Truth be told I was a bit sceptical, nervous and excited all at once as I arrived at SoHot Bikram Yoga in North Soho in London today. When the smell of the building hit me as I walked through the doors I was tempted to make a u-turn and I probably would had it not been for my friend who took me there. She assured me I would love it once I got really into it and it would be bad to turn around for a little bad odour. Everything should be tried at least once, right?
When I came into the reception area people were wearing very little clothes (men were only wearing little shorts) and I felt a sudden panic of being trapped in a heated sweaty room full of half naked strangers, but as the crazy adventurous londoner I now am I shook it off and slipped into my running nylon bottoms and nylon top (I was adviced to stay off the cotton) and tiptoed bare foot to the heated room with the half naked strangers. Nothing weird about that, right? ;)
As I entered the Bikram yoga room the heat hit me in that same surprising way as the air in Thailand did the first time I walked out of the plane, extremely humid and very hard to breathe. Again I panicked a little thinking of how the Policies and Etiquette stated no one was at any point allowed to leave the room, but having come this far there was no way I would turn around now. I only needed to get through 90 minutes…
I got a mat and a towel and found a place in the back where I could sneak a peek at the more experienced bikramers. The session started with vocal breathing techniques which fortunately increased my lung capacity in the humid air. We then starting doing the poses and it wasn’t long until we were all dripping of sweat, and I do really mean dripping. The poses were challenging to the point where my muscles started shaking and I really felt I was getting a great workout. In my head I had pictured all the people bending in ways that would fit right into The Exorsist, but it was actually far more sivilized and without sounding like a real prude I think I managed to keep up fairly well considering it was my first session.
The Bikram Yoga consists of 26 poses:
The session was divided into two parts, the first comprised of poses that are more physically challenging and the second of poses that are more about stretching. Apparently most people prefer the second part, but I think I preferred the first part as I quite like to feel I’m challenging my body and feel I’m using my muscles. The trainer we had was brilliant and explained everything very thoroughly, he also made me feel very welcome and at no time did I feel stupid despite some wrong turns here and there.
As I walked out of the room I decided that this could easily become my new “thing”. I feel eager to see how far I can push myself and how far I can be able to bend, and if I next time will be able to do better than this time. One of my new years resolutions was to get more flexible after all :)
What was your first Bikram Yoga session like? Would you consider going for one if you haven’t tried it yet?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I tried Bikram Yoga a couple of times this summer, and I would have loved to start practicing, but there are no studios here in Seville. My first time was wonderful and horrible at the same time! Haha. I had to sit down like 5 times because I was almost passing out.. and I almost didn’t sleep that night because I was cold sweating the whole night and felt like I had a fever. They say it’s the detox!
Sylvia recently posted..O’Donnell 32 Burger & Gin Tonic Club
Oh my, that sounds horrible! Fortunately I’ve slept like a baby tonight :)
I just finished writing an entire blog post about my hot yoga experience! I love it!
http://misssilverspoon.posterous.com/my-lovehate-relationship-with-hot-yoga-93879
Miss Silverspoon recently posted..The 22 Most Fabulous Beyonce Moments From The Inauguration
I think I would be too inflexible for this! I do go to a basic pilates class which I find great for managing stress!
A bit of a random question, but I have two Mason Pearson brushes and was wondering if you still use your tangle teezer and if you think it would be worth buying one, or if it would just be an excess.
Thank you :)
Stick with the Mason Pearsons :) xx
You should also try yotopia in covent garden, its hot yoga or hot pilates!
hated it during, and right after, but the next day when i felt what a great work out i got i loved it!
I would love to practice Yoga ! I’ve been praticing ballet for 11 years (and I still do) but I think yoga would really help me being even more flexible !
Mara recently posted..Bronzy Summer
I never tried any type of yoga, I really have no idea about different types of it, although I’ve been told there can be massive differences. I get super curious about trying Yoga, but since I understand nothing of it and its types I get a little afraid ahaha I’m also not the most coordinated/gracious person out there! Sometimes I get curious about wanting to try it since I heard it could help with insomnia, a problem I now have related to a more stressful period in life. Do you think it helps or is this mainly just an exercise? And is it just for the gracefully coordinated?
This is so cool that you only just moved and you’re already trying new things! Living in London must be so inspiring! :)
Oh my gosh, Celina, their “Yoga Policy & Etiquette” page makes it sound so intimidating! Good on you for trying something new and a little scary. You’re an inspiration! :D
I LOVE hot yoga, which I’m assuming this is the same as. I love the feeling of my muscles loosening in the heat, it certainly helps while you do the poses, and the next day you still get that soreness from a good workout!
