Bikram yoga - anyone?

[New_start]

Hi everyone!

When I saw bikram mentioned under a blog, I thought I'd restart one titled bikram so other people could maybe add in their experiences.

Thank you to the original post mentioning it.

Has anyone done consecutive days?  What'd you think?  Would you recommend?

I've only taken a few classes - nothing consecutive.

[Alyse]

ooh - I love doing Bikram! I don't live near a studio anymore, but when I did I spent about 2 years going 6 days a week and it was fantastic! I wish I'd known about eating raw back then - I can only imagine how awesome I would have felt if I had! I felt pretty darn good on a standard vegetarian (and not incredibly healthy at that) diet. I am going to be spending this summer on the mainland and am hoping the studio where I will be will have a schedule that will fit with mine. I say go for it!

[Rebecca Johnson]

I LOVE Bikram!!! I've been going for about 2 1/2 years.  I currently go 3 to 4 times a week and I feel fantastic.  I actually like going consecutively...I feel like I'm able to improve so much more when I do.  I enjoy it so much because I really think it's not only a challenge physically but mentally, emotionally and spiritually!  I feel so strong on all levels from this yoga and have learned so much about myself.  Each day is a new experience and I just LOVE IT!!!  All I will say though is if you are going consecutive days...make sure you start Hydrating  (with water and electrolytes) right after class to prepare for the next day...this will help tremendously.  Lots of LOVE to you!!  Hope you enjoy your Bikram journey :)

[Peggy Speir]

When I  started the first couple of days saw me hanging on by a thread. I thought the heat was going to make me pass out - I became almost claustraphobic, but I kept remembering to breathe, back off when poses seemed too overwhelming and I just kept moving. By the time the first 30 days ended I was so pumped I couldn't get enough. My yoga studio doesn't offer this anymore, sadly, otherwise I would try it again.

So, yes, I would HIGHLY recommend.

[New_start]

I've been so scared to do it.  The few times I have, it had a militaristic and somewhat of a competitive feeling to it.

Yet, I've heard so many people really love it.

It's helpful hearing your recommendations and how you've enjoyed it.  I've heard it's very helpful with anxiety, too?

[Peggy Speir]

Some people in the class for sure come to the mat with an athletes air that comes off as being competitve - but one of the beautiful things about yoga is aside from all of the physical aspects and benefits of it, it works on your mind. For me I find a great sense of mind-body connection, and when I am truly present in my body, everything melts away - all those other people in the class, all the chatter my brain has, all of the to do lists clogging my thoughts - they all go away.......and then the sense of calm and centeredness creeps in.

There are for sure some classes that have great, kind, loving energy - and that starts with the teacher. But there are teachers out there that are pretty tough/aggressive/militant. Don't go there if that is not your thing. ESPECIALLY if they push you into poses that you do not find comfort in. Yoga should be a way for your body to gently open up, not be screaming in agony. I have friends who go to crazy Bikram classes where the teacher talks roughly and pushes them to do things they are not ready for. You know what happens? My friends get hurt/injured.

When I started my hot yoga challenges I was taking medication for depression. By the 3rd week I was off of it and haven't looked back. I don't do hot yoga anymore - but I have a yoga practice, and when I stray from it I feel anxiety creep in and I'm apt to feel a bit depressed....so, I get right back to yoga.

Good luck - I hope you give it a go - or some form of yoga if you don't already. It might just be something you love!

[Gunita Liepa]

I started going regularly last week (together with my high raw days). Before that I tried one week in December.

But, Oh God, it feels like heaven! Yet I'm not noticing so much physical detoxing symptoms (except weight loss) but mentally. Ou, yeah, just my skin on face is getting clearer. I'm 22 years old and I have had acne since like when I was 15. After classes there is served fruit and tea. So we can seat back and relax, and get some energy from fruits. After that I so LOVE going into very, very cold shower. It also is another piece of Heaven for me.

I also recommend it to everyone. In my opinion the biggest struggle in these classes is not with your body, but with your mind. Cause of course there are moments when you think you can't and want to give up, but that's ok. Just except it and rest for some time, and then start again with more strength. And with next time you will be excited to see and feel that you can do more and more.

I can say that Bikram Yoga is the best thing I have tried for my body and mind. I just love that sweating feeling. haha