Bikram Yoga

I tried it thanks to a Groupon but only did one class. It was just too much for me. They say it's normal to feel like you're going to get sick but sorry, that just isn't for me. Plus I think my teacher was a little judgy, sorry I had to stop to drink water before I passed out! Maybe I just need to find a better place/teacher but I don't see going back any time soon :laugh:

I have a Bikram Yoga membership, and I did it for a year going between 4 and 6 times a week. I assumed that I'd be able to do it and lose TONS of weight. When I started doing it, my weight fluctuated between 120 and 122, and when I cut down on doing it as much, my weight was 123 to 124. Here's the thing.

You do it for 90 minutes in a hot room. It feels like torture sometimes, but you feel SO good afterward.

Here's my experience:

It helped build leg muscle and helped with flexibility. It really helped me with range of motion in my neck and spine and cut down on migraines. It helped with peace of mind.

It did not tone my abs or inner thighs, and it doesn't tone your arms. They tell you it is a full body workout, but I didn't feel that I was super toned afterwards. My legs were stronger and I was more flexibile. I did build strength, and I felt so much more calm. I absolutely love it.

But, for calorie burn -- I would guess that for somebody my size, it is only 300 or 400 calories for the 90 minute session. Maybe 500 calories at most.

What you need to know if you'd like to do it:

1. Hydrate well during the day. You won't feel the heat quite as bad as if you go in dehydrated.
2. Don't eat right before you go in -- you will want to puke. You are supposed to eat lighter, but there was a huge gap in time between lunch and when I could attend class. I had a hard time with eating schedule because it would be 6 or 7 hours until I could have dinner, and I would feel ravenous. I believe I ate more.
3. Buy a yogitoes towel because it grips your mat well.
4. Buy moisture wicking clothes.
5. You need electrolytes to replace minerals you've lost from sweating. If you don't have them, you will feel weak and retain water and almost feel like you have flu symptoms. You need to make sure that you get minerals back in your system. Magnesium is one that they tell you is needed (spinach, almonds, etc.) If I remember correctly.
6. Bikram's book might tell you it is all you need to be fit and healthy; however, I didn't feel it was a full body workout. They tell you to go everyday if you can. If you go everyday, you will have flexibility, but it is nice to have a day or two off because doing it every day can help with flexibility and depth in your poses, but you may not be able to do the strength postures as long when your muscles are so weak. Taking two days off can be a wonderful break.
7. I personally don't understand the whole spiritual connection. If one considers the mind, body, spirit link, it feels like it helps balance your body and mind so that you can be more spiritual/receive guidance? I don't know -- I've never thought of it as spiritual. But, it does help clear the chaos out of your head.
8. It is seriously hard. The first time I went, I had Groupons for my husband and I to go. We got through about 2/3 of it, and he looked at me and mouthed "I hate you." I said, "I didn't know." I was hating life. It wasn't until I left and started driving home that an endorphin rush hit. I could take such deep breaths and felt SO good. I told him, "That was SO hard. I had no idea. Were we crazy? Wow! I am starting to feel so good that I can't wait to go back."
9. For food, I would recommend making sure you have a snack 2 hours before so that you don't feel ravenous and overeat afterward. That is probably the reason for the 2 extra pounds I gained.
10. I also found that I was more tired in the heat during the summer -- less tolerance for it. Not sure why, but I could barely stand to be outside. When I was, I felt so tired. And, I didn't have as much stamina to go for hikes and walks and such. They will say it is a good cardio, but I didn't find it to be a great cardio workout. That being said, it is still fantastic, and definitely try it.

If you won't to be fit and toned everywhere, throw in some cardio on the off days and maybe a couple of toning days as well. The yoga will keep you flexibile -- and you do work some of your muscles, but you won't have tight abs and tight arms or inner thighs from Bikram Yoga. You are only doing 26 postures each time -- the same 26 postures. Throw in a Vinyasa style if you want more arm work.

I feel like it helped me get through a job change, decision to start a master's degree, industry certifications, and a lot of stress working for an acquired company.