Bikram Yoga... hot or not!!

I've never done bikram, but I go to a heated vinyasa class & love it. It is strenuous yet relaxing at the same time. I'm not familiar enough with bikram to know how the two would compare.

I love it, they say if you do it 3-4 times a week you will definitely loose weight. I usually do it once a week sometimes twice.....its super hott but if you get there 20 mins before class starts and sit in the room you give your body a little time to adjust....First class SUUUCKS! but you feel amazing after! you should totally try it!

I haven't gone yet. But I bought a package off of livingsocial.com or you can also sign up for groupon.com. They always have deals for different yoga classes around my area atleast.
i got one for 10 classes for I think 30 bucks....which is a great deal! I have 2 friends who go and love it

Hi!

Any Bikram yoga bunny's out there?

I want to lose 7lbs and need to de-stress as I suspect a large part of my weight issue is STTTRREESSSSS!!!

There is a hot yoga studio just round the corner from my office and I am tempted to try but it is a bit pricey so looking for advice or personal experiences

Has anyone on the forum tried bikram before.. if so is it any good for weight loss and how often would you recommend practising?

Best Wishes

Cat

Hell Yessssss! You will sweat your butt off during Bikram and if you do it x3 a week, it might help with your seven lbs. You would have be to insane to do this daily, but it is so relaxing and enjoyable. Try one class and you are sold!

I haven't gone yet. But I bought a package off of livingsocial.com or you can also sign up for groupon.com. They always have deals for different yoga classes around my area atleast.
i got one for 10 classes for I think 30 bucks....which is a great deal! I have 2 friends who go and love it

Ditto! It was 35 for 10 classes for me! great deal!

I started Bikram yoga 2 weeks ago and was hooked after my first session. I'm in the UK, and most places seem to do an introductory price of £30 for 30 days unlimited. I've been trying to go 3/week which is what was recommended. I am using it to help with weightloss alongside limiting calories - don't have an answer yet as to whether it's helping or not.

I think after my 30 days, I'll drop to 1 or 2/week due to the cost and put in some other form of exercise such as off road cycling.

Hope you enjoy(ed) your first class!

First class will totally kick your butt, but definitely worth a try!

It's something I've always wanted to try because I think it could really help with my (lack of) flexibility. I currently take a regular yoga class once a week and really enjoy it, but would like more. If you're concerned about price, you could try looking for deals on Groupon or Living Social. I see a lot of yoga studios offering discounted rates for it.

I am currently doing a hot yoga 30-Day Challenge right now and am on Day 12! I love it! It is time consuming and a bit expensive, but when you leave class, that feeling you get is totally worth it. My skin is baby soft, I feel in harmony with myself and my muscles have definitely grown. It is my new hobby, and I consider it "me time."

As for weight loss, I am really unsure if it is a good exercise. Some people swear by it. Some people even say you can burn 800 calories a session. I have lost 5 pounds in the last 12 days, but I am also doing 40 minutes of cardio 4 days a week and dieting. Not sure if the yoga is helping with it, but it is definitely not hurting it.

I am able to do my cardio work outs, though, much better. I don't get short of breath and my muscles are stronger for a more intense work out. In conjunction with other exercises and dieting, I think it works. By itself, I don't think it's the best way to spend your time if you want a big weight loss. I was expecting this to be almost a miracle workout, but it definitely is not.

And most importantly, DRINK WATER! Good luck I will add you for support!

it's amazing and SO worth the money! I've been going for 7 months several times a week and it's changed my like! Currently on Day 5 of the 45 day challenge- give it three classes and you will be addicted!

Bikram yoga is a huge part of my life, especially since I'm a runner and need that extra oompf the heat gives to help loosen my muscles and stretch!

I love hot yoga, I have only practiced Moksha. I have heard that Bikram is better for athletic training and possible what I'll try next because I have bad wrists and Moksha much like Vinyasa has a lot more wrist strength requirements . If cost is an issue I know that yoga comes up on Groupon and other coupon sites on my area all the time.

Love Love Love! I've been doing Bikram Yoga on and off since 2006 and I absolutely adore it. I feel incomplete when I haven't been to class in a while.

I've done Heated Vinyasa as well, which I also love, but with Bikram you do the same 26 asanas and 2 breathing exercises every time. There are no surprises, and yet somehow every class is different. Your body is the only variable. It's a great way to track your progress.

Edited because I forgot to mention that when I'm doing Bikram regulary (for me, 2 or 3 classes a week), my body drops the bloat quite easily, I find myself craving foods that are better for me, and I get down to a healthier weight without even thinking about it.

I used to go to Bikram Yoga about 3/4 times a week and loved it. Defiantly helped loosing weight and overall toning, although I think this was in part because it took up so much of my evening there was little opportunity to snack in the evenings :-)

I however found it really difficult to stay hydrated, I was drinking 3lt of water a day and also tried using re-hydration salts. I stopped going when there was a noticeable increase in the amount of lines around my eyes – these went when I stopped going. Did anyone else have this issue and if so how did you overcome it? I tried using different moisturisers and increasing water intake but nothing helped. I love to go back but would be fearful I would end up looking 20 years older after 90 mins yoga.

Laura

I see this is an older topic, but i just had my first bikram class yesterday!!!

i wore my heart rate monitor, and i burned 822 cals! and i was resting through some of the poses!

i do the bikram postures with my community college yoga class, so i was familiar with everything, just never done it in the heated room... after the back bend i got super light headed, dizzy, thought i was going to throw up, i stepped out for a few minutes, felt better, and then went back in and finished the class! I was so happy i stuck it out! i can't wait to go back!!

i got a groupon 20 for 20 classes!! i couldn't believe it!