The heat and humidity, combined with the sequence of the 26 postures and two breathing exercises, are what make Bikram Method Hot Yoga so effective. The heated room warms muscles, allowing students to work deeper into a posture in a shorter amount of time so results are experienced faster. The heat also removes the trauma out of stretching, while helping to prevent injuries. Yoga is not just about working muscles, it involves massaging deep tissues, glands, and organs as well. As students work deep within their bodies, they start to release “toxins” that have been stored there for a long time. Your skin is the largest elimination organ in your body, and since the heat induces sweating, it helps flush toxins from the body, providing a “yogic glow.”

Is it normal to feel nauseous during class? “I felt super dizzy and had to sit down. Why did this happen? Is there anything I can do about it?” It is absolutely normal to feel nauseous or dizzy during the first few classes of Bikram Method Hot Yoga. This is not a cause for concern, but an indication that toxins are being to flush out of the body and the body is cleansing itself as a result of the yoga practice. The body detoxifies through the skin, the breath, and the excretory system. You will literally purge the body of toxins through all these systems.

One of the best ways to overcome these sensations is to breathe more and slow down. Students are encouraged to take a knee, sit down, or slow down if they are feeling nauseous or dizzy. Giving oneself the permission to take it easy is a part of the discipline! After the first few classes, these feelings shall pass, and the body adapts and welcomes practicing in the heat. Practicing yoga in a heated room reveals to us our present condition and inspires us to take much better care of ourselves.

Please remember to drink enough water throughout the day prior to coming to class. Nutritionists recommend 64-80 ounces of water a day to help the body function properly, and that does not take into consideration sweating in a heated room. Also, the more students relax and give an honest, full effort during class, the more energized they feel throughout the class and the rest of the day.

Bikram Method Hot Yoga benefits are unlimited, from exuberant health and mental clarity to blissful joy and transformation from the inside out. Yoga is a means of manifesting your highest potential: physically, mentally, and spiritually. With regular practice (at least three times a week), you feel more alive and energetic.

The most common misconception is that you need to be flexible to practice yoga. Yoga is not about how flexible you are. Flexibility, strength, and stamina will all come with patience and practice. All that matters is that you try the right way, finding your personal “edge.” That provides 100 percent of the benefits!

No matter the student’s level of fitness, from beginner to advanced students, Bikram Method Hot Yoga is a challenging activity. With persistence and dedication, students can lose weight, inches and develop muscle tone and strength that may never come from other forms of exercise. More importantly, yoga is more than just a physical workout, but it also serves as a moving meditation that helps de-stress and relax the mind.

Students are encouraged to come as much as possible. It is recommended to practice no less than 10 times a month to promote the most muscular, digestive, nervous, metabolic, lymphatic, and skeletal benefit from Bikram Method Hot Yoga. Unlike weight lifting or other forms of exercise, it is not necessary to take a “resting” day or break from Bikram Method Hot Yoga. The more you practice, the more benefits are realized. It is helpful to think of your yoga practice as internal hygiene: you have to detoxify and cleanse the insides. Bikram Method Hot Yoga is an excellent means of cross conditioning with weight lifting, running, and many other sports. Numerous athletes tout that they practice yoga on their “off” days.