Bikram Yoga benefits beginners too!
Bikram Yoga is also for beginners of yoga in general. It is even suitable for people who do not currently exercise. Due to the heat, you can safely work to stretch and relax your muscles and joints, all the while building strength and toning muscles too. Since the lesson is always the same sequence, you learn to steadily make new demands of yourself each lesson; working harder, deeper yet calmer. All in good time; it’s the journey that counts and you have your whole life to make the changes. A good goal to aim for in order to see and feel really solid changes is commit to taking a minimum of 3 classes per week for a minimum of 90 days. What do you have to lose?
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What is Bikram Yoga exactly?
Bikram Yoga is 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, 90 minutes long at 40 degrees Celsius. The Bikram Yoga series is configured so that each posture builds on the previous one. By the end of the lesson you have addressed your whole body and leave full of energy and vitality.
- You strengthen your major muscle groups and your immune system.
- You experience less stress.
- You sleep better and you need less sleep.
- Your patience, self-confidence, self-control and concentration increase.
What about the heat?
The heat will help. The the yoga room is around 40 degrees Celsius and the temperature facilitates your muscles, ligaments and joints to safely stretch. So you can really change at a deeper level (body and mind) with Bikram Yoga.
The warmth
- Stimulates the detox process through the elimination of waste through sweat.
- Helps prevent and heal injuries.
- Increases cardiovascular capacity and improved functioning of the respiratory system.
- Provides healthy and radiant-looking skin.
- Increases your metabolism and helps you lose weight.
In the beginning often the biggest challenge is to control your breathing in the warm room. Once you’ve found yourself in your breathing, deepening your postures will follow and you can start practicing the yoga with more intensity. Taking class as frequently as possible is the best way to build your strength and learn.
What is the difference between Bikram Yoga and Hot Yoga?
In all Bikram Yoga studios you will find large mirrors to correct your postures, a brightly lit yoga room and no music played during class. The teacher leads the class by giving simple detailed instructions in place of actually doing the postures. So the idea is that students listen and do. This is why students don’t talk to each other or the teacher during the lesson. Any questions can always be asked after the class. The similarity between Bikram Yoga and Hot Yoga is that both are taught in a heated room, however there are many differences.
Bikram Yoga
- The main difference is each lesson is always 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises with each posture performed twice.
- Bikram Yoga is done in a heated room regulated as closely as possible to 40 degrees Celsius with a humidity of 40%.
- Bikram Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga; which means you do a posture and hold still, then release the posture and hold still, there is no flow sequence.
- Every lesson you always do the same 26 postures in the same order.
- A Bikram Yoga class lasts 90 minutes.
- Bikram Yoga was the first to introduce any yoga performed in a hot room, this is because the creator of Bikram Yoga, Bikram Choudhuy was from Kalkutta and this was all he knew from his youth when studying with his guru, Bishnu Ghosh.
Hot Yoga
- The temperature of the yoga room can vary, usually between 30 and 38 degrees.
- Most Hot Yoga classes do not have a set sequence of postures, they vary by school and teacher.
- Most Hot Yoga classes do not have a set style, they can be hatha based (stillness) or flow based and again varying by school and teacher.
- Most Hot Yoga classes have the teacher both performing postures and walking around the room, so students attention is towards the teacher instead of with themselves.
- A Hot Yoga class can range in duration from 60 minutes to 90 minutes
I’m not flexible
This is exactly the reason to come to class. You do not have to be flexible, you do not need to be fit, you just need to show up and try. Yoga is for everyone: young and old, fat and thin, male and female, fit or not. Just come along for your first lesson. You will see that you can naturally and safely build your flexibility, strength and endurance.
I’m really a novice
The classes are the same for beginners and advanced. Whether you’re an athlete or not: you always get the full benefit from the lessons. Everyone performs the same postures together at the same time. However, each posture will vary from person to person depending on their level and physical condition. You learn very early on to not compare yourself to anyone else in the room and enjoy your own journey, level and pace.
So are you looking for yoga exercises for beginners?
- Bikram Yoga is for everyone and every kind of body.
- There are no separate beginner lessons, we do this together.
- You do what you can and learn at your own pace.
- The more frequently you are able to take classes, the more you will be delighted at your progress.
- Try in your intro period to take a minimum of 3 classes per week, of course more is better!
Can I lose weight with Bikram Yoga?
