Everything You Need to Know Before Doing Bikram Yoga

Like on Facebook / larkinyoga Get my "Everything You Need to Know About Yoga That No One Ever Tells You" course 50% off at brettlarkin.com/ Everything you need to know about Bikram Yoga from the Bikram yoga postures, sequencing, history and what to expect. I use the word "normal yoga" and "normal yoga studios" here just to differentiate from "Bikram Hot Yoga" studios. All yoga is normal and great. Don't mean to offend anyone!

[@nicoleangelicorso9471]

Hi thanks for the video. I'm currently in hot yoga teacher training through Evolation Yoga. I found most information useful and true except for our studio/school is not affiliated with Bikram himself. We also do not do ujjayi breathing in hot yoga as that would create too much heat in the body. Ujjayi breathing is typically used in non heated yoga classes. Hot yoga is definitely a beginner's class. Sure it takes time to adjust but as teachers, we encourage our students to take their time working through each posture. One does not need to come to the full expression right away but that one can get most/sometimes all of the benefits from finding their own full expression in their body. A good example is standing head to knee. Most students just work on having a strong standing leg, opposite leg/thigh is parallel to the floor. I chose Hot Yoga because it teaches self discipline and truly helps detoxify our bodies from the constant exposure of toxins we ingest and exposed to on a daily basis. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Much appreciated 💓

[@michaelwickler9516]

Staying in the room is step one but it’s not mandatory. There are times one must leave, such as intense need to pee or vomit. The reason staying put is stressed is because many want to escape just to get cool or take a break, or they get scared if they’re dizzy. Those are the things the practice teaches you to persevere with. We’re in it to get stronger, and you’re not practicing if you’re not in the room.

[@mubeenburney6370]

Very alarming documentary about Bikhram on Netflix but this (not his but his teachers) is an awesome thing. I hope no girl has to go through what he did to them. You video is very nice and explains a lot of the questions I had.

[@ioledamaskinos2596]

I have been a Bikram teacher for 10 years and feel a correction is needed here: Not all studios/teachers force you to stay in the room. Bikram teachers generally will *encourage* you to stay in the room because: 1) They want to encourage their students to believe in themselves, not give up too readily, and help them build stamina. 2) They want to help the student realize that our minds have a tendency to chatter and panic even when nothing bad is actually happening in reality - this is an intro to mindfulness/meditation. 3) Going in and out of the heat is not good for the student physically, or mentally. 4) Going in and out the room is distracting to the other students Hope this helps to clarify the reasons Bikram teachers certainly will *encourage* their students to take a break from the postures when overwhelmed, but not give up and leave but instead lie or sit in the hot room, and get back to the sequence when they feel ready. Bikram teachers will not forcibly insist on a students staying if they are obviously unwell or in a high state of mental panic. This is not the teacher's role.

[@NatsFan18]

Or on my studio's case, the owner doesn't want to pay for the heater to have to pick back up. Lol

[@marieholoub4084]

I agree.

[@stevenponte6655]

thanks I just did my first Bikram class on Friday night and came here to find some more information. Very useful.

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

Thank you for watching!

[@withlovemariana4838]

This is a super helpful video. Thank you! :)

[@kathleenvong-rioseco9434]

Thank you for a gentler view about bikram yoga. Good and bad view about yoga class.

[@le7062]

Nice review!! you touched on basically every aspect of Bikram Yoga.

[@camillewaters1230]

I’m a Bikram Yoga teacher. My studio has several other types of yoga classes to choose from. We also have CrossFit and other strength classes. And the “rules” are there to create discipline. No student in my studio would ever be chastised for leaving the room.

[@sianaaltiise5260]

Camille Waters yeah.that was weird of her to say..

[@britanymedina6064]

The actual Bikram followed those rules, probably why.

[@JB-qh3dn]

Hi, thank you! wonderful intro! ' how serious were you about heart conditions? I have WPW syndrome which causes palpitations sometimes - I want to try Bikram because I love to work out, but if they won't let me out if I start feeling bad... I am not sure if it is safe... Could you suggest something, please

[@BelleZee1]

Excellent video thank you for sharing.

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

Thank you fro watching!!

[@LesMystify]

This was really helpful. Thanks.

[@darby19821]

There is no ujayi breathing in Bikram yoga. Breathing is relaxed inhale and exhale by the nose. Nothing forced or constricted, just relaxed breathing by the nose.

[@sukhmanicambridge]

Re leaving the studio. im new and have been told both classes not to leave!! Pretty clearly! I’m in the UK

[@michaelwickler9516]

People are told not to leave when there’s no reason for them to. This is actually encouragement. Throwing up is about the only reason to. Pee right before class and you should be ok. Dizziness or short breath is normal and for that just stand sit or lie down. A big part of yoga is not giving up and being at peace with discomfort. That’s why you’re told to stay in the room.

[@stevenponte6655]

Did you say you do Ujayyi breath in Bikram class? I thought ujayyi generates heat, is this good to do in the hot room?

