Hello Yoga friends,
I have been practicing yoga for only a few months mosty by myself with the help of a couple instructional DVD’s. I find it so good for my body and soul, but I don’t need to describe this to you experenced people.
I went to a yoga class {Bikrams collage of yoga} and to my suprise the class room was 103 degrees f. through out the entire class. I managed to stick it out the entire 90 minutes of class and stumbled thru the poses while the sweat was running out of every pour in my body…
Whats your opnion on HOT Yoga…
Rodney
Stick your finger in the Hornet’s nest you’re likely to get stung.
You would have been safer asking if George Bush is a good leader or if Jesus Christ ever lived.
It is very rare to get an unbiased opinion from any side of this. I will try to provide you with a reply encompassing my concerns. Make of them what you will.
Those folks who practice Bikram are very dedicated and swear by it’s effectiveness. Many of them slim, athletic, young, and supple. And some are go-go or Type A people. They do love their practice.
There are several things about this practice that are cause for deeper thought and concern (for me). The first thing I look at when selecting a practice is to look at the life of the teacher. Do I want to live life that way. Is that teacher living in a way of integrity and evolution? Is that teacher empowering students and carrying themself in a way that seems aligned with classical yoga texts? Bikram does not meet these things in my mind. I find him flamboyant, aggresssive, and appearing greedy (by that I mean acquiring money in excess of what is needed to fulfill his dharma). In addition it is this style of yoga that advocates yoga competitions, which also concerns me. And there’s the isssue of lawsuits about copyright and trademark infringement as their style is franchised and “owned”. To me, competition is of the mental force and thus subject to the agenda of ego so it has no place in Yoga. Protecting one’s business rights, in certain scenarios is completely appropriate. These scenarios? I do not know.
Beyond this, I have concern about any physical activity that is performed over time in a highly heated environment. Whether it’s working on a road crew in New Orleans during August or Bikram in Buffalo in December. There are some concerns for the cardio-vascular system (which is why the local gym has cautions posted on the Sauna - ten minutes max and a consultation with your doctor). It may be fine. Just seems to place yogis “at risk” and that feels non-yogic to me.
The claim is that the high heat allows the body to be much warmer and therefore more flexibile, supple, open, releasing. Of course profuse sweating does flush toxins. However the concept that more flexible is good violates some common science regarding connective tissue (ligaments, tendons), which is NOT designed to stretch. It is the more supple student who is at risk in yoga not the stiffer student. Over time, dancers and contortionists have major structural problems. It is not pretty.
As for the series or sequences, there are certain poses and certain instructions that also concern me. Some of them are compression-encouraging and that can lead to joint and spinal issues. Some of the poses, while perhaps very effective for this or that, simply do not anatomically appear safe. Remember, some injury happens immediately, other injury happens over time. Then there’s a question of teacher training. In these conditions the teacher surely must be highly trained and not read a verbatim script but rather address the needs of the bodies in front of them, no? And what of the injured student, new student, stiff student? There are no props or modifications in a Bikram class and so the student must fit the pose rather than the pose fitting the student.
The final question is “how does the practice help the student to find the self?”. I cannot answer this question. For this post it is thus rhetorical. The practice must serve you. Standing on your thumbs is nice. It is impressive. But in the larger context, so what? It must bring you closer to the self in order for it to be the vast body known as Yoga.
But those who do it swear by it.
Thank you for the reply InnerAthlete. I will have to take your words into consideration and more thought. I didn’t relize bikrams was a controversial
subject ??) Since this is my first experence with a yoga class I really have nothing to compare to, so I should look into another class or type of yoga.
I went to my 3rd class yesterday morning since I paid for it in advance but that was the last one I had coming. The classroom was full as it has been the other times I went. Out of the 90 munutes of class I got about 30 seconds of personal help. is this what I should expect from any yoga class or should the instructors be more helpful? I have a lot to learn but have to start some where, thanks again I need all he help and ideas I can get at this point.
Rodney
Just one clarification before going onward…if the practice there serves you Rodney then do it there. I am not suggestiong you go elsewhere nor am I suggesting you stay. I was merely outlining my concerns as a teacher of yoga based on what I know of it.
The answer to this second question about personal “help” is “it depends”.