Mercedes recently posted..Spring 2013 Couture
Hi Celina!
I’ve never tried yoga, but recently (4 months ago) I got into the Pilates class in the gym. I was really scared at first because I was the only begginer at that point, but the teacher was really nice and also corrected me when I wasn’t sure how some exercise work!
I know it’s really typical to say but I have a really tight schedule so I only can go during the lunch hour; however I’m dying summer to come, so I will (finally!!) have finished my post-graduate classes and I’ll be able to start with new disciplines!
xx
I have never tried it, I have tried regular yoga but I am far too impatient and spinning still produces the same amount of sweating fortunately!
Amanda recently posted..Isela and Jonathan’s wedding
Bikram yoga is crazy intense! Each time I go, I am drenched in sweat from head to toe! It’s like every single cell of my body is perspiring. Strangely enough, I was able to perform much better in first class than consequentially afterwards. Somehow, it seems to have gotten harder each class. But I guess you have to push through the barrier. It definitely is easier to mould yourself into the poses coz of the heat expanding your muscles. Glad you enjoyed it Celina. :)
One word of advice, make sure never go empty stomach and also, never ever eat within the last two hours before class. I’ve had to do a lot of trial and error with eating patterns while going to this class. Sometimes, you can get seriously sick during class if you’ve eaten just before or not eaten at all.
xo
Hello Celina!
Great post on Bikram.
My first experience started with me chatting up an much holder woman in the locker room (I was curious to find out who the seasoned people were), turns out it was her first day too. She told me she was nervous ’cause she had never done Bikram before, but I quickly tried to reassure her that “everything would be fine and that it would be fun”. We got dressed and headed the studio, a studio that felt like someone had just wrapped me in a goose-down blanket in 80 degree heat.
By the way, I had just scarfed down a big lunch a little more than an hour before class. Usually, I like to eat a light to medium meal at least an hour before my workouts, so I figured it’d be the same for Bikram, right? Boy was I so WRONG!
Maybe 20 minutes into the start I was sweating like someone had tossed 3 buckets of water on me! Until that day or since, I had never sweat so hard in my life. I don’t mean to get too graphic, but I couldn’t believe how much water came out of me.
Then my stomach started to cramp and I began to get nauseous, but like my workouts I figured if I just pushed thru , what I thought was a wave of discomfort, I’d be fine. Well, I was wrong again. As I’m standing in my pose, pushing myself to “stick it out” the room started to fade to black like in a movie. I tried blinking a few times because for a second I didn’t realize it but I was about to faint! I was so shocked by this sensation, without any other thought, I broke pose and QUICKLY walked out of the room. I was scared, because before that moment I had never fainted or felt faint in my life. I think the instructor was trying to tell me to stay but I was moving so fast he didn’t have time to stop me. LOL!
I startled the hell out of the receptionist with my exit from class, she was surprised to see me and was
like,”if its too hot try to take a knee next time. Try not to leave the room.”
I was only half interested in what ahe was saying because those cold, fresh breaths felt like heaven. I instantly felt alert and like what I imagine fish must feel when they’re pulled from water for a period of time and are then tossed back.
To shorten an already really long story, sorry, I went back inside and finished the session and “took a knee” whenever I felt I should. And after class the Older Woman was trying to comfort me :-D She did great by the way!
I continued to attend Bikram classes even after that experience because it is an amazing challenge for me and I always feel strong, happy, and relaxed afterward.
-LaRie
Inspiredshe.wordpress.com
You left the room?? :O Haha, you are crazy ;) Thank you for sharing your story <3 xx
This is story is funny hahaha
OMG.. I can feel this happening to me if I ever do it. Thank you for sharing your story..even though it is mildly embarrassing. I think your story can prepare people to know what they are in for and to not feel like they have to be a pro at it before they can try it in a class.
oh wow! i would love to try it!
the room is packed with people! i’ve never done yoga, maybe i should try bikram yoga when im a little bit more experienced
I´ve never tried Bikram yoga, but it looks interesting and it´s cool that it´s a good workout!
Elisabeth recently posted..Hershesons Blow Dry Bar at Selfridges:
I been seeing this a lot, it seems a little intimidating I probably have to look a little more into it, maybe they have a beginers like It will probably take me time to get there. Thanks for posting
I love hot yoga and hot pilates too. We have a mad teacher who does some really intense stuff with dance music blasting!. he also does retreats to India and Bali which are AMAZING!
