Bikram Yoga: Everything that You Need to Know

Bikram yoga has been doing rounds on internet as a new fitness trend for a while now; for it is challenging yet a fun way to give your muscle a good old stretch and, get a peaceful mental break. If you’re new to this and haven’t tried it before, that very first thought of doing the stretches in a HOT ROOM for more than an hour; this may probably be putting your courage off. And so, here, we at Hale and Belle, are up with a few tips to make sure you turn up to your classes very well geared up.

1. Check in Early:

Well-established yoga studios would require you to fill up a form so as to maintain a track of your details and the basic medical history. Also, arriving early does give you an opportunity to speak to your instructor and put up questions you’ve brewing your mind with. Point out the injuries you’re suffering, if any. And also do make your instructor aware about how new you’re to this yoga practice. This way you make your instructor sure to keep an eye on you during the yoga session / class.

MORE: WHAT IS HOT YOGA

2. It’s Real Hot:

The room that you’ll be in, practicing bikram yoga, is basically like a big sauna, with a 40 c temperature; that’s to let you know the thing in case you haven’t yet figured it out. Reach your class a few minutes early so you can set your mat, towel up, and get comfortable. If you’re a newbie, settle towards the back of the room, so you can watch out the experienced practitioners, practicing yoga at your front. Sit or lie down, and try your body to adjust to the temperature.

3. Healing Injuries with the Bikram Yoga:

The series of the bikram yoga poses were choreographed for the healing properties that it comes with. And so, within the reason, a lot of injuries can fetch benefit from bikram yoga. The high temperature makes your blood rush faster through the vessels. And as soon you get back to your normal posture, the constricted areas get flushed. And because the blood rushes more intensely in hot temperature than stretching out in a room temperature, so by this logic, any niggling knee injury, for instance, will benefit greatly. Furthermore, warmer the muscles, more flexible they are. The muscles stretch more, thus, easing any tightness. Bikram yoga helps with running injuries as well. However, you need to be cautious about how far you push yourself with the stretch so as to prevent any further damage.

4. Dress up Minimal:

You probably are going to shed sweat more than you ever would have in your life – so it is always wise to carry yourself in minimal clothing for the Bikram yoga class. It’s indeed quiet possible for you to come across a few people who’re basically in just boxers! Nevertheless, you don’t need to go a way too far with minimal dressing in case you’re not comfortable with the skin-show. But at least you should avoid bulky track suit bottoms and the long-sleeved tops; this will irk you with all the discomforts. A normal sweat-wicking gym wear would go all good.

5. Drink Plenty of Water Beforehand:

Gym instructors always recommend to drink at least one litre of water one hour prior the class beginning hour; because a one hour gap is a time sufficient for the water to get into your system. Downing the water though your throat in ONE GO is a one BIG NO. Also, the same goes with food. Do not turn up to the yoga class on an empty stomach for this is likely to make you weak, or dizzy. However, turning up FULL is neither the wise thing-to-do. Carry with yourself a water bottle; we discourage squash or juice during the bikram yoga class for it can make you feel like throwing up. Also, do not guzzle the water while you’re in there. This will get you a feel like water is sloshing around when you stretch your body, and so it is likely to make you feel nauseous. Just take small sips in between the stretches – and also be wary of the fact that some instructors are quiet strict about breaking the stretch in between so as to have a drink!

6. Sit Down and Relax When Your Body Needs To:

You’ll see even the experienced and most flexible people having to sit and relax now and then. This is all okay! No one is going to judge you if you do the same – especially when its your first bikram yoga class. In between the stretches, if you start feeling a bit of panicked or dizzy, sit down on your mat while you concentrate on breathing calmly through your nose – Nostril Yoga Breathing or the Pranayam is what we term it as. Do this ‘pranayam’ till your breathing pattern goes back to the normal. It’s natural to not having to put your all into every single stretch for a while. Certainly, no one can! If you manage to give a go to at least a few of those 26, be content and stay in the room for the duration of the class (which is generally 60 to 90 minutes long).

7. Yoga is all About the ‘Omms’, Myth it is:

If you’re not keen about the meditative spiritual side of yoga, inquire your instructor beforehand. Gauge how much focus do they lay upon meditation and spirituality. Generally, yoga classes have none of this. You’re just called for silence in the room so everyone can concentrate on their stretches. If meditation is your priority, you can look around for a plenty of classes that offer it.

8. Mind Your Schedules. Don’t Plan Out Anything For at least an Hour After the Class:

A 90 minute session of the bikram yoga will exhaust and sweat you so and so much that your hair may look like you’ve just got out of the shower. And also, it’s likely for your face to look like a red tomato for quiet a sometime after the class. But do trust, your body will thank you for it will feel GREAT.

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