What is Bikram Yoga? A Beginner's Overview Bikram Yoga is a fixed sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises performed in a heated room at 40°C and 40% humidity. Each 90-minute class works your muscles, joints, organs, and mental focus. The consistency appealed to me, especially given rowing's repetitive nature. This structure gave me a measurable way to track progress. The First Class: Sweat, Struggle, and Doubt That first class was brutal. The heat felt unbearable, my balance was non-existent, and I spent more time lying on my mat than in actual poses. It was humbling—and honestly, a little terrifying. But I wasn't alone. Most first-timers struggle. The key, I learned, was to rest when needed. Adjusting to the intensity takes time. A Turning Point. Embracing the Heat By the end of the third session, something shifted. I wasn’t just enduring the heat but beginning to work with it. I found a rhythm that respected my limitations while pushing me just enough to build strength and resilience. One powerful realisation was that progress doesn't mean symmetry. My right side may never mirror my left, but that didn’t make the effort or the results any less valid. Each small win—standing longer, stretching deeper, recovering faster—meant even more. Physical Benefits: The Change I Didn't Expect In just 30 days, the benefits were impossible to ignore:
Mental Clarity and Emotional Resilience Hot yoga isn’t just physical—it’s deeply mental. Coming from rowing, I was used to pushing through discomfort. But Bikram taught me to breathe through it instead. That shift has been invaluable:
From Sceptic to Addict
Bikram Yoga has given me more than physical strength—it has reignited my confidence, sharpened my focus, and improved my breathing. What began as scepticism became a personal transformation that helped me achieve a Concept 2 World Record. Brony believed in the power of this practice long before I did. Thanks to her encouragement, I found a discipline that continues to challenge and empower me daily. She was right all along—and now, I can say with certainty, I’m all in. Start Your Own Journey Whether recovering from injury, ageing, or seeking a new challenge, Bikram Yoga might surprise you. You don’t need to be flexible or strong to begin. You just need to start. The benefits of a regular Bikram Yoga practice are seemingly endless, but one especially exciting advantage is its potential to improve bone density. That’s right—Bikram Yoga and bone health make quite the team.
The study concluded that regular Bikram Yoga practice may help preserve—or even increase—bone mineral density over time. As such, it could be a powerful tool in the prevention of osteoporosis.
So what are you waiting for, book your next class now, and stretch your way to healthier bones. Starting something new can be a daunting thought but it doesn’t have to be. With proper preparation you can slide through your first sweaty hot yoga class. Here are our top 5 tips to prepare for your first Bikram Hot Yoga class.
For Women:
• Top: Sports bra, moisture-wicking crop top, or lightweight tank (preferably fitted to avoid fabric clinging uncomfortably). • Bottom: Breathable yoga shorts or fitted leggings made from sweat-wicking materials. For Men: • Top: Optional—many go shirtless; otherwise, a sleeveless moisture-wicking tank or fitted tee. • Bottom: Lightweight yoga shorts or compression shorts with moisture-wicking fabric. 5. Arrive early to relax and slow down before your class. Now that you're equipped with these helpful tips for your first Bikram Yoga class, take the plunge and experience the transformative power of hot yoga - your body, mind and spirit will thank you! |
