Bikram Yoga

Joana · 05-22-2006

Soooooooo- just got back from my first one and a half hours of Bikram Yoga.
Holey moley. If I ever doubted that you can sweat around four liters in 2 min and survive now I know better.

Used to do Kundalini Yoga- didn't like the esoteric stuff too much that went on there.
But Bikram............I think me likey. Even though I was the one in the back of the class always falling over.

Or looking at the others going "Hah- now you're just showing off!!! I can stand on one leg and put my head on the outstretched other one!! Yes I can..............eh wait..........*head about two meters away from knee*.......pah, next time!!!"

So- anyone else here doing it??
How fast does one actually progress from redheaded poor thing in the back yapping for air and not getting anything done halfway to pretty decent??

Pour Favor · 05-22-2006

It's an awesome workout! Really tough. Drink lots and lots of water as one can dehydrate quickly. They have a waiver now her in Vancouver that you have to sign re: dangers of dehydration. It does take some time to get good, I didn't give it enough time but it sheds the pounds off fast!

Jodeci · 05-23-2006

I haven't done Bikram but I do Ashtanga yoga, which I believe is similar but not done in a hot room. The key to yoga is to not be competitive and worry about what others are able to do. Once you let that go and focus on your own body exclusively, you will find that you quickly make progress with the poses. Enjoy and don't get dehydrated!

Rissask · 05-23-2006

I haven't tried it but they finally are offering it at one of the local gyms here...I was talking to someone who works there and apparently they had to do some work on their thermostat/heating system to get the heat up high enough. I think she said the room is almost 40 degree Celcius??

Too bloody hot for me, I don't like to feel faint during a workout

- and wouldn't any weight lost be water weight and temporary anyway?

But I do hear raves that it does 'change your body' in amazing ways.

Joana · 05-23-2006

So- just got back from my second session.
Amazing.
No musclepains this morning although I haven't done any sport in over a year- thanks to the heat.
Was already doing a LOT better on the exercises today........felt great.
I love it!!
Oh and Riss- the weightloss isn't (or shouldn't) really be due to waterloss as you keep drinking during the workout. I drank one and a half liters today inbetween poses.
It is really due to burning calories- heard that you burn around 500 to 700 during a session. It is amazing how your body feels afterwords.

Quote:

The key to yoga is to not be competitive and worry about what others are able to do.

I know Jodeci- I was joking above. Like mentioned I used to do Kundalini Yoga- which is so different though because it is very dynamic...........I'll have to look up Ashtanga again but I believe it is indeed very similar to what we do in the hotroom.

Rissask · 05-23-2006

Quote:

Oh and Riss- the weightloss isn't (or shouldn't) really be due to waterloss as you keep drinking during the workout. I drank one and a half liters today inbetween poses.
It is really due to burning calories- heard that you burn around 500 to 700 during a session. It is amazing how your body feels afterwords.

okay ......but since you have to actually burn 1500 calories to lose even one pound of actual body weight/fat- then if you are pounds lighter after a session where you only burned 700 calories- it seems like that must be water weight only.

Not saying it isn't great cardio exercise! If you do a couple sessions a week it would be great for weight loss.

drewl · 04-14-2008

I just recently discovered Bikram, and in fact yoga in general.
all I can say is wow!! This is a truly awesome experience. Yup, it's damn hot.. and I have never sweated so much in my life. But the heat really let's you open up the muscles and joints. Besides it being a good workout, I feel like I am stretching and working joints and muscles that aren't worked by "traditional" exercise!! Also, the detox effect of sweating that much liquid and wringing and stretching your internal organs is incredible.
I am hooked!!
Bikram studios should be around 105F and 40% humidity. Um.. for my Celsius friends, thats around 40.5C

Jacko · 04-14-2008

Linda is doing Iyengar (ayengar) yoga...I think I might start with that first...

u2girlie · 04-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewl

I just recently discovered Bikram, and in fact yoga in general.
all I can say is wow!! This is a truly awesome experience. Yup, it's damn hot.. and I have never sweated so much in my life. But the heat really let's you open up the muscles and joints. Besides it being a good workout, I feel like I am stretching and working joints and muscles that aren't worked by "traditional" exercise!! Also, the detox effect of sweating that much liquid and wringing and stretching your internal organs is incredible.
I am hooked!!
Bikram studios should be around 105F and 40% humidity. Um.. for my Celsius friends, thats around 40.5C

I've been dying to try Bikram....a girl i know from high school opened a studio a couple of towns over. I think I'm going to have to go for it!

drewl · 04-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacko

Linda is doing Iyengar (ayengar) yoga...I think I might start with that first...

Actually Jacko, Bikram was the first time I ever did yoga. And I did it because of the heat. First, I am one of those weidos that loves the heat and humidity.. second, I am not a really limber person, so that was going to make it easier. With Bikram, it's a set 26 poses, same ones everytime, do as much or as little as you can. There is also something called hot yoga, similar but not as hot, and a little slower moving, I'd recommend that as well. But that's the extent of my yoga experience, I know there are all differnt types, some more athletic and other more meditational.. I just know I wanted something with a warm to very hot room and wasn't so slow I'd be bored.

Joana · 04-14-2008

After a long break I started with Bikram again in January- and still love it.
And in fact sometimes it is about determination and also about feeling humiliated........accepting that you can't do some of the poses and need time for them (helloooooo- Camel pose....) is an exercise in itself if you are the competitive type.

**Heather** · 04-14-2008

I haven't done yoga in years, I really have to remedy that. I am SO not flexible, but with the heat here (and non-Air conditioned studios), every yoga class has a bit of Bikram in it.

