Bikram: What’s your experience?
I’ve been practing yoga for at least a decade both in classes and at home. I do have a tendency to get unmotivated working out on my own, so I searched for classes in my area again. Close to my home is http://www.bikramyogahampden.com/ which looked interesting and has classes at hours that are convenience for me (at night). I’ve traditionally practiced the common hatha yoga, but have tried a few other styles from time to time. I enjoy the flowing combinations and even manged to keep up for power and cardio yogas fairly easily, but bikram sort of scares me. The entire concept is to do the normal yoga but in a 105 degree room. I typically don’t do well in the heat, I’ve even passed out walking down the street in Miami in March, but I downhill mountain bike during summer and this seems an excellent way to increase my endurance, strength and flexibility in preparation for race season. Have you tried Bikram? What has been your experience?
4 Responses to “Bikram: What’s your experience?”
Leave a Reply
Bikram is amazing if you are dedicated. It will give you strength that other disciplines can't. It is hatha yoga, practiced in good conditions for movement, in a series that warms up each part of your body. Since I started going I've toned up quite a bit, my breathing is much improved, and my knee issues are nowhere to be found. I'm still mostly excited about class.
Going into the room early helps acclimate your body to the heat before class. It's not too bad, just an Austin summer day. The class begins with breathing to expand your lungs and moves into poses that test your flexibility, balance, and concentration. You'll know exactly how you're feeling at the end of these, and you can adjust accordingly. The series is the same every time, so you know what to expect, and students seem to make progress slowly but steadily. I couldn't do any of the balancing postures for more than 10 seconds when I started, and now I am holding them without fear. This is great for your body, but good for your spirit as well. Who knew strenuous exercise could be meditative?
Also, drink lots of water before and after class (you won't really need water in class then, except to sip). And I mean LOTS. I drink >120 ounces of water a day or else I get a dehydration headache a few hours later. Coconut water is also good, for the crazy potassium and other electrolytes. . Also, don't eat for a few hours before class. I think that I eat better now that I do Bikram, because I know what will make me feel good and what will make me feel lousy in my practice!
Namaste.
Thanks so much for the great tips, I'll be sure to stop snacking and start drinking water at the end of my day in preparation. I'm sure that this will help with appetite control as well.
I've been wanting to try this kind of yoga for awhile, let me know if you want company (for yoga or for biking too)! I'll be out of town off and on for the next few weeks, but maybe in August?