What is Bikram Yoga?

[dksilentbob]

I've done this before. Pretty intense.

[deathzone12]

i went to a bikram yoga class today on an empty stomach and only 5hrs of sleep! it sure was hell!!!

[Bram1978]

bikram is similar to how a hamburger is related to good food

[mhrockstar]

Bull... Don't tell me kids before puberty don't have full grown sweat glands. I used to sweat like a true mothertrucker back when I was a whee little kid. I remember riding my big wheels up and down my road and coming inside with a wet shirt from being outside in the 100+ degree weather.

[15rsmith]

@mhrockstar he doesn't mean that kids can't sweat, but children definitely have different sweat glands than adults. that's why people wear deoderant AFTER puberty, because they sweat differently. google it.

[hiphopopotamus5]

@mhrockstar Kids cannot sweat to the capacity that adults can... when practicing Bikram yoga, you literally sweat from every pore in your body, and children cannot do this yet. Try it! It's amazing, and maybe you'll understand a bit more about how much you really sweat during the class :)

[johnferinal]

Bikram is having yourself in a 110 degree room, sweating, and smelling people's sweat.

[TriangleChoke96]

I'm a B'boy (aka Break Dancer) and I'm a little older than most... I had a trainer tell me this would help out tremendously. I look forward to starting it

[emaimon1]

the woman obviously wants to have sex with the guy who seems gay.

[healthnut4life48]

Check out these mats....AWESOME!!!

SELFTRAINERMAT. COM

[petrcotontail]

the most annoying voice

[ActraiserIII]

pretty good commentary. Guy seemed really balanced. No pun intended.

[SM1135ster]

it's ok it will kick start your body to get back in shape. i notice they don't have the tacky, stinky carpets in london, they do in NY, also horrid flourescent lights so when they go on about how healthy it is you can't help but laugh. i'll take hot yoga from somewhere more pleasant after my 1 st month Bikram yoga is really disrespectful to its students. he must be real cheap too you pay 4 water!

[maxforce10100]

crocadile lion waterbubbalo

[larcm3]

Why is she talking about Bimram Yoga as if she is talking bout sex?

[Enerjee]

@larcm3 - I've been doing Bikram Yoga for just over two months 2 to 3 times a week and have completed 22 sessions. It's improved my sex life as a consequence and I get much hornier than before. I'm male and Bikram is the best exercise I've ever taken part in. As a regular workout it's good for strength, stamina and suppleness. In addition I also lift dumbell weights and do 30 press-ups and back press-ups 6 mornings out of 7.

[Pearlygirl0]

wow that guy was pretty helpful, knows his stuff.

[devonkeim]

LOL "your never too fat"

[cinder1fk4n3ella]

bikram yoga is no joke! it's hard lol...but the physical & most important, spiritual benefits are so rewarding in my opinion (-: namasté

[OneDeadBird]

bikram is great - its a solid workout and you get cardiovascular benefits without having pressure on joints. Its also really helped my mental discipline because you hold each pose twice - first for 60 seconds and then a second time for 30 seconds and you have to coax yourself into remaining in the posture and not falling out. It's not meditative in the sense of thinking about flowing rivers and falling asleep - but it is very mentally demanding and you find that you have to concentrate and focus

[meem1261]

all helpful info but omg how annoying is the voice of the woman asking questions.

[meem1261]

all helpful info but omg how annoying is the voice of the woman asking questions.

[melyrainbow]

only body?..calories,body,sweat,fat­,loosing weight.....spirit?..deep coneccion??..mid???...union??.­..self knowledge???....meditation?...­.the real sense of yoga is lost...

[OneDeadBird]

yoga is such a broad category - there are thousands of asanas. Take from it what you want.

[insomniaccinque]

i'm currently doing total yoga:flow series..and serious considering doing this.

[Feetnt]

I started Bikram Yoga about 2 weeks ago and I'm already seeing changes in my body. As an ex ballet dancer, this is the only physical activity that I can relate to.

Like everything else, you can't expect immediate results. It takes time and effort to see change. It's a form of discipline, endurance and determination. I LOVE BIKRAM YOGA. *SMH @ some of the comments in here*

[giblesp1]

The aim is to train the body to work/stretch without causing injury. This can only be done with mental awareness. Heating a room to stretch further, does not facilitate awareness and therefore does not develop the relationship between mind and body.

It is a crude way to get to the end, without developing on the journey.

[Enerjee]

@giblesp1 - your last sentence sounds like the typically pretentious stuff that is written about yoga.

Bikram isn't about pretence.  It's an unashamedly, no nonsense, direct aerobic workout that most of its participants get benefits from. It beats going to the gym, jogging and other high impact exercise. Many people have experienced improvements in sports injuries that have been sustained elsewhere.

