About Yoga – For Beginners
Drink plenty of water before yoga class.
Hydration is essential to a strong performance in Bikram yoga. It takes at least 45 minutes for any water you drink to be processed within your body – in other words, most of what you drink while in class won’t help your performance! One session of Bikram yoga for a well-hydrated person is roughly equivalent to five weeks on a standard detox program!)
Studio doors close when yoga class starts.
Latecomers are not admitted once class has started. This is so that the flow of the series is maintained, and to save others from having their experience disrupted. Please make sure you turn up on time in order to avoid disappointment.
During class we ask that you stay in the hot room.
Of course, if you need to go to the bathroom then go – but generally, it’s important to stay in the room once class starts.
Bikram yoga classes are for everyone.
Bikram yoga is yoga for beginners! It’s not just for people who are already strong and flexible. If you are sore, unfit, or out of shape, this yoga will help you.
To quote Bikram’s guru, Bishnu Charan Ghosh: ‘It’s never too late, you’re never too old, you’re never too sick, to start from scratch once again.’ Make sure you try with 100% effort, and you will receive 100% of the amazing yoga benefits of Bikram hot yoga.
Don’t think you have to be in shape before coming to class.
The recipe for amazing progress with Bikram yoga is to come to your first class; then take your next one as soon as possible; and then just come as often as you can. If you do these things, you will achieve your physical goals very quickly.
The more often you come to class, the more quickly you will see and feel some pretty dramatic changes, including weight loss (if you need it), detoxification, increased flexibility, higher energy levels, increased muscular strength and definition, youthful, glowing skin, and more balanced moods, appetites, and sleep/wake patterns.
Dress in clothes that let your skin breathe – no long sleeves or pants.
Most regulars to class wear the equivalent of hot pants, swimming trunks, and halter tops.
The fewer clothes you wear, the better your skin can breathe and the more benefit you’ll receive from the hot room.
Did you know that your skin is literally your body’s primary organ of detoxification? Covering it up in long pants and long sleeves is not only uncomfortable for you, but actually defeats the purpose of sweating.
Try not to eat for at least two hours before class.
Every body is different, but most people find that doing Bikram yoga on a full stomach is extremely uncomfortable! If you’re coming to a morning class and you don’t do well on an empty belly, try a piece of fruit or a glass of juice.
If you feel nauseous during class, it’s often because you’ve either a) eaten a large meal too recently, or b) your blood sugar is still being affected by something sugary you ate that day. You are your own best teacher, so simply listen to the signals that your body gives you and make the necessary adjustments to feel and work your best.
This isn’t a competition: work to your ‘edge’ but not beyond it.
A word to the wise: almost everyone feels strongly challenged by their first Bikram class.
The aim of each class is to listen to your body and work to your edge, but never push yourself over that edge.
If you need to sit down, go ahead and do so. It’s extremely normal to feel a little dizzy or nauseated when you take your first few classes – as your body begins to flush itself out and get used to the conditions in class, you’ll start feeling stronger and stronger and will really begin to develop your ability in each posture.
It’s about learning through doing: perfection isn’t an issue, just do your best each day and see how it feels. Your teacher is there to guide you with respect and compassion and will help you to attain your best efforts.
Wherever possible, take your second class within 24 hours.
This isn’t something to stress out about, but do know that your second class will feel a lot easier than your first one … the sooner you come back, the better it will be and the better you will feel.
What to bring:
If you have a yoga mat and a large bath towel – no tiny hand towels please, think beach towel - bring those with you. (Large towels are necessary to soak up the sweat; they are there to go over your mat and prevent you slipping.) Bring an extra towel if you want to shower at the studio after class. A water bottle will also come in handy!
If you don’t have any yoga equipment of your own, then you can rent these things for $1 each at the front desk before class.
Remember that everyone works to their own limits here.
Everyone in the room has at some stage been through their very own first Bikram yoga class – even the people in the front row. Anyone who makes it look easy is only able to do so because they persevered – sometimes for many years. You can, too - believe in your own ability.
Okay, chit-chat’s over, now you’re ready to begin! So pick a convenient time from the schedule and come to class – we look forward to meeting you soon!
