only wiped my forehead when sweat was dripping into my eyes and my inner thighs before tree pose, so my feet wouldn't slip off)

[Angelik]

I actually didn't know that and the instructor didn't mention it either. Why do you need to keep the sweat on your body?

(I only wiped my forehead when sweat was dripping into my eyes and my inner thighs before tree pose, so my feet wouldn't slip off)

Sweat in the eyes= Ouch!

[jenni-anti-fur]

I have been doing this for a year now and luv it:)...I feel great afterwards and am glad I tried it and stuck with it...My close pal Zach tried the first class with me and he got totally sick...dizzy spells and getting physically ill....our teacher said that it was a common occurence.

[paisleyjane]

:hamster:
I just got home from my first session of Bikram Yoga!!
Ohmygoodness... :sunny:
It was FANTASTIC!!
I feel like a million bucks. I have to say... all the great things I've heard about it are TRUE! It was hard, it was intense, but it was very very worth it. I will be going back for sure.
I was a little bit scared, thinking I wouldn't be able to handle that heat, but I just took it easy on some of the harder poses as it was my first time. I don't think I pushed myself too hard but we'll see how I feel tomorrow! (Hopefully not sore!)

Yay! I love it! :pibo: :nana:

[paisleyjane]

So I feel good today... my buttcheeks are a little sore :sealed: :lol:
Other than that I feel great. I still feel refreshed :)

I might go again on Friday. Synergy, have you been back since your original post?

[Angelik]

So I feel good today... my buttcheeks are a little sore :sealed: :lol:
Other than that I feel great. I still feel refreshed :)

I might go again on Friday. Synergy, have you been back since your original post?

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear that you liked it and that you're feeling good today!

Looks like I will just have to settle for regular yoga if I want to work out. It isn't offered around here apparently. :( Boo!

[nataliex1122]

I actually didn't know that and the instructor didn't mention it either. Why do you need to keep the sweat on your body?

(I only wiped my forehead when sweat was dripping into my eyes and my inner thighs before tree pose, so my feet wouldn't slip off)

I'm sure that's fine, I did that, too. I as also getting sweat in my eyes- not fun.

The sweat keeps you cool, if you wipe it off you get warmer and you have to produce more sweat, keeping you less hydrated. Or at least I think that's the reason the told us not to.

[paisleyjane]

They didn't tell us not to wipe the sweat off, either. But I didn't see anyone doing it anyways. I wiped my face a few times, and I had to wipe my hands dry before doing the poses that involved gripping on to my feet.

[coley]

I love Bikram too! I've been practising on and off for around 6 years. I started going when I was incredibly unfit (and a very big girl) and initially had to do altered poses. It made me lose a lot of weight, gain flexibility but most importantly discover strength in my mind that I never realised I had.

I did have a bit of trouble finding a studio I liked when I moved interstate. Has anyone else found some of the instructors to be mean and horrible? I like encouragement but don't need abuse. I've found one now though and am going back when my back shapes up a bit more aftert pregnancy.

[coley]

Oh, the sweat is your body natural way of cooling down. Best not to wipe it off as all it's going to do is replace itself. Wipe where you need to hold and that's it.

[synergy]

So I feel good today... my buttcheeks are a little sore :sealed: :lol:
Other than that I feel great. I still feel refreshed :)

I might go again on Friday. Synergy, have you been back since your original post?

I haven't and I want to so badly, but I've been out of town visiting some friends, so I have to wait till Friday till I get back in. I did do some wii fit yoga and it just made me want the hot yoga even more.

I am seriously addicted already.

I'm really glad you liked it!!!!

[jenni-anti-fur]

I haven't and I want to so badly, but I've been out of town visiting some friends, so I have to wait till Friday till I get back in. I did do some wii fit yoga and it just made me want the hot yoga even more.

I am seriously addicted already.

I'm really glad you liked it!!!!

I luv the wii fit yoga but nothing beats hot yoga:)

[zoebird]

heated yoga in general--whether 85 degrees F or 105--provides roughly the same benefits. i practice with and without heat, but prefer lower temps (85) to higher ones. over 95, and i start to get overheated.

[cococutie]

I've been meaning to try this for a few years too. I called around recently and there are a few in my area. I called and got a pretty awesome rate. $160 for 3 months unlimited yoga. So, if I get everything together (mat, towel, clothes) I'd like to start next Monday.

[zoebird]

that's a great price!