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Bikram Yoga
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@katana – Yeah, I did actually try it in the class, right after we finished, so that wasn't the problem. For what it's worth, I did notice a good hamstring stretch- when we did the forward bend variations I was able to lay my face on my leg, which I can only do on really good days. We might just not have spent enough time on the hip flexors- mine are super tight.
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I haven't done a lot of yoga, but I have tried Bikram before. I didnt really like it enough to keep going. But I do remember enjoying the high afterwards. I just couldnt get over the gross floor in the studio that I went to, which I realize has nothing to do with the practice itself, but it was gross! Fuzzy floor that probably soaks up everyones sweat like a sponge. haha. It did loosen me up a ton. However, I have found that I like yoga practices where I build my own heat instead of getting placed in heat, because I see the flexibility gains when I am NOT in the studio. I feel almost like I sweat just as much in the ashtanga classes I have tried. I figure that with a good teacher who knows what they are doing, any yoga practice is going to help out with flexibility/strength goals. So if you don't like one particular method, try others that are available!
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I looove a good forward fold!
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Corby, that's actually a great point that I didn't think of. Trying other types of yoga so you don't just see improvement in the class only but also at home. Does Bikram help with flexibility at all then or just in the studio in that moment? I'm such a dummie when it comes to this kind of stuff; that probably sounds like a stupid question. That floor sounds DISGUSTING!!!! The floor in the studio I went to was wooden, I think. I'm not sure actually. Must notice this when I go back.
Elektra, I'm so sorry you had that experience! Are you going to go back or are you going to try other types of yoga? 🙁
Kitten- Vinyasa, I think once my groupon expires I'll look in to that too, I want to get into this and eventually be able to go several times a week.
My Mom bought the Groupon too, she's really excited but I'm worried for her, I don't know if she'll be able to handle the heat and I don't want her to have an actual stroke in there. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif Have you guys ever had someone try it who you were nervous for???
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I am definitely not the go to source on yoga. I imagine that with a continuous practice, Bikram will loosen you up overall. I just didn't like that I didn't work to build the heat myself within my body, felt too easy to potentially overstretch. And I also missed the mind/body connection. I couldnt focus in Bikram really at all, except on how much I didn't like being this sweaty and potentially dehydrated. But these were only my personal experiences.
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@Sascha – The experience wasn't really bad; it just didn't live up to the hype. I can't help but wonder if this is because it wasn't true Bikram, which would have been even hotter. On the other hand, I don't know if I could tolerate it any hotter!
I think I'll continue with yoga in one way or another. I usually go to a studio that's right on my street (the hot one is across town), and the nice part about that is that I can run home afterwards and do my splits training while I'm still warm. Their intermediate class gets me warm enough, if not quite as sweaty as hot yoga!
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Hmmm, you guys make some good points; the groupon was for 10 classes, maybe by then I'll be able to make a better judgment on it. What's the difference between Bikram and other yogas besides the heat? Are there different poses? Like do other yogas stretch different parts of the body aside from the Bikram poses??? I feel like this is a whole new world and I want in! 🙂
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I LOVE bikram yoga! It's addicitng. It is like being in hell, literallly, but somehow also feels amazing lol! After a class I'm like "If I can do that, I can do anything!" It varies from person to person but some people have to really do it regularly to see any kind of results/feel like you won't die during class : ) The guy who started this type of yoga (Bikram) thinks you should to do it EVERY DAY. Bring lots of water, don't eat for AT LEAST an hour before class, bring a towel for sweat wiping and if you are a germaphobe like me, a large towel to put under your yoga mat so you don't ever have to touch the sweat drenched carpet! Also if you have an instructor who pushes you fartehr than you are comfortable than find another one immediately. This type of yoga has become a fad recently, and now you have a lot of people teaching who really shouldn't be. One more word of advice – It is not good for your body to go from extreme heat to extreme cold, so after a class make sure you bundle up when you go outside, and give your body time to slwoly adjust to the temperature change.
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Also it's totally normal to not notice an improvement in your splits after one class. If you stick with it it will definitely make a difference.
This FAQ page will give you a lot of information too: http://www.bikramyoga.com/BikramYoga/FAQ.php#2
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L, thanks for posting that site!!!!! I was soooo sore after my first class, there was no way I could do it the next day. I'm gonna go tomorrow and I'm seriously counting the seconds. I'm so thankful for all of those tips you posted, thank you!!
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