Bikram Yoga = Angry Elf

tobielauren

The last three times I have been to Bikram Yoga (hot yoga), I have been aggitated, aggressive, angry...aka turns me into an Angry Elf (gotta love Elf references in June). I put everything I have into the practice, and maybe it is just exhaustion and the heat, but I absolutely love it and don't want any more meltdowns/ aggressive and angry behaviors occuring

Does this happen with anyone else?

xcinnamonx

I laughed when I read this post because I know exactly what you are talking about. When I first started doing hot yoga, I was angry, aggravated, thought it was the dumbest thing ever, and I swore I was never coming back. I think the reason why I felt that way was because I was being too competitive against myself. I expected to be flexible through all the poses, perform them perfectly, and hold the form as still as possible! But it doesn't work like that. Yoga should join your mind and body, not make them compete. You have to give yourself credit for your effort. Once, I got so frustrated at the end that I asked the instructor if it's even worth coming anymore. She said she has really bad days too, so it's normal. Just remind yourself that you are doing a good thing by being there and trying. Remind yourself that things are going to be okay

Sharonks

I wonder if something isn't balanced in your practice. Too much forward or back poses, face up, face down. See if you seem to be doing too much of one or the other.

tobielauren

Honestly, I think part of it is I don't like how the instructors talk to us (if I'm going to be doing 90 minutes of yoga in a hot room, I want someone to be soothing). I understand being a bit more than instructive, I get that I'm a coach and went through years of gymnastics/track/etc. and know that coaches sometimes get edgy. But I don't know. I haven't been back in close to a week, and I feel okay. (I have joined a new gym and have been going every day with my father). I'm just glad I didn't buy a huge large packet. And there are some people that go every day or twice a day?! To me that's crazy ...so I've made hot yoga a once a week thing rather than few day a week thing...we'll see what happened with that (plus I can't do all the poses because of an injury to my foot).

Alicia_Monique

I LOVE hot yoga!

It's weird that you would feel angry afterward, I feel so good, so relaxed, so peaceful. And, I'm surprised that your guide isn't being soothing. Mine usually explains how to get into the pose, and what it's good for. Yoga is supposed to be body & soul challenging, but definitely not stressful!

tobielauren

My best friend and I went on the same day...she enjoyed herself...but I think because I am in the sport/exercise business (sport and exercise psychology) I critiqued almost everything they said...and both the instructors snap their fingers...that's just a pet peeve of mine lol

hula808

The biggest part to Bikram is not the poses but settling the mind.
Less body work & less mind work. Just accept and "no mind."

theblackbirdtree

My best friend and I went on the same day...she enjoyed herself...but I think because I am in the sport/exercise business (sport and exercise psychology) I critiqued almost everything they said...and both the instructors snap their fingers...that's just a pet peeve of mine lol

Sounds like you're entering the practice in a state of mind that births the agitation you're suffering with.
Try a new studio and make a promise to yourself that you will drop any expectations, fully immerse yourself into a new world. Kind of like visiting a foreign country where they speak a language you don't know, and you're expected to be around these people for 90 minutes.
I finally enjoyed my bikram yoga once the expectations and idealisms were dropped. it's tough, but you're a tough cookie and can do anything for 90 minutes! :flowerforyou: