Any Bikram yoga fans?

rhodesign · March 2010

I'm taking my first class tonight. I think.
I'm scurred...

Experiences? Thoughts? Do you really burn a thousand calories?

SarahPLiz · March 2010

The calorie burn depends on lots of stuff. I wore my HR monitor to a class and only read out 300 calories, but it kept slipping off from all the sweat, so it was probably about 400.

It took me 5 classes before I could get all the way through without being nauseus. It is an unbelievable cool feeling to sweat that much, but sweating =/= calorie burn (necesarily). You can lose some water weight, and will feel very refreshed. You need to hydrate well before, during, and after, and you may need to replace some electrolytes after sweating that much.

I loved it and if I could afford to go back (and look at myself in those big ass mirrors) I probably would.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown · March 2010

I think you are insane. :-)

Salt actually does hot yoga, which is only about 90 degrees.

rhodesign · March 2010

thanks Dani. It says someone my size would burn 1075 calories! I'm gonna halve that because since it's my first time, I'm taking it easy!

tannymcgee · March 2010

i am into bikram. DONT BE SCARED. though I've been doing it for over a year and I still get a little scared. It's pretty hard (for me), but don't worry - you will feel great after. Don't be afraid to sit if you don't feel well.

my class is 90 mins in 105 degrees. if its truly bikram, then its the same series of poses every single time. it is a little bit difficult to get used to the heat, i had some trouble breathing during my first few classes. the poses are great for toning, and your heart rate does get up pretty high (beause of the heat + movement) and you sweat a ton. So for me, because my heart rate gets up, I do count it as aerobic activity. I can't say how many cals I burn, but I do feel great after. I try to go 2x a week (its kind of expensive) to supplement going to the gym.

good luck and have fun!!

*edit* also if they didnt tell you - make sure to bring a towel and a hand towel, and wear light clothing. i usually wear capris and a tank top.

SarahPLiz · March 2010

ditto tanny. It is the Bikram culture to wear as little clothing as possible, for men and women. Don't be surprised if you see people in skimpy bikini type things. And the large towel is to put on your mat so you don't slide everywhere. You will be able to wring it out after class, and that always gives me a great sense of accomplishment.

ZRex · March 2010

My former boss did it, and she said that it really helped her to maintain composure in other situations where she felt really uncomfortable.

tannymcgee · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bikram-yoga-fans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:ac63a1eb-3796-48dd-b8fa-d14e179b7f49Post:31215f6c-ac94-4d65-a073-505f9b2f4c22">Re: Any Bikram yoga fans?</a>:
[QUOTE]ditto tanny. It is the Bikram culture to wear as little clothing as possible, for men and women. Don't be surprised if you see people in skimpy bikini type things. And the large towel is to put on your mat so you don't slide everywhere. You will be able to wring it out after class, and that always gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
Posted by SarahPLiz[/QUOTE]

oh yeah, don't be surprised to see a guy in a speedo!!! lol.

rhodesign · March 2010

I was just going to wear shorts and a tank. Too much?

mandybear7 · March 2010

I've done it once. I like to sweat, but seriously, you SWEAT in there. Make sure you bring an extra towel to cover the seat in your car.

The reason I've only done it once is because of the cost of the sessions. Different types of yoga classes are free with my gym membership but Bikram is at a totally different studio.

SarahPLiz · March 2010

That's fine. Any loose clothing will stick to you and might crawl some, but you should be fin in a tank and shorts,

One of the things I didn't like about Bikram was that that my instructor talked WAY too fast and I couldn't understand her. If that happens to you, just follow everyone else. Don't let it get you down.

Random thought: I used to hate it when we did the poses where was bent over, because the sweat would roll UP my face and I got a slight drowning feeling from sweat rolling into my nose. I know that's gross, but it happens (not drowning, just the feeling)

PsyDet 2155 · March 2010

I've done Bikram consistently since last October and I really enjoy it. Wearing as little clothing as possible is a good idea....as is not wearing anything loose because it will stick to you and be uncomfortable. I usually go in a tank and shorts and sometimes take my tank off and wear my sports bra.

If you talk to the teacher beforehand you can ask her questions or let her know you are a new member so she can explain some things before class. Get a spot in the back so you can watch other people. I would also recommend sitting by a door because sometimes the teacher will air the room out.

It's actually not as hot as I thought it would be and you get used to the heat of the room fairly fast if you go in ten or fifteen minutes before the class begins to relax. I bring a large towel for my mat and another large towel to wipe sweat off my face and body in between poses. Drink a lot of water before, during and after and dont eat a full meal right before class.

Good luck...let me know how you like it

saschaduran · March 2010

I have done it a few times. It does feel pretty great afterwards, but it kind of torture during. It is awesome for losing extra water weight and bloating. I lost 5 lbs in 3 sessions. It also makes your skin look amazing and glowy.

I do hate going in Vegas because the studio is full of strippers and Cirque du Soleil performers and everyone has the most amazing bodies I have ever seen. And they all wear speedos/hot pants, or thongs and sports bras. Actually I thought I would be really self conscious about my stomach but I was so fricking hot and sweaty I didn't care as much as I thought I would.

mocha beans · March 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_bikram-yoga-fans?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:ac63a1eb-3796-48dd-b8fa-d14e179b7f49Post:b6b428be-8fb0-4598-bfb2-00b1b6036053">Re: Any Bikram yoga fans?</a>:
[QUOTE]I have done it a few times. It does feel pretty great afterwards, but it kind of torture during. It is awesome for losing extra water weight and bloating. I lost 5 lbs in 3 sessions. It also makes your skin look amazing and glowy.<strong> I do hate going in Vegas because the studio is full of strippers and Cirque du Soleil performers and everyone has the most amazing bodies I have ever seen.</strong> And they all wear speedos/hot pants, or thongs and sports bras. Actually I thought I would be really self conscious about my stomach but I was so fricking hot and sweaty I didn't care as much as I thought I would.
Posted by saschaduran[/QUOTE]

I'm nearly positive if this would happen to me, I'd walk right out from shame!

I haven't done bikram yoga, or any yoga for that matter, but I'm going to start taking a class at the gym in a week or so. I generally hate sweating, but I might give it a shot at some point.

Any Bikram yoga fans?

Re: Any Bikram yoga fans?

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