Gaia: Bikram Yoga

Hot yoga vs Room Temperature , energy concern

http://esquire.gaia.com — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:53:41 GMT

Ok , I ve been teaching/ practicing hot yoga for 7 year . I have became more aware of evironmental concerns and my carbon footpint .Since most electric companies get there electricity from coal fired plant which are one of the biggest contributors to global warming / climate change .

If a yoga rooms normal temp is 68F then it gets boosted up for hot yoga at 105F = 37F diff... say 8 times a day 7 days a week . That's thousands and thousands watts of power > carbon emissions that are added onto the depleting Ozone .
Can one still get a healthy work out with the ancient yoga practice without heating it up ? Or does the hot temp bring that many more health benefits?
We should start measuring the amount of sweat vs the damage it does to the atmosphere . I feel the yoga community should be more responsible and take action on the sustainable front . Actions like adding solar /wind power to reduce their carbon footprint . Yea purchases may be pricey but a bold move . Some governments have tax credits , loan plans, etc..

Hence marketing a hot yoga studio 'we breath the solar way ',green yoga', you get the picture .... the consumers would get your commitment to well being coupled with a care for the environment which is our children's future to. For the earth , Edward

Vipassana Meditation

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:54:19 GMT

I embark on another 10 day session of peace and quiet.

http://www.dhamma.org

A compatible and symbiotic practice with Bikram Yoga.

Cedric =)

Re: Sound Off!

http://julzie.gaia.com — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:52:47 GMT

Hi Everyone,

Jules here, Boulder, CO USA. Love the yoga community. Thanks for welcoming me. First class was in San Rafael, CA in 1999. My entire body was buzzing in final savasana! Went to TT in Fall 2003 AND I share Bikram's Bday...FEB 10. Okay, there you have it! My only claim to Bikram yoga fame!

Re: Sound Off!

Sat, 01 Dec 2007 21:53:02 GMT

Teaching/practicing currently at Houston, TX

First practiced in Manila, Philippines

Worldwide, have only practiced in Hong Kong (now defunct)
Honolulu, HI (Teacher training)

Re: Sound Off!

http://jaguargoddess.gaia.com — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:44:19 GMT

Old Town, San Diego....I love the owners who are awesome teachers, as are all their teachers. My Fav....

Next, Tacoma, Wa,

First class, Oahu, Hi.

Re: Sound Off!

http://yoginigirl.gaia.com — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 23:11:19 GMT

Hey Cedric! I practice in Grapevine, Texas with studio owner Stacey Stier. The classes are a conglomeration of professionals, students, moms, professional athletes (yes, we've had a few Mavericks and Cowboys in the room), college students and everything in between (including VERY pregnant practitioners and quite elderly students, as well.) I love the diversity and everyone is always so friendly and upbeat (at least after the class!)

Sound Off!

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 17:17:55 GMT

Everyone!!

Let's find each other! Where have you practiced? Where do you practice currently?

Cedric =)

(Ok, I'll go first.... =)

Currently: Costa Mesa CA USA -- Bikram Yoga @ The Camp (Bristol St.)

Favorites Worldwide:
> Laguna Beach, CA USA (my first love)
> Whistler, BC Canada
> Bangkok, Thailand

Re: Introduction: Yoga and Me

http://yoginigirl.gaia.com — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:38:21 GMT

Dave:

Bikram Chowdhry, creator of the bikram series, has an interesting background you might want to check out. He was an olympic body builder (in India) but suffered a horrendous accident when he accidentally dropped I don't know how many zillions of pounds of weights on his legs. It crushed at least one of his knees and doctors told him he'd never walk again and if, by a miracle, he did manage to get mobile, it would be with surgery and with not very pretty results. Long story short, he worked with another yoga master and put the 26 bikram postures together for his own healing. Each posture gets you warmed up and ready for the next and there are at least two or three points in the series when the cardio is ramped up so high, you'll probably feel like you're having a stroke. Every posture is for a reason...it's a very thoughtful series and it's not rife with new age platitudes so sarcasm is welcome. In fact, Bikram, himself, is one of the most sarcastic, funny gurus I've ever heard of...very refreshing.

