Hot Yoga?

Do you like it/ hate it?

Hot Yoga?

It was REALLY REALLY hot. I kind of liked it, I felt good afterwards, but during I wanted to die! I also felt that it was just too long 90min of that hot heat!! If you go drink plenty of water the day before!

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I don't like Bikram but I love a good heated Vinyasa flow.

I love the heat, I just don't like the Bikram series.

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I don't do it for health reasons, but there is some push back about it in the yoga world. I think it comes down to preference, but there is a risk of injury and heat stroke/dehydration. I tend to pass out in the heat, so I know it is definitely not for me. Bikram is really only practiced in America and is very different than more traditional forms of yoga. Its probably a great workout, but to me, its not worth the risks.



Article on Bikram

Message edited 8/24/2012 2:38:35 PM.

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I have been going for almost 3 years and have never had any issues.

I am not athletic or a yoga rockstar.

To be honest, ppl who talk about "risks" have probably never ever done it, or only gone to one class.

The only time I think I would worry was if I was pregnant, but I have known people to still go even under those circumstances.

If I am not really hydrated, I have a hard class. It also depends on what you ate that day and even just what kind of stress you may be under.

I go to Hot Yoga Massapequa and it's a beautiful, clean studio and most of the teachers are trained by Bikram himself.

Patrick offers all new students 10 consecutive days of unlimited hot yoga for $20.00. IMHO this is enough time to know whether you will love it or hate it.

The only thing I don't like about it is that it is a HUGE time committment.

By the time I leave my house to get there a little early to get a decent spot, and if the class runs over a little bit, sometimes close to 3 hours have passed by.

I have slacked off a ton this summer but when it gets cooler out, I go on average 3x a week.

I have always told anyone who is interested in checking out this studio, if you want a buddy for your first few times, let me know, and I would try to meet you. I usually go to the 8PM class during the week.

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P.S. I have written a lot about this before in past threads, but I would also be happy to talk about the do's and don'ts if you want to have a decent class.

Most of the teachers at my studio have never made me feel uncomfortable. The key is learning to breathe through your nose and taking breaks. To this day, I will still sometimes sit out almost a whole class. You will soon learn to realize that no one is looking at you, or cares.

There is only one teacher who I can think of that some people get uncomfortable with. I know he tends to teach in the AM though. Either you love or hate Chris LOL.

This is a great time of year to check it out. It usually doesn't start to get really crowded again until it gets cold out, and around New Years when people make their committment to lose weight.

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Message edited 8/24/2012 10:09:00 PM.

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I've done it once and liked it while I was in the class and immediately after.

I'm very athletic but was hesitant about going because I can sweat enough from a regular workout and because I have low blood pressure.

I felt great right after...and then got really sick the next day; tired, nauseous and couldn't even hold down water.

105 -108 degrees was just too much for me. I don't hate bikram at all...it just didn't work with my body! I'll probably try hot vinyasa at some point.

I think if you're interested in it, you should absolutely try it and really hydrate before and after. I told the instructor that it was my first ever bikram class and she was really helpful to me through the session.

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No worries. I don't get offended.

I have heard a lot of ppl talk negatively about it though who have never tried it or use terms like "cult" following. And the thing about the $$$ bothers me as well. This is why I am glad that there are Hot Yoga studios in addition to Bikram.......ppl should be able to afford to go to classes as long as they realize that not everyone has been trained by Bikram but that doesn't mean they are a bad teacher or do not know what they are doing.

I don't think I could personally ever teach, and IMHO, ppl who teach and open studios are also just trying to make a living as well. I don't take that away from them.

And it absolutely is NOT for everyone, just like running and Zumba and even the gym is not my cup of tea.



This is the only thing I have actually found that I am willing to stick to.

The classes CAN take a lot out of you, especially if you are not really hydrated. I purposely do not go to morning classes, especially on the weekend because all I will want to do is sleep all day otherwise.

I have also seen big muscle guys leave the room and never come back after the first 25 minutes of warm up.

Not knowing how to breathe and the heat does really get to people.

Hot Yoga?

BTW the teacher where I went was really amazing, she kept checking up on me because it was my first time. I felt very comfortable with the knowledge I was being watched!

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thanks for these great tips everyone!

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I tried it 3x, but wasn't a big fan. Not only is the class long, but you have to prepare for it ahead of time by drinking a ton of water and not eating. It also took me about an hour after class to feel normal again. SO, I felt that the whole process was like a 4 hour ordeal! I also had trouble holding poses because I was so sweaty.

With that said, I know many people who absolutely love it. I think you have to try it out to see if it if right for you.