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| FAQ including first time to class What do I need to do before my first class? How do I benefit from a class? What if I have never done yoga before? Is it a cardiovascular workout? Can I lose weight? Why the heat? What should I wear? What should I bring? Where can I find other Bikram Yoga studios? What do I need to do before my first class? There is no need to pre register/pre book. Every class on the schedule is open to beginners, the dialogue is for beginners, the pace is for advanced students. Classes are open to those aged between eight and 80. For your first few classes try not to expect too much of yourself and acclimatise to the heat. For the maximum benefit, do not eat at least two hours before class (depending on your metabolism you can adjust this time). Drink at least one litre of water before coming to class, drink another liter in class and another afterwards. Please come at least 15 minutes before class to register. Those who come early to class can relax on their mats in the studio before class begins. How do I benefit from a class? Optimum health, maximum function. You will beneift immeasurably. All participants benefit both physically and mentally. In Bikram's own words: "There will be no weight, no pressure, no strain that life can put on you that you will not be able to support." For Bikram Yoga student testimonials, go to: http://www.bikramyoga.com/testimonials.htm Physically a regular yoga practise: * Regulates cholesterol in the blood * Supplies oxygen and nutrients to parts of the body that have been blocked or stagnant. * Eliminates toxins * Flushes the lymphatic system * Strengthens the immune system * Balances the endocrine system * Improves the spine's flexibility and health * Expands lung capacity and strengthens the heart * Lubricates joints * Strengthens bones * Stretches and tones the muscles As we age our muscles tend to get stiffer, creating more pressure on the joints. By regular stretching we prevent this gradual stiffening and joint deterioration and that is why yoga has a rejuvenating effect. Through a regular yoga workout we liberate vast amounts of energy which we can use in our lives to feel more alive and self fulfilled. We look, move and feel younger. The poses work synergistically and cumulatively to restore the body to a balanced state. The yoga builds energy, stamina and flexibility. It incorporates strength, gravity and balance and most importantly the tourniquet effect. This technique allows the stretching, squeezing and massaging of the internal organs, flushing out the cardiovascular system and stimulating the endocrine and nervous systems in order to release deficient hormones and enzymes. The body is self regulating and self adjusting. What if I have never done yoga before? Welcome. Every class is open to beginners and follows the same format whether it is your first class or your fifth year practising. Everyone benefits. As Bikram says: "This Hatha yoga is for everyone and every body. It doesn't matter how well you do each posture, only that you try the right way. Even if you can only do part of the posture you will receive 100 per cent of the benefit medically if you try the right way." Is it a cardiovascular workout? Bikram yoga is most definitely a cardiovascular workout. One posture in particular doubles your heart rate and even though it is only 10 seconds long you will emerge panting. The Irish Medical Association recently found that sudden bursts of activity that heighten the heart rate are better for your heart than slow methodical exercise that does not raise your heart rate enough. In certain postures you stretch out your heart muscles in either direction increasing your heart rate substantially before releasing the posture. Can I lose weight? Yes, if you have it to lose. Bikram says you will have a new body with 60 days of daily practice. Each posture combines flexibility, strength and balance to work your whole body from bone to skin, With a regular practice you can loose inches and develop muscle tone, strength and stamina. The postures help to release bound-fat cells and work the endocrine glands to fire up your metabolism. Warm muscles burn fat more effectively. When we stretch, the fat has no room to sit so it redistributes to the blood stream which we then use as energy. For those who wish to lose weight Bikram recommends coming to classes earlier in the day. Why the heat? The heat helps you. Your body temperature rises when you exercise. This is the body's way of preventing injury and allowing the muscles, ligaments and joints to perform at their optimum. The room is heated so your body heat is not lost into a cold room. The combination of the heat and the poses, allows deep changes to take place, and aids in the healing of existing injuries. It promotes sweating which flushes toxins from the body and also makes performing the postures easier as you are more flexible. What should I wear? Workout clothing, shorts, gym tops. Baggy clothing and tracksuit pants are not recommended as they will get in the way as you practice. What should I bring? Bring two towels, one for class and one for a shower after class, at least a litre of water and a yoga mat. Towels and mats can be rented at the studio and water is sold. Where can I find other Bikram Yoga studios? There are over 700 Bikram Yoga studios throughout the world. Simply log onto http://www.bikramyoga.com for a listing by country and city. |
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