Bikram Yoga

Missiechan

Does anyone else here do this?

Basically, it's yoga performed in a room heated to 40 degrees. It's a fairly punishing workout and I love it!

I've had a medical condition since I was very small that prevents me from doing most forms of exercise. I tried step aerobics, pilates, jogging and a whole bunch of others but I never lasted long on any of them. This yoga is different, although I'm exhausted afterwards I feel better instead of worse!

I would highly reccommend it.

parker kent

I've never tried it...what level of fitness would you need to start it? I've always thought it would be good. I do Ashthanga yoga but there are way too many of us in the class so it's not as good as it could be

Missiechan

If you already do yoga you'll probably be able to do this. My fitness level was quite low and the results seem almost instant. You start with a lot of quite hard postures and work your way down to the easier ones. I'd say give it a try.

parker kent

Cool thanks! I'll give it a go when my current set of classes end! Bring on the heat

babystrawberry

Hi,

I would be quite interested in giving this type of yoga a go. I was reading up on it and it says that you do the yoga in a heated room so as to help your breathing, circulation and allows you to be more flexible.
Just as a matter of interest though, does the heat and humidity actually help in weight loss (similiar to sauna? i know this is not real weight loss, just loss of water)
Essentially, what are the added benefits of bikram yoga as opposed to standard yoga classes.

Does it actaully really help you tone up well (combined with other excercise)

Missiechan

Well, so far it seems to be working brilliantly. You know that little flap of skin you sometimes get when you're top-heavy and have slightly chubby arms? The one between your arm and shoulder you get when you wear a tank top? Mine is completely gone. I've had it since I was thirteen. So yes, it is helping me tone up big time.

I think the heat puts pressure on your circulatory system and makes it work more effectively. The moves are tourniquet-style, so that you compress your organs and then release them to move fresh blood into them.

The Fairview studio are doing a ten-day deal for 29 euros. I'd highly reccommend it.

Palimpsest

or is there anything happening around Carlow. Does anyone know of any good podcasts of classes (any type of yoga) which I could download and use a home?

Poncherello

Missiechan wrote: »

Well, so far it seems to be working brilliantly. You know that little flap of skin you sometimes get when you're top-heavy and have slightly chubby arms? The one between your arm and shoulder you get when you wear a tank top? Mine is completely gone. I've had it since I was thirteen. So yes, it is helping me tone up big time.

I think the heat puts pressure on your circulatory system and makes it work more effectively. The moves are tourniquet-style, so that you compress your organs and then release them to move fresh blood into them.

The Fairview studio are doing a ten-day deal for 29 euros. I'd highly reccommend it.

Where is the studio in fairview is there a website
thx

cantswim

I did a session of this in Dublin having been doing yoga regularly to help prevent injuries as part of running. I was shocked at how little advice/emphasis the instructor put on pre-hydration and rehydration. The amount of body fluid lost is unbelieveable.

Add that to the fact it was done on carpet!:rolleyes:

Transform

i would agree - not a decent enough standard of instruction in the bikram classes IMO (and i have been teaching yoga for years). personally did not enjoy it and would wayyy prefer a full ashtanga class instead.

LadyMayBelle

Finding the class enjoyable however I'm really struggling with the fact that despite drinking 2l of water before class and concentrating hard on my breathing during the session, I go a violent red colour...even as much as bending forward to ut my head down, I can feel the blood rush there...any similar experiences? Happens during ashtanga yoga as well so I know it's no because of the heat..

Transform

could be low iron levels - maybe get them checked or give blood and they will tell you there also

Missiechan

I didn't find the instruction to be any different to any other type of yoga I've done, and now in my 15th class I'm almost able to do two of every pose (when before exercise would have had me bedridden for the rest of the day and most of the next).

I'm also going the violent red colour Lady Pennyworth, but that used to happen to me when walking to the shops for five minutes and I'm actually less blotchy now. I guess it's not for everyone but it has improved my quality of life big time.

BJohnson

One of the pro's/con's (depending on your point of view) of Bikram yoga is that the instructor is supposed to follow a fairly rigid protocol, so you end up doing the same routine over and over again without much variation from session to session. Some people love this, especially the ones that travel and can pop into any Bikram studio, knowing exactly what they can expect. Other people get bored of it over time.

I know plenty of people that go to the one here in Galway and rave about it. There's a line-up before most classes with people trying to get a space.

If people enjoy it and get a lot out of it, that's great for them. If not, there are plenty of other yoga studios around to match a person's needs. It's all about personal preference.

,mnb

I find it extremely hard. Way harder than doing weights I would say. Did 2 classes didnt like it. Gave it another go today. I just dont think it isnt for me. A gentler yoga might be better. I am quite fit but very inflexible and dont enjoy heat - I wouldnt enjoy a sauna. I only want to do yoga as supplemental to the other stuff I do not to be the main thing. Any thoughts?

KeithReilly

I wouldn't call it enjoyable but theres definitly great benefits to your flexibility, maybe even more so than regular yoga.

The Bikram yoga that is in Athlone has moved to a bigger studio with more classes if that interests people. They have a website you could google.

amdublin

Ive never felt better in my whole life since starting bikram.
Sleeping amazing.
Lost inches.
Emotionally feel better.
Skin refreshed and clear.

siochain

Have to say after 5 months in my knees haven't been this good in about 15 years. Having battered they body over the years with rugby, gym work and still battering the body with kickboxing this has given me back years. Like anything new its hard but soon it gets addictive.

Orando Broom

Absolutely loved it but it's too expensive to maintain with any degree of regularity alongside a monthly gym subscription. A huge shame as I felt it did wonders for me.

Frank Bullitt

Iv done it a few times, its very tough indeed.

Out of interest, how many class a week would be sufficient to see a difference.

Main reason I ask is the price of it, its quite dear to do on a very regular basis.

Mr Marri

I'm in the gym first thing, so I have the steam room to myself, I rotate through the poses and reckon you could do a whole class in a week, but it's in 10min chunks. also it's great being able to add in some extra poses or repeat one that are weak.