Hot Yoga / Bikram Yoga

I have wanted to try Bikram Yoga (also known as hot yoga) class ever since 2 of my friends who are avid fans have raved about how they felt after the class. They said they became flexible, ate right, felt energized, toned themselves and felt great. I was curious to find out why anyone would like to be in a hot room with other sweaty people doing 26 yoga postures (and 2 breathing exercise) for 90 minutes and I repeat, its all done in a 105 degree Fahrenheit room where you sweat copiously.

So one Saturday afternoon, with a LivingSocial unlimited monthly pass that my hubby got me for Mother’s Day; I said what the heck and went for my first class all excited and anxious. I am usually very excited about trying out new things in life. My friend with whom I went was that avid fan I mentioned earlier, so her excitement added to mine. And lo and behold! Here I am typing this after my first 4 classes in last 5 days.

I feel incurably addicted.

http://www.bikramyogadelraybeach.com/

My experience
After I read what a beginner should read about hotyoga, I drank lots of water throughout the day, wore capri yoga pant and tank top, and took my yoga mat, one bath towel, one small towel, water and lots of excitement. I had to keep my stomach empty before the class; so ate 2-3 hours before the class. On the first day, my yoga instructor, who was a hot guy (u know due to the heated room!) with a British accent told us not to leave the room till the class was over and I didn’t want to disappoint himJ!!!! I entered the hot room for my first class, laid down my yoga mat and covered it with my towel and just like the experts in the class, I went into savasana (corpse pose) trying to relax and take in the heat. I started sweating immediately; however I was somehow not overwhelmed with the heat. As my instructor walked in, we all stood up. He guided us with every posture and gave us directions constantly. I didn’t let the heat stop me from doing all the postures/asanas. Mantra is to be focused on the asana (posture) and listen to the constant guidance that your instructor provides. I never once felt like leaving the room. I took the posture to the limit where I was comfortable without getting intimidated by the other "flexible like playdough" students who were in front of me. After the first 90 minutes, I was sweating profusely (the heat does that to you) and somehow felt great. Went home, took a cold bath, ate a light dinner and I felt sore in my neck and legs. I felt really tired and sleepy and slept like a baby. I had a slight headache after the class and next day morning, however it did not persist. My legs were surprisingly very sore for 3 days. I call this the good soreness or the workout effect soreness... That means I worked out my muscles, and that felt good, so I went for 3 continuous days and took a day break and went today for my 4^th class. I learnt new things from all my different yoga instructors and I liked them all. I was excited everyday about my class and felt great afterwards. Any form of exercise makes me feel good and I am glad that hotyoga had the same effect on me

I am glad I tried Hot Yoga and I hope that I will continue in future. I will also try morning class to see if I feel sleepy at work or feel energized...  

I would love to hear from all those who try out Bikram Yoga and your experiences with Hotyoga. 

P.S - Since I wrote this article, in the last 17 days I have attended 13 classes. I went for 2 morning classes (6AM) and was not sleepy at work. Another friend of mine joined hotyoga class and though she found the first class as an impossible and daunting task, she went for her second class in 24 hours and is now hooked as well. Thank you A - my hubby for the unlimited monthly pass and Thank you N and R for being zealous believers of Bikram yoga and thank you all for reading

For all those who are thinking of trying Hotyoga... beware its addictive!! :)

So long till I try something again...Be happy and spread happinezzzz...