Bikram yoga

[rawscal]

Has anyone tried this style of yoga and if so what benefits/results have you noticed? It seems like it's a great workout but I would like to hear some of your experiences before shelling out the dollars :)

[Revvell]

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21229&highlight=Bikram+Yoga
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12310&highlight=Bikram+Yoga
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9690&highlight=Bikram+Yoga
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7482&highlight=Bikram+Yoga

[rawscal]

Thanks Revvell,
I tried going to the website but for some reason my computer keeps giving me a page error message. It must be my computer cuz it's been doing that a bit lately. I'll keep trying. Thanks again :)

[Revvell]

Which website? All that information is on this website. Just go up to the search function and type in Bikram Yoga.

I'm sure others have had experiences since the last was written and posted as well. That's just a start.

Revvell

[goodbeets]

My husband and I have been doing Bikram yoga off and on for years. WhatI like is that once you have memorized the 26 poses, you have a program that works every muscle, every joint, every time. We have a book and a cassette tape but mostly work from the book. I have never gone to a class as the only one is 3 hours from our home. Bikram wants you to sweat so they turn the heat up - 90-100 degrees!! I have never done that as we don't have a small room nore the $ to afford that much fuel!! BUt, I would love to take a class and sweat!!! IT sound great for toxin removal. I currently do Bikram, rebound(mini-trampoline) and am looking into t-tapp. But, as a yoga program, Bikram is great.

[carolg]

t-tapp? What is this? Thanks.
carolg

[solarliving]

I've done Bikram Yoga 4 times and enjoy it. There was such diversity in my class too. A woman even brought her 2 children.

Prepare to sweat like you never have before. Drink extra water the day before, bring a gallon with you to class. Your skin will glow.

[goodbeets]

Just google "t-tapp" and you'll find plenty. Revell sent me a link once to ongoing conversation on rawfoodtalk but I am not that computer savvy!!

[rawscal]

Thanks everyone, I'm so excited about taking a class. There's a place about 1/2 hour from me so I'll try to get to a class soon. I think it will be especially beneficial for me in helping with my detox phase as I've not been 100% raw but have recommitted myself as of yesterday. I'm not that computer savvy either so I'll search for that discussion/thread again, too.

[Raw Mom]

Hi there,

I am a yoga teacher. Raw for about two months. I attended a Bikram class a long time ago in CA. The idea behind it is...the heat in the room warms the muscles, supposedly making it safer and easier to go into the postures, stretch and strengthen the muscles. However, warming up the body with specific warm up poses and stretches is a safer way. Reports are out that more people are doing harm than good in Bikram classes. Muscles are not meant to stretch and strengthen that quickly. It should be done at a slower pace, taking the time to stretch before and after. Bikram does not do this. The poses are great. ALL YOGA POSES are wonderful for something. AND I love the idea that heat releases toxins. IT sure does, we know that. Bikram doesn't have a relaxation at the end of the class either. I had one of my best AHAaaa moments in that Bikram class, in relaxation. Out of about 50 people, there were only about 4 of us that used that time to receive the practice. SOOOOO.. if you are doing the Bikram series in an unheated room, without the proper warm ups....big red flag. It is also a good idea to check in every once in awhile with a certified yoga teacher that can check your alignment. After all, if you are doing all these poses and you are out of alignment?....again...more harm than good. Be well and Peace
RAW MOM

[KombuchaCHIC]

I've done Bikram twice...just started a few weeks ago, in fact. The first class kicked my butt...I don't think I drank enough water before hand. The second time was much better. I drank the water from 2 young coconuts and added some of this water to my own drinking water I brought to class. It made a HUGE difference. Coconut water has more electrolytes than any other beverage, so its no wonder. I liked the sweating. My skin felt lovely afterward. I think I prefer a yoga class that isn't so routine, however, I loved sweating, so perhaps I'll make it a once every couple weeks thing.

