Bikram
Last spring, I made a commitment to myself. I was going to spend the summer getting in better cardio shape. And spend the winter maintaining my cardio shape as well as improving the tone to my body. I think I’ve achieved my summer goal, despite breaking my elbow. I ran a half marathon in early August and I’m thinking about throwing my hat into a 15K (9+ miles) in early November. Now, though, it’s time to start toning.
And one way I’d like to better improve the tone (and overall health) of my body is through yoga. While I’ve taken yoga classes in the past, I wouldn’t consider myself a student of the craft. It’s something people spend years studying, learning and perfecting. And I think many yoga students would say they could always learn more.
Historically, the yoga classes I’ve taken were always through my gym. They were always hit or miss there. There were some teachers I adored, others not so much. Times the classes were offered never seemed to match up with my schedule. If I missed one on Tuesday, there were no others offered until Wednesday. And the setting was never great. I always dealt with the noise from the rest of the gym, which can disrupt my concentration (though, some instructors might argue it’s an opportunity to really listen to yourself, above the din of outside noise).
Now that I’ve belonged to a new gym for almost a year, I can say the yoga classes there are also far from ideal. The class times are either in the morning (can’t do those during the week) or too late at night (let’s face it, for the girl who gets home from work at 5:00, waiting for a class that starts at 7 or 8 just isn’t great with the flow of my evening). And I haven’t really fallen in love with any of the instructors. So, I started to think about classes at an outside studio.
The other night, I tried my first class at a real yoga studio. I was there to take a Bikram yoga class. For those not in the know, Bikram yoga involves heating a room to 95-105 degrees and doing yoga movements in the heat (and humidity)! I knew I was in for a shock, but I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into.
I arrived early, to sign up and get a lay of the land. I walked into the room and it was hot. I had on a t-shirt and jeans (that I would soon change out of) and already I began to sweat. The instructor was very kind, showed me around and then pointed to a door leading to the yoga studio. What? This entry room wasn’t the heated room? Uh oh.
After changing, I walk into the yoga studio to set up my mat. The moment I walked in, sweat started forming on my upper lip. Then my forehead. And that’s before the class had even started. I took a long sip of water and dotted my forehead with my towel. Eventually, there were about 12-15 students who showed up (apparently, Monday nights are slow at the studio, and thus smaller classes). The class began.
Compared to other yoga classes I’ve taken, the moves themselves were not complicated. They were similar to other yoga poses I’d done, but did not involve the quick movements from one pose to another. Nor did they involve holding a position for very long. In this class, we’d do a series of 2-3 poses. Hold each for a minute. Rest. And repeat that series, this time holding the poses for 30 seconds.
Under normal circumstances, the movements would not be all that difficult. Well, that’s not entirely true. It’s not like I could contort my body into all the movements. But, I got them. I understood how I was supposed to lead my body. And I know I’ll eventually get to a point where I’m better at the poses. The real challenge is doing all this in a heated room. I was dripping with sweat. Within the first few minutes of the class. Try doing that for a 90 minute class. Not easy.
I’d say for the first 6o minutes, I was doing fine. Sweating like crazy. But, following the moves. Able to keep up. And then, it all hit me. I started to get incredibly tired. And weak. And even a little dizzy. I slowed down. Skipped some moves. Drank more water. You shouldn’t be surprised when I tell you I was not alone. Throughout the class, people skipped moves at certain points. Took time to drink water. Or just rest quietly on their backs. I think it’s just the nature of the Bikram beast.
After class, I took my time gathering my things. Drinking as much water as my weak body could handle. I slowly gathered my belongings and headed out to the car. Where I came to the realization I was going to have to drive. I wasn’t sure if I had it in me to drive. I got behind the wheel and started on my way home. While my head had cleared by this point, the weakness increased in my body. It hurt to drive. All I could think about was not having an episode like Alice did last week.
Holding the steering wheel at the top hurt my arms. Holding it at the bottom made me change my grip and hurt my hands. Sitting at a traffic light hurt my legs from holding down the brake. It seriously hurt to drive. When I got home (thankfully it was a short drive), Sweets said he’d never seen me like that. I was wobbly. Weak. Unsure if I could stand; too sore to sit still. I might have made a Facebook comment to the effect that I was going to wither up in a corner and die.