Yes, weight loss is possible with a regular Bikram Yoga practice as the yoga has a normalizing effect on your weight. If you are overweight, you will lose weight, if you are underweight, your body will adjust to what you should be. You will learn to value your health (and weight) on how you feel and move. The yoga will help you achieve your natural weight: the weight that is optimal for your body. A regular practice of this yoga makes is very easy to stay at your ideal weight. A good goal is 3 x per week for a minimum of 3 months and you will see and feel changes!
I do not like that airy-fairy yoga stuff?
In our schools you will find no incense, Buddha statues and meditation cushions, nor sounds of gongs or chanting, and we do not wear loose-fitting robes. What you do find with us; sincerely interested people who live their common passion (this yoga) with discipline and fun.
What about eating food before the lesson?
It is best to not eat anything for at least two hours before a Bikram Yoga class, so you take class on an empty stomach. When you still have food in your stomach the digestion takes a lot of energy. You can feel very dizzy or nauseated. Want to follow the lesson of 06.30? Then take breakfast after class. Do not worry about hunger, which disappears the first 5 minutes of the lesson. You will be rewarded with an extra portion of energy for the whole day, yum! Yoga gives you energy!
How often should I take lessons?
Show up as often as you can, preferably every day. The more you take class, the more you benefit from the effects of Bikram Yoga. Remember: the first lesson can be the hardest, so come back for your second lesson as soon as possible, even if you have muscle pain, can’t stand the heat or think that yoga is not for you. It is a lot to evaluate after only one lesson, give it some time. Bikram Yoga has been popular for many years without changing its sequence because it works: it gives you energy and you feel physically and mentally better. All the time you put into it, you get back much more. Treat it as investment in your life, your future, it is a form of health insurance!
I do other sports
All the more reason to do Bikram Yoga. You improve your endurance and concentration, you prevent and heal injuries and keep your whole body supple and healthy. Many of our students are professional runners, cyclists, triathetes or dancers. They all agree that Bikram Yoga is an integral part of their training regime to help them perform at high levels.
What do I do if I am ill or injured?
This is time you need to come and take class. Bikram Yoga helps us heal. No matter what the injury or illness; the yoga gives you energy and increases blood circulation, which promotes the healing process. Just be sure to inform the teacher before class and they can provide you with modifications and advice as necessary. There is always something to focus on in each posture at the very least your breath.. You can learn a lot about yourself, your body and your yoga practice when you have an injury and feel empowered when you realize you have the power to heal yourself! Do what you can and do not force anything.
What about pregnancy and Bikram Yoga?
There have been many healthy Bikram Yoga moms and Bikram Yoga babies over the years. In the end it is a personal choice. Many women chose to practice the yoga through the entire duration of their pregnancy. Some women chose to wait until after the 1st trimester to continue with their yoga practice. Both groups of women credit Bikram Yoga for helping them with great deliveries and fast recoveries. As the belly grows the teacher can show you adjustments for the postures as needed. Always check with your doctor or midwife first and feel free to ask us questions.
In most cases if you practiced regularly before you became pregnant, you can do the yoga for almost your entire pregnancy. If Bikram Yoga is new to you, then waiting until after the first trimester is often followed because your body is then more balanced. As always with Bikram Yoga, which also applies during pregnancy and not,: do what you can and do not force anything.
Be sure to inform the teacher if you are pregnant, so we can give you a little extra attention. For example you can sit at a little less warm place and when the time comes, we will show you the alternatives for a number of postures in which your baby belly is a little bit in the way.
Card expired?
Come to the school to reactivate it or send us an e-mail. Depending on how often you want to follow lessons and which card you have, we offer a number of opportunities, our teachers can look for you. We have recently changed our pricing. If you can practice 2 x per week then membership is a great deal for you! If not we give you more time to finish your lesson card, see pricing. We will carry forward any unused lessons from up to 2 years ago.
Been away for a while?
If you have not taken class with us in two or more years you can make use of our introductory offer: 30 days unlimited yoga for € 45 and discount on membership when you sign up during your introduction.
See postures
The Bikram Yoga Series carefully builds every posture on the previous one. Due to the combination and order of the exercises, Bikram Yoga offers you great benefits. By the end of each lesson, fresh oxygen-rich blood has been delivered to every cell in your body and you have moved your spine in all directions it was designed to and you strengthen your nervous system.