Taking 1st Bikram Yoga class Sunday
Scar1964
Posts: 92 Member
I'm 48 yr. old male that has absolutely no flexibility and have never done any Yoga. Is this going to kill me?
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Replies
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I'm 48 yr. old male that has absolutely no flexibility and have never done any Yoga. Is this going to kill me?
It's pretty different than any yoga I've ever done, so your lack of experience is probably not a problem. The heat helps with flexibility, and it's fine to sit out for a pose (lots of people do). In my opinion the focus is more on concentration, breathing, and balance, and less on flexibility, though there are a few times where you'll be twisted up like a pretzel. I'm going to guess that if anything kills you it will be the heat! That is the part that makes it so challenging.0 -
I'm 48 yr. old male that has absolutely no flexibility and have never done any Yoga. Is this going to kill me?
It's pretty different than any yoga I've ever done, so your lack of experience is probably not a problem. The heat helps with flexibility, and it's fine to sit out for a pose (lots of people do). In my opinion the focus is more on concentration, breathing, and balance, and less on flexibility, though there are a few times where you'll be twisted up like a pretzel. I'm going to guess that if anything kills you it will be the heat! That is the part that makes it so challenging.
Thanks. Maybe I should re-think this.0 -
Don't rethink it at all. It is great, just make sure to take a lot of water and be hydrated before you go. I think it is a great experieince and look forward to my class once a week.0
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Don't rethink it at all. It is great, just make sure to take a lot of water and be hydrated before you go. I think it is a great experieince and look forward to my class once a week.
Yeah, my daughter won't let me back out of it anyway. She has been a few times and really likes it. OK, going for it this Sunday. I will post results Monday.0 -
I can't wait to hear what you think! I just had my first class a few weeks ago and I love it. It is honestly one of the best parts of my week and I wish I could do it every day. I have very limited hamstring flexibility but I have seen major changes in just these few weeks. Don't rethink! Just dive in! Good luck and I hope you love it too.
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I was unable to make it to class Sunday due to having a 16 yr. old boy and his inability to make good decisions. Screwed up all plans for Sunday. I will try again next weekend.0
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You will be fine and it is the right place for you -- your only goal during the first class will be to stay in the room the whole 90 minutes.
Stick with it for at least a couple months before making any judgements about the practice.0 -
You will be fine and it is the right place for you -- your only goal during the first class will be to stay in the room the whole 90 minutes.
Stick with it for at least a couple months before making any judgements about the practice.
ROGER THAT!!!!!
No judgements, I know it is going to be difficult. Nothing that is good for you seems to be easy.
My intent, for now, is to attend once a week and see what happens.0 -
I hope you enjoy the Bikram Yoga. Keep in mind, it's not for everyone. Some of my girlfriends won't even give it a try (afraid of the heat and afraid of sweating). If you like to sweat and can tolerate heat --> IT'S A FANTASTIC WORKOUT!!!
Be patient with yourself, do your best, and take it one day at a time. And DON'T COMPARE yourself to others in the class, they may have been practicing for years.0 -
I hope you enjoy the Bikram Yoga. Keep in mind, it's not for everyone. Some of my girlfriends won't even give it a try (afraid of the heat and afraid of sweating). If you like to sweat and can tolerate heat --> IT'S A FANTASTIC WORKOUT!!!
Be patient with yourself, do your best, and take it one day at a time. And DON'T COMPARE yourself to others in the class, they may have been practicing for years.
I am going to give it an honest try w/ positive attitude and see what develops. It's not the heat that I am worried about, it might be a degree cooler than an average summer day here in south Texas (kidding). I worried that I will not be able to do a fraction of the exercises. I guess once you enter the room, you must remain till the end of class. Thanks for encouragement.0 -
It's totally fine not to do everything on your first class :-). Just go with where your body is willing to go. I've been going for about 2 years and I still have a hard time with some poses at times. You have good days and bad days. You'd feel so good after though.
