Bikram - sweating it out...

[Alissa]

I have started to do bikram yoga and I'm addicted to it!
Anyone else here into it?

I've done yoga off and on for years, always went back to my bodybuilding and other hard-core sports. When I did yoga it was mostly ashtanga. But for some reason I never stuck to it.

I am so into this though. It feels like my body is just moving effortlessly through the movements and needing to sweat. Wow, im so turned on to this, IÂ’m going every morning!

Love to hear your thoughts from others who have experienced bikram.

Thanks!
Alissa

[monkeyboy]

Hi Alissa,

I don't do yoga. My 7 year old daughter does it 3 days a week. I think it's really more meditation but she's cool with it.

I'm into hiking and biking. We live in a great town in Connecticut with trails and paths. We live not far from David Letterman and Paul Newman. Nice guys by the way.

I just can't seem to get myself to the gym. I've given bodybuilding some thought but to be honest, we're in the process of expanding our business so my time is really limited.

We are looking at a restaurant property, though, it won't be raw.

Peace,
M.B.

[pattie]

Hi M.B,
ThatÂ’s so cool your daughter is doing yoga! You sound like a cool dad!

My husband bought me a new bike for my birthday so Ive been getting back into that again, but itÂ’s kind of like risking your life down here the way people drive, so itÂ’s a bit scary!

I used to be into hiking, I miss NH for that.

Funny, ive always been into the gym and lifting weights, I would switch for a while but then always went back, something about feeling strong and the power of lifting, I liked the way it made me look also. I don't particularly like that scrawny look. Not that I could ever get that way. Even eating a mono diet for a year, hiking and taking up running I still had my Endomorph structure...that after picture of me in the gallery is from that time and I keep saying I need to get back to that, but I donÂ’t know if im up to the challenge! I literally had to work out all day!!!!

Ya, starting a gym routine with other priorities can be tough. Going to the gym for me is like brushing my teeth, just part of who I am, thatÂ’s why I think it interesting im hooked on the bikram. Usually I would do it for a few days and then be on to something else.

Im trying to go everyday so it becomes a habit since im afraid ill start saying im too busy and then just go back to my gym routine since itÂ’s ingrained.

Wow, opening a restaurant??? I grew up in the restaurant business and spent my life behind the counter of a deli! My husband was in it for 30 years also, just sold his last one last year, so my question to you that im sure you have been asked a bunch of time is, and not to burst your dreams, ill support you pal with anything you choose, but gotta ask
ARE YOU INSANE!!!
Tough business you know? What kind of restaurant and what do you mean NOT RAW :D

[Alissa]

Hi M.B,
ThatÂ’s so cool your daughter is doing yoga! You sound like a cool dad!

My husband bought me a new bike for my birthday so Ive been getting back into that again, but itÂ’s kind of like risking your life down here the way people drive, so itÂ’s a bit scary!

I used to be into hiking, I miss NH for that.

Funny, ive always been into the gym and lifting weights, I would switch for a while but then always went back, something about feeling strong and the power of lifting, I liked the way it made me look also. I don't particularly like that scrawny look. Not that I could ever get that way. Even eating a mono diet for a year, hiking and taking up running I still had my Endomorph structure...that after picture of me in the gallery is from that time and I keep saying I need to get back to that, but I donÂ’t know if im up to the challenge! I literally had to work out all day!!!!

Ya, starting a gym routine with other priorities can be tough. Going to the gym for me is like brushing my teeth, just part of who I am, thatÂ’s why I think it interesting im hooked on the bikram. Usually I would do it for a few days and then be on to something else.

Im trying to go everyday so it becomes a habit since im afraid ill start saying im too busy and then just go back to my gym routine since itÂ’s ingrained.

Wow, opening a restaurant??? I grew up in the restaurant business and spent my life behind the counter of a deli! My husband was in it for 30 years also, just sold his last one last year, so my question to you that im sure you have been asked a bunch of time is, and not to burst your dreams, ill support you pal with anything you choose, but gotta ask
ARE YOU INSANE!!!
Tough business you know? What kind of restaurant and what do you mean NOT RAW :D

[magnolia]

I have never tried the bikram yoga, but I used to do ashtanga once or twice a week. Amazing flexability gains, and improved posture. I miss it :(

[monkeyboy]

Hi everyone,

The restaurant idea is an investment in a well established property. There's real estate involved and a few other angles. I know all about the restaurant business. If I told you more about my personal side you'd see. I guess I just don't want everyone on the internet knowing everything about me. I know a few culinary guys who want to branch out. Thanks for your concern.

At the moment, research says a raw restaurant will not fly. I think if you had one down by Yale it might work.

Peace,

M.B.

