Bikram Yoga

BIKRAM YOGA CLASS

A couple of years ago, I was intensely practicing Bikram Yoga. I remember I lost a lot of weight and my strength increased.

I seemed to have forgotten, however, how hot it was. We did what a beginner always does which is to lay down on the Yoga mat just beneath the vent of the hot, hot air, 100 something degrees Fahrenheit. Normally, these are the only empty spots in class.

Even though the poses aren’t entirely foreign — I mean it’s a kind of Hatha Yoga — the heat is something else. It makes it more challenging. It also helps your muscles to warm up more quickly so that your risk of muscular injury is minimized. The heat also helps the body to detox much faster.

Also, there is something magical about going through pain or other challenges; it makes you feel great afterward, as if you have achieved something big. And certainly you have! This is something you can use as a metaphor for your life.

Most Bikram Yoga studios can provide you with what you’ll need including towels, Yoga mats, and bottles of water.

My recommendations to you are as follows:

1. Don’t drink too much water right before the class as it will make you sweat more.
2. Bring water to have during and after class.
3. Stay away from the vent. Try to find a spot in the class well away from it, especially if this is your first class.
4. Bring clothes to change into afterward.
5. Don’t give up after the first class. You’ll be amazed by how much strength and tolerance you are able to build up to with just a few more classes.
6. You don’t have to do it all. You can lay down when you feel overwhelmed by the heat.
7. Don’t forget to ENJOY!!

Indra K

Bikram Yoga Table of contents

• What is Bikram Yoga?
• Benefits of Bikram Yoga
• Some Tips
• Bikram Yoga Positions
• Standing Poses (Note: All the poses are repeated twice. The room is at around 100-Fahrenheit degrees)
  • Standing Deep Breathing Pose
  • Half Moon Pose and hands to Feet – Ardha-Chandrasana and Pada-Hastasana
  • Awkward Pose – Utkatasana
  • Eagle Pose – Garurasana
  • Standing Head to Knee Pose – Dandayamana-Janushirasana
  • Standing Bow Pulling Pose – Dandayamana-Dhanurasana
  • Balancing Stick Pose – Tuladandasana
  • Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose – Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana
  • Triangle Pose – Trikanasana
  • Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose – Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana
  • Tree Pose – Tadasana
  • Toe Stand Pose – Padangustasana
• On the Floor
  
  • Dead Body – Savasana
  • Wind Removing Pose
  • Sit-up – Pavanamuktasana
  • Cobra Pose – Bhujangasana
  • Locust Pose – Salabhasana
  • Full Locust Pose – Poorna-Salabhasana
  • Bow Pose – Dhanurasana
  • Fixed Firm Pose – Supta-Vajrasana
  • Half Tortoise Pose – Ardha-Kurmasana
  • Camel Pose – Ustrasana
  • Rabbit Pose – Sasangasana
• Sitting Up Poses
  
  • Head to Knee Pose – Janushirasana with Paschimotthanasana
  • Spine Twisting Pose – Ardha-Matsyendrasana
• Breathing – Kapalbhati in Vajrasana
  • Blowing in Firm Pose
• Relaxation
  • Dead Pose – Savasana
• Related Articles