[Vegan Princess]

I am totally addicted to bikram! My flexibility came back quickly and has improved so much in only 3 months. I love the way I feel so much that I often go 4-5 times/week and even go when I travel. Once you get used to the heat, it's not an issue anymore. When I go consistently and eat well, I definately lose weight. I also think I am getting more defined (not big, but defined) muscles from bikram than when I worked out with a trainer twice a week. I actually cancelled my gym membership to focus on yoga I enjoy it so much.

The first time I tried bikram I thought it was horrid! Years later I craved to try it again b/c my back hurt so much. I felt immediate improvement after the first class and have no back pain anymore (unless I get lazy about going). It's not for everyone, but I truly am glad I got into it!

Cindy

[Raw Magwene]

I love bikram, too, and have done it for 2.5 years now. I'm a total lizard in the winter, and going into the 105+heat when it's chilly out is bliss! My only caveats are the reek of the carpet (the studio I practice at was linoleum floors until last month, very sad) and drink plenty of water they day or 2 before going (up to one ounce per pound of body weight). Take a beach towel, a hand towel, and a washcloth. Wear shorts, for your own sake. Be ready to sweat. Do what you can, but honor your body's limits. Go back within 3 days for a second class. You'll be glad you did.

Bikram totally improved my circulation (I used to always have cold hands and feet, even in the middle of summer) and energy, and as RP says above, it eliminated my back and hand and wrist pain--I sew for a living, so you can imagine how stressful that can be on my body.

Best of luck,let us know how it goes!

[J Raw]

I've been doing Bikram for about 2 1/2 years as well and it's had a very amazing impact on my life. Never did I enjoy life so much until I began practicing regularly. The first month of classes for me were pretty painful. I kept the faith that some amazing things would start to happen like the instructors said they would and then they did. I was able to greatly reduce medications I was on after about 2 months of regular practice. My appetite balanced, my moods stabilized, i didn't need to wear orthotics anymore, my skin glowed. (to name a few). Ya, it's good.

[SusyQ]

I discovered bikram yoga and quickly became very addicted! It took 2-3 sessions (90 min each) to get used to the heat temp in the room. In the first class I was a little dizzy as I was not used to the heat and I cant stress enough to drink alot of water before and take a big bottle with you in the class. I made the error of putting some lemon juice in my water once and had bad cramps during the class. The instructors recommended electrolytes (Emergen C etc) that are very helpful. The poses are not too difficult and after you attend a few classes you get better. I was also told not too eat alot prior to classes..maybe a banana or something. It definitely lengthens and stretches your muscles. Joint pain I had in my legs/hip prior to doing bikram completely disappeared and I feel much more flexible. The best part for me was the total sense of peace and mental clarity you get after these classes. Stress, emotions just get worked out in these classes and you feel so much better on all levels. If you are new to yoga I would suggest doing some dvds at home etc to get used to it and you will be better prepared for the bikram. Also do not wear too much clothing wise and you will sweat alot! Shorts and a light top seemed to work well. You will LOVE the way you feel after these classes..truly a great experience!

[salsababy]

I joined hot yoga a couple of weeks ago. I love it!!! Actually, I pulled a muscle in my chest once and the doctor told me to take a shower and in the "steam" after the shower, stretch. I did and it works so well for me.

You get sopping wet with hot yoga. My clothes don't dry for days after the class so you best wash them. I am taking hot yoga for flexibility and balance, hoping it will aid me in other endevours I pursue. I have noticed more flexibility, sound mnid (yeah!), uhh....elimination (or at least I drink more water!), and my skin does better (my acne seems to go down a bit with the hotness of the room. :)

[Ingenue]

One of my lovely men-folk is positively addicted to Bikram and he's got me sold on it. We live in NYC so there are like 300 bikram studios in the area. There's one that's blocks from my work, so I think I'll be doing that a few times a week. Plus their beginner package is 1 week's worth of classes for $20! Including mat rental! Really, you can't beat that.

Em

[Ingenue]

So I signed up for the Bikram intro week and it is TRULY amazing. I've done three classes in three days and am totally prepared to go every day for the next week. After that every day for a month. Then maybe a year? You feel soooo amazing afterwards. Longer more consitent practice will clue me in a little more to the deeper benefits, but for right now? I am so grateful I was turned on to this.
:p

[sevenbravo]

My wife and I just completed 60 sessions of Bikram yoga in 60 days. The experience was incredible! What a physical, emotional, and spiritual journey! I would highly recommend it anyone in any physical condition!

