Last night, after months of humming and hawing that I wanted to try Bikram yoga, I finally DID it!
I have always liked practicing yoga but never could afford the expensive classes to do it on the regular. Bikram yoga (or hot yoga) is no different, although I found an introductory offer from Bikram Yoga Irvine (closest to my office on the way home) to try it for $29 for 2 weeks.
For two days before my class last night, I read up on what to expect from blogs and reviews on Yelp!. If you’re thinking about trying it for the first time, check out this great post, Bikram 101: An Unofficial Guide for Beginners, on my friend Heather’s blog.
After reading her do’s and don’ts, I felt pretty prepared for what the experience would be like, but still had anxiety about how “hot” hot yoga was going to be.
Here’s a play-by-play of my very first Bikram yoga experience and find out if I’ll ever go back:
Bikram Yoga Irvine is a lovely space. Right when you walk in, you’re greeted by the front desk gal and sitting next to her would be the instructor we were going to have for the 6:30pm class. They ask you to fill out a waiver card in the lounge right behind the front desk.
It’s spacious and airy with a vending machine full of Fuji water ($3 bucks a pop so I suggest bringing your own) and Zico, which is a coconut water. In the center of the table are local almonds you can buy to munch on afterwards, but at $3 a bag, I opted for a tangerine I brought along with me for after class.
After filling out the waiver card, I returned it to the front desk and pay for my introductory period. There, Colleen (tonight’s instructor) asks me if I’ve ever done Bikram before. I say no and she proceeds to light up and tell me that I am going to have a great experience tonight. In my head I’m thinking, “yeah right, we’ll see about that”.
After I changed, I made my way back to the front where the doors to the yoga studio are. I stepped in to set up my mat right by the door in the back corner (a strategic location in case I needed to flee quickly) and sat down to try to relax before class.
Only a minute had passed by and I could feel the heat already. Not unbearable (hello, the door was totally open), just.. not used to it. Nonetheless I decided to sit in the cool lobby and wait for class to start.
Right before class, Colleen pulled aside the first-timers (there were four of us!) and briefly explained how the class would go down:
- The #1 goal – STAY IN CLASS: First time students might experience dizziness, nauseousness, and overall you’re just going to be uncomfortable but just mental through it and stay in class. If it was really bad for you, no one would do Bikram yoga (true).
- If you feel any of these things, feel free to sit the posture out and pick up again when you can.
- Water breaks: These are scheduled so please do not drink water until she says it’s okay. Mostly because you don’t want a belly full of water before you’re going to do certain postures as it makes it harder to bend into or stretch out your belly.
Now, time for the moment of truth. Since I had done yoga before, I was familiar with a number of the poses so I was feeling good. I remember thinking to myself, “I can totally do this. It’s not that hot, I know these postures, I’m gonna rock it.”
Twenty-five minutes in, we get our first water break and I surprisingly am able to control myself and take small sips, as suggested. I’m thinking, this is great. I am meant to do Bikram.
But by the time we hit the halfway mark with the “savasana” pose (where you get to lay down) and then have to get back up to continue, that’s when it hit me. The exertion of trying to do a quick sit up for the next posture made my face feel all tingly. My arms and legs started to wobble, it started getting really hot in the class, and next thing you know, I was doing savasana for the next few postures.
At first I was really pissed at myself for not being able to keep up. But then I just took a few deep breaths and told myself that this was normal. Just relax and try not to get all worked up or else you can’t continue. After a few minutes of lying on the floor (inhaling what I call “stinky stiletto feet” from the blonde next to me), I found enough energy to attempt the last few postures, even if it was only once (each pose is done twice).
Finally, the class was over. I have to admit, I bolted (quietly) from the room to find cool air. And when I found it, I just sat for a few minutes to catch my breath and at least try to get some sort of peace and relaxation from the state of panic I was feeling just minutes prior.
Flat screen TV in the lounge with rotating inspirational quotes
I changed and went out to speak with Colleen and to thank her for a good class (before I started feeling woozy, anyway). She was really great, patient and encouraging and referred to most of the students by their first names. She said I did a good job and that my skin looked great. And she hoped that I’d come back again.
Yes, I told her. I’d be back on Saturday. And while I can’t say that my first experience with Bikram was the light bulb in my head going off, I think that today, after having some time to reflect, it could be.
Even if I don’t have a spiritual connection with it now, it was a good work out. My legs and arms feel sore and stretched. And I’m not lying when I say I’ll go back tomorrow. Although this time I hope I won’t be doing savasana next to stinky stiletto feet again 
If you’re curious to try Bikram yoga, find a location near you at www.bikramyoga.com.
