Holy cow! My first time for Bikram yoga. I knew it was going to be hot but holy smokes. It was hot 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Bikram Yoga is 90-minute yoga practice in a room set at 105 degrees. The practice consists of 26 poses, held for a specific amount of time and repeated two times. I knew what I walked into and kept an open mind. I’ve always wanted to try it and so I did – and I am happy that I did and will go back again. I found it different from my regular practice of power yoga and I felt detoxified with all my sweat.
Here are five tips I learned as a beginner at Bikram Yoga:
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Sweat is an understatement in class. You will be soaked. Best to hydrate the day before and the day of. Don’t forget to bring your water bottle to class.
2. Wear as little as possible. Prior to attending class, I didn’t quite understand why they are wearing very little. Now, I know as it is hot in the room. I am conscious of my body and in the room, no one has a perfect body. Everyone in the room will be focused on themselves and their practice, no one will judge you. If you will wear a top, choose a dry wick material. Wear shorts!
3. Bring towels to class – 1 large towel for your yoga mat and to prevent slipping and 1 small one for your sweat. Others prefer to not wipe off their sweat so the body will work harder and only dab sweat on their eyes.
4. Observe silence once you enter the room. Try to converse outside when the class is over. Many try to meditate after class.
5. Listen to your body. There will be days when our balance will be off and it’s okay. Listen to your body. If the body tells you to slow down, do so. Plus, do not compare yourself to others in the room. Each body is different and has their own story. Do what you can – the most important part is that you showed up to your mat.
Bikram is only one of the many styles of yoga. Try it and you may like it. I know I will be going back. Thank you Salt Lake Bikram Yoga!
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