From the article: Bikram Yoga - Hot Yoga
Bikram Choudhury, the hot yoga innovator, is a very controversial figure in contemporary yoga. Some love his style and credit it with transforming their lives, others find him distasteful and his methods dangerous. What's your experience with Bikram yoga? Readers Respond
I have mixed feelings.....
- I had a very bad Bikram experience. Several years ago, I used to teach yoga. I practiced a few times a week, either Astanga or "power flow" yoga. I went to this class expecting great things. And the teacher was awful! It's not that she didn't know what she was doing, she was highly skilled and knowledgable. I know that Bikram requires a special certification, so it's not like just anyone can hop up there and teach. But she was mean! I told her I had a few years experience with power yoga, and she looked at me like I was an inferior human being. She scoffed at my yoga rug (apparently, she also rents towels). She said things to the class like "if your hands are sliding, it means you are WEAK!" She told us to make sure we sweated only on the towels, so we could "take your stink with you" when we left. I was horrified. You know, my hip flexors had never felt better than they did after that class, but I refused to ever go back. Sadly it's the only Bikram studio in town. Too bad!
- —EKJacques
I loved it
- Bikram was actually the first style of yoga I tried and I was immediately hooked. After every class I felt like I'd had a great workout AND a full-body massage. There were definitely some teachers at the studio that were much better than others, in spite of the fact that they all receive the exact same training. Where I live now there is no Bikram studio, so I attend vinyasa classes which I also enjoy.
- —FamilyFitness
Bikram Yoga
- I am hooked on Bikram Yoga, I went to the first class riddled with aches and pains left over from a bad injury. I was 60 lbs over weight, depressed to a clinical state. 6 monthes Later I am down to the same weight I was in high school, I have a 32 inch waist from a 40 inch, I don't feel sore at all (just tired muscles) my posture is better, I sleep better and am not depresssed at all. I feel literally 10 years younger (I am 38). I cannot say enough good things about Bikram yoga! The only thing is the dehydration, I feel like I manage my life around that - I drink like 4, 5 litres a water a day lol.
- —Guest Mike
Can't Live Without It
- I am in my early 30's, and I have practiced many types of yoga since the age of 17: hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga. I started Bikram after also feeling very reluctant based on things I had heard about him. After working his method for five months I am in love. I have not lost weight at all, but have tightened up considerably. I have eliminated a chronic back pain problem that was stress related. I feel happier and less stressed. I have met some great teachers, and regularly attend class here in LA. I encourage yogis everywhere to give it a try before judging it like I did.
- —Guest Angie
Good, but more of a workout than yoga
- I have been practicing Hatha yoga for a year now, with wonderful results on a physical, mental and spiritual level. I always thought of Bikram as practicing vinyasa flow in a sauna and therefore it did not appeal to me. A friend heard about a 10 days trial at a Bikram yoga studio and asked me along. One problem though, I live abroad and understand little of the language. My knowledge of yoga helped me greatly as I already knew all the poses, but when I managed to attend a class taught by an English teacher, I realized how much I was missing, like the fact we should keep our eyes open, the breathing etc... that day I left a lot more sore than normal. It is hard work but the feeling afterwards is amazing. I am however missing the meditation/spiritual dimension, although by keeping my eyes open at all times and the drone of the foreign language instructions (I understand some drills by now though), I feel like I am meditating
- —Guest Gin
Bikram V. Yoga
- I love the bikram approach, having a 90 minute routine that works the legs arms and spine. I hate the Bikramscript. My practice is to tune out the instructors, ESP if what they say overrides what my body is telling me. The script does interfere with the mediation, that makes it yoga not workout. I have found some quiet teachers, and some useful instructors. It is Bikram yoga, not Bikram workout. It is important for the student to enter any studio with a yoga intention, otherwise they might hurt themselves. This is a yoga class not a gym workout.
- —Guest Kathleen
You'll Get Used To The Heat
- I've been doing this for 6 yrs and help me mentally and physically. Drink lots of fluid and don't eat anything 3 hrs before class starts. You'll make it all the way thru and will feel soooooo energized!!!!
