Is anyone out there an avid Bikram person that could give me some advice?
I need a new activity and thought about trying Bikram. I have some back/neck pain issues where a little activity is good but too much is very bad. I can do some walking/short spurts of jogging along a vita parcour course with the exercise stations a couple of times per week, but with the weather getting cooler and rainy, it would be nice to sweat a little. But, I am very intimidated by 90 min in 40 degrees. What if I can't do it or finish it? I am not in great shape anymore. I could start with yoga without the hot room, but I find yoga very boring, so the added element of heat is what really interests me but also scares me too.
I quite enjoy Bikram yoga, but do have to say that it is quite a workout. They encourage you to push your limits the entire time, but if you're worried abut your back/neck I would definitely take it easy (and tell them so they know too) the first time if you're keen on trying, so you can see whether it will work for you without injuring yourself. Don't try to imitate all the advanced people who seem to be able to do the postures so easily! It takes a long time to get there. You know your body, you do what you can handle. If you find it too hot, or dizzying, you can sit out some postures too. Most new people seem to do fine with the heat, though, and I was ok as well, just very tired by the end! I find it overall a fairly supportive community (depending on the studio, perhaps?) but people do work hard, and push themselves hard. Perhaps you can look up the basic postures online, too, to make sure it will be fine for you. Something like this: http://bikramyogamusings.files.wordp...oga-poses1.jpg
Thanks, great advice. I found the poses and will give them a try for a few days and see how I feel before attending a class. If the poses do not bother me, then I may give a try with the heat. I do have to try to ignore those around me because I know I will try to imitate them and that would be a disaster.
I like the idea of having company and the challenge of doing the poses in the heat - which makes something that seems simple very difficult. I don't expect to be able to do more than one session per week.
I tried Bikram ages ago the first session was really tough. I had no idea I was going to get so dizzy. The studio i went too gave the second class free so I gave it another go. I was a little better prepared the second time didn't eat much the morning before maybe some fruit and drank a whole lot more water and the second class was much easier. The best tip I can give you is to definitely make sure you are well hydrated before you go !
Hi,where do you go in Zurich? Iv been looking at having a go
I go to http://www.bikramyoga.ch/ in Zurich. Now that the weather is getting colder, the classes are getting fuller but it's still pretty comfortable. They teach in both English and Swiss German, sometimes a mixture, depending on who is attending the classes.
And yes, staying well hydrated during the day beforehand is key!