I really think the Bikram style of yoga is worth a try, so that you can compare it to other styles.

You might find that the Bikram style of yoga doesn't suit you or that it's too demanding for where you're at, at this particular moment ... and that's fine, as you can always come back to it if you like the style.

So ... what can you expect of Bikram Yoga?

Well, to give a brief description - and I really do think it should be experienced in the flesh .... it's a series of 26 positions each one building on the one before. These positions are taught in a room that is heated to  body temperature.

Each position in the series prepares the body for the next position by warming the body and stretching the muscles.

The warm room allows the muscles to warm more quickly and become supple letting you work deeper into the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

So  how do you feel during a Bikram Yoga Class?

Undertaking and holding the various poses in the 26 poses series also causes your body to generate heat ..... so you're getting it from the inside as well as the outside!

Expect to feel a bit of soreness ... depending on how hard you push yourself you could experience some twinges in the thighs, hamstrings or in the lower back... Naturally, your soreness can also stem from the fact that these muscles are tight as a result of the work you do, or perhaps as a result of the exercise that you might have done - especially if you haven't stretched properly... and the yoga and this applies to the bikram style or in fact any pose based style of yoga, is helping to loosen tight muscles...

Just make certain that you only experience 'soreness' and perhaps a 'small level of discomfort' and not pain - never push yourself through pain - as that is the body's way of telling you that something is dreadfully wrong.

Each person's level of discomfort is different and the way to achieve more is to work through the discomfort gently and stretch further ... BUT don't forget to listen to your body.

 If you're new to Bikram yoga or returning after some time away from doing yoga, they often suggest that after your initial class you come back within say 24 hours ... The reason for this is to help to work through the soreness.

 Often the soreness is caused by a build-up of excessive lactic acid in the muscles, which is a waste product of the muscle's exertion. This needs to be worked out and by practising yoga again it helps to cleanse the muscles of the toxins and helps you further the strengthening process... And what better way than to take part in your next bikram yoga class. Each time you go you slowly build on the last bikram yoga session.

If you see students of Bikram yoga, they are often lean and muscled. However, people of any size and shape can do this type of yoga. Even if you're overweight, it doesn't matter ... you just need to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the challenge - and it will be a challenge to do and master bikram yoga. You just need to be conscious of what your bodily limitations are and not overdo it to begin with. But, ... don't give up - really give the bikram yoga experience a go. It is a particular experience and the way the 26 poses are structured is different to the way others teach yoga.

If you're a bit nervous to go to a class for the first time, why not invest  specifically in a Bikram Yoga dvd or a Bikram Yoga video

So the room is hot - does this affect me in any other way?

Don't forget, the room is hot, and you sweat a great deal. That's why it's often called 'Bikram Hot Yoga'! .... you could say, ...self-evident, .... but I sometimes don't think that people realize just how hot the room can get!

So you need to prepare yourself BEFORE you attend this type of yoga class. It is always good to speak with your teacher a couple of days before you wish to attend to help you understand how they intend to conduct their class. Now although Bikram is a set system of poses, each teacher will add their own personality and style to the class ... some may conduct it like a 'boot camp' and use the microphone like a megaphone ... other's though will encourage you through the series of poses.

So find what works for you!

But getting back to this very hot room - you MUST hydrate yourself beforehand. So prepare for your yoga classes and the day before start drinking lots of water. If you wish - add electrolytes to your water. I generally aim to drink between 8-12 glasses of water the day before and on the day I go to my bikram yoga class I also drink regularly and add electrolytes to my water.

I try not to drink a large amount of water half an hour before the class as it's best to approach the class with a somewhat empty stomach. By the way that goes for food too! A piece of fruit - that's fine - but nothing much more otherwise you will feel sick.

Have a water bottle with you during the class and take sips .... not gulps of water during the class when you feel dehydrated.

And by the way ... you will drip like a leaky tap from sweat through the class ... so don't be embarrassed about it!

This type of experience is not uncommon but it can be overcome if  you prepare yourself beforehand.

