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
Love it
- I am a mail carrier and started bikram 1 year ago. Have not stopped since. I have feet,knee, hand and shoulder problems. they have gotten better. I was suppose to have foot surgery, no longer needed. Yes, there are some days when you can't handle the heat, but you rest; you listen to your body. I've lost my belly fat, finally seeing a waist,etc. and if I am having a day when I'm aching all over; I know I have to go to bikram because i will feel 100% better. I am also more patient. just give it a shot, not one class, at least a week.
- —Guest mia
IMPORTANT
- As a Certified Teacher of Bikram Yoga, as well as other styles, I have found an alarming amount of Bikram Teachers that have the "Bikram way, or the HWY" attitude and preach that to students. It really is too bad that they are dumbing down yoga for curious students(due to their own ignorance)and not providing accurate knowledge of what is yoga and WHY do yoga in the first place. I have seen so MANY students stop at that "glass ceiling" when it comes to learning yoga because their trusted Bikram teachers have only one answer.."just do yoga and shut up." YOGA was started-one on one-teacher to student, with their questions encouraged, thus leading to greater personal understanding and higher achievement in the yoga practice. This is how Bikram recieved his yoga training -one on one with his teacher, Bishnu. So, just be careful and educate yourself. As a teacher,this is the best yoga that I have experienced on a physical level, but most students are more spiritually enlightened then tchrs
- —Guest Teacher
Another who loves it
- I've practiced in SF, Austin and Miami. As with everything it depends on the teacher. But I am now at a place in my practice where I can focus on the breath and what I know the practice to be, even with a less than stellar teacher. But my home studio teacher is amazing!!! Breath, movement, meditation.
- —Guest Spring
Oh Yeahhh!!
- A difficult time getting to the class because I dread it until I leave and then am so glad I made the effort to get there. In only a few classes I have already noticed physical changes in terms of muscle tone. I believe every muscle in the body is challenged in this practice. I had an instructor last night whose cadence in his instruction actually helped me to relax and focus thereby making my practice much more intense. Amazing!!! I have practiced under Iyengar and came across this practice by accident. I have come to believe it was no accident.
- —katwombyn
saved my life
- I am 57 years old and have many many skeletal issues, knees, hips, hands, ankles, feet, back, etc, etc, etc. I have been doing Bikram yoga for 3 plus years. Before I started I could not get out of bed in the morning without extreme weakness in my back. My feet and legs ached all the time. My arms were constantly sore and I could barely walk. Now, even though I work 60 hours a week in my family restaurant, on my feet, serving food all day, I am rarely in pain. The old ski injuries in my knees have been healed. The collapsed discs in my back have been healed. My chiropractor can't believe it. He says it has changed my entire body. My husband and two children have had similar experiences and we all do Bikram yoga 4-5 days per week. It is a real workout and you don't need to do any other exercise. I endure the heat because I know is is healing my entire body!!
- —Guest JUNE hoff
Omission about definition
- BIkram yoga heats the room to about 105 degrees, true, but they also humidify the room to 65-70%. I don't know what hot yoga does as I've only attended bikram (as a regular). This omission is a big one as far as I'm concerned for this internet citation.
- —rivwench
Bikram Yoga does not raise body temp
- I teach Bikram Yoga and I have had pregnant women in class. Their body temperature never gets any higher than maybe a half a degree. There is a misconception that being in a heated room will raise your body temp and endanger the fetus. Your body sweats to maintain its temperature. I have had pregnant women in class monitor their bodt temp and in some cases it even reduces the body temp. That said, you should always listen to the advice of a professional medical practitioner and be careful of any new exercise routine when pregnant.
- —Guest romanus
Feels like a deep tisue massage
- forgot to mention it: the next day after the class I feel like I had a deep tissue massage - what could be better?
- —Guest Gita again
Just Love IT!
- My friend introduced me to Bikram yoga - and I'm so grateful for it. I'm hooked! The teachers at Burr Ridge, IL (it just opened in June - brand new, beautiful facility) are excellent - make you feel so comfortable, but still challenge you. I feel so great after every single class - the sweat is definitely worth every single drop. Absolutely great, cannot go back to traditional yoga classes at LifeTime I use to go to.
- —Guest Gita
claims "bad for your health" not true
- I too have my education in physiology with an Honors degree from the best Uni in my country. The claims made from Laura are biased and untrue. There are many logical physiological benefits to the heat. Hence millions of testimonials from suffering people worldwide. The beauty of our physiology is the highly adaptable nature of humans. Humans underwater, in space, under temperature duress etc.. will slowly adapt to their surroundings, even on a cellular level. My mother had extreme difficulty with her thermoregulatory mechanisms. (She could not sweat, and whenever she got mildy hot, she'd pass out.) I, along with my degree, am a certified Bikram teacher, and told her she needed to do the class (despite her fears) in order to help "heal" her body. She is now able to sweat profusely and loves her Bikram Yoga at over 60yrs of age. The body can heal itself. Listen to your body, and it's all good.
- —Guest ihearthot
Not so sure?
- I love anything physical. I love to be challenged and I don't mind sweat. My concern as an exercise physiologist is the inability to cool the body in the conditions of extreme heat. Participants and promoters describe this as "magical." The fact is there is no magic and there could be real danger in not allowing the body to regulate it's temperature. Dizziness, headache, nausea, heat exhaustion, heat stroke-which ,if not treated quickly, can result in death. Like wearing a rubber suit, this puts a lot of people at risk for heat related illness and possible dire consequences. In my opinion Bikram has a money maker here but there are many other forms of yoga I would highly recommend. This one is not one of them. Please consider your health history, risk factors for heart disease and use your head!
- —Guest Laura Roberts
The best thing that has happened to me
- I do all sorts of exercise: snowboarding, running, surfing, weight lifting, tennis, biking, kick boxing... and I balance them all out with Bikram yoga. It brings my body back into alignment and cures tight muscles; it's the first thing I do after I get back from a ski trip. It's also very mentally clarifying, whatever problems or stress that are running through my mind are significantly clearer after 90 minutes of yoga. I need yoga to keep me sane! Whatever is bothering me at the time, after my Bikram class, is put in a rational perspective and helps me make better decisions. I don't have enough good things to say about this practice and I will continue to do it for the rest of my life.
- —Guest Alli cat
Don't let money/mean teachers stop you!
- I have taught at Bikram's own Studio in California and I agree with the postings about having a good teacher that is supportive. However, if you had a bad Bikram yoga experience don't let that stop you -- Bikram's formula helps a vast range of aliments (including mental, physical & spiritual). I would urge you to give it another try (perhaps with another teacher) -- but if there is only a "mean" teacher in your area -- I encourage you to learn from the book and do it yourself! I began this yoga in 1989 before there were any hot yoga studios in New York...you can teach it to yourself from the book! A small heater and slim mirror is all you need -- you can adjust the heat and begin. I recently went to hear Bikram speak in Boston and someone asked him why the yoga is expensive? Bikram said you can do it anytime, anywhere. I did, when I was a teen going to school fulltime & without a studio. You can get the book used at half.com -- good luck & don't let anyone stop you..
- —yelbaosorio
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