Former member started this discussion ·
So, I really want those splits....and I saw a great bargain on Groupon (10 classes of Bikram Yoga for $20) and figured I'd try something new....have any of you tried it before? I wondered if anyone had any tips for me; I'm thinking of going to my first class tomorrow :)
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Do it! I just started taking hot yoga classss a few weeks ago & it is amazing! I've never liked yoga, but got yoga rocks. I don't think I can really describe how great it makes me feel, but I love it just about as much as I love my pole.
I tried it and while I think it did help my flexibility, I didn't particularly care for the experience. You slip and slide all over the place. I did it in the morning and ended up feeling completely exhausted. I've never felt more groggy in my entire life. I did hydrate but I think it doesn't matter how much you drink, it's still going to dehydrate you.
Bring a towel to lay on your mat. They sell special sized towels to fit over a yoga mat, makes a big difference. I found one for $20 on amazon. Hydrate for sure. I actually feel really great after a class & even the next day. They say you should try 3 classes before deciding if you like it, but I knew right away I love it. If you really don't like it, try a different instructor or studio. It's crazy how different yoga can be just with different teachers.
Also, show up a little early to get checked in & everything. I like a hot spot in front by the mirror. But, a cooler spot is by the door & being behind someone can help you follow along. Let your teacher know its your first class.
Former member ·
Yay!! Thank you guys!!! I think I'll go to the 9am class tomorrow just to see how it makes me feel the rest of the day, then I'll do evening classes. These are awesome tips, thank you :) I'm afraid I'm going to be THAT student that farts or passes out or something lol.
You will be great & love it. I just finished a hot cass that uses a lot of the same moves as bikram & I feel so great.
Former member ·
I didn't realize there were different moves for different types of yoga!! I chickened out this morning; I rationalized that I hadn't hydrated enough and that I'd have a beet red face the rest of the day.....and I'm having company tonight and who wants a red face for company!!! Alright, alright I'm making excuses now. I guess I just got scared lol. 😕 I think I'll go to an evening class tomorrow. GG what should I wear???
Hi SaschaPoles Wear what you would for pole practice -- shorts, sports bra, etc. I made the mistake of wearing capris to my first Bikram class. Never again! They got very sweaty and sloshed around in the most annoying way... You'll want to bring a water bottle and a towel, as someone else mentioned. In addtion to telling the instructor it's your first class, you might want to place yourself so that you have a row or two in front of you to watch. I think you'll really enjoy it. You've actually inspired me to go back to the studio. Good Luck!
Former member ·
Awww!! Thank you Ice!!!!! :) These are awesome tips, I'm going to force myself to go to the one at 730 tomorrow evening :) 🥂
Pole wear is perfect for hot yoga. Something you can sweat in that wont get weighed down from soaking up sweat. I put off going for a while, but am super grateful a friend finally basically made me go.
I love Bikram yoga. It's been a while since ive gone. I have 3 classes left on my membership....I think I'll do them to start off my pole training. How was your class Sascha?
Hey Sascha - I've been meaning to go to hot yoga for the first time for a while myself. I won't lie, I'm dreading the experience, but I really need to get extra hot to stretch properly, so it seems like the right thing to try. I'll make a deal: I'll go to a class tomorrow (mine is 6pm) if you do, and then we can trade notes!
Oh i just realized u said u would go tomorrow:-) let us know how it goes.
I just took a class last week and I found it to be extremely challenging. The room is 105 degrees and the class is 90 min long! You are drenched 15 min into the class so if you like being sweaty then you will probably enjoy the class. What I liked the least were the moments I felt like I couldn't breathe, especially when I had to lay on my stomach. I am going to try it a couple more times and see if I enjoy it more. Definitely sit by the door, wear as little as possible, bring a towel, bottle of water, and DON'T close your eyes. This supposedly makes you nauseous. I was nauseous and I was told this was one of the causes.
Just a heads up to those considering doing this that how hot the room is depends on where you do it. It sounds like Chiffon did 'true' Bikram yoga, where the room is very hot. The place I'm going lists it as "hot yoga" (not Bikram) and the room is 95 degrees, not 105. That 10 degrees probably makes a big amount of difference. In any case, drinking a lot of water before and after is a good idea.
Ive done bikram! Its really gross- sweat POURS off of everybody. its an experience like no other! I experience great adrenaline rush after class- giddy and full of energy! I like to drink coconut water after. and of course shower, then nap. i love it!
You can tell who in the class has a toxic lifestyle too because of what their sweat smells like...
What does good sweat smell like? D: I think I smell like raw potatoes!
Ammonia (or stinky urine smell) is what i smell in toxic sweat... i'm not a doctor or anything- just my opinion.
Former member ·
LOL Good God I hope my sweat doesn't stink like that! Although I hardly drink alcohol anymore...I bet I smelled like peanut butter and jelly since it's all I live on! Elektra did you go!?!? I almost didn't go tonight but then I remembered your post and forced myself to go. AND I'M SO GLAD I DID!!!!!!!! OMG. I think my life is changed and I'm addicted to this after just one class. All of my worries and stresses completely disappeared for those 90 minutes. It was the best and most challenging experience I've ever had exercise wise. The first minute I had to really focus because the teachers voice sounded like the Truckee River Killer from Reno 911, you remember, Trudy's weird boyfriend?? But after a minute my geek-out went away. The first 20 minutes I thought I was going to pass out; then I was convinced I was having a massive stroke. I literally thought, "Yep, this is it. I'm gonna go all strokey in front of these people and I won't be able to use the rest of this groupon". But the McStroke subsided. I had to stop 3 times just for a water break but OMG I never knew I could sweat so much. Literally POURING off of every bit of me. I felt like a farm animal, 🐷 . I think even my finger nails were sweating. When it was over I was really sad and driving home I felt this inner peace, this sense of calm that I've never felt before. It was incredible. I can't wait to go back!!!!!
Yay!!!! My first class I sweat so much that my fingers turned to raisins like if I was swimming for an hour.
Hey Sascha: So I went to hot yoga yesterday, too. It was definitely a challenging workout, and it did get me sweating profusely, but I'm afraid it fell somewhat short of my expectations. I had checked to see where my split was with minimal warm up earlier in the day, and I checked again immediately after the class, and the result was pretty much the same (despite the fact that we did myriad hip flexor and hamstring stretches). I was hoping the heat would relax my muscles enough to get to my max flexibility, and therefore get me a tiny bit closer to the floor. I realize that you can't expect to see a big difference in your splits after only one session, but I guess what I'm saying is that being that warm didn't change my flexibility noticably. So I'm left wondering whether there's any more benefit to hot yoga than just regular yoga. I'm sure either would help increase flexibility over time, I'm just not sure I have to go that extra mile and torture myself with hot yoga if I can't see a difference.
I do Hot Yoga, but the Vinyasa practice which is much more engaging and feels similar to dance movement. I go two days a week to supplement my poling which is three days a week for about three montha. I have noticed a significant difference in my flexibility, stamina, mental clarity, and weight loss! I think it's an amazing practice and enhances poling significantly!
One difference between hot yoga and others is that hot yoga rids the body of toxins more. if you would have checked your splits in the heated room after class, you probably would have experience more flexibilty- you waited til you got home- that might be why you didnt see any improvement
Whhoops electra- sorry just saw i misread your post. nevermind
