NWR: Bikram Yoga

kthame

Hey Ladies,

Have any of you done BY? Though I'm starting P90x on Saturday, I would like to try this but am afraid I'll either die of a heart-attack or embarrassment. Either way, death looks like the end-result. (I kid)

IHave any of you tried this or do this regularly?

seventiespop

I used to do this regularly a few years ago when I lived in California. The first class is a bit nuts because you're not used to the environment but after you get acclimated, it is awesome!  I truly felt like I was sweating out all the bad stuff.  The only negatives I can think of are:
-you are soaking wet on your way home (bring towels to use during the class and afterwards)
-it is pricey
-it is 90 minutes long (at least my class was)

Good luck!

schaiblejen

I as well did it pretty regularly about a year ago. I went to Chicogo Bikram on Clark and DIversey and also Om on the Range on Ravenswood and Grace.  I liked Om a bit better, but they are pretty much the same.  

 I love it for a couple of reasons:
-you instantly feel thinner, even if it is just water weight you sweat out
-its relaxing and calming
-does tone muscles quite well
-you can gage your progress by how well you can get into each pose

reasons I dont do it much anymore:
-Got a little boring after a while (the SAME exersices EVERY single class)
-90 minute class, plus HAVING to shower instantly, driving, parking, etc it ends up being an over 2 hour process- very time consuming
-its really messy, even with a change of clothes, i hated getting into my car after the session, even on the ten minute ride home, i smelled aweful

Try it out, i did it consistantly for almost a year, and loved it, but just burnt out.  Now I am doing Pilates Reformer classes (on that funky machine) and the classes are different each time so I dont get bored. 

angeliu27

I did this for a while at OM on the Range on Ravenswood.  It is a great class.

-you sweat your a$$ off within the first 5 min (or maybe its just me LOL)
-you feel a total natural high afterwards.
- I recommend if you like ice cold water, (freeze a bottle the night before) it'll melt by the 90 min are up.
-bring two towels. one to sit on and one to dry with (beach towels are great)
-I always brought an extra set of clothes to change in.  I couldn't bring myself to sit in my own swass on the way home.

karijohannsen

I have been doing this for the past 8 months and have transformed my body.  I'm now addicted to it and can't wait to get in the heat.  The classes I go to are not "Bikram Yoga" as bikram is copyrighted by Bikram himself and it can only be taught at certain studios.  I attend Core Power Yoga, where all of their classes are hot...but they vary so you can start with Core Power 1 or Hot Fusion to ease your way and once you build your strength and get used to the heat you can move up levels of classes to extremely hot and extremly challenging.  Right now there are two studios in Chicago...South Loop and River North and they are opening one in Oak Park soon.  They are all over the country as well.  Check out their site.
www.corepoweryoga.com

Let me know if you have any questions!

mocandy555

I would suggest going to the Bikram Yoga studios at either Clark & Diversey or on Milwaukee in Wicker Park.  The first month is $29 for unlimited classes (at least that was the special last I heard).  You can't go wrong with that price.

I tried it for one month, approx 3x per week. 
#1 - I sweat a lot when I work out so I thought I would be swiming at the end of class.  I was, but it was a different type of sweat, more water-like.  Not gross.  I usually bring a change of clothes, so that was no different for me there.

#2 - My 2 friends that tried the same class said they lost 10lbs in the first month.  I was like "sign me up!!!".  However, I don't know if it was because they weighed more than me, or because I work out regularly anyway, but I did not lose any weight.

#3 - Results - I felt it worked my body out like regular yoga would.  Definitely gives you more upper body strength and strength overall.  But I did not see any crazy transformation (again though, I already work out regularly).

#4 - I REALLY liked the class (I LOVE yoga in general), great exercises, loved the heat, very relaxing, BUT I did not love it enough to deal with the time length (bad schedule for me) and pricey class fee.
 
If you can get the $29 deal, you should definitely try it!  And bring 2 towels, water (I would bring one bottle in the class & keep one outside the class for afterward), etc

Hope that helps

mbf124

i'd like to try this also, but I don't want to drive to the city to do so.  Anybody know of suburban studios?  And does anyone want to brave a first class with me? 

beautifulnryan

Kate - are you trying this out in the city?  I've never tried it, but it sounds like a good idea!

TatiMarie

 There is one in Schaumburg that has hot yoga and about 5-6 other types of yoga. 

http://www.hotyogis.com/