Bikram Yoga?

I happen to like Bikram Yoga (though I prefer hot yoga with flow incorporated). It will certainly help loosen you up, and sweating that much feels goooooooooood. :-) Be careful your first couple times, though, because with such a warm room your muscles will "feel" like they can go deeper into stretches than they really should. But I hope you enjoy it!

I can't do any hot yoga because of medical reasons (I'm not allowed to go in sauna's either, hot tubs are ok but only 15 minutes at a time). I've heard Bikram is super expensive too.

I go to a local yoga/pilates studio and yes it's a chain but I pay $65 a month unlimited access. It's called YogaWork/BarWorks (which includes fat burning classes and sculpting classes) as well as a few Pilates classes. They are only in like 3 states though, but it's cheaper and I've already noticed a big difference since I started yoga 10 months ago. Much more flexible and relaxed.

I got a groupon for 5 classes and I hated it. I went twice and that's it. The entire time I felt like I was going to pass out, so I was seeing stars and bracing myself in case I actually did pass out. I also felt really nauseous both times and the teacher told me it's because I ate too much too close to class (a granola bar 3 hours before class made me nauseous?). You get completely soaked with sweat so you need to bring a bath towel to put over your yoga mat otherwise you'll slip. Most people were wearing sports bras and shorts.

I will say that I did these a couple years ago when I wasn't in very good shape, so I might have a different experience now. Exercising in a 105 degree room just isn't my cup of tea I guess, but I understand why some people like it.

I love it. I go very regularly (for the past 2 years). I don't go solely for weight loss reasons but overall detoxification (because you'll sweat so much like you have never sweated before), calorie burner, stronger balance, back/spine strengthening, etc.

You will want to drink tons of water throughout the day so your body is well hydrated. 1-2 liters of water during and more liquid afterwards.

I think that when people first start, they're sweating out all the bad stuff in their system. the more you go, the cleaner you'll feel. and for whatever reason, I feel like eating healthier afterwards. It would be so disgusting to eat a hamburger after a Bikram yoga session. I'd rather have a cold pressed green juice to replace all the electrolytes in my body with 100% natural plant goodness than highly processed animal fat foods.

I also notice my heart racing after some poses. I am definitely breathing throughout but some poses require so much concentration and leg strength. it's definitely working you out. Check out the Bikram yoga instructors' bodies too. My regular teachers are all slim and toned no matter their age (and i think they're much older than they appear). The female instructors have beautiful svelte bodies.

Regular yoga for 90 mins burns approx 300 calories for me according to myfitnesspal. I'm sure that Bikram yoga burns at least 2xs that combined with the sweating.

There are 26 poses that were specifically designed by Bikram Choudhury for various health reasons. I personally like that it's the same 26 poses each time because with each class, I can see myself improving each position. If it changed all the time, it would be harder to tell if I'm improving the poses.

One thing i also really like about Bikram yoga is it's very "agnostic". you won't hear instructors talking about metaphysical and spiritual stuff like you might hear in more traditional yoga studios, except that it's a 90 min moving meditation. No matter what your belief system or if you have none, Bikram yoga doesn't conflict internally. it's just straight 26 poses that helps all sorts of internal organs and strengthens your body.

I tried Birkram Yoga for the first time last Wednesday and headed there straight after work. Really with all exercises to each his own. I personally like it. I was able to stay in the heated 105 degree room the entire class and finish most of the poses on the first day I did sit down a couple times. But again its about what benefits you personally. I'm almost 50 years old and since doing it in a short week I can balance myself more easy and my back is getting stronger and my bending is better. My left knee was giving out on me before I started and I can tell it is strengthening. Honestly all I can say is try it for yourself as others has said some love it and some hate. I happen to be one that is loving it and the price is a small cost in comparison to spending it on other things that don't benefit me health wise. Oh yea I did see a groupon for half price for the 1st month at half off check the web. If you decide to go make sure to drink a lot of water so you are well hydrated before class you don't want to drink a lot of water in class it will make you nausea. So that's my 2 cents use it wisely. Have a awesome day!!!

I regularly do a hot vinyasa flow class. I absolutely love it. It took me about three times before I really started to love it. I was incredibly sore after and have seen a huge change in my body.

Hav you heard Bikram Choudhury, founder of Bikram Yoga is being charged with 2 counts of rape and is facing numerous sexual harassment charges? - www.podiumleaks.org