And yet, here I am today. Contemplating the next Bikram class I will take. In fact, I might have already signed up to take one today. Because, from what I hear, my body will adjust. My mind will adjust. And I’ll soon grow to fall in love with the practice.
September 16th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Bikram scares me. I’m not sure I want to try it. This post isn’t helping.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:28 am
My first yoga class ever was a Bikram class. It is great for me because I’m not at all limber. The heat gives my muscles some much needed flexibility. Your body will adjust, but for me that last half-hour is always challenging. Good luck!
September 16th, 2009 at 7:31 am
wow! that is brutal. i have never done it and it’s a bit scary. i’m wondering what the stats are on the hydration factor. obviously not dangerous, and i’m SURE they telling you to drink throughout. keep us updated…who knows, i may try one
September 16th, 2009 at 7:37 am
I was wondering if I was ready for yoga.
ahhh..nope.
September 16th, 2009 at 7:53 am
That class sounds amazing. I would love to try it. I actually like when I feel all week and yucky right after a workout. That sounds weird but I think I like it because then I know I accomplished something.
I’m so glad you are doing that 15k. I may show up for the 5k part if I am up to it, but I’m glad to know you will be doing it anyway. Plus I’m totally jealous about the goody bag you’ll get!
September 16th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Ha! I agree with what Kapgar said. ;)
Where did you take the class? I am scared to try Bikram. I’m afraid I’ll get dizzy, have trouble breathing, and/or pass out. But, I’d like to at least say I tried it!
September 16th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I love youga, I used to take it every week for a few months an dloved it. When I stopped, my body missed it. I take it here and there ar the gym but I fell of the gym band wagon and have to get back on.
September 16th, 2009 at 8:49 am
I’d love to try it but at the same time I’d prefer not to only because of the past dizzy spell I had (oh and I got checked, doesn’t seem like anything is wrong).
At the moment, I’m trying to get back into running. But you’ll have to tell us what you keep thinking. I’m guessing you need to take it easy in class, don’t push yourself too hard and you’ll work up to being able to do all the poses for longer periods of time.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hydrating the day before is more important than hydrating the day of. It makes a huge difference in how miserable I get during a class. You really CAN’T drink much during class because it will weigh down your stomach and make you feel sick as you move through the poses.
So happy that you are going! Let me know what studio you are going to and I will see if it’s the same one my cousin goes to. She came with me to a class while she was here, and has been going up there ever since! You could both use a Bikram buddy!
September 16th, 2009 at 9:10 am
you are my hero. just sayin. you rock for all the working out you do!
September 16th, 2009 at 9:11 am
We have a few Bikram Yoga studios here in the StL and I really want to try one but I’m insanely intimidated by them. I think I’ll have to bite the bullet and just try it, though their scheduled classes are at odd times (9:30 am? 2:30pm? or 6pm, but in StL traffic I would never make it) Who goes to these classes???) so I might have to wait until the weekend sessions. After reading this I’m definitely more interested in going and will perhaps arrange to have someone pick me up!
September 16th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I have never tried Bikram. I kind of like my yoga nice and easy -- otherwise I don’t enjoy it. And if I don’t enjoy it, I won’t return.
September 16th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I bow to you. I love yoga but detest being hot so Bikram is not an option for me. I’d rather pluck my eyelashes out one by one.
Too dramatic?
September 16th, 2009 at 10:04 am
good for you! i hear good things from people who stick with bikram. im glad you tried it and are heading back!
you might want to check out this blog- she’s a friend of mine and LOVES bikram: http://hannahjustbreathe.wordpress.com/
September 16th, 2009 at 10:22 am
I was giggling that whole post because I tried Bikram for a week before. It was like 20 bucks for 7 days. I had crush with me and he was scaring the sh*t out of me describing the class. I didn’t think it was possible to sweat that much. There were poses where you had to grab the back of your leg (apparently every singe bikram yoga class everywhere is exactly the same and it never changes) and I couldn’t because hand would slip off my sweaty leg. I also got scolded for wiping sweat from my face because I needed to just “let it out.” ha ha.
