I’m into a hot new workout…well the workout isn’t that new, but I’m new to it. And when I say hot, I’m talking about the temprature. I joined a Bikram Yoga class. 90 minutes of yoga poses in 105 degree heat.

My Yoga guru invited me to take Bikram lessons with her. We didn’t know what we got ourselves into. My guru has been doing Iyengar on and off for a couple years, and is currently mastering her poses. On our first day, we were sweating like crazy…and we were supposed to be in the “cool” corner.

In Bikram, it’s a hundred degrees with fast poses that don’t discriminate against the formless. Teacher shows or yells out a move and you just do it. It was kind of like an aerobics class inside a sauna for 90 minutes.

Being in the heat alone is enough to sweat massive puddles. When you throw in poses, it starts burning. Lucky for me, I'm kinda flexible for a hefty guy.

I have attended a 24 Hour Yoga class when I was still a member, I went with my Guru to one of her classes once, and I do quite well in Wii Fit Yoga. I also have experience in Pilates which carries some similar principals and body functions.

Bikram style seems to be like Wii Fit Yoga. Several of the moves are the same. Because of the heat, I get some false sense that I can reach out farther than I can. Like I said, I am kinda flexible. At Bikram, you’re allowed to cheat a little by bending a knee here or there.

The problem with Bikram is it’s 26 poses, nothing more, nothing less. No matter where you go, it’ll be the same sequence of 26 poses. There are variations for beginners and masters, but overall it's about the same. Once you’ve mastered the 26 poses, there are no new challenges. I figure after 30 days, I’ll master this, and find it easy, I may not renew. Afterall Yoga is incorporated in my Tony Horton videos, and if want the heat, a local school offers a free weekly Bikram.

Our third trip, we arrived late, so of course the cold corner was gone. We ended up sitting closer to the middle. During the exercise, I had a vision…I saw Jesus! He was staring down at me from the air vents. Freaked out at the sighting, I kept my eyes closed for most of the remainder of class.

Bikram is at times laughed at by the more traditional Yoga styles. Bikram instructors only need a 9 week course to teach. The Creator , Bikram Choudhury slapped copyrights on the 26 moves, and the use of heat, causing beef within the Yoga Community. It doesn’t help that Choudhury has become sort of the Kanye of Yoga, wearing bling and going on ego trips from what I’ve heard. Because of this mass marketing style, many say the spiritual essence of Yoga is lost.

As a newbie, I must say it is beginner friendly. The poses are not super difficult, the better teachers don't push their students too much. But as my Guru believes, it's drawback is the lack of form. Since she's an Iyengar student, our classmates sometimes look at her more, and teachers seem to be intimidated at the prize pupil.

Physically Bikram has it lists of cons, some doctors do challenge Bikram principals, they say the intense heat can cause dehydration, fainting, or nausea. Well in my case…hallucinations.

Though Bikram claims to flush toxins, doctors argue that no one even knows what toxins are flushed out.

For me, I ended up buying more towels, yes I sweat that much, I needed extra towels. As far as weight loss, I cannot say how much of an impact it has had. I do Beachbody videos, bike, and lift weights, don't forget Maximum Wii Fit. Since I started Bikram, I've noticed better digestion and it seems to have expedited my weight loss. I'm guessing I'm shedding water weight.

Bikram is a good stretch after a strenuous workout. A great way to end the day, especially after a P90X workout. I don't feel sore the next morning when I do I Bikram. I do get crazy hungry after. The heat makes me crave soup and carbs for some reason.

I’ve been breaking good sweats, and am about halfway done with my 30-day trial. I've had excellent teachers, some mediocre, and a few whatevers. I am feeling good and have been going. I've stopped tweeking out. Since there’s nowhere to move up, I’ll probably wrap up the towel and carry on with my YogaX…yup I got P90X, I’ll write about that soon enough.