Bikram Yoga Experience

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   Moxylposted 13 years ago

   Anyone tried Bikram yoga? Pls share experience as I heard ppl hving quite some different opinions about the teaching methodology. Thanks!

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      HappySacrumposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hi there,
      I'd recommend this film, Yoga Inc.  which offers some insight on the politics of Bikram yoga.  Essentially  Bikram Choudury enforced copywright laws on the series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises practiced in Bikram classes.  He demands that all Bikram teachers buy into this franchise.  A number of disputes and lawsuits have taken place due to these copywright laws.  Within the yoga community, the fact that Bikram Choudury has put his name on "his" postures is quite controversial, since yoga is a universal and ancient discipline and to say that any aspect of it belongs to one person is rather absurd (in my opinion).
      Bikram is also known for its competitions, which many people feel to contradict the spiritual objectives of yoga.  There's an interesting section addressing this issue in the film.   
      I think that the Bikram series, like any series of yoga postures, certainly has its benefits.  Unfortunately from what I've heard, there's often a great deal of pushing involved in Bikram classes.  Many of the postures are quite intense, especially if you are not very flexible.  If people feel pressure to strive towards the full expression of the posture before they are ready, they obviously risk injury.  It's possible that the heat may exacerbate people's tendencies to overstretch and strain or permanently damage their tendons and ligaments.  Also, many people complain of adverse reactions to the heat such as nausea, dizziness and irritability.  My own experience with hot yoga is that I could never really predict how I would feel afterwards.  I prefer ashtanga for both spiritual and physical reasons.  Hope that helps and enjoy the film.  Take care!  Happy Full Moon from the Happy Sacrum
      http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/yoga_inc/

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         Moxylposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         thx a lot for your insightful post! It coincides with the comments i've heard about the idolism of Bikram. Well at the end of the day it's the benefit from Yoga that we wanna enjoy and if we can find the best suitable appraoch of practising, that would be perfect 

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         shanypaulposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Bikram was actually the first style of yoga I tried and I was immediately hooked. After every class I felt like I'd had a great workout AND a full-body massage. There were definitely some teachers at the studio that were much better than others, in spite of the fact that they all receive the exact same training. Where I live now there is no Bikram studio, so I attend vinyasa classes which also enjoy it
         
         
         lose belly fat

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   mikelongposted 13 years ago

   I've tried Bikram yoga....and I enjoyed it very much...
   
   Though I was standing right below a heating duct, I didn't have any issues with the heat...

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      Moxylposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      thx for sharing! I believe it's a wonderful workout if you enjoy it. So far i've read quite some different comments but think i'll give it a go

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   JLWmassageposted 13 years ago

   I have poor circulation and I thought Bikram would be perfect to get my blood flowing. Infact the heat made my body cramp up and I got hurt doing a posture I have done so many time before

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   rajahkali9posted 13 years ago

   my first introduction to yoga was bikram yoga. it has many health benefits including those with severe chronic dis-ease, such as, asthma. in fact, it was one contributing factor that helped eased my asthma episodes coupled traditional chinese healing methods. so there are great benefits with this practice. years later, when i got more involved with the science and practice of yoga, i realized some of the politics that who may have heard with bikram and its practitioners to be centered on more of the physical rather than the spiritual was contradictory to the goal of yoga. so, my uneasiness of this idea that yoga was becoming more of a sport or tool for narcissism was more of a response to looking deeper for the purpose of a balance and enlightening life. not to say that bikram yoga is bad or shallow but it is just a great tool to regaining your health and that alone is a start for the journey to enlightenment if sought.

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