New to Bikram Yoga

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I began taking a Bikram yoga class about a month ago. I absolutely love what it has done for my mind and body. I thought I’d take the time to share a bit about the road I began when I started doing yoga.
About 2 months ago I was extremely depressed and suicidal. I decided that I needed to made some positive changes to my life. I have a friend who takes bikram yoga and loves it, so with her encouragement, I’ve started going.
Not only am I feeling physically better, but I am able to better focus now. A couple of the postures (the backwards bending ones) have been surprisingly helpful for my emotions as well… this was a shock to me when I first did them… and I wasn’t expecting the emotional reaction I had to the postures the first few times I did them. I think somehow those poses are helping bring to the surface some of the things that were precursors to my suicidal state a couple months ago. So with the help of meds, my therapist, and yoga… I’m working twoard healing… from the inside out.
In addition to this, I have lost 6 pounds over the past month… a real accomplishment for me…

I had to take the last week off of class due to being very sick with stomach problems… and too weak to make it thru the class without passing out… but I’m getting better now, and am planning on returning to class tonight…

=)

Nice to meet you all by the way…

Sadhana

#2

Dear Sadhana,

thanks for your post. I am happy to hear that you have had a positive response to the yoga classes you have been attending. I don’t have experience taking a Bikram class, but know a bit about the style. Being an easily overheated type, I hesitate to practice asana in a heated room and stick to a more cooling practice for myself.

Am curious to hear if you have tried other yoga approaches before embarking on the Bikram class?

Your openness to experiencing your inner landscape during the practice of asana is a wonderful doorway. Wishing you much success as you explore.

Namaste,
Chandra

#3

Wow,
I started yoga for similar reason, now I’m doing ashtanga and kundalini, but I have a bikram venter nearby and I’ll try sooner or later.

Nice to meet you Sadhana

#4

I had a very similar experience with Bikram. I started it 2 months ago, having heard it was a good remedy for stress, depression and anxienty disorders. I am absolutely amazed at the results :slight_smile: My concentration levels are astounding, and the sessions help me focus on something other than my negative emotions. Infact, the yoga seems to erase them completely.

#5

I’m not drinking the Bikram Kool Aid, but I am drinking the Bikram coconut water!

#6

I had to take a 2 year break from bikram, due to a lot of personal issues and a long distance move. It took me a long time to find a studio that was right for me. I am NEVER quitting again! It just puts me back in exactly the right place mentally, emotionally and physically. Now if my guy could finally decide to join me in a class… I’ll keep working on him. wink

#7

I started practicing Bikram 4 years ago. I still go once a week during the winter months, but I have expanded my practice to include other forms of yoga including Forrest, Anusara, and Vinyasa-flow. The other forms of yoga have augmented my Bikram practice. Don’t get locked into thinking that Bikram is the only style of yoga that will help you. There may be days when you feel too drained to go to a Bikram class when another style of yoga may be just the right ticket for you. I started looking around because I was bored doing the same postures all the time and at my local Bikram studio you have to be a teacher or sign up for their competition in order to take the advanced class.