The Next Big Thing: Bikram Yoga

by Riley Stauffer (@rileystauffer)

Bikram yoga, which you may know as hot yoga, has been around since 1970, but is only recently gaining popularity throughout the nation. Bikram yoga is unique because it is practiced in an 105 degree Farenheit room, with 40% humidity. So, be prepared to sweat! Each session lasts for 90 minutes and consists of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Because of the added intensity of the heat, and the challenging movement of most of the postures, Bikram is seen as much more of a cardiovascular exercise than other types of yoga. Plus, the heat warms and loosens your muscles, making it possible for you to stretch longer and further, which increases your flexibility. It also helps to detox your system, guard against injury, de-stress, and increase your energy level. Because of the heat, though, it's recommended you drink at least two water bottles before class, another two after class, that you don't eat for two hours directly before, and that you wear appropriately skimpy clothing.


I've been an athlete for my entire life, so whenever I would try a regular yoga class, I found it to be boring and un-challenging. Bikram, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. I showed up for my first class with a friend, and having followed the rules, drank a ton of water and didn't eat beforehand. I walked into the room in spandex, shorts, a tank top, and sports bra, but within seconds of walking into the room, before the session had even started, I was drenched in sweat and quickly decided to take off my now slick shorts and tank-top. This is the only time I deem it appropriate to dress in what can only be described as underwear while working out. The session started, and the instructor warned us that if we began to feel dizzy and light-headed, to take a knee and wait until it passed. I smiled at the idea to myself. I didn't think there was anyway it could be that hard. After all, I had been an athlete for fourteen years. I was in great shape. Little did I know. I began the first few poses aggressively, pushing to hold them for the entire time and go past my level of comfort, and before I knew it, I literally felt like I was going to pass out. I hadn't realized how heavily I was breathing and how fast my heart was beating because of the heat. The 90 minute session went by in a flash, because you're too concentrated on your breathing, the heat, and mastering the poses, which is considerably more difficult when you have sweat literally running off every inch of your body. At the end of the session, I was still amazed by how tough it was for me, but I felt the best I had in a long time. Ever since, I've been a devotee to Bikram.

There are Bikram studios all over LA, so I challenge you to go out and try it today!

http://www.bikramyogadowntownla.com/
http://www.bikramyoga.com/studioDetails.php?id=1
http://www.bikramyogalosangeles.com/