Bikram Yoga

Usually, when I imagine myself in a 40 degree humid location it’s at my Grandmother’s house in tropical North Queensland, Australia where the most energy I can muster is to lie in a deck chair and lift a glass of chilled vino to my lips. What I don’t imagine is performing a series of yoga moves in a small room with a low ceiling, filled with 50 or so strangers for an hour and a half, feeling extremely dizzy whilst sweat literally pours off me. Welcome to Bikram Yoga.

Essentially, Bikram Yoga is a system of 26 yoga poses (asanas) in a very very hot room however, there is a point to the heat. Bikram Yoga increases flexibility and strength plus promotes sweating which in turns flushes toxins from the body. 

On my quest to try as many different forms of exercise as possible, Bikram Yoga has been on my radar for some time as I’ve spoken to friends who have tried it and appreciate the benefits.

Once I decided Bikram Yoga was going to be my next exercise option of choice I got googling and found the Hot Bikram Yoga studio in both Fulham and Balham offering an introductory offer of 10 consecutive days for £15, well, can’t really go wrong there I thought.

So, there I find myself  rocking up to the Fulham studio (no pre-booking as classes are drop in), thinking I’m pretty conscientious being half hour early (and with my form already filled in). Alas, there is already a queue out the door which made me feel both slightly nervous that all other students would be amazing and I’d be the dingbat without a clue. But also reassured as it really must be a great workout if so many people come to the classes!

I meet a lovely woman at reception who explains what happens in the class and prepares me that I will feel dizzy and nauseas but that it’s completely normal and not to freak out but instead lie or sit down until I feel ok again. The most important thing is not to leave the room and to have fun and enjoy it. Some might think the concept of having fun whilst performing Bikram Yoga is a little ironic however, I like the positive mental attitude as isn’t that what yoga is all about?!

The teacher is Sanjai and the classes aren’t led by demonstration but rather by Sanjai talking us through each pose – luckily there are plenty of regular students to follow. The first half hour is spent breathing and warming up, the second half hour is spent with standing poses which is all well and good but with my body drenched in sweat my hands keep slipping as I grip my knee in such positions as tree pose and here I hit my dizzy point. I take note of how I feel, as instructed and take a few moments to sit down and recover. Dizziness subsided and a few sips of water (never gulp), I get up and continue and am relieved when we get to the floor poses – it’s less hot closer to the floor! Throughout the class Sanjai reminds us we should be enjoying our practice and to at least attempt a few smiles and I must admit – dizziness aside – I am actually liking the hot yoga!

Once the class has finished we are advised to take a few minutes to lie on our backs and compose ourselves and I know I really should but I’m desperate to get home and shower before watching Spooks. So I hop over all the bodies sprawled across the floor and make my way into the fresh air. I’m not exactly looking a pretty picture with clothes, hair and body all soaked with sweat, red faced and shaky legged but I do feel extremely energised and invigorated.

It sounds crazy but I’m already looking forward to my next session and intrigued to see how long it will take until I’m used to the heat and busting out all the poses with ease. The next day I’m a little achy but happy and already feel detoxified and like my posture has improved. They say Bikram Yoga is for all ages and fitness levels and I certainly agree but maybe not for the claustrophobic or those grossed out by excess sweat.