Adventure: Bikram Yoga Class

So, what exactly is Bikram yoga? Sometimes referred to as “hot” yoga, Bikram consists of a series of 26 postures (asanas) and 2 breathing exercises (pranayama) practiced in a heated room, most commonly around 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The extreme heat- and excess sweat that comes with it- is thought to help your body release toxins and allows your muscles to relax so you can work deeper into each posture.

I took my first two classes at Bikram Yoga Milwaukee this past week and though I was a bit hesitant when I heard they heat the room to 105 degrees, after attending they completely made a convert out of me. I’ve taken yoga in the past, but this was many, many years ago and never this particular style so I welcomed this new challenge. Plus, I kept hearing how you can burn anywhere from 600 to 1100 calories per class- something I was very interested in doing. I thought I’d recap my experience to give you an idea what to expect if you’re considering trying out a Bikram class for yourself. Here are some of the questions I’ve been answering all weekend:

Is the heat unbearable? Come on, tell the truth:

Honestly, it really wasn’t that bad. It’s kind of strange at first but I wouldn’t say it’s unbearable. It actually felt pretty good after a while because the heat really does help your muscles loosen up. I felt like I could stretch much further than I would have been able to had I been in an average temperature room. On the morning of my second class I felt very stiff when I came in the door but after ten minutes of just stretching in the room before class started, my aches had subsided and I was ready to work. Overall, it made me feel very strong and focused to be working so hard under such conditions. One thing that did take some getting used to though, was the smell in the studio. (There’s a lot of sweating going on in that enclosed space so it can’t really be helped but I feel I should put this information out there since some people can be sensitive to that.) For me, I got used to it just like I got used to the heat and by the end of the class it wasn’t even an issue at all.

What should I wear?

You really want to wear as little as possible while still remaining comfortable. I wore an old dance leotard and a pair of capri leggings but I was wishing the entire time that I had worn shorts. Most of the women had on tank tops or sports bras with yoga shorts and the men wore shorts and tank tops or went shirtless. You’re going to be sweating A LOT and there’s going to come a point where you just don’t care how you look. Everyone is sweaty, gross and working their butts off and nobody is looking at you or concerned about how you look in your outfit. There were all shapes and sizes of people there too so don’t think you have to look like a supermodel in order to show some skin.

I’ve never done yoga before. Can a beginner take this class?

Yes, a beginner can surely take this class but don’t get discouraged by more advanced students who might be present. I noticed there were some students who had obviously been coming to class for a while and were very flexible but there were many others who were clearly beginners and were doing modified versions of the postures. It’s important not to view a class like this as a competition. If you focus on yourself and your own workout rather than getting discouraged if your leg isn’t lifting as high as the person on the mat next to you then you’ll be much happier AND get more out of the class in the end. Learning yoga is a long process and if you stick with it you WILL get better.

What should I bring?

You will need a yoga mat, a large towel to lay on top of your mat and a water bottle. You can bring these from home but all of this is available for rent or purchase at the studio. I’d even suggest bringing another smaller towel to wipe away sweat in-between postures. You’ll want to drink plenty of water after class too in order to replenish the fluids you’ve lost.

Where is the studio?

Bikram Yoga Milwaukee
2084 N. Commerce St.
414-264-9642

Anyone else taken a Bikram yoga class? What has your experience been like? Fellow #fitmke-er @KatieFelten is in the middle of a 60-day Bikram yoga challenge so be sure to cheer her on!

Photo by localfitness.com.au.