Bikram yoga FAQ

Since it has been about a month since I started doing Bikram yoga, I am now qualified to openly evangelize the practice. You may read my post about my first time here.


What is Bikram yoga?
Bikram yoga is a form of yoga invented and patented* by Bikram Choudry, a weight lifter and former yoga champion from India. It involves 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises done in a 105 degree room. Also known as "hot yoga," Bikram yoga is unique because it involves the hot room. It also has a reputation for being a very intense form of yoga. The practice of Bikram yoga should not vary from studio to studio: the instructor and studio must be Bikram certified. Read more here.

*There has been great controversy over the patenting of yoga exercises.

Why do Bikram yoga?
I started Bikram yoga because of my extreme neck problems that caused tension in my head/neck/shoulders and various other problems like hearing sensitivity. I was told that Bikram yoga was good for healing injuries and for relieving tension. I have encountered the following reasons for doing Bikram yoga:

• Injury rehabilitation. It seems that many people begin Bikram yoga after an injury and stay with it because it really helps with their rehabilitation process. The hot room is really good for stretching/relaxing tense muscles in a gentle way. It
• Stress relief. Bikram yoga stretches everything. It is also very intense and requires immense concentration.
• Weight loss. The difficulty of the exercises combined with the exertion needed to do them in the hot room burns quite a few calories. The 90-minute Bikram yoga session burns ~800 calories--compare this to running for 1 hour at moderate pace, which only burns ~600 calories!
• Strength building. Before starting Bikram yoga I ran ~35 miles a week and lifted weights regularly, so I went into Bikram yoga in fairly good shape. Since beginning Bikram yoga I have developed a bunch more muscle tone in random muscles that my previous exercise did not really reach.
• Regulating the body. The Bikram yoga site describes how Bikram yoga is good for you because it gets your blood flowing and regulates the endocrine system. I am not sure how much of this I believe, since this benefit hasn't been as apparent in my life as the previous benefits I listed.
  

What kinds of people do Bikram yoga?
I have seen the following kinds of people at the Bikram yoga studio:

• Normal, somewhat fit-looking adults who think Bikram yoga is a good thing.
• Not fit people who are trying to get fit or do good things for their bodies.
  
• People with injuries who are trying to recover. From the bios, it seems like this is how some of the instructors got into Bikram yoga.
  
• Athletes who want an alternative method of stretching. I've read about Olympic athletes who do Bikram yoga twice a week. I've also heard that some sports teams ahve their athletes do this.
• Ambitious children and teenagers.

I found it surprising that there are many men of various yoga ability and fitness level who practice Bikram. Some days when I go the sessions are majority men!

What should I do to prepare for my first session?
You should first locate a Bikram yoga studio and then determine when to go and what you will ned to bring. To do Bikram yoga you will need a yoga mat, 2 towels to line your mat, and clothing in which you will feel comfortable sweating. The Bikram yoga studio in Boston provides a mat and 2 towels for your first session and 2 towels/session in general.

Before the Bikram yoga session you should hydrate as much as you can until the session. Do not eat any meals three hours before the session and do not eat any food one hour before the session. If you are worried about getting low blood sugar, drink some juice ~1 hour beforehand.

If you would like to purchase your own yoga mat, I recommend getting one at a place like City Sports, of which there is one on Brattle St. by Harvard Square. Nike ones go for about $20.

What should I expect from a Bikram yoga session?
The session will begin with breathing exercises and then go into the 26 postures. The first portion of the postures are standing: you begin with stretching, then the awkward series (building leg/core strength by doing sitting and twisting), then the balancing series, and then some cooling down series. The first water break is just before the balancing series, and then after that you can drink water as frequently as you'd like between postures. The second part of the session involves floor postures separated by the "dead body pose," during which you can rest and regain energy. The Bikram session ends with a final breathing exercise.

During your first session you will feel very hot and probably very thirsty. You may also feel dizzy at times. For the first week I did Bikram yoga I alawys felt very dehydrated, but after that my body and hydration habits adjusted to make things better.

How often do I need to do Bikram yoga?
They tell you to go 2 days in a row when you first begin and when you haven't gone in a while and they recommend going 3-4 times a week to get the full benefit. I try to go 6 days a week because it really helps me with back/neck tension problems.

How can I do Bikram yoga in Boston?
Visit the Bikram Yoga Boston site for schedules, rates, etc. If you want to go with me, you can check my schedule for when I am going. I go to the one in Harvard Square.