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Original poster

Who does hot/bikram yoga?

22 replies

Yogasuz · 22/07/2015 15:36

I do 2x Hatha classes a week but the idea of bikram sometimes does appeal to me, however I worry that I'd pass out with the heat! I know the best way would be to give it a try but I'm concerned I'd just be sat in child's pose for the whole session!

Interested in anyone's experiences, especially for those that maybe don't usually enjoy the higher temperatures?!

OP posts:

CoteDAzur · 22/07/2015 15:45

I'm interested to hear about hot yoga, too.

There must be some enormous benefit to justify suffering in 40 C heat during yoga practice, but I don't know what it is

tomatoplantproject · 22/07/2015 17:07

I do hot yoga and have found it seriously addictive. The theory is that your muscles warm up much more quickly so you can get into deeper poses more quickly.

The first couple of classes are difficult but your body acclimatises pretty quickly. Its quite normal for people to take a bit of time out during the classes too. I need to make sure I am well hydrated before I start otherwise you really suffer. I drink regularly during the class and gallons after. I sweat absolute buckets but feel utterly clean afterwards - its the combination of hard work, sweat and utter relaxation.

Original poster

Yogasuz · 22/07/2015 17:35

Are you refreshed afterwards or completely beat? The place tempting me is near work but then I'd have a train ride afterwards from central London before got home...

OP posts:

tomatoplantproject · 22/07/2015 17:45

It depends a bit on the teacher and length of class. Sometimes I am utterly spent though.

I suggest you have a go to see if its for you.

sleepwhenidie · 22/07/2015 17:49

I do and I love it, definitely addictive. Tomato has nailed it with her description. There have been a few occasions where I've felt terrible but it's been when I have eaten a decent lunch and a glass of wine 3 or 4 hours before or just not drunk enough water generally. The heat/humidity level can vary too and that makes a difference.

yogasuz you will definitely want a shower before getting your train home but you will feel great.

sleepwhenidie · 22/07/2015 17:52

Oh and I don't do bikram, I go to Fierce Grace which is a bit less serious and military in its approach and a couple of degrees cooler!

DaftVader36 · 22/07/2015 18:00

Oh I LOVED bikram. In the south west now, and nowhere near me, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I felt so strong and supple because of it. I could get my hands flat on floor:, now, since children and a couple of years off, they're back to being up near my shins!

Go gently to start, lesson to teacher, and enjoy. So jealous

balletgirlmum · 25/07/2015 20:35

One of Dds teachers teaches hot yoga & raves about it. Dd is desperate to go but it's too far away plus I worry it's too much for a child anyway.

lighteningirl · 25/07/2015 20:37

Loved it but got loads of colds and bugs and none since I stopped.

isupposeitsverynice · 25/07/2015 21:06

I love hot yoga (not bikram, not tried that). I am really crap in high temperatures and dehydrate easily so I expected it to half kill me but it was actually wonderful and I am a massive fan. The studio I go to keeps the room around thirty degrees rather than the higher temperatures of bikram. I try and arrive early so I have time to lie down for a bit and acclimatise before class starts but actually as long as I've made sure to keep well hydrated all day before class I don't find the heat difficult to manage at all. I do sweat like nobodies business though, it drips off me in places I didn't even know sweated. Having said that, I don't feel gross coming out of class, and I don't mind waiting till I get home to shower though I don't use public transport. I completely agree with tomatoplantproject that it is addictive. I couldn't articulate why but I find the heat helps me really clear my head and have a much better mind-body connection. It's very therapeutic for me.

CoteDAzur · 25/07/2015 22:17

What is the difference between hot yoga and Bikram yoga?

sleepwhenidie · 25/07/2015 22:49

Bikram is a very strict set of poses, you aren't allowed to rest/drink/leave and it's a specific temperature. A brand if you like-so wherever you do it in the world the class will be exactly the same. Hot yoga will be in a heated room but class and temperature will vary like any other yoga class.

CoteDAzur · 28/07/2015 07:47

On my way to yoga and it's 27 C outside Who needs "hot yoga" at a coastal Mediterranean town? I'll report back with the benefits of the heat, real or imagined

Ubik1 · 28/07/2015 08:03

Bikram is extremely prescriptive - almost regimented in its approach.

You do the same poses every time as prescribed by Mr Bikram.
I enjoyed it for a while but also had some bad experiences where it was just too hot.
I think that if three quarters of your class are lying on the floor unable to do the poses because of the extreme heat - then maybe open a door?
I would have to lie down two or three hours later.
I prefer the class I do now as the poses change and I feel energised afterwards.

There's also a bit of a 'body beautiful' culture, much consumption of coconut water and some pop psychology to contend with.

But try it - it might suit you.

CoteDAzur · 28/07/2015 13:44

Well, in the end, we put the air conditioning on, so I still can't comment on benefits of hot yoga

SwivelHips · 29/07/2015 08:35

Another massive fan of the hot room here, really helps deepen the postures. It's mainly vinyasa flow at our studio or drop in Ashtanga teachers perhaps. Yin in the heat is totally delish!

ThoseAwfulCurtains · 03/08/2015 22:08

Love hot yoga. I know it's not Bikram but I'm not sure what type it is. There are 3 different teachers and they are all fab and sensible about heat. I love the feeling of working up a sweat. I prefer it to a non hot class now.

bjrce · 25/09/2015 19:25

Omg! Absolutely love hit yoga, only started it about 2 months ago and have to agree with pp it is highly addictive.
The moment I walk into the heated room, it lifts my spirits! I really love the heat, I position myself to stand under the ceiling heaters to get the full effect. I had a problem with knee injuries from running, and the yoga has completly sorted it.
So I don't have to give up my running.
Definitely tones your body ip big time, but I do feel after every class I ravenous with hunger. Please tell me its like this for everyone?

bjrce · 25/09/2015 19:25

Hot yoga, bloody phone

CoteDAzur · 25/09/2015 19:48

No, I can't say I'm ravenous with hunger after yoga. Then again, mine are morning classes and I am out by about 10 AM. Do your classes run over lunch time, by any chance?

Lunastarfish · 25/09/2015 19:56

I use to go to bikram. As pp said it is very regimented and find that the teachers are often completely up themselves. I use to check who was teaching before going as I despised some teachers so much.

It alwats made me feel very virtuos but completely exhausted.

The heat is tough. I suggest arriving around 15 mins before the class so you can acclimatise. I wore a crop top and hot pants - anything more I'd die! (i'm a size 14/16 BTW)

I stopped as I was made redundant and needed to save some cash however I was becoming a little bored as it is the same asanas each.time. But I am now quite keen to return (I've just had a baby so it will be a few more months) as I miss the heat!

CoteDAzur · 25/09/2015 20:07

By the way, I also went back to yoga following a knee injury. My knees are (almost) fine now but I haven't gone back to running yet because I'm scared that it might flare up again.

Have you had no problems with your knee injury after returning to running? I would really love to be able to run again.

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