I went to this Yoga studio today, it was Bikram Hot Yoga. So I like the poses and the pace, it seems like it would be a good program. The only problem is they run the thermostat at 104F (I asked and this is what they told me). I made it 60 minutes of a 90 minute class and bailed, the heat was absurd. Doing yoga is a sauna just does not seem healthy, which sucks because I liked the actual poses, etc. The only good thing about the heat is half the womens were in bikinis and the room was about 80% womens, but even for this I don’t think I can take the heat.
Has anyone done this hot yoga. Can anyone tell me why 104F makes any sense. I understand you want to get the muscles warm, 90F would do this or you could put some clothes on. It was packed so I guess people like it, maybe it’s just me. If you want to get ready for St. Croix 70.3 and you live up north maybe this would make sense.
I tried it last year with the thought of using it to help with flexibility. Only made it through about 4 visits before I threw in the towel. I stupidly went after a longer run session and only made it about half way through before I started getting all dizzy and developed tunnel vision. That was the last time for me.
As for the high heat and humidity, I am not sure of the reason other than clearing sweat from your eyes for 90 minutes. I seem to remember something about every move focusing on the heart? Hopefully somebody who knows can explain it because I am interested in knowing as well.
I’ve been doing Bikram Yoga for about a year. I like the improved flexibility and balance I have obtained.
As for the heat, they say it is to improve blood flow and is part of teh meditative aspect. They also tell you that this pose helps digestion and that pose helps oxygen flow. I don’t buy into that part of Bikram but the instructors and many of the regulars buy into it.
One thing I do not get is how they stress you should not drink anything during class. This is absolutely the only time I have ever heard this. I drink anyway, but only between poses, which they reluctantly allow.
I go to hot yoga occasionally - I have never heard them say to NOT drink water in class - the instructors always stress that you SHOULD hydrate and they often have reminders on their websites and in the lobby to bring enough water, and also drink a fair amount of water beforehand.
It’s not for everyone. You can also create internal heat in other forms of yoga that will be a lot safer from a physiological aspect. Some love it, some hate it. I am not a “fan”, but will do it on a rare occasion with my friend who loves it. Any yoga that you like and do, is good yoga.
Did it for awhile. Liked everything but the heat. It’s a bit silly, really. They claim the heat makes the muscles more limber and you have a lower chance of injury, but that happens long before the 100-110* mark.
I could see doing a couple of classes for heat acclimation if you are Canuck racing the Phillipines in January, or if you are just really tired of being cold all winter.
I tried doing it in the spring/summer, and it ruined my week ( I live in Texas, it’s hot enough, thank you!)
I’ve done it a few times, stuck it out but probably lost 4 lbs each time. Problem for me (I am a heavy sweater anyway) is it takes for me days to recover to the point where I can have an effective workout, so I don’t do it much. I like the mental aspect, forcing the body to perform in a very uncomfortable environment, it reminds me of a TT.
The purpose of the heat is to separate the pansies from everyone else.
Slowguy
Bikram hot yoga saved my ass, injury free IM training (as long as I keep attending classes) yes it’s tough as hell*, thats one reason I attend, challenging both physically and mentally, suck it up Buttercup.*
Specificity of training:
You’ll workout in heat, so learn how to hydrate, sweat and perform in heat. If you’re racing in extreme heat, that’s a plus. Of course, spending time training in Kona might be more specific, and there are bikini womens there too.
Hot yoga:
Experimental Physiology has a study showing ambient temperature increases pituitary hormone responses.
90F-95F seems to be the sweet spot on ambient temperature’s effects on prolonged cycling.
Any yoga:
You’ll gain strength from all the poses. That may help in swimming, biking and running.
You’ll stretch things that over-tighten until they are properly flexible. Do you want to go beyond that, be too flexible, thus risk injury?
PubMed has conflicting studies indicating yoga may ward off depression, or help lower back pain. However, there are also studies showing high injury rates from yoga. Hot yoga may also be associated with “altered perceptions and full-blown psychotic episodes”.
Small changes in ambient temperature have an effect on body core temperature. Who knows how hot the room really is.