 

Hot Yoga - Bikram's Twenty Six Contributed By: Carina Snowden Even though the world population has shifted from mainly rural to mainly urban in the last decade, there are still lots of folks like me who live in the sticks. Doing things like taking a yoga class becomes a different thing in our case from driving to the neighborhood gym. Since I live 40 miles from the nearest town large enough for yoga studios, when I decided to take a class, I was more interested in the schedule than I was the type of yoga. I couldn't afford to be picky if I preferred not to wait around for a couple hours after getting off work. So I looked in the phone book, and didn't pay attention to anything but the schedule. There it was: M-W-F at 4:00. Perfect. I don't know what rock I'd been living under, but the word "Bikram" writ large across the ad in the yellow pages didn't trigger the term 'hot yoga' in my mind, and that left me in for a big surprise. I showed up with a comfy pair of sweatpants and a long- sleeved t-shirt. As the woman at the desk was giving me a little orientation information - explaining that the room was heated to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit - I realized that my concept of yoga clothes weren't going to work here. Apparently, I wasn't the first to make this error. Susie told me they had loaners. Now, it's been a while since the last time I wore hot-pants, so when she handed me the little scrap of shorts, I thought, "No way." She said, "Trust me, you'll fit right in." Susie continued, giving a few more orientation tips, which started to seem like a set of warnings. "Our first-time students are encouraged to rest whenever you feel you should - kind of take it gradually. The instructors just ask that you do your best to stay in the room for the entire time." What? Were we still talking yoga here? I'd seen pictures. Sure, I might not be able to balance on one leg while holding the other one over my head at my first try, but come on. How hard could it be to stretch as far as I could go and stop there? Why would I get desperate to leave the room? Her next suggestion: "OK, I see you brought a bottle of water. That's good, but you'll be tempted to drink a lot, and I recommend you just drink sips - not too much at a time." Hmm. What was I getting into here? It sounded like I was facing some kind of ordeal - not what I had in mind at all since I was thinking of yoga as a peaceful, low- impact way just to stretch and keep my aging body flexible and strong. Once I was dressed in the little bit of shorts, I opened the door to the yoga studio and was met with a rush of hot, stultifying air. Oh goody. I walked to an open space, spread my mat, lay on my back, and understood exactly what she meant by asking me to at least stay in the room. I was already dripping sweat, and we hadn't even begun the class. Ninety minutes and twice through the 26 poses later, I was indeed still in the room. In the non-competitive, supportive atmosphere I had been completely guided to go to my edge, but not so far that I would be turned off by struggle. In fact, I was exhilarated. I lay on my back at the end, eyes closed in the peaceful, very hot room, and knew I'd be back for more. Carina Snowden is a contributing author to Apex Yoga News the leading resource for yoga information. Visit Carina's archive of articles at http://www.apexyoga.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carina_Snowden

A change of clothes is a good thing!

Until you've done a couple of classes and find your own way of doing things ... can I suggest a couple of housekeeping items for your first Bikram class.

1. Bring a big towel to place over your mat.

2. Bring a few smaller hand towels to help you with your sweaty grip.

3. Bring tissues in case you need to blow your nose, the heat can help release any build up in the sinuses.

4. As one sweats so much, make sure every strand of hair is out of your face. Nothing worse than sweaty hair dripping into your eyes.

5. If you wear glasses they will fog up. Wear contact lenses.

6. If you are having your period, well I would suggest leave off the Bikram until your period is over, the exercise, together with the heat makes either a tampon or a pad really uncomfortable.

7. Don't eat some 1 1/2 -  2 hours prior to practice otherwise you'll feel nauseous. (I say that with respect to any yoga practice or heavier form of exercise)

8. Have snacks available immediately following class.

9. I wouldn't try my first Bikram class before a big job interview or work presentation as you're thinking might be a little fuzzy.

10. Bikram is a bit addictive, the high does wear off, leaving you feeling exhausted but great!

11. It's suggested that you should try a  minimum of 10 classes per month before you see the benefits such as  weight normalization.

12. As a beginner, expect to take up to four classes for your body to learn the proper way to do the postures.

13. Expect to do ten classes before your body adjusts to the postures and begins to work into them.

14. By doing the yoga your digestion and respiration, as well as endocrine, lymphatic and elimination systems will start to work properly if they haven't been working before. You will find that your appetite will normalize and if you've had cravings for less than health food, interestingly enough, they will diminish. All of these results will help to normalize your weight.

But does Bikram Yoga give me the work out I need?

Once you get started, I think you'll find that it's a complete cardiovascular, aerobic, strength, flexibility and fat-burning workout.

The choice is really a personal one as to what intensity levels you want to work at ... it is a very physical work out.

I think you find that those people who are regular Bikram yoga students would say that it helps them look and feel great, lose weight and reduce stress. Physically, it is the perfect blend of strength, flexibility and balance. Mentally, it trains the mind in five key ways: to have faith in one's self, gain self control, increase determination, improve concentration and build patience.