By Guest Blogger
Stacey Bellert
I accomplished one of my
dreams this week, and it led to a series of other things, but most importantly,
it showed me to do what
scares you most and it might just be the most rewarding thing you can do.
I’ve been toying with the
idea of starting regular Yoga/Bikram or Hot Yoga practice into my life for some
time. I’ve recently started seeing a naturopath/dietician/Iridologist who has
helped immensely with getting my health in check, which led
me to getting back into shape physically and had an amazingly positive impact
on me mentally and spiritually.
So,
getting back to Yoga, I suppose getting my diet ‘back on track’ gave me
the confidence and inspiration to chase some of the things I have always wanted
to do. I’ve heard so much about practicing Hot or Bikram Yoga, all of the
health benefits, studies and research, and rave reviews from followers. I was
just very hesitant… What if I couldn’t do
it, if it was too hot, or I couldn’t reach the flexible poses, what if the
people going were all in tie-dye and dreadlocks and smelling of patchouli??!! :)
I discovered that my local gym offered Hot Yoga classes included in its’
membership, so I listened to the signs of the universe and decided to give it a
go.
Here’s why…
- It’s a total, body mind and spirit work out
- It’s not as hard as you think it’s going to be
- Its perfect for newcomers to Yoga practice as there are no rules or expectations, only clear and supportive guidelines
- It works with your body’s natural flexibility and enhances it tenfold
- Regular practice improves your muscle strength (without bulking up like little Miss Muscle)
- Creates core strength with muscles you didn’t even know you had
- Regulates your breath, witch in turn regulates your heart, and body function overall – living longer is cool!
- Endorphins come a’floodin! Good happy moods all ‘round!!
- Burns calories!! Fast (one 90 minute class can burn up to 1,000 calories!!)
- Detoxifies your whole body - especially the skin, you will look and feel amazing afterwards
- It’s said to have great healing benefits, and life long Yogies treat yoga like drinking from the fountain of youth.
The Logistics
Hot Yoga is different to
Bikram Yoga. I haven’t done Bikram so I can’t comment on the physiological
differences, but the three main differences are:
The Heat
Hot Yoga is performed in a
room heated to 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) with Far Infrared spectrum
heating panels, producing a sun-like heat. As apposed to Bikram Yoga, performed
in a room heated to 40 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit) with 40% humidity.
This difference in heat
causes a different reaction on the body and a varying opinion on the polls.
While in Bikram, followers talk about ‘the wetter the sweat the better’ and
coming out like ‘drowned rats’, I found that in Hot Yoga, although you do sweat
throughout, it’s more of a cleansing feeling, like a good sauna experience, you
come out to the fresh air outside and cool down instantly, drying within
minutes. For me, Hot Yoga felt like the perfect temperature you’d wish to sun
bake in, the only difference being that your in structure was going to make
your perform instead of lying there enjoying that beautiful sun-on-your-skin
feeling.
The Poses
Our instructor was filling
in the for ‘regular guy’ and she was asking around what the class would like to
do or what it usually starts with, she decided to take a Flow Yoga approach.
Upon research, I have found that Hot Yoga can comprise of many different poses
however Bikram Yoga follow the same 26 poses and 2 breathing exercises in every
class for exactly 90 minutes.
The Structure
Hot Yoga is very casual,
instructors are friendly and willing to shape a class to their pupils’ needs.
You’re encouraged to treat the room like your own, get comfortable and speak up
if something is not right or if you want to try something different.
Birkam is much more rigid.
Bikram yoga instructors must be trained by BikramChoudhury himself and their
studios must be affiliated in order to be considered true Bikram yoga. There
can be no music, clapping, or hands-on instructor adjustments in Bikram yoga. Students
are not permitted to talk during Bikram yoga.
The
room is also greatly different, my hot yoga class was in a small intimate room
dimly lit by a moody patterned light box at the front. No mirrors, and hard
floor. Matts and other equipment supplied. The floor of Bikram yoga studios
must be carpeted with mirrors on the front wall and bright lighting.
A spiritual Experience
I love trying new things -
but this was something I didn’t want to just try, this was something I wanted
to introduce into my life, into my weekly routine and into my spiritual
practice. So I tread carefully. I planned my approach. I waited until I felt
ready to open myself up completely to possibilities, and to my own limitations,
ultimately at the risk of my own failure.
Sometimes that’s what you
have to do, prepare yourself by accepting the possibility of failure, then
suddenly it’s not so scary.
~ Stacey Bellert
Calories - 108