[dread head vegan]

havn't tryed it yet. i just moved and found a studio 2 miles away from my apartment:eek: i'll try it out. seems like a lot of people like it.

[soulstar]

During my first Bikram Class I was TOTALLY HOOKED. I loved it right away.
At the end of the class I felt an incredible clarity and peace of mind! As if I had just meditated for hours!


I have seen other folks who barely made it through their first class and would NEVER go back.

I did 90 days in a row (except for a few Snow days when the studio was closed). It was the MOST transformational thing I have ever done! Truly a Body/Mind/Spirit experience for me. My primary teachers integrated a very strong meditative/spriritual thread through their classes which was an added bonus. I heard from many people who visited my old Bikram Studio that my teachers were among the best they had ever had. Two of them were professional dancers with a world of knowledge about body alignment and yoga both!

I think that sometimes the teachers can effect how new folks experience Bikram Yoga. Mine truly emphasized going SLOWLY at your own pace, coming early to class in order to stretch, and always encouraged us to stay for as long as we could at the end to really let the benefits of the class gel.

I experienced a couple of visiting Bikram teachers at my studio whose style was more aerobics or boot camp-like. Their pace, and higher vocal volume, and general PUSH feeling was jarring to me, after having becme accustomed to the extremely centered and meditative pace my regular teachers employed.
My regular teachers always helped align individuals during class. They were truly awesome. I was very fortunate to have them to learn from. I may never have taken so quickly to Bikram if their classes weren't my first exposure to the practice.

In any case, I had a lot of physical problems, some life long, that were releaved by the combination of heat and yoga.

I had done many other yoga classes, but I was never able to heal certain physical conditions until I experienced yoga WITH HEAT.

I have moved FAR away from a Bikram Studio :( , and hope one day to live in a location that has one very nearby.:)

For me, Having a regular Bikram Yoga was the best gift I have ever given myself. Eating Raw Foods is right up there, too!;)

Ciao,

Elena aka Soulstar

[Vegan Princess]

Hey Soulstar,

You should go to teacher training and open your own studio! They moved teacher training to Hawaii starting with the spring session. I so wish I could go. One day I will. :) I would love to travel the world teaching bikram yoga.

Cindy

[Kate]

hey bikram lovers!

I am a bikram teacher (certified Fall 2003)
I travelled around teaching Bikram Yoga (very fun, little pay...)
It is a great way to get athletes into the yoga world.

I recommend balancing your Bikram practice with another style of yoga that emphasizes alignment, (ie. iyengar, or even ashtanga)
It is important to know what the muscles and bones are working towards in the posture; to understand how the pose works from the inside out -- not just what it is "supposed" to look like in the mirror.
Find a teacher who teaches to a room of individuals. Not one that barks out scripted orders at a group.

The Bikram teacher training is expensive and North America is pretty close to reaching it's capacity of studios (especially in urban areas)
If you happen to live in Canada, there is a great, more complete, and much cheaper teacher training offered by Ted Grand (Moksha Yoga). It is very similar to the Bikram series (heat and all) except they vary the postures a little from class to class.
In the US, there is Baron Baptistes Power Yoga (Boston) which is also a vigourous series in a hot room. check it out!

No matter what form of hot yoga you practice, be sure to refuel with celery-cuke based GREEN JUICES after class. and treat yourself to lots of FRUIT! You need it after all that sweat.
During my Bikram teacher training, I ate like a HORSE. I'm talking almost 3000 calories a day (vegan, at least 1/2 raw) and I am/was a tiny girl: 5'10'' 125 pounds.
Being in the hot room sometimes causes me to eat less (especially after teaching back to back sessions... nausea) Therefore DRINK more. Fresh fruit and veggies! oh and water!
MSM powder will save you.
As will epson salt baths

Have fun!