- —Guest Peters
bikram has done me wonders
- First time I went to Bikram was about 4 years ago and smoked a pack a day and was a little bit hung over with not to much sleep. But my friend told me to come and I did. I don't regret it at all to this day. I am thankful she brought me because after that first class, I have never felt better!! Yes its hot in there, be hydrated like the instructions tell you to do before class and do not eat 3 hrs before. If you need to eat, eat something light and healthy. The instructor was awesome and very understanding when I told him it was my first time. He said just try your best to stay in the room the whole time. If you need to rest, just lay down on your back. I stopped for about 2 years for no reason but now am back at it in full force and loving it. Never felt better, more alive and feel better after each class. Its about pushing yourself and getting that stretch. People who put down Bikram have had either just a bad instructor or not well enough prepared.
- —Guest jeff
Not for everyone and possibly dangerous
- I am young and reasonably fit and healthy. I also practice 2 forms of dance as well as Pilates. I completed 10 sessions of Bikram and it was hell! I struggled to not throw up through every class, I hated the patronising teachers and the repetition, and came out of every class feeling sick, dizzy and achy like I had heatstroke... and would feel pretty awful for a day or so afterwards. It's not proper yoga, it's not relaxing, and you only lose weight because you sweat so much! I found the backwards bending hurt my back, and I always felt like I needed to stretch afterwards. Don't waste your money- it's a fad and could also be dangerous for your body.
- —Guest helski
The best!!
- I think Bikram yoga is the best exercise ever! I have exercised for years doing weight training, running, spinning, kick boxing, etc and nothing compares to the way i feel after bikram yoga! It not only got rid of my sciatic nerve issues but i grew a whole inch taller! I dont think it is for everybody! I think you have to be fit and dedicated to do this class. It is hard work! I also know of many people who have lowered their blood pressure and got rid of their diabetes by practicing yoga. Just find a good instructor and you will love it! I cant believe there are instrucors out there that tell you not to leave the room and yell! Every instructor i had are nice, funny, and really want you to improve your health!
- —Guest Jasmine
Gets you where you want to be
- Bikram yoga is the best training you can get; it gears you up mentally and physically. After six months of regular practice, I was achieving my life goals and working towards a fulfilled future. If you want to give it a go, do a ten day trial and go all the days, gives you a sense of where it all is going in regards to your personal development. As a bonus most studios have a ten day trial offer which is really good value.
- —Guest Rikard
Bikram is a .....
- I have never done other hot yoga. But I have done other excersises. And I have never experienced the feeling that comes from doing a class... Or better doing them in succession. For example the first couple are tough. But then a transition takes place. It is an amazing change to posture, weight loss, core strength. I really recommend giving it a shot for more than 2-4 classes. Go for about 20 sessions.
- —Guest Whitewlfz@gmail
This is Great!
- I tried Bikram a week ago, on a groupon. After 5 classes in 5 days, I have to say I am totally hooked. I have run 10 marathons, and countless shorter distance runs, and have NEVER sweated like I do in Bikram. I have also spent years in the gym doing weights and classes. I have been feeling muscles the past few days I don't think I have ever felt before. At 55, running has almost totally sucked all the flexibility from my legs and back. I firmly believe that Bikram yoga will resolve that issue. The instructors at my studio have been wonderful so far. The room gets crowded, too, so clearly it is very popular in my area! This is SOOOOO much better than "gym" yoga!
- —Guest linven
There is hot yoga that is NOT Bikram
- The first hot yoga I ever tried was Bikram. And I have been to many classes throughout the years (so lots of different teachers), but as soon as I tried hot yoga elsewhere, I could NEVER go back. The teachers do not teach safe practice (I had one say we had to pay her $20 to leave the room part way!), the repetition is boring and uncreative and doesn't allow you to hit different muscles in different ways (as some people love repetition, I realize this is a personal preferance), not to mention it is not relaxing and thoughtful the way a real yoga class is. If you like hot, but dislike Bikram, try Moksha. Much better experience with several types of yoga to try. I like to enjoy the diversity and experience of yoga, not a cookie cutter class where the instructors speak the same words in the same way over and over.
- —Guest stephanie8
Like it
- I am 60 and have been practicing for 12 years. I was encouraged by others to try the Bikram style and after five classes, I have seen noticable improvement in all aspects of my practice. I will continue to practice other styles, and encourage others to try Bikram.
- —molsof
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