Though I've worked out all of my life and done just about everything possible to stay in shape, this yoga has given me an even leaner, sculpted look than before and I'm loving it. The mental benefits (focus, calmness, determination, relaxation) are also huge but they creep up on you as you're struggling with the postures at first. I avoided yoga for years because it seemed too boring, too slow, too "weak" but I was completely wrong when it came to the bikram series. It kicks my butt every time I'm in the room and I love it.

Kathryn

Locked Knees: The Showdown

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 06:30:13 GMT

Anyone here a hyperextender like me (see standing leg of the Standing Bow pose in my photos)? After about four years of practicing the wrong way (knee joints locked too far back, weight resting in joints), an instructor (bless her heart) finally got me to soften the knee joints a bit, and start using the strength of the muscles to keep the leg straight and solid. This is much, much, much more difficult (obviously), and I feel like I'm starting all over again. The tops of quads are surprisingly difficult to keep engaged, but when all of the leg muscles are firing together, the 'no-knee / lamppost' concept is explained evidently. However, I am brushing up against a contrast in some teaching styles. Now, it seems, I'm receiving corrections from other teachers to lock my knee out more, which I can feel starts to border on the way I used to be holding these poses. I'm focusing on awareness -- and trying to strike the right balance between the two. Has anyone taken posture clinics or the Advanced Class with Bikram or any of the senior teachers? Any advice they gave help you along the way? Cedric =)

Re: Bikram Yoga session MP3

http://justbeone.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:52:20 GMT

Jurriaan, I've never seen an audio session available, but I can think of 4 possiblities. 1. If you got one of those DVD's Kathryn talked about in her post on this pod, you could probably rip it to audio pretty easily. 2. You could go often enough to memorize it... 3. Find an instructor, and ask if you can borrow their script (or if they'll make one for you.) 4. Take your MP3 player, set it on record, and leave it by the speaker. (it might be a good idea to get permission first, if you're the permission getting kind.) Good luck! Paul

Re: Introduction: Yoga and Me

http://justbeone.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:35:53 GMT

Dave,

The theory behind yoga is as far and deep as its multi-thousand year history. What you have noticed (about the yuppie mindset) is often very much how Easterners view the Western fixation with yoga. They see so much of its purpose and depth simply obliviously passed by in Wester yoga cafe's... er... I mean... studios.

Although there is an entire emotional, mental, and spiritual depth to my experience with Bikram yoga, your post suggest to me that you're wondering about the physical.

Here is one one very tiny part of the physical philosopy behind a yoga experience:

There are so many places in our bodies that seldom get conentrated oxygen. Even with people who run marathons, work out regularly, and do other forms of aerobic exercise, there are places in the body where the blood flow is still somewhat sluggish compared to other parts of the body, where the blood flow readily.

When you hold a yoga position, you stop the blood flow the a particular area of the body -- your highly oxygenated blood builds up and builds up, and then you go into a state of utter relaxation (they call it Savasana.) The blood rushes, unhindered, to the organs and muscles of that isolated part of the body, like a dam breaking, bringing a new set of nutrients and oxygen, and carrying away toxins and waste -- cleansing each specific area of the body. You get to give each part of your body (ncluding yoru brain) that gift, throughout the 90 minute session.

When you add to that, the heat of the Bikram experience (the studio is about 104 degrees) it creates a bloodflow, regeneration, and rejuvination unlike anything I have experienced anywhere else.

And that's just the beginning. I'm sure you already know about the flexibility, balance, centering, clarity, opening, strengthening, etc.