Ellen de Jonge gives a power yoga class here that is a killer.

drewl · 04-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by u2girlie

I've been dying to try Bikram....a girl i know from high school opened a studio a couple of towns over. I think I'm going to have to go for it!

You should, it's powerful stuff! Hydrate well ahead of time and show up early for class. Pace yourself and if you need to, rest and skipp some poses.

drewl · 04-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joana

After a long break I started with Bikram again in January- and still love it.
And in fact sometimes it is about determination and also about feeling humiliated........accepting that you can't do some of the poses and need time for them (helloooooo- Camel pose....) is an exercise in itself if you are the competitive type.

it's funny, different poses for different people! In my limited experience, I have found it varies day to day.. some days I just don't have the balance.. others the strength.. who knows? I LOVE IT THOUGH!!

Joana · 04-27-2008

Am about to go to class- and just wanted to share my latest experience........

For weeks I was doing SUPER!!! Got into poses I never thought I would manage, managed to lock my knees in poses I couldn't before etc.. Also no probs with circulation.

Then- two classes ago I hit a wall. I don't know why- but during the last two classes I had to sit out a lot, my cirulation was giving me probs although I was hydrated....... it just plain frustrated me.
Now- I know this is part of the process. My teacher and I spoke about it and he said that he has the same thing going on at the moment.............

So I really wonder how class today will be- wether I'll finally break through the wall or have more of the sitting out to do.

It is a great lecture in patience with yourself in mind and body aside from a great workout (I am starting to develop a sixpack????!!!!

).

Namaste.

05-22-2006	#1 (permalink)
Joana Niiiice!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: With Quincy....... Posts: 4,969	Bikram Yoga Soooooooo- just got back from my first one and a half hours of Bikram Yoga. Holey moley. If I ever doubted that you can sweat around four liters in 2 min and survive now I know better. Used to do Kundalini Yoga- didn't like the esoteric stuff too much that went on there. But Bikram............I think me likey. Even though I was the one in the back of the class always falling over. Or looking at the others going "Hah- now you're just showing off!!! I can stand on one leg and put my head on the outstretched other one!! Yes I can..............eh wait..........head about two meters away from knee.......pah, next time!!!" So- anyone else here doing it?? How fast does one actually progress from redheaded poor thing in the back yapping for air and not getting anything done halfway to pretty decent??

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

05-22-2006	#2 (permalink)
Pour Favor way into it Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 173	It's an awesome workout! Really tough. Drink lots and lots of water as one can dehydrate quickly. They have a waiver now her in Vancouver that you have to sign re: dangers of dehydration. It does take some time to get good, I didn't give it enough time but it sheds the pounds off fast!

05-23-2006	#3 (permalink)
Jodeci life=playa Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 901	I haven't done Bikram but I do Ashtanga yoga, which I believe is similar but not done in a hot room. The key to yoga is to not be competitive and worry about what others are able to do. Once you let that go and focus on your own body exclusively, you will find that you quickly make progress with the poses. Enjoy and don't get dehydrated!

05-23-2006	#4 (permalink)
Rissask Brit basher Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 19,646	I haven't tried it but they finally are offering it at one of the local gyms here...I was talking to someone who works there and apparently they had to do some work on their thermostat/heating system to get the heat up high enough. I think she said the room is almost 40 degree Celcius?? Too bloody hot for me, I don't like to feel faint during a workout - and wouldn't any weight lost be water weight and temporary anyway? But I do hear raves that it does 'change your body' in amazing ways.

04-14-2008	#7 (permalink)
drewl life=playa Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Boston Posts: 831	I just recently discovered Bikram, and in fact yoga in general. all I can say is wow!! This is a truly awesome experience. Yup, it's damn hot.. and I have never sweated so much in my life. But the heat really let's you open up the muscles and joints. Besides it being a good workout, I feel like I am stretching and working joints and muscles that aren't worked by "traditional" exercise!! Also, the detox effect of sweating that much liquid and wringing and stretching your internal organs is incredible. I am hooked!! Bikram studios should be around 105F and 40% humidity. Um.. for my Celsius friends, thats around 40.5C

04-14-2008	#8 (permalink)
Jacko añejo Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 18,357	Linda is doing Iyengar (ayengar) yoga...I think I might start with that first...

04-14-2008	#11 (permalink)
Joana Niiiice!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: With Quincy....... Posts: 4,969	After a long break I started with Bikram again in January- and still love it. And in fact sometimes it is about determination and also about feeling humiliated........accepting that you can't do some of the poses and need time for them (helloooooo- Camel pose....) is an exercise in itself if you are the competitive type.

04-14-2008	#12 (permalink)
Heather Staff Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 9,401	I haven't done yoga in years, I really have to remedy that. I am SO not flexible, but with the heat here (and non-Air conditioned studios), every yoga class has a bit of Bikram in it. Ellen de Jonge gives a power yoga class here that is a killer.

04-27-2008	#15 (permalink)
Joana Niiiice!! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: With Quincy....... Posts: 4,969	Am about to go to class- and just wanted to share my latest experience........ For weeks I was doing SUPER!!! Got into poses I never thought I would manage, managed to lock my knees in poses I couldn't before etc.. Also no probs with circulation. Then- two classes ago I hit a wall. I don't know why- but during the last two classes I had to sit out a lot, my cirulation was giving me probs although I was hydrated....... it just plain frustrated me. Now- I know this is part of the process. My teacher and I spoke about it and he said that he has the same thing going on at the moment............. So I really wonder how class today will be- wether I'll finally break through the wall or have more of the sitting out to do. It is a great lecture in patience with yourself in mind and body aside from a great workout (I am starting to develop a sixpack????!!!! ). Namaste.

register to remove these adverts