[@lindseyslifeNstyle]

Love this info! I’m starting a class this week!

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

Thank you for watching!!

[@Hastanamaste]

I'm the Studio Director at Middletown Bikram Yoga. I have never told a student that they couldn't leave the room. It's false facts like this that deter people from trying Bikram Yoga.

[@kaitlynfedele6285]

Colleen Vanryn as a student, I was always welcomed to do whatever I felt comfortable with, including leaving the studio if I must while keeping in mind to try and leave between postures to not distract others out of respect.

[@Miss_NatashaO]

I go to a hot yoga studio, and I wasn't allowed to leave the room either. I know it's not like that for every studio, so...

[@NatsFan18]

Legally they can't force you in there. They just discourage it to varying degrees depending on the instructor.

[@jadeped5256]

Hi Is it okay to have a cold shower right after class

[@boshotyoga4274]

Very informative thank you!

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

You are very welcome, thank you for being here 🙏💖

[@jessiefox3739]

Sounds cool I want to try it :D

[@srirangaswamy8986]

Lovely review.. Everything Brett has said is true.. I used to do Bikram few years back but unfortunately stopped it... Cant wait to get back ASAP... Thanks for this

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

Thank you for watching!

[@ChelseaArne0125]

Thanks so much for sharing 🙏 Comprehensive & Helpful 👍

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

Glad it was helpful!❤️❤️

[@lashawndawells7306]

Yes that final shivasna is everything 💘

[@jessiefox3739]

I don't think the heat would bother me. I've done roller derby in 110 degree weather with helmet, Knee pads, butt pads, elbow pads and wrist guard on.

[@candiceshelembe8713]

You go girl. I've always wanted to try but with my luck I just know that I'm gonna break my ass

[@dnaupgrades]

Great video thanks!

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

You are welcome!

[@cherriann5514]

everything you need to know is in the netflix documentary on Bikram

[@user-hn1zb9rk4h]

ShivAsana

[@Scottieguru]

Breathing is the number one component of all yoga.

[@samphossok5026]

Is it good idea to do bikram if u are short breath person or u hearth pound too hard when u do intensive

[@orphansparrow2]

Thank you for your video. What do you think about Bikram being convicted of sexual assault? Does that change the way you feel about the practice at all? I have been excited to start going to a Bikram yoga studio near me for a long time, and was finally able to sign up, when I read a lot of things that were pretty awful about what Bikram says about women. It's kind of left a bad taste in my mouth about even starting, though the actual practice really appeals to me. Thanks for letting me know your thoughts.

[@getl0st]

His Yoga is Amazing, him, not sooo much......

[@frankcompston5065]

He didn’t invent the poses he just popularized them in a capitalist nation.

[@LaLaTheRockstar]

Great

[@bharris0619]

Possibly the most informational reviews that I heard.

[@beverlysagaria3430]

Bikram studios are owned by separate individuals. If you take a Bikram class, he will allow you to leave the room. Like Emmy Cleaves said there is a "virus in the system." If a student is not feeling well on that particular day, we encourage people to be smart - take a break - sit on his or her mat and join the class when feeling better. If a person needs to use the bathroom the person can leave the room.

[@somegeek]

Thanks!

[@BrettLarkinYoga]

somegeek you are welcome :) let me know how your bikram experience goes

[@somegeek]

On my forth session so far and it's getting easier to remember to maintain my breathing so I sit out less sets. Tonight I sat out just three sets in savasana to recover for the other sets. Amped to feel progress. :)

[@arosenweig]

It’s always a good idea to bring a change of clothes because you will sweat.

[@rathakrishnashanmugam3375]

Dear westerners,do simple yoga asanas for 30minutes and practice pranayama(breathing exercise).breathing exercise is important. Exercising/yoga in heat/sauna is bad for the heart.ask your doctor. Oxygen is lacking in a sauna room.U do exercise in sauna chances are u will faint.ask ur doctor.

[@frettls]

And Hell on your adrenals.

[@romyjugroo4542]

Soon,a thing of the past,I see.

[@nicoleangelicorso9471]

Hi thanks for the video. I'm currently in hot yoga teacher training through Evolation Yoga. I found most information useful and true except for our studio/school is not affiliated with Bikram himself. We also do not do ujjayi breathing in hot yoga as that would create too much heat in the body. Ujjayi breathing is typically used in non heated yoga classes. Hot yoga is definitely a beginner's class. Sure it takes time to adjust but as teachers, we encourage our students to take their time working through each posture. One does not need to come to the full expression right away but that one can get most/sometimes all of the benefits from finding their own full expression in their body. A good example is standing head to knee. Most students just work on having a strong standing leg, opposite leg/thigh is parallel to the floor. I chose Hot Yoga because it teaches self discipline and truly helps detoxify our bodies from the constant exposure of toxins we ingest and exposed to on a daily basis. Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Much appreciated 💓