Good luck!!!!0 -
It's totally fine not to do everything on your first class :-). Just go with where your body is willing to go. I've been going for about 2 years and I still have a hard time with some poses at times. You have good days and bad days. You'd feel so good after though.
Good luck!!!!
Thanks.
I wil be going Sunday to investigate and reporting Monday on my 1st time experience.0 -
It's totally fine not to do everything on your first class :-). Just go with where your body is willing to go. I've been going for about 2 years and I still have a hard time with some poses at times. You have good days and bad days. You'd feel so good after though.
Good luck!!!!
This is the best advice! I've been practicing for 2 years as well and sometimes I go in and can do everything, and sometimes I can barely do a thing. Every class is different and every class has it's benefits even if you feel like you didn't do much.0 -
I am off exercise for the last month due to arthiritis on my knee and created a baker's cyst on the back of R knee. Lunges n squats hurts bad... Cardio queen for 2 years, 5 lbs up and 5 lbs down and as a result injured my knee (2 knee surgeries). I am going to definitely research a nice clean studio. I am such a germ and odor freak that this is my only hesitation in siging up for classes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated....
I practice pilates and regular yoga...:flowerforyou:
Best regards,
Rosie0 -
Hi Rosie,
I too have bad knees, can't do lunges and squats, even cardio can be difficult for me (torn cartilage many times, torn meniscus, patellofemoral syndrome since I was 13.) Bikram has improved my knees so much. That being said, there is still a lot I have trouble with in class. Talk to your teacher before you start and let them know your problems. I have a lot of difficulties during Awkward Pose (which is like a squat) so I just go slow and not as deep as they want. Same with Eagle and Toe Stand. Fixed Firm though painful at first, has been the best for me. And I have a lot of difficulties with Triangle. Most classes I can't do it. As long as your teacher knows your problems, they'll help you find ways to get through it and talk you through it. The key is to not rush the pose and get the proper form. I find that's something with a lot of newbies (myself included) you rush to get the flexibility of the pose, but sacrifice proper form for it.
Cleanliness - I've only been to one studio which is amazing at keeping it clean, I imagine they all do their best to stay clean. Bring flip flops since studios don't let you wear outdoor shoes throughout. See if you can find one that doesn't have carpet.
Best wishes!0 -
Hi Rosie,
I too have bad knees, can't do lunges and squats, even cardio can be difficult for me (torn cartilage many times, torn meniscus, patellofemoral syndrome since I was 13.) Bikram has improved my knees so much. That being said, there is still a lot I have trouble with in class. Talk to your teacher before you start and let them know your problems. I have a lot of difficulties during Awkward Pose (which is like a squat) so I just go slow and not as deep as they want. Same with Eagle and Toe Stand. Fixed Firm though painful at first, has been the best for me. And I have a lot of difficulties with Triangle. Most classes I can't do it. As long as your teacher knows your problems, they'll help you find ways to get through it and talk you through it. The key is to not rush the pose and get the proper form. I find that's something with a lot of newbies (myself included) you rush to get the flexibility of the pose, but sacrifice proper form for it.
Cleanliness - I've only been to one studio which is amazing at keeping it clean, I imagine they all do their best to stay clean. Bring flip flops since studios don't let you wear outdoor shoes throughout. See if you can find one that doesn't have carpet.
Best wishes!
Thank you lady. Your body looks amazing!!! I am 40 yo, 5'1 and 108 and I really hate complaining about my knee my it freaking hurts and I use to rush to poses due to the pain. Thank you very much as I am trying to get these 8 lbs down and still struggling for over a year, sad but thrue. Focusing on diet but I really want o start getting back into yoga n pilates as baker's cyst is healing. Great idea of not carpet. I will start my search and your feedback is greatly appreciated. Have a fabulous day!!:flowerforyou:0 -
Thank you lady. Your body looks amazing!!! I am 40 yo, 5'1 and 108 and I really hate complaining about my knee my it freaking hurts and I use to rush to poses due to the pain. Thank you very much as I am trying to get these 8 lbs down and still struggling for over a year, sad but thrue. Focusing on diet but I really want o start getting back into yoga n pilates as baker's cyst is healing. Great idea of not carpet. I will start my search and your feedback is greatly appreciated. Have a fabulous day!!:flowerforyou:
Ha! That's not my body, that's my motivation. I used to have a stomach like that, then my son came along.
