Hot.. Steamy… Sweaty… Love affair.

Let me tell you a secret…

I have had an on again, off again, now on again, love affair with Bikram.

It is a hot…

It is a steamy…

It is a sweaty…

type of love.

So I am back on and this is why?

This week was the first week of December. Where I live, it is not unusual to have unpredictable, sporadic weather conditions.  So earlier this week,  when the sun began to shine and the daily temperatures hit a lovely 65- 70 degrees, I wasn’t totally surprised. With that being said, there was no way I was going to skip out on a run. I couldn’t waste these beautiful days. I had to take advantage of this fabulous December weather.

So I did.

I ran fast.

I ran in shorts.

I ran testing my new Brooks PureConnects.

This morning however, the temperatures began to drop. Although, the sun was out, it became a breezy and cold 45 degrees. So instead of running, I hit up Bikram.

For those that don’t know what Bikram is let me explain…

Five years ago, I had a desire to try yoga, but for those that know me well, know that I crave intensity in everything I do. I didn’t want to pay for a yoga class, where I would be meditating and relaxing. I wanted to a challenge. I wanted to sweat. I wanted to see results.

For those that know me well, also know, I research everything. So of corse I looked up different forms of yoga, and came to the conclusion that Bikram would be the best fit for me.

Bikram Yoga is a form of Hatha yoga, created by Bikram Choudhury. The class is a 90 minute class. It consistes of 26 postures and 2 breathing techniques (26 +2). The postures are preformed in 105+ temperatures, working the whole body. Bikram is extremely detoxifying and healing. You will leave drenched with sweat and totally rejuvenated.

Bikram is always the same routine. Because of this, over time, you really get the opportunity to improve your body, and prefect the poses.

My first Bikram class…

I was super excited and just couldn’t wait to try this new type of exercise. So five years ago, on a cold winter night, I got off work and stopped by my mom’s house. She was the only person I knew that would try anything with me on such a short notice. I told her that we were going to try a hot yoga class. I told her to grab the shortest shorts she had, and the biggest water bottle she owned.

In the last few years three new Bikram studios have opened in Northern Virginia alone. But back five years ago, the studios were limited, so my mom and I headed to the one in Falls Church. Like most Bikram studios, this one was a hole in the wall. My mom was a tad freaked out at first, but we completed the first class, feeling amazing afterwards.

My Bikram experience continues…

I began to practice regularly 4-5 times a week. When my best friend, Mariana, came home from college, I convinced her to come along with me. She too fell in love with it and began to practice regularly. We loved it so much, that on the rare occasion we would complete a double – meaning we would practice two times in one day.

It was amazing, how much our bodies changed. Our upper bodies- mainly arms and shoulder became toned. Our posture improved. Fat melted away from our midsections. We became more flexible. Our skin improved. We drank more water/coconut water, and craved a healthier diet. We felt rejuvenated, more energized. Everyday, I wanted to sweat buckets, and craved the heat.

New Studio’s opened…

Bikram Tysons: One of our favorite instructors from Falls Church, opened his own studio out in Tyson’s Corner. A lot of the regulars from Falls Church followed him. My friend and I would make the drive as well. The studio is by far one of the prettiest ones in the area. The classes are always packed full, with tons of regular yogis, some so amazing that they could teach the class. Because of this, the classes have a really awesome energy, but make sure you go early to reserve your favorite spot to lay your mat. The heat is always cranked to the max temperatures. You are guaranteed an intense class.

Birkam Yoga Arlington: This is another one of the newer studios in the area. I recently moved, so this location is way more convenient for me. So although, I love Falls Church and Bikram Tysons, this year I plan to go to the Arlington studio more often.

When ever I go to the Bikram Tysons, I have to arrive 20 minutes early just to get a spot in the room, at Bikram Yoga Arlington, this is not the case. Every time I have participated at the Arlington studio, I have gone to the 10 am class and it hasn’t been too busy- which is a kind of nice. This studio is also the cleanest studio I have been too.

Today’s Yoga Class

L and I at Bikram.

L and I at Bikram.

When I drive out to Bikram Tysons, I have to leave my house an hour before class started, hoping and praying I will make it in time. (That is how bad the traffic is here.) I am totally stressed out when I arrived.

Today, I hit up Bikram Yoga Arlington and it literally took me five minutes to drive there, and I found parking right away- score! L and I had plenty of time to set up and relax before class started.

At first I didn’t think the room was that hot, but now I am thinking I was really dehydrated, and just didn’t begin to sweat until the middle of the standing postures.

Because it was my first time back in a month or so, I didn’t want to push myself too far, over stretch, and injure myself. Plus my muscles were tight from all the running.

In the end, it was a really good class. I felt so energized after. It felt like a full body massage. I definitely want to fit Bikram back into my schedule at least 2 times a week, if not more. I also want to try some other forms of yoga. I have a feeling that inverted poses are in my near future, what can I say – I just want to be upside down.

Questions for You…

  1. Have you tried Bikram?
  2. What kind of yoga do you practice?

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