[Alissa]

Oh, ok, i just didnt want to picture you slaving behind a grill...
i should have known you were too smart for that! ;)
Best,
Alissa

[Gosia]

This discussion reminds about my desire to start going to the gym! I do biking, but no yoga (my husband is into that). I used to go to the gym in the past and really loved it, so I want to start going again. Just have to get my act together. Common, girl!

[Alissa]

Well I am craving the gym already!
In think I will do bikram in the A.M and got to the guy later in the day.
Although I hate being inside this much, Im constantly on the computer and shipping orders, itÂ’s so hot here now itÂ’s hard to do anything outside, except swim. So ok, thatÂ’s what im going to do. Maybe ill do the 30-day challenge with you all and see what changes this new schedule brings about. Ok, ya, I think I will, ill start on the 23rd when I get back from Boston.

[Sweet lips]

Been back in the gym for almost 6 weeks and for the first time I am loving it. I do a weight training program, but after being a member for two years, I have started doing the classes [by the way, I didn't even go much], any way, I did the kickboxing class twice last week and loved it, and a couple of others. I will be doing a spinning class tomorrow morn. ]

Alissa, I live so far down in the country -southern maryland and there is no Bikram class I am aware of in my area - now you have given me a reason to research this to see if there is one close to my job - my sisters who live in nyc, rave about it as you have.

Let's all do this for 30 days and see the changes! :o

[Alissa]

good for you sweet lips! afer 30 days of workouts you will see an amazing change in your body and mind for sure!
Best,
Alissa

[smasty]

MB flipping burgers....I can't quite see it. Thanks for getting that picture out of my head :)

[monkeyboy]

Hi everyone,

No flipping for me. It never hurts to look into some and see if it might work. With anything in life or business I usually know if I'm going to like something or somebody in the first few minutes.

I like this site. You're in the club.By the way I'm up at the CAPE...Cape Cod today and tomorrow. Weather is good and kids are running around.

Peace,

M.B.

[RawGirl]

[QUOTE=Alissa,
My husband bought me a new bike for my birthday so Ive been getting back into that again, but itÂ’s kind of like risking your life down here the way people drive, so itÂ’s a bit scary!

What a sweetheart he must be :)

Is it a mtn bike?? I love riding my bike. It's one of my most favorite things to do.. Do you have any trails down there you can ride.. When you come back to Boston you can ride on the trails around Charles River. If you're ever in Vt. ride on the Burlington Trail on the river. That's a great ride also..

I made your Pizza Bread the other day and even tho I need to get a new dehydrator (as I mentioned to you) it came out good.. Great taste but it was not soft or semi soft like I wanted it to be. I put it on at night and by morning it was getting more cracker like than bread. Put some of your spinach dip along with one of the cheeses..and it was delish.. My husband said is that another one of Alissa's recipe. Guess I'm going have to make it quite often for him now..not that I need an excuse :)

[Gosia]

I wonder what is everyone opinion on getting rid of flubby bits. It seems to me that exercise is great to tone or build some muscles, but to get rid of that flub, one really needs to lose fat. Fat under the skin makes it hang down and look flubby, in my opinion. So, it seems that the diet is the real solution. Of course, there are far more important problems in the world the people's flub. However, I would happily get rid of my dangling bits, so do not condemn me for mentioning this topic.
Cheers to all,
Gosia.

[Alissa]

Hi Raw girl,
Yes he's a sweetie! I donÂ’t have a lot of trails, at least not that I know of yet, but there are lots of bike paths along the beach and we live about 1 minute from the beach. So itÂ’s a nice ride!
DonÂ’t let the pizza bread get too crisp, if you leave it in to long it will get too stiff to roll.

Gosia,
Yes we probably wonÂ’t be solving world peace here but if we can solve this problem wow! Imagine how many happy women there would be!
Well, I agree that it is diet but also working out is major for this! Even if you lose weight the skin will hang. How do you know its fat and not extra skin?
I've seen a LOT of skinny skinny women and they are flabby so I actually tend to disagree and think it is more skin that needs toning and working out then fat that needs to be dissolved. As you tone and tighten you will also lose the fat that is under that skin and muscle so it will be doing both.
Best,
Alissa

[Gosia]

Alissa, my belief that it is extra fat not skin was influenced by the following article:
http://www.bodyfatguide.com/LooseSkin.htm
I wonder what everyone thinks of it?

[Sharon]

Hi all - can someone explain this type of yoga? Is it what many call Power Yoga? I have a problem with my SI joint, (the joint in the lower back/hip almost in the butt) My problem is that I'm too loose! So my physical therapist isn't wild about pilates or yoga for me, which is a bummer. I can do gentle things, but some of the positions wreak havoc. It feels like sciatic problems. ANyway - sorry about the digression. Just curious about the yoga.