[cookfo51]

thankyou

[SurfAlien2]

I did that a couple of times. I go to the gym and practice Krav Maga, but this is more physically demanding. My hat goes off to the people who do this continuosly.

[jeremyleung]

thanks for the info. . that probably save my life

[AntarcticSake]

I am a strong-willed person, strong stomach, blha blah...did a 90 minute session and around 50 minutes in and was gettin gtunnel vision and everything went black so that I ALMOST fainted...and I couldn't go back in the class

But I want to try again because it was fun besides that!

[binsunkissed]

That is probably because you didn't drink enough water before coming into the class. One time I only had a glass of water that day, and I had to leave because I felt like fainting.

[pbrskater26]

I am one of the most unflexible persons in the world, so I cant do alot of that suff, But I hear yoga is actualy good for you!

[cremebruleec]

uh, I just bought a 10 visit pass to the bikram yoga place.

[cremebruleec]

@cremebruleec And now I am doing this YOGA everyday! I signed up for the 30 day challenge. My health is improving with each session, Bikram Choudhury knows what's going on.

[RKGOLF]

The first Bikram class I took I seriously believed I was having a massive stroke and dying a slow death. Once that feeling subsided its been such an incredible and integral part of my life. I have reaped so many benefits from Bikram's style of yoga!

[glamcherie69]

You probably wont lose weight in Bikram because muscle weighs more than fat. Your body's physiology will change profoundly for the better. It will become leaner, stronger, more toned, and you will lose INCHES.

I am 40 years old and I go to class 4 times a week. The change in physical appearance is staggering and while it's not 'spiritual' or 'enlightening' it is cathartic and cleansing and I am SO much happier in my daily life. Most amazing... I no longer have any desire to drink alcohol.

[yuffie0118]

It's difficult for me after about 40 minutes because of the humidity and heat make me hard to breathe, my asthma kicks in...

But it works!! GREAT for skin:)

[morseson]

Bikram Yoga is a great gimmick that recombines essential healthy practices in a novel fashion to open the pockets of desperately bored rich ladies. see 5 tibetan rites, acrobat yoga, etc.

The 3 pillars of Slim-fitness, remarkable strength-speed, healthy glands, and a sharp mind:

1) Daily physical discipline.

2)Proper form and exertion.

3)Sensible eating, (read as moderation/variety)

[morseson]

Burning calories is passe. Marketing for lifelong "dieters". Successful weightloss requires redefining your manner of movement in a way that develops glycolytic muscle fiber, this effects a change in the physiology whereby the liver is trained to store more GOOD sugar for sustained energy availablity.

Also search: " fast-twitch muscle fiber, Type IIb muscle". Fat storage physiology is halted when liver sugar is sufficient. Effectually creating an illusion of fat/calories burned.

[lriet]

This is a Bikramyoga studio in Montreal, i have been there last summer. Very friendly people and good class! Amsterdam guy!

[elohelreh]

Nope, there is no spiritual growth to gain from bikram yoga. You'll get tons of: stress release, stronger muscles & 90 minutes of peace of mind in a crazy world. If it's not for you, so be it.

[evebali]

I agree with

acidpsychedelia69's comment. I went to try my first Bikram so-called-Yoga yesterday. It's NOT practicing the union between your body and mind (aka YOGA). There is no sense of spirituality at all. Even "Namaste" ("the light within me honors the light within you") is said just like that. Bikram Yoga is all about intense stretching in a hot temperature room. And I can't imagine myself limiting myself to 26 only-poses for the rest of my life! How boring! :S

[elohelreh]

There are 26 postures for the beginning level. There are a bunch more for the advanced stuff. Read comment above to learn about the lack of spirituality. Love your judgment, by the way.

[loogy123]

you should just stick to holding each others hands in a circle and singing kumbaya my lord while the rest of us who actually want to get in better shape, become more flexible, and push ourselves mentally continue to do it. Personally this perfects my jiu jitsu (Grappling).

[UASheva]

This is one of the most intense, physically and mentally demanding exercise I've ever done. It's not what you think. Other yoga, yes.... Bikram...no

[loogy123]

uh ive been doing it once a week for months now

[RKGOLF]

You're ignorant. Obviously you haven't attended a class because if you did, you would realize that Bikram could actually ENHANCE your Jiujitsu... and this coming from a 13 year Judo student. But it seems the macho-mystique of jiu jitsu is more of a priority then using additional tools out there to perfect your art.

[loogy123]

uh i was replying to someone bad mouthing bikram and i was referring to his yoga. ive been taking bikram yoga once a week for 6 months

[RKGOLF]

ah! I see. My apologies.