I had accepted that I would live with my knee pain for the rest of my life. I had to quit figure skating in my teens because of it. But they have improved so much since I started Bikram. The heat feels so good. I try to get a spot in the corner of my studio furthest from the side mirrors so that if I find I have to leave a pose early and sit out, I don't feel I'm disturbing the concentration of others.0 -
Thank you lady. Your body looks amazing!!! I am 40 yo, 5'1 and 108 and I really hate complaining about my knee my it freaking hurts and I use to rush to poses due to the pain. Thank you very much as I am trying to get these 8 lbs down and still struggling for over a year, sad but thrue. Focusing on diet but I really want o start getting back into yoga n pilates as baker's cyst is healing. Great idea of not carpet. I will start my search and your feedback is greatly appreciated. Have a fabulous day!!:flowerforyou:
Ha! That's not my body, that's my motivation. I used to have a stomach like that, then my son came along.
I had accepted that I would live with my knee pain for the rest of my life. I had to quit figure skating in my teens because of it. But they have improved so much since I started Bikram. The heat feels so good. I try to get a spot in the corner of my studio furthest from the side mirrors so that if I find I have to leave a pose early and sit out, I don't feel I'm disturbing the concentration of others.
OK. Tonight's the night, chickened out again last Sun. I am going to do this.0 -
OK. Tonight's the night, chickened out again last Sun. I am going to do this.
good luck! i'm looking forward to hearing what you think 0 -
OK. Tonight's the night, chickened out again last Sun. I am going to do this.
You can do it!!!!0 -
Well, today will be my first class. Preppinng green smoothie, water, towels and my cute lulumon tops..;0)
My initial goal was to treat myself for a one month Bikram yoga class but decided not to wait until I meet my 105 scale reading. Today is the day and I am super excited!!
I will report to the group my first impressions. I appreciate all your comments for 1st timer, love it!!
Wishing everyone a great Saturday...:flowerforyou:
Rosie0 -
I enjoyed the relaxation, stretching and the of course the yoga exercises. The smell of sweat and bodies creeped me but I stay in the game, after 15 minutes I decided to enjoy the workout and block the smell. I paid for a month membership and I hope I can complete 3 classes a week. My other dilema was the fact I could not bring my flip flops inside to set my mat. I am a little terrified in catching fungus...0
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Once you've done a few more classes and your comfortable with what you're doing, don't need to look to others to see how to do the poses, you'll find that mentally you'll be a lot more focused on what you're doing and the smells and sweat won't be much of a worry.
Does your studio have carpeted floors or other? Talking to the studio about how they keep them clean may help your thoughts. Or get there early and put your mat right near the door so you don't have to take too many steps in bare feet!0 -
You have fabulous tips and ideas. The studio has carpet and getting closer to the door is an excellent idea. Instructors seem to help me more in front due to learning new ways to help my knee. Sounds like a great plan. The smell is getting less and less, oh boy I did not think I was going to make it back after my first one due to the heavy odor smell. Here goes day 3 this afternoon!
Thank you again for such great suppport!0 -
No problem! I love talking with people who have just started, it's so great to watch people discover it!
I've never been in a hot room with carpet, but I think it would gross me out too!0 -
Thank you. I discuss my fears of fungus at the studio and I was told I need a medical reason to wear socks. Yikes... Well, I hope to complete my 20 days, maybe more. Then I will research another studio which will be more of a drive, will keep searching for another studio. I am hoping to do a pilates or regular yoga challenge but will do research before I decide. So far so good, day 3 completed!0
