Bikram Yoga...my take

Dave Paton · 02-16-2008, 04:41 PM

I went to a Bikram Yoga class today. I read about it last week in a Dan John article. I was really sore today from doing heavy squats on Thursday and decided to do this instead of oly lifting. I will make up for that tomorrow. For those that don't know (i didn't until a couple of days ago) Bikram Yoga is yoga done in a really hot environment. The room was like 105-110 degrees with 50% humidity. I am sure there is more to it, but that's what kind of makes it unique. I had done one yoga class about 3 years ago.

Well, it was really hot as advertised. I sweated buckets. I can't say much about the yoga, because i am a complete novice. Afterwards, i was totally whipped, but my joints felt good. Kind of like a hot massage or something.

Would I go back? I don't think so. The truth is, I don't really like yoga. I would rather just lift heavy stuff over my head and then sit in a steam room.

Dave Paton · 02-16-2008, 04:42 PM

I guess it's called Brikam. not Bikram.

sarena kopciel · 02-16-2008, 04:46 PM

Hey I did Bikram for 4 years straight at least 5x week. I even managed a Bikram studio in NYC for about a year!! The yoga postures are fairly easy in as far as yoga is concerned but the heat is what makes it more difficult. The teachers are taught according to a strict dialogue are not allow to veer off that path...

Needless to say, I dont do Bikram anymore!

Jordan Glasser · 02-16-2008, 07:47 PM

I'm not here to bash Yoga. But, BE CAREFUL if you are not a flexible person and practice Bikram yoga regularly. The duration of the poses, combined with the heat, are potentially dangerous if the subject is not extremely aware of what is being stretched.

Sweat away....

Garrett Smith · 02-17-2008, 12:41 PM

I liked Bikram when I went (you had the spelling right the first time, Dave), at least the postures that were selected for use. Doing them twice through was a good thing also, IMO.

I also felt completely whipped afterward and didn't like how my other workouts suffered.

I could see including it once a week. That reminds me, I still have three passes to Anusara yoga that I need to use sometime. I think one time a week of that would be enough as well.

That DJ article was definitely a good reminder of recovery methods, both time- and $$-wise.

Oh yeah, doing Bikram in Tucson in the summer is about as stupid as it gets, unless one likes dehydration and electrolyte depletion!

sarena kopciel · 02-17-2008, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

I liked Bikram when I went (you had the spelling right the first time, Dave), at least the postures that were selected for use. Doing them twice through was a good thing also, IMO.

I also felt completely whipped afterward and didn't like how my other workouts suffered.

I could see including it once a week. That reminds me, I still have three passes to Anusara yoga that I need to use sometime. I think one time a week of that would be enough as well.

That DJ article was definitely a good reminder of recovery methods, both time- and $$-wise.

Oh yeah, doing Bikram in Tucson in the summer is about as stupid as it gets, unless one likes dehydration and electrolyte depletion!

Guess that is what Emerg_C is for!! No wonder they sell that along with that coconut water is most Bikram studios these days!!