I subbed a class today and one woman came up to me after and said something along the lines of “thank you. it was good to have some instruction about the poses”. I can only assume she’s not gotten any previously (based on that comment and her practice).
I think there are some very good studios and teachers around. And in those situations you are likely, over time, to be fully guidede and nurtured along the path. Finding these places is a bit more challenging.
Where are you located? I may know something in the area. Otherwise you’ll need to fish around with some experienced instructors. And then, if your needs are not being met, chat them up after class and see if they’re evolved enough to direct you to the right place, even if it means it is not THEIR place.
IA,
I want to tell you that you gave me the best laugh of the day with the first 2 lines of your earlier post!
I seriously giggled about it all afternoon, so thanks for that.
Hello Rodney,
I am in agreement with what IA has already offered you on the subject of Bikram Yoga. I wanted to also add these points for your consideration.
- the physical routine of it well balanced
- the practice and heat seems to be appropriate for most people who are in good general health
- the heat is generally contraindicated for those with high blood pressure, liver disease, ulcers, etc.
- the heat can be useful for detoxification and to lessen excess kapha (as extra body mass)
- hyperextension of the knees and repetitive motion injuries seem to be the most common injuries developing for some long-time Bikram practitioners that we are seeing now in yoga therapy.
- it lacks any subtle body practice outside the basic pranayama
- it can be a rajasic practice for some. meaning it can worsen mental tendencies toward anger, frustration, competition and over-achievement.
You seem like a thoughtful and self-aware guy, just watch how you feel during and after the classes. Your initial post of “I managed to stick it out the entire 90 minutes of class and stumbled thru the poses…” raise a red flag for me. Patanjali, the sage who codified yoga, said that yoga postures should be sweet and steady. My teachers have added to this that you should also be able to swallow and breath easily while in a posture. You can still have “sweat was running out of every pour in my [your] body” during asana practice, just be sure its sweet as you sweat.
Best wishes,
You are welcome for the laugh, of course.
Sthira Sukham Asanam
more anglified; Sit Still and Enjoy
More Sanskritized; fixed in hapiness seat (from the Gita)
I really know nothing about Bikram except what I hear from other people, but it certainly doesn’t seem like a practice I’d like to try.
I don’t know Xela, from your Avatar you look pretty supple.
Hey Rodney,
[B]If [/B]you have lots of heat (Pitta) in your body generally (red on the rims of eyes, get aggitated easily, competitive, dislike the heat…), practice in a heated room may aggrivate you more. Bikram Yoga is not good for Pitta types, neither is fast moving asana practice.
You could check which body type you are in Ayurveda (Ayurveda means Life Science):
About the teacher giving attention, I like to let students discover for themselves which areas there are blockages in, where they can release and where they need to activate muscles and develop awareness in their bodies. I like to check their position in a posture and make sure they aren’t going to injure themselves, but don’t like to push them. I like to keep reminding them to breath a deep relaxed breath and accept where they are at, to be present and just let the body slowly open, let the breath and posture let more Life force in and enjoy. So , i like them to be the ones who give themselves full attention.
I agree with Inner athlete that you try different teachers…
Blessings, Soul
I’ve tried Bikram yoga and I liked it. I unfortunately had to stop going because the studio that offered it was about an hour away and I couldn’t justify driving that far twice a week. When I attended, though, I was able to deepen a lot of my poses and to experience a lot of improvement. The instructor was great as well. Despite how packed the classes always became, she still managed to make her rounds and help students adjust their alignment. She was also available between classes for anyone who had questions. I always left the class feeling reenergized and very. . . centered, I think is the word I’m looking for. I took these classes for 10 months or so before I had to stop and since then I’ve always kept an eye out for new Bikram offerings in my area.
I am, but still…the hot room for 90 minutes? I prefer a 80 degree room where I sweat because I’m working out! LOL
I am also pretty supple, and that’s the problem. For someone like myself who is hyperflexive practicing in a 98oF room would definately be contraindicated.
i have a friend who is very into her bikram, but my question would be, then how are your muscles at normal temperatures? i think we must respect the environment in which we normally operate. though i understand in bombay ‘normal operating temperatures’ are quite different than the ones i practice in in Nairobi. to me bikram is a false environment, giving one abilities they wouldn’t have under normal circumstances. i would like to give it a try at least once though.
sarah