Wikipedia says this about core temperature: 37 °C (99 °F) - Normal body temperature (which varies between about 36.12–37.5 °C (97–100 °F))38 °C (100 °F) - Sweating, feeling very uncomfortable, slightly hungry.39 °C (102 °F) - Severe sweating, flushed and very red. Fast heart rate and breathlessness. There may be exhaustion accompanying this. Children and people with epilepsy may be very likely to get convulsions at this point.40 °C (104 °F) - Fainting, dehydration, weakness, vomiting, headache and dizziness may occur as well as profuse sweating. Starts to be life- threatening.Maybe take a thermometer to learn how hot the room actually is, and how your temperature changes in the room. Compare that data to where and how you’ll be racing.
I did one class and almost fainted. I came home and my wife said I looked worse than after any IronMan. With 30 people in the room, the instructor was very attentive to me as a beginner, often suggesting that I take a break or do only part of the move. But, only taking limited water at 30 and 60 minutes killed me. I usually go through 2-16ox bottles in a 60 min Spin class. I did not go back for the free 2nd class.
It did open my eyes to an area of fitness where I am extremely weak - to see some of these people with such flexibility, balance, and grace. I sought out a regular Yoga class at the YMCA and (will) go to that regularly in 2010…promise. I think it could take the place of or reduce my need for massage and chiropractic - bouth of which I no longer have the $$$ for.
I used to do bikram yoga twice a week when I was training for IM; it helped me with improved flexibility, core strength, injury prevention and heat acclimation. I haven’t been in a while and miss it.
I will warn you on this…take heed. Being new to yoga 6 months or so via my wife’s nudging I am still learning the ropes. On class 2 I found myself in ‘The Pigeon Pose’.
I had no warning and managed to lay down a crop duster type fart. The kind that sounds like kids feet skipping hop-scotch down the sidewalk. Apparently a fart in yoga class is nothing new b/c I was laughing so hard I had to break out of the pose and the instructor said …‘oh is THAT how you feel then’. Mama-san gave me the stink eye though…not pleased.
Just be aware yoga can incite mustard gas attacks:)
I’ve been doing it for a year now and love it. I don’t think we are at 104F. I think usually around 100F, sometimes a bit lower if there are a lot of people in the room.
Not drinking??? WTF? That sounds absurd! We absolutely are encouraged to drink, whenever we need it. I cannot imagine doing it without drinking and I would challenge any instructor who said otherwise.
Mine is called Moksha, not Bikram, so I don’t know if that is different. Moksha could be a brand name for all I know.
I have an upper back issue and every time I have gone to regular unheated yoga, I have pulled my back out of alignment. That has never happened to me in hot yoga. I used to have to go to a chiropractor once a week for my back and I don’t have to anymore.
It has really helped me when I have come from Canada, down to a hot weather/high humidity race.
I do it once a week because that is all I can fit in but I know I would benefit from a second or third class as well. It has made my core so much stronger, much more so than gym ab work ever would do. It is also a huge stress reliever for me.
Ours is without music and there are certain classes that are totally silent - ie the instructor just makes a click noise to tell you to go to the next pose.
Bikinis??? Yikes! I wouldn’t go if I was expected to wear a bikini! Bra top and short yoga shorts is as far as I go and I am the most uncovered there. Most of the women in my class wear capri tights and a long bra top (ie torso covered). The men wear tri type shorts and maybe a singlet to start, which soon comes off.
My husband says it’s just like wrestling training in a garbage bag from his high school days… only the scenery is a lot better
I did it regularly a few years ago, didn’t have a problem with the temperatures. But I’m part lizard, so the more heat the better I like it…
105 is standard for Bikram. Can’t fit it into my current schedule, I miss it.
I just started hot yoga back in November and I really like it. I wasn’t too sure about it after the first class - it was a lot to take in, so I’d encourage you to try it again if you are on the fence. The big key for me is pre-class prep: stop eating three hours before class (seriously) and drink water like crazy before you go. I also like to get to class about 15-20 minutes early so I can lay on my mat and acclimate. For the first few classes, take it really easy - lay down when you feel dizzy or just need a break. Being in the room is a workout all by itself. That mentality takes some getting used to when you’re surrounded by the “yoga people” who are effortlessly doing all of the poses.
As far as the not drinking thing, the only thing I can figure is that there is a part at the beginning where everyone is supposed to drink together and I had one instructor make me wait to take a drink until then. My advice would be to try a different instructor if that’s possible because there are definitely many different approaches with instructors. I generally ignore the more militant instructors and do what I can/feel like.