[acidpsychedelia69]

Yeah, ok, so Bikram Yoga is a good workout, I get it. But what about the YOGA? Is it still as spiritual? Or is it mostly concerned around the need-to-burn-calories aspect? And how are the postures compared to Ashtanga Yoga? Looking for a yoga class in my new city, and this looks exciting. But I want YOGA, not only an intense workout (if I did I coud just join a gym or a pilates class or something). Anyone who'd care to share their experiences around my questions?

[cheltee2tan]

The instructors talk you through the postures almost for the entire class. So as far as meditation and mind centering goes, there is no calming music (at least in my classes), just silence and the instructor talking you through the poses. The sense of meditation I get is from thinking of nothing but my body's alignment and really challenging myself. Some classes are, in fact, silent classes but they usually require 10 previous normal classes to attend since there's no instruction. Good luck!!!

[pta1958]

Is it an intense workout?....Absolutely! I worked out in a gym doing weight training for four years before discovering Bikram Yoga......I have never experienced a work out like Bikram Yoga......I don't even lift weights anymore it's that awesome!.....Bikram is all I need!

[sjlee3270]

I've been doing Bikram yoga for quite some time. Out of curiosity, I wore my Polar heart rate montior the 1st week & showed 880 calories burned in a 90 min class. It was awesome! On my second week, with a better control on my breathing, mouth stayed closed & drinking less water during postures, I was burning about 600 calories. I'm in my late 30's & in 2 months combined w/ healthy diet (lower carbs) I managed to loose 10lbs. I highly recommend this to all ages, shapes, sex and even athletes.

[jaybird321]

There are other exercises that burn off the fat and shape the body better, So why do this Yoga? Well, its low impact to the joints and doesn't beat up your body. I've seen some MMA guys and some Navy Seals that do this exercise on a regular schedule, and they swear by it.

[jumbotoe123]

damn....seriously? SEALS swear by this? I may have to try it out.

[jaybird321]

I probably shouldn't say "swear by it", but the guys I talked to seemed to have a good appreciation for it.

[AmelieYvette]

I enjoyed my first class very much. I didn't find it a very hard experience, in actual fact the second one was worse.

[demonAnarchy]

i hate how this woman sound like if Bikram Yoga is a Sexual thing to do -_-.

The question that she ask were obvious,Dumb and have nothing to do wit Hot yoga.

obviously!! you have to were less clothing is going to be in a Sauna! freaking Room Heater and man were first on doing yoga.

yoga has nothing to do wit Sex or Sexuality! >=( sow stop it.

TV is getting people dumb like MTV junk.

[SunimZen]

@demonAnarchy i think there is aa certain age group now to whom everything has some relationship or connection to sex. maybe because people of that specific age group identify themselves as a person totally by their physical appearance. they dont identify themselves with their mind. they cannot relate to that

[arnelito1]

@demonAnarchy i didnt really hear any sexual comments......

[johncfl]

@demonAnarchy What in hell are you talking about? She said not one thing about sex. I thought this was a great interview.

[swiftDKB]

hell of a work out but really good for you

[frenchroastplus]

What a beautifully naturaly lit studio! where is it?

[BitchinKitchenOnline]

@frenchroastplus Laurier Metro Station

[OzeBoy25]

1000 to 1500 calories in one class?? What a complete load of crap!!! Typical bikram propaganda.

[frenchroastplus]

You need yoga!

[OzeBoy25]

I practice yoga. Care to elaborate on your statement?

[katiekins22]

he prob ment 1000 - 1500kj which is believable. Its only 250-375 calories.

[yaelushp]

No, he ment 1000-1500 calories. I practice Bikram yoga and our instructors told us the same

[TachiRdiesDirty]

i do hot yoga and its definatly burning more than the other cardio I do, I would beleive the claim of 1000-1500 in 90 minutes.

[robert101455]

I also do Bikram yoga, which I enjoy and consider quite an excellent program of stretching and strength and balancing exercises. However, I do not believe the claim of 1000+ calories burned in 90 minutes. Where is the data to support this? Sweating is not the same as burning calories, and water weight lost is recovered immediately upon hydration. That said, Bikram yoga combined with healthy diet will assist you in losing weight.

[TachiRdiesDirty]

well any total body work out can pull close to 1000 cals in an hour if you have the right itensity, and we are talking about 1.5 hours for a yoga class so I think it boils down to people not really knowing how many calories they can burn... Im sure 1500 is possible, will everyone get it?

no maybe some will not work as hard, and take breaks.

[klauspolivka]

Nice instructor I'd like to do some yoga hehe

[jfitzsimmons2]

Great video for people wondering what the hell Bikram yoga is. I've been doing it for about 4 or 5 months and everything in this video is true.

[LunaticFringe40]

Shut up, I'm trying to listen to what the guy says.

[joebrown]

@jfitzsimmons2 how much weight have you loss!