A friend introduced me to Bikram Yoga back in December. I had no idea what I was in for. I walked into the smelly studio, found a place on the floor and was ready for a typical yoga experience: a lot of stretching, breathing and meditating. But as soon as the heaters came on and every place on my body, including my fingernails were sweating, I knew that this was no ordinary yoga experience.
Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional yoga techniques and popularized beginning in the early 1970s. Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class runs approximately 90 minutes, incorporates a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, and is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F with a humidity of 40%.
The heat accelerates the rate of change within the body, improves circulation, helps to eliminate toxins, and significantly reduces the risk of injury during stretching. No special equipment, propose or clothing is required. It gets so hot that by the end of class you will wish you were completely naked! Honestly, my first 2 classes I had to stop and breath for a while because I began to feel nauseous and dizzy. It’s recommended that you don’t eat right before class but if you must a banana or nuts will suffice.
Bikram allows you to sweat in places you never new that you could allowing you to release all of the impurities in your skin and release any negative energy in your body. You train your mind, body and spirit in the room in order to train it out there in the world. It really has been a life changing experience for me and a challenge that I enjoy as often as I can.
You can find a great studio by clicking here. Please check it out and take a class. I guarantee that it will make you stronger, healthier and more relaxed (and I know that we all need a little bit of that).
I love Bikram. I've been practicing for about a year. It is a great full-body workout.
Girl, it's for the strong I tell you. I tried it once and baby … I almost died lol.. if you are a yoga-nista I would recommend it..
It's so great to see that so many of you already practice Bikram. Sometimes it can be pulling teeth getting my girls try it out. I wrap up my locks into a funky bun on my head and put on a scarf to soak up the sweat. I must admit that the smell always turns me off, but after I feel like I've lost a ton of weight. I usually take a break during the summer and get back into in the winter.
I've been doing hot Vinyasa flow yoga for two months and have been talking about it on my site as well. I LOVE it! The poses aren't "standardized" like Bikram and the room is not kept as hot (98.7 is the advertised room temperature, but because I practice in a small upstairs studio, it gets quite a bit warmer during the summer), but it provides many of the same benefits. I have been working out for about 17 years and am so excited to find something that I am eager to do each week. I've been recommending it to everyone I know who is interested in improving their fitness and is bored with their normal routine. I've been planning on doing a post about it on my website, but hadn't found a good, strong article about it to share yet. But, I'll have to get back on the grind for that.
Shelli
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE BIKRAM! With my busy work schedule, I managed to find one near my office, but still can't get out to make the late classes! When I did go I was up to 5x/wk and loved the feeling of sweating out all the toxins. I would warn ladies to be mindful of having a little something (even if its steel cut oats) on your stomach and bringing LOTS of water b/c you will want to keep hydrated. The results were DEF longer/thicker hair, glowing skin, agility and a centeredness that I haven't felt w/ any other workout…oh, and it's great on my sore joints as well 🙂
How funny you posted about this today because I was just checking the calendar for class times this morning!
I love Bikram! I have been doing it off/on since 2004 and immediately felt – can't.wait.to.get.back! 😉 I did it regularly for a while 3 times a week and I could definitely feel a difference in the way I felt both physically and mentally. My skin glowed, my body became more lean and lithe, my mind seemed clear and my emotional being was just balanced.
It's not a cheap regime, but it definitely is worth it if you can afford it.
I started Bikram yoga last summer…and it has been one of the best things I have ever done for myself. It's a great way to stay limber, de-stress, and get a workout. Not to mention the perks – glowing skin, better eating habits (because that pint of rum raisin will come right back at you), staying in shape, and hair growth. yes, you read that last part right. HAIR GROWTH! My hair grows like wildfire when I have a steady practice.
When I practice regularly, I end up putting my hair in buns. On occasion, I'll rock twists that I pin up or bun up. Any other methods you ladies out there like?
Co-sign. I've been practicing since last September. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever done for my body, mind, and spirit. I'm 20 months into my transition and to combat the extreme sweatiness, I co-wash midweek, and shampoo on weekends. I go to class 2-4 times a week, depending on how busy things get at work. I LOVE it.
I just started last week and have taken 6 classes so far. I LOVE IT! It is such a challenge and I look forward to each class. Having a good instructor helps tremendously. I have a protein shake about 3 hours before the class and drink plenty of water before and after class. I am so happy to sign on and see this post about Bikram. It encourages me to take class #7 tonight.
I am and have been a WnG girl who is in the process of transitioning away from relaxers. It has been 9 months since my last creamy crack hit. Transitioning is about as challenging to me as the Bikram Yoga but I am learning to embrace the change in hair textures. It is amazing to me how curly my a hir is around my hair line…the curls are cute. I worry about the heat on my hair so I rub a little coconut oil on it before the class and rinse it either that night after the class or first thing the next morning.
I love Bikram. I started about a year ago and it's been a challenging journey. I had been an avid exerciser. I went to the gym 3-4 times a week. Bikram has challenged me to no end. When i worked out I felt as though i had hit a wall with Bikram I am constantly challenged to do better and to continue. The only problem are the hairs that grow out of my scalp. I have a thick head of hair and it's constantly damp (read: sweaty) any fellow bikram-nites out there that can give some hair suggestions. I'm natural, but I occasionally blowdry & flat iron. I'd love to hear what you ladies have to say
Glad to see that you guys are promoting Bikram on the site!! I started almost 4 years ago as a relaxed head and loved it so much that I would not even let a fresh touch-up and blowout last more than a few days (if that). Going natural last Dec only gave me more reason to enjoy class without having to worry about what to do after. Ladies trust me this is not only good for your body but mind as well. The first class is the hardest but after that you will crave the heat (a godsend during the brutal NY winter months).I convinced a few friends to try it out but none have stuck with it. I've been traveling throughout Asia for a few months now and only seem to find Ashtanga classes. One of the only things I miss about home is my Bikram studio!And lastly a quick tip- during my wash days I would apply a deep treatment then don a shower cap and tie a headscarf on my head, why not multi task I told myself,lol.