Also, well done for getting out and about in London already, when you have the flat to arrange and how poorly you have been I am really impressed that you are getting so into the swing of London life.
I swear by Bikram! And any beginner can do it! I feel it’s more of a skin treatment than workout. Sitting in that heat for 90 mins, sweating out all toxins, my skin is glowing for the next few days. Aside from the great stretching and workout, Bikram has taught me how to lay still and clear my mind through the Savasana’s. I’ve always had insomnia issues, and since going to Bikram, I have learned how to allow myself to go to sleep and relax. I’ve been doing this for about 6 months now, I don’t go too often, 90 minutes takes up an entire evening after work, but it’s such a treat when I can go. When I started, I didn’t do yoga at all, but I was able to keep up with all the moves. I have since started doing hot yoga, which is a cooler temperature, and more advanced moves, but you still get a great sweat. It’s nice that even though it feels like an amazing workout, it’s still beginner moves, so anyone can try it. The biggest fear for most people is the 105 degree’s, and not being able to leave the room. The best tip I have, is to remember that it’s okay to lay down and rest during the class. It’s totally normal, and necessary for a lot of people. Once you get to the 2nd part of class, the laying down portion, you will realize that you can survive. I start dying near the end of the standing segment, but once those Savasana’s come, I’m just a happy little hot mess. You’ll never appreciate laying on the floor more than that first Savasana after standing for 45 mins. That’s what keeps me coming back. And the nap at the very end. I walk out of there like I’ve just come from a full relaxing day at the spa. Not a thing in the world could upset me or ruin my mood. It’s an amazing feeling!
Wow, you make it sound great, helping with insomnia + being great for the skin really called my attention! I just might gather up the courage to try it :)
i live in California and these new studios called Core Power Yoga started popping up all over the place and my mother-in-law bought a 30 day trial then realized what it was so she gave it to me! i have NEVER sweat so much in my life! But the experience is amazing and made me wish i still lived close to one. i felt like it was very cleansing for my body and loved all the instructors there
I actually just got back from a class a few hours ago (Victoria, Canada)… but here we have Moksha yoga as well as Bikram. I have done Bikram before and really enjoyed it, but I found that I prefer Moksha! It’s a little cooler (though still very warm) than Bikram, and the poses are geared for any skill level. I guess it all depends on who you get for a teacher, though!
I have to say Celina..I have a whole new respect for you. I could never do this kind of Yoga. I am terrified of very humid weather. I live in a very humid place and in the summers I have to be careful. I have fainted before so I am very cautious.
Keep up the great work and keep us posted on how each session goes.. You’re inspiring me to want to try it :)
Lots of Love
Krystle xxoo
Jeg elsker bikram! Den beste treningen som finnes! Cardio, styrke og tøying i en session, 3 i 1. Treningens Kinderegg:)
Jeg trente Bikram i fjor vinter 3 ganger i uken. Har dessverre ikke fått det til dette året, Det tar så mye tid i hverdagen. Jeg har startet slyngetrening hjemme istedet. Da blir jeg ferdig med styrketreningen min på 30 minutter i min egen stue. Perfekt!
Så kjekt du har funnet yoga! Jeg har aldri prøvd bikram, men har praktisert iyengar yoga i mange år. Blir rett og slett litt avhengig, er utrolig hvordan du lærer å kjenne kroppen din, takle smerte og tenke på en ny måte!
I tried Bikram Yoga for a couple of weeks a few months ago and I must say that it is indeed a “great workout” as you put it in your post, I also love the challenge and to go beyond my limits. However I do have trouble with the word “yoga” in it. I’ve been traveling for a while in India practicing yoga and meditation in different ashrams and I would have to say that Bikram Yoga has very little to do with the actual yoga science taught by the ancient yogis, and because of it most people think that yoga is a mere physical practice. I actually wrote about my whole experience in my blog and why in my opinion I don’t consider it yoga. http://www.path2yoga.net/2013/05/experience-with-bikram-yoga-is-this-really-yoga.html
A couple of days after I published that post one reader share the news that Bikram Choudhury, the founder of Bikram Yoga, has just been accused of rape by two girls. http://yogadork.com/news/bikram-choudhury-accused-of-rape-in-two-new-lawsuits/ If those accusations are proven to be true it would make people wonder about how much of yoga there is actually in Bikram Yoga, but I’m sure people will continue to practice it as an intense workout.