I have had the same experience as you about some other namby pamby, wanna-be, yoga types. But Bikram isn't one of those. He's from the heartland of yoga, and it teaches it the way it has been taught for so many centuries we can't even fathom its evolution.

I suppose it's possible to do yoga on your own, with a book or video. The experience of being in a room with 40 people who are "doing their work" and "focused on health" and giving all they've got to create powerful growth for their bodies, is absolutely an astounding experience for me. I'm not sure what it is about a group of people all in the same place for the same purpose... but it creates something that I don't experience when I'm practicing alone.

If you don't have a Bikram studio in your area, I still urge you to find a yoga, and give it a serious try. If it's wimpy, then you picked the wrong one. Bikram will kick your butt, and you'll wonder how you made it through the first couple of days. Eventually, your body and mind get used to it, and it becomes one of the most exhilirating and energizing experiences that exists. But although I've heard people say they've found other yogas that give them a good workout, nothing I've every experienced even comes close to the workout my body gets in the Bikram studio.

I've invited several of my "hard core work-out" friends to Bikram. Each one skeptical (as was I when my wife talked me into attending my first session.) Each of them came away from the first day utterly slammed (as did I after my first session.) Only one of my friends still attends (and is currenly in Hawaii training to become a Bikram instructor.) The rest walked away after 10 days, amazed, feeling great, having wonderful things to say about yoga in general (and Bikram specifically) but looking for something a bit easier -- like the gym.

So statement to you is, "it will do what you're looking for for our body." (and so much more that you can't even imagine yet, until you begin experiencing it.)

And my questions for you, is... "can you take the heat?" And if you can, do you want what it can do for you body, enough to get past the sadly westernized bastardization of whatever types of yoga are available in your area... or go on a 3 day adventure to find a Bikram studio?

<big smile>

Paul

Re: Introduction: Yoga and Me

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:20:07 GMT

I shall keep in touch.

Thank you for assisting me in my understanding.

EDIT: Though I have just discovered there are no classes in my locale. I guess I shall see if the book falls into my hands and take it from there.

Hope you are well.

Dave.

Re: Introduction: Yoga and Me

http://perfectcirclemedia.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:52:50 GMT

After reading your post I believe Bikram Yoga would be perfect for you! You will work hard and kill yourself for 90 minutes every time. Bikram has a new book that came out this year that will give you the philosophy and the practice. Goto www.bikramyoga.com for a class near you. Good luck! Keep in touch.

Introduction: Yoga and Me

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:05:47 GMT

Greetings.

My name is Dave, as if you were not so astute to have guessed that already -and I practice yoga only as a momentary break down during my regular work out sessions.

To be honest, although I am fascinated by yoga in its various forms, I have never found a class, or system, available in modern times -to the modern man- that was not rife with yuppie-logic; totally concerned on rendering the art's roots inadequate for the sake of fifteen minutes in latex and sixty minutes worth of talk time. "My yoga guru says...."

Perhaps that was a little negative. In Zen circles I am sure I take the award for most sarcastic monk, that is for sure.

Intrigued none the less, I am; this Birkam Yoga having grabbed my attention from the onset of this pod.

So where then do I go from here?

What is the philosophy behind this practice?

More importantly -how does one go about instigating the practice?

What sign posts are there to help shed light on this way?

Cheers.

Bikram's CD

http://yoginigirl.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:37:53 GMT

I purchased Bikram's own double CD duo about a month ago for a trip I took to Florida. It's phenomenal! An entire class given by him that you can download onto your ipod or laptop for travel purposes. I did a "class" on the beach with four girlfriends and had a blast. I bought it at the studio I practice at in Grapevine, TX but I'm sure you can buy it online at his India College in California.

Kathryn

Bikram Yoga session MP3

http://VMGmax.gaia.com — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:07:51 GMT

Hi, do any of you know of a audiofile of a teacher doing a session? I'd like to use it for when I can't get to a studio and practice alone.

Best regards Jurriaan