During winter last year we decided to take up a morning 10 day Bikram yoga challenge as a form of team building with my significant other and also to try out something new. to me the concept of Yoga let alone Bikram yoga was a foreign one as its something I thought was just airy fairy and did not quite amount to proper exercise. As they say knowledge is power and I probably know better than to think like this anymore.
I won't go into the origins of Bikram yoga as that on its own warrants several posts, but basically Bikram yoga is yoga characterized by a set series of postures and breathing exercises, performed in a very hot room, 42 degrees Celsius to be more precise. Recently, I decided to sign-up for another 10 day challenge at Bikram Yoga Fourways http://www.bikramyogafourways.co.za/ this type of yoga is probably the best thing you can do for yourself in the winter cold as the hot air in the studio helps clear your chest and throat. The types of postures and breathing exercises also helps one detox and cleanse the system. I'm not saying it is instant medicine but is helps a great deal with getting the body on track.
I would definitely recommend this as an alternative form of exercise to someone who is tired of the usual exercise programme. It is however not for the feint hearted, however if you put your mind to it, it can be done. I've listed below some tips for first timers aka 'Yogi's' trying out Bikram Yoga for the first time.
1. An average Bikarm Yoga class is 90 minutes long (yes an hour and thirty minutes long) and usually once you start there is no backing out so even if you can't do the postures you are still encouraged to stay in the studio for the entire duration of the class. An early morning class would be ideal for those super busy mothers doubling up as career women as this usually leaves you the rest of the day to do other things i.e work, errands or simply looking after the family.
2. Hydrate! (I think this should be point number one). This is super important, as already mentioned the temperature in the studio can go up to as high as 42 degrees Celsius which means it is super hot and one will sweat heavily almost leaving you dehydrated and dizzy. there are of course short water breaks in the studio. However if you hydrate and drink water regularly throughout the day you will see that you won't have to stop for water breaks as your system is fully hydrated.
3. In terms of equipment, you will need to take a water bottle in with you if you feel you haven't hydrated enough prior to the class. you will also need to take in a big towel as you will sweat through-out the class. Ladies, this again is one of those hectic classes for the hair! Because you sweat so much as a result of the heat your hair will in most instances become wet. It is usually recommended that you tie your hair in a loose bun not too tight and not use head bands as these are tight on your head and can restrict the blood flow to your head thus making you dizzy. Braids would be a good choice for the sisters out there if you intend to do this on a regular basis otherwise you will be left maintaining a fro for a minute! You will also need a yoga mat which is usually provided at the Yoga studio. If like others you suffer from OCD and feel that you need your own mat, yoga mats are easily available from stores like Dischem and Sportsman's warehouse for just under R100.
4. In terms of dressing gear, this is not your typical gym session and therefore you don't have to wear that long tee or long tights unless you really feel strongly about it. It gets super hot in there and therefore a pair of short tights or shorts and a tank top would suffice otherwise you come out of the studio drenched in your own sweat.
5. Finally, don't give up. There comes a point as a first time yogi where you will feel dizzy and decide you don't want to continue with the class (My experience and several others). It gets easier as the class progresses and you will feel a certain level of satisfaction of finishing the class and you will feel energized once the class is done, so keep at it.
Bikram Yoga is not everyone's cup of tea but it will offer you a break from the norm and who knows you might just get used to it!
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