Bikram yoga

Treat injuries while you work-up a sweat with Bikram Yoga

My previous experience of yoga has been a series of bending and stretching along with breathing exercises tranquillity and calm but sometimes lacking in the burn factor that is desired from a heavy session at the gym. Bikram yoga on the other hand is held in a room heated to over 100 degrees so maybe this would help me to feel the burn! I decided to give it a go...

What is bikram?
Bikram Yoga is a 26 posture series performed in a room heated to approx 108 degrees. The series is scientifically designed to move oxygenated blood to 100% of the body, to every organ, fibre, muscle and joint. Every internal organ and system of the body is affected. The Benefits of Bikram Yoga include muscle strength and tone, flexibility, weight loss, treatment of diabetes, asthma, obesity, high and low blood pressure, and most famously the treatment of knee and back problems.

My experience
On arrival at the centre buddhist influences requested that I took off my shoes. I was wondering what I was letting myself in for. I imagined all the sweaty bodies, gasping for air and puddles everywhere and took a deep breath before being hit by the heat as I entered the room.

Inside it seemed peaceful and calm and had a dry heat similar to a sauna. The room reflected light through the large windows at the far end and I was nicely surprised - although the heat was already hitting me hard.

I was greeted by a man nicknamed 'the body' and I can see why. Taut, lean and limbs which looked toned to perfection – how I dream of looking.

We started with simple breathing exercises although I have to say they were enough and yes the sweat did start to drip – everywhere in fact! The sweating is the best bit and you really do feel that you are expiring all those built up toxins caused through late nights and heavy drinking sessions along with all those bad food choices...it was all quite literally pouring out of me. Water is definitely a necessity in this class.

The instructor was very helpful and reassured me that it was normal to struggle in the first session or in fact to feel light headed. The environment was conducive to only doing as much as you could and not pushing yourself beyond your limits. As the session progressed I have to say I was unsure at one point if I would last. The repetitive bending and squashing of every muscle in my body took every ounce of willpower to continue and towards the end as I struggled to complete the sit ups in the searing heat I lay flat out wondering how I would pull through the final ten minutes of the hour and a half session. I did manage it, even recalling my drenched state I can tell you it was worth it.

When the session had finished I limped out the room and showered. As I walked outside I really did realise why everyone raves about bikram yoga. I felt completely cleansed a million dollars in fact and as the heat left me I felt calm, energised and completely detoxed. When I arrived home my flatmate even told me I was glowing so who needs facials?

I would recommend this to anyone who has the determination to get through the first session and feel the benefits of sweating out those toxins!

Before Bikram yoga I didn't really know what it was to sweat profusely and now that I have, I find comfort in knowing I can detox all the bad out of me whenever I like.

Further information
To attend the same class as our writer visit http://www.bikramyogachiswick.co.uk/location.htm
To find an alternative class in your area visit www.bikramyogauk.net

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