Bikram Yoga
Published May 29, 2006
Most people think of Yoga as a bunch of out-of-shape people sitting cross-legged and humming. That's about as stereotypical as one can get. I did Yoga for three weeks, twice a week. I was able to run a mile two minutes faster than I usually do. For most people, that's about a lap around a typical football field.
I do Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga is an intense 90-minute class in 105-degree heat. We do twenty-six different poses and sweat like crazy. There are about 1200 hundred studios worldwide. New studios are opening everyday from Prague, Czech Republic (September 2006) to Downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico (Opened February 4, 2006).
When I tell most people this, they think I'm crazy. My friend actually asked me, "Why would someone want to bake to death?" Then he added, "You might as well just sit on a stove." I rolled my eyes and told him I love it. He laughed at me. Three months later, I talked him into going and now he's addicted, too.
Yoga is one of those things I am addicted to. During the class, I am tired and I ask myself why I put up with this torture. Then I get out of class. I'm so relaxed and all I want to do is go back to class.
I have started rebelling in my P.E. Class. When I'm supposed to be playing basketball, I'll be off in a corner practicing my Toe Stand. I'm driving the teacher crazy. He's one of those people who thinks Yoga does nothing for your body. I tell him that I've been in his class for two years and have seen no improvements in my athletic ability. I do Yoga for three months and am suddenly able to run. I ask him why we don't have a Yoga unit in gym. He says it does nothing for my body.
I can easily prove him wrong. Professional doctors have started to study Bikram and have proven there are health benefits. From Bikram Choudhury and Emmy S. Cleaves:
A healthy nervous system will carry impulses to all other organs of the body making them function correctly and in the process making your immune system incredibly strong.
I am not the only one addicted to Bikram Yoga. About 15 million Americans practiced yoga in 2004. In addition, Americans spend about $27 billion on yoga products annually.
My Yoga Studio is like one big family. Everyone there is extremely nice and supportive. Unlike places like my P.E. class, people don't make fun of you if you're a little slower than everyone else. The instructors rock. They aren't there to make you feel bad, which may sound stupid, but there are classes I have taken where the instructor only criticizes. The instructors at my studio are there to help. If I can't do the pose, it's cool and they don't push me too hard. I'm able to work at my pace. They will tell me how to improve. They offer guidance. And, generally, they make Yoga an enjoyable experience. I haven't been to any of the other studios, but I imagine the teachers are just as good.
Maddy is 16 and just ended her junior year of high school. She is an active writer for her school paper and excels in AP classes. She has a twin and loves the Pittsburgh Steelers. She is constantly distracted by everything from boys to, well, uh... boys. In her spare time, she writes novels. She has a radio show (part of the BC Radio Network) on Wednesdays at 5 PM available at BlogTalkRadio.
- Bikram Yoga
- Published: May 29, 2006
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Sci/Tech
- Filed Under: Sci/Tech: Health/Fitness
- Writer: CallmeMaddy
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Comments on this articleComments
You are quite fortunate to have supportive instructors. Not everyone is so lucky. The self-proclaimed creator of Bikram Yoga (sometimes referred to as "hot yoga" in Japan), Bikram Choudhury, frequently belittles and mocks his less capable students while they participate in his class.
While I can appreciate the understandable benefits of Bikram Yoga, I'm not so sure that it's any better for you than doing similar movements in a less sweltering environment. I'm a teacher and one of my students, who is quite fit and was doing other forms of exercise regularly, experienced dizziness, low blood pressure and fatigue after several sessions of hot yoga. I know the theory is that the warm environment helps your muscles stretch and move but I don't know that the flipside of the coin (the stress on your heart and internal cooling mechanisms in response to the intense heat) is worthwhile.
Thanks Orchid and Sal M for commenting.
Sal M stated: "bikram yoga, like any form of intense exercise, isn't for the beginner or the feint of heart."
Although, I respect your opinion, I do not believe that is correct. Before my first Birkam class, the only Yoga I did was one video session when I was five.
Birkam classes are designed for everyone in mind, whether you're Lance Armstrong, an 80-year-old out-of-shape woman, or just a silly 14-year-old girl who has never done Yoga, you can partcipate. The first thing they tell you at a class is to do as much as you can. It doesn't matter if you do one pose or twenty, when you start, your main goal is to get over the heat. You cannot be advanced without being beginner. BIRKAM YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE.
To Orchid: Thanks for your comment, It's quite interesting to have an instructor read my thoughts. I think the hot room is important to Yoga. In between classes, my friends and I will do a quick pose or two and the difference is amazing. Although, it may sound weird, we do much better in the heat. I think if I perform better in the heat, I must be getting better benefits. But then again, I haven't really studied the difference betweem heat vs. non-heat.
Thanks, you two, for commenting.
I live in South Florida and have been doing bikram yoga regulary for about 7 months. Personally, the results speak for themselves. I've went from a 36 waste to a 32. I look better feel and feel better. And to even further validate this - after classs one day I saw in the back of the room mr. self help himself - Wayne Dyer - if the name doesn't sound familiar do an author search for him on amazon.
Best,
Bian
There's a new web 2.0 resource available to help learn about, find and review local bikram hot yoga studios - would appreciate comments :-)
I am travelling to Pittsburgh to cover the Penguins/Senators NHL playoffs and I am hoping you can help me find a downtown yoga centre that offers Bikram or Hot Yoga classes.
Please Help!!! I have trveled the world as a dancer and i always manage to find a birkram yoga studio, Paris,London,Milano,Tokyo but i have now deciced to live in Athens Greece,and it seems that this is the only coutry without birkram yoga!!!! please will open a studio here?
Felicity, I also now live in Athens, Greece and used to do bikram in NYC and London and loved it. I would love to know if you do find a studio here
That's great that you have been introduced to Bikram's Yoga at such a young age, if you stick with it you will have the opportunity prevent many ailments that plague our society today including arthritis, Fibromyalgia, hypertension, etc.
I am so excited there is a Bikram Yoga Studio coming to my area, Bikram Yoga Cowichan Valley, I can't wait until it opens!
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yoga offers benefits that most any form of exercise - if properly done - offer. unfortunately high school phys ed is not the crowning acheivement with regards to the advances in health and fitness.
however, it's great when people find an activity that turns the light on and makes them realize that being sedentary isn't the way to go, and i'm all for anything that makes a person get off of their butt.
bikram yoga, like any form of intense exercise, isn't for the beginner or the feint of heart.