Cheers! :rolleyes:

[Alissa]

Hi Sharon,
Bikram is like power yoga where it is done in a 'hot' room. It really vigorous like power yoga but power yoga is called ashtanga. Bikram is pretty intense and doesnÂ’t sound like what you may want with your joint problems. Also bikram teachers tend to 'push' you to extremes...
You may want to try restorative yoga; a friend of mine has been doing it for his back and is really impressed with how he's feeling. Or if you cant find a class in that maybe gentle or hatha yoga....
Best,
Alissa

[thunderdancer]

Gossia - just wanted to say thank you for that link - VERY interesting! I'm passing it onto a friend who would be interested.

Haven't read it all yet but it looks good.

[Gosia]

Yes, I also think that it is interesting. I firmly believe that if I follow the low-fat raw diet for longer, I WILL get rid of all my flubby bits!


I love your hat!!!

[Analeah]

I recently moved to Europe and I haven't been able to find any classes which offer Bikram Yoga but I have seen power yoga advertised. Before I left I took a few Bikram yoga classes and they were wonderful! My muscles literally felt like they had been worked our for hours on end after the class and I felt great afterward! I decided to buy the Bikram book and now I follow along with the book at home (in sweats to keep my body warmed up) and do it myself. I only usually do it for about a half hour to forty-five minutes but I notice when I do it I feel less hungry and more relaxed throughout the day. I am fairly new starting out on the raw food diet and I find the day much much easier when I have done just a half hour of yoga during the day. Has anyone here done both power yoga and Bikram yoga and know how they are similar and how they are different? Thanks!

[Sadii]

Can someone explain Bikram to me? (More in depth.) Sorry to be ignorant, but the only yoga I remember wouldn't make you sweat. This is aerobic? Better than running/easier on joints? It sounds great, but someone will have to film it, or is power yoga similar (I don't know what that is either) - can't find DVD online, and Boise isn't that big yet!

Thanks,
Kathy

[ConsciousCuisine]

Bikram Yoga is a series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises created by Bikram Choudhury. The series, performed in a hot room for 90 minutes, systematically stretches and strengthens every muscle, ligament, tendon and joint in the body. Simultaneously, it works the cardiovascular and circulatory systems, massages your internal organs and stimulates the nervous system for a complete workout.

[Sadii]

Thanks, CC! :)

[Sharon]

HI - I didn't look at your link yet, but I work with exercise physiologists and have been reading and interested in the subject for 15 years. Used to be a runner. Anyhew - to get rid of flubby bits I'm with Alissa, ya gotta work out. I don't know how old you are, but as we age our skin loses its elasticity and doesn't "bounce back" so well! I don't want to sound preachy, but for many reasons, strong muscles are important. I addition to looking good, they'll help you keep your balance so you don't fall in old age, break a hip and die! Happens all the time, I've seen it. Can you tell I work in a hospital? ;) I'll check out the link, but seriously, raw diet alone won't firm up your skin.

In health and best wishes,
Sharon :D

[coffeesquirrel]

ok on the skin thing... has anyone known someone who lost a ton of wt and had toned skin in the end? .... here's to hoping i don't end up having to roll up my skin at the end of all my weight loss lol ... also on the yoga note.. one of our clients does this every morning early and swears by it. and she looks great and seems to handle stress very well.


jen

[flutterfly]

This just reminded me that I have a very good tape "Flextasy" that I use to do. I have not done it for a years as I didn't have my VCR but now I have it. Tomorrow I will be doing my tape. Thanks !!!

[heather]

i do baptiste power vinyasa yoga in a heated room. very strenuous and very sweaty!! I HAVE NEVER WORKED THIS HARD IN MY LIFE (and i have beena distance runner for years)!!!! i plan to go to teacher training in Oct.

what a great body-mind-spirit workout!!

[Ronnierage]

Hello Alissa,

I have been doing Bikram Yoga for the last 2 years! For me it is a love hate relationship! Better known as 90 mintues of hell, however I do savor the hours of heaven afterwards. I really never thought of doing yoga, for some reason I thought is was for women. Silly me, I played 5 years of division 1 football and in my opinion Bikram is a harder workout. How I got into Bikram is they opened one down the street from my house, easy access. Hardest thing about Bikram is showing up. I go about 3 times a week. Currently with my 30 raw foods challenge ...I'm attempting to do 25 classes within 30 days! I'm 13 days into it! :eek:

Keep up the great work helping people!

Sincerely,

Namaste

Ron
CFO
http://blacklabrador.com

[twinyoga]

I've been studying with a teacher whose style is Jivamukti. I love it. We use a very warm room (but not hot) and it's a very deep class, even on a spiritual level.