For years I avoided Bikram. I couldn’t fathom doing yoga in a hot room with sweaty people that I didn’t know. Recently, I gave in when one of my long term clients said she wanted to test it out. I figured, heck why not, I’m not the most flexible person in the world and I need to get better. Here’s some import things you should know before taking bikram yoga for the first time.
What to Expect When Attending Bikram Yoga For The First Time
When they tell you that everyone is half naked, this is ALL TRUE. I came to class wearing tight yoga capris and a dry fit loose fitting tank top. However, most people were wearing shorts and sports bras. Men were just wearing shorts.
1.) Find the Clean Person
When the class gets moving and the sweat starts pouring, you want to be next to the person that is super clean, and looks like they took a shower before attending class. Otherwise, the heat will let you know they didn’t 😉
2.) Bring More Then One Towel
The heat made the yoga poses easier to accomplish BUT the sweat rolling off your body makes gripping your limbs nearly impossible. You will need one large towel to lay on top of your mat and one towel to wipe yourself off from time to time.
3.) HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE
Most classes are roughly an hour and a half. In this particular class, each pose is done two times. If you haven’t hydrated well, you will begin to feel a little lightheaded. I know I did. About an hour into class it was clear that I hadn’t consumed enough water. I took a short break and then returned to class for the last half hour.
Fitness Tips : Make sure you aren’t just drinking plain water. Electrolyte water is more beneficial in times when you are sweating a lot. You will want to be a camel the day before class. Drink plenty in the hours before class (if possible) and hydrate after class making sure you replenish your lost electrolytes.
4.) You’re Going to Be Tired
It’s going to take time for your body to adapt to the heat. Give yourself permission to be tired and allow yourself some recovery time if possible. Chug your electrolyte water after class and allow yourself to rest and detox.
5.) Lotions, potions, and make up should be avoided
If you never leave the house without foundation, powder or lotion, make an exception before coming to class. Lotion turns you into a slippery hazard, avoid it at ALL COSTS. Any makeup on your face will have you melting like the wicked witch and perfumes in bikram yoga tend to burn your nose under the elevated heat. Ouch!
6.) You May Feel Sore
Personally, I get sore from yoga in all the weird places. My inner thighs, the front of my hips, my lower back, my triceps, my neck and my upper chest. Pay close attention to your sore areas and use them as a map that tells you were you’re the tightest.
7.) Breathing is KEY
Every time I felt a little overwhelmed I noticed that I wasn’t breathing. It is essential to take deep breaths. Holding your breath in that type of heat will lead to light headed-ness. Over time the class will help to encourage your deep breathing and it will become second nature but in the beginning, make sure its a consistent thought.
Will I go to Bikram Yoga again? YES! My normally tight knees felt better and I felt extremely calm for the remainder of the day. I was tired but I knew that this would be the case thanks to my other yogi friends, so I gave myself the rest of the day to recover.
Keep Reading! I will be doing 2 follow up article associated with Bikram.
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Can Bikram Yoga Turn You Into a Sexy Beast
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The Natural Detoxer – Bikram Yoga
Stay tuned and don’t forget to download our app 😉
Adria
Mike says