I am not typically a big sweater. Even after a one-hour, high speed spin class or 45 minutes of Zumba, I won’t shed a drip. So, I questioned, what would happen to my sweat glands in a Bikram hot yoga class?
Is it be possible to remain dry in a 105 degree room with 40% humidity?
An Experience With Bikram Hot Yoga at Yoga Hell
I had driven by the Bikram Yoga Studio (AKA: Yoga Hell) in my hometown at least a hundred times. I was even a voyeur one evening peeking through the window at the half clothed attendees.
It scared me.
I was not fearful of just one thing, but the sum of all warnings; don’t eat 3 hours before class because you may barf, dress as if you are going to the beach and sit down if you feel light headed. The simple fact that I can’t even touch my toes wasn’t helping any.
I suppose some bucket list goals are going to be easier than others. Namely hot yoga.
My adventurous girlfriend, the one who also went indoor skydiving with me, volunteered to come along to hot yogahell. For the record, she does sweat.
We arrived twenty minutes early, entered into the store/reception portion of the studio and were greeted by the nicest woman who walked us through the procedure and introduced us to our amazingly fit instructor. I was certain she could touch her toes.
I quickly scanned the goods for sale in the store and briefly thought that if I bought some of their cute yoga clothes there would be more of a chance for me to become a dedicated hellish yogi. That’s a decision to be made…after class.
After unclothing in the dressing room, we entered “yoga hell” and I can now identify with the terminology. It was really hot. I laid down my yoga mat and placed a beach towel over it as a protectant to catch any dripage. If there was any.
Bikram yoga always consists of the same 26 poses, done in the same order.
I was challenged by every one of these poses, except Savasana (corpse pose) where I could just lie still. I was good at that.
Ninety minutes, yes 9-0, later we had stretch, folded, balanced and SWEATED.
Did I sweat? More than I knew was possible. To give you a visual, my hair looked like I had just jumped into the ocean. Soaked. I was almost disgusted with my stink, until I was told that I was releasing toxins.There must have been a lot of them. Shouldn’t have drank that wine the night before.
No barfing. No fainting. Check off my bucket list. Still can’t touch my toes.
Have you ever tried Bikram Hot Yoga?
Good for you for going! I've only been once with a friend who went daily and loved it. I was more flexible than I thought I would be but I had NOTHING on the folks in the class. I'd like to try it again but the studio is on the opposite side of town and it's expensive (especially when I already have a regular gym membership). And I am always a sweater, so the class just made it more so O:-)
I have never been flexible, so I’d be curious to see what would happen if I kept going. I can’t imagine ever being able to touch my toes!
I've done it a couple of times, but the one that I went to was even more intense because they added weights!!! I loved it and need to go back. I bet I would feel like a million dollars if I went every day for a month.
Crap! If they added weights in my class, I think I would have immediately walked out before I passed out!
I know a few people who enjoy hot yoga but I am definitely a sweater. I don't know if I could handle it! But good for you for trying it! Will you go back? And that building is so cool looking, I've never seen a studio like that!
I will probably go back at least one more time. Mostly because I was so nervous about fainting the first time, I wasn’t able to relax!
don't be scared – come back – do a month – you will feel like a new person.
I’ve been four times so far & am starting to form some sort of addiction ;)
I love the fact that you can go at your own pace and no one judges if you have to sit out a post…or two :)