For the most part I liked it, but I think I would get bored with the repetitiveness and it just cost way too much for me right now.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Ahhh, another Bikram newbie who I’ll try to convert… I’m so excited Brookem shared the love! :)
Sounds like you came into your first Bikram class with such a great mindset—not judging, not stressing about what you could and couldn’t do, not fearful. Just curious, open, ready. For me, so much of my yoga practice is in my head—it’s such a mental form of exercise, and the physical part (and results) is just icing on the cake.
You’ll have classes that convince you never to come back. And you’ll have classes that make you want to come back 30 minutes later and start all over again. Each day is different. It’s just the way the yoga goes. The trick is—keep coming back. And drinking lots of water… :)
I do love to talk/write all things Bikram, so feel free to e-mail me! You have a lovely little blog here, by the way. So excited to have discovered it!
September 16th, 2009 at 10:39 am
oh man, i am terrified to do bikram. as we know, when my body overheats.. um… i don’t do so well :-) i do love yoga normally, but overheating my body on purpose? not a good idea for me, i don’t think!
September 16th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I love yoga but have never done bikram. I prefer the flow classes, like vinyasa, and I’m afraid the heat would get to me. 80-90 degrees is plenty for me!
September 16th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Girl -- you have more stamina than I do! I only ever took part in one yoga class (and one plates class). Both not for me (though I pride myself on being flexible thanks to my cheerleading days). And spin class? Haha -- hilarious.
I met with a physical trainer once who pushed me for two days way beyond my limits. I kept telling him that it hurt, and he kept insisting “no pain, no gain!” I LITERALLY had to be pushed around in a wheelchair for the remainder of the week. No joke.
Yes, I admire your desire to go back!
September 16th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Wow that sounds a little scary. But I guess if you can come out of a class like that and not be wobbly, you pretty much know you’re a badass. :) Was it smelly in there with all the sweating from people?
September 16th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I have a friend who does Bikram and she LOVES it. She goes on and on about it. It’s like a cult. So I say yeah, go you for sticking with it! You’ll get to that place soon enough.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
My sister loves her Hot Yoga. She tried to convince me to go, but I think it might be too much for me. I wilt with heatstroke on regular summer days. But if you can hack it, more power to you!
September 16th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Oh honey! You’re gonna love it! Stick with it and you’ll see. I promise it will do great things for you!
September 16th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I absolutely LOVE Bikram. It is SO hard but I love the challenge of it, and I really love how I feel afterward -- it basically makes me feel like I’m high. I get all buzzed and full of energy and I love it. But my first class was very similar to yours! I was able to make it through the whole class, but afterward I could barely move. I got home and passed out and had one of the best nights of sleep I’ve ever had. Yay for Bikram!
September 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
One of the benefits of living in a small town — things like Bikram yoga haven’t made it here yet. I am pretty sure I couldn’t do it anyway. I am entirely impressed that you’re going back — good for you!!
September 16th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Yeah, I wouldn’t last in that class- kudos to you for sticking it out. It sounds like a sauna and whether I go into a hot or dry one, I hate it, can’t breathe, and walk right out.
September 20th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Wow. I feel dizzy and sick with regular yoga! Bikram sounds so intense! Props to you for giving it a go!
September 20th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Good for you! I hear it’s addictive when you get into it. What do you like most about it?
There are two yoga studios in my town, and neither offer Bikram or classes at ideal times for me. I really, really hope that when I’m working the night shift, I can make it to some morning classes at one of the studios. I think it would be fun!
September 21st, 2009 at 11:10 am
I’m with Kevin. This bikram is a bit daunting.
My wife has been told she should do yoga for the problems she is having with her sciatic nerve. She wants a bit of support, so she’s asked me if I would join her. I’ve thought about it, but still need more time. I think maybe I should read more about what’s involved. I’m sure it’s going to be a good thing to do on a regular basis. but want to make sure it’s something I will stick with if it works.
September 27th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
Bikram was one of the best things to enter my life. And is now one of the biggest reasons I can’t fully embrace living in a smaller city (no hot yoga classes of any kind).
I definitely found it difficult when I first started. Being competitive, I forced myself to not rest as much as I should have, and boy did my body complain after. However, I learned a lot of lessons from going to class. And it ended up being one of the main reasons I started taking with Jay -- and where we went for our 2nd date.