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Maybe you’re tired of going to the gym and using the same machines every time. Maybe you’re looking for a new, more fun form of exercise to try. Or maybe, running and doing traditional bodyweight workouts like pushups has been causing you joint pain. If any of this sounds like you, Bikram (Hot) Yoga may be the right thing for you.

What exactly is Bikram Yoga, you ask? Simply put: Bikram Yoga is a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises completed over a period of 90 minutes in a room heated to 104 or 105 degrees.

I know what you might be thinking. Why would anybody in their right minds want to experience something like that? That sounds like pure torture.

Well, I’m here to quell some of those worries. As someone who has taken Bikram Yoga many times, I can assure you that it isn’t as bad as it sounds! Ok, if I’m being honest, the first couple of classes aren’t going to be 100% fun. You will be uncomfortable. You will sweat. A LOT. (That’s the point! – To sweat EVERYTHING out).

But power through it: embrace it. You’ll be tempted to leave the room after 10 minutes because the heat is so unbearable and the stench of sweat just permeates the air. But don’t! (Trust me here).

Honestly, after those 90 minutes are up, you will feel the blissful effects of the many physical and mental benefits of Bikram Yoga. It’s all worth it in the end, I promise. It’s even scientifically proven to help your body out. In fact, doing Bikram Yoga allows the body to “detoxify, relieve stress, tone, and heal chronic pain such as arthritis, joint aches, knee injuries, back problems and more”(Goyanes, n.d.). This is the perfect alternative to traditional exercise if you have health problems or if you just aren’t a huge fan of the traditional running/going to the gym workout (which I can totally empathize with!).

You will leave each class feeling refreshed and rejuvinated — ready to tackle anything.

Bikram Yoga is a great way to sweat for all ages and fitness levels. That’s the other thing I love about it: you can go at your own pace. Typically, you’ll have an instructor who will help you and talk through each pose as part of a moving meditation. Yes, instead of doing the poses with you he/she will talk you through them in a very calming and soothing manner. This is what helps you ease some of that stress and relax.

If you ever feel dizzy, or like the heat is getting to you, or you can’t do some of the poses (because yes, there are some pretty difficult ones to master!) then it is strongly advised that you take a rest and only continue when you’re physically and mentally ready. Bottom line? Don’t push yourself too hard. With many sports and other forms of exercise, you may feel pressured to go at the speed everyone else is going at or to go beyond your limit to improve your physical ability. The beauty of Bikram Yoga is that it works in the complete opposite way. What matters is not speed or what everybody else is doing, but rather focusing on yourself and nourishing your individual body and mind.

With that being said, give Bikram Yoga a go if you’re feeling daring and want to change up your fitness regimen!

Sources:

http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/9-things-you-need-know-about-bikram-yoga

About The Author

Christine is currently a sophomore at Northeastern University pursuing a combined major of International Relations and Anthropology. She was born and raised in Queens, New York. Her favorite forms of exercise are Bikram Yoga and playing tennis but she is willing to try new forms of fitness. She has a weakness for chocolate chip cookies and bubble tea.

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