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As a person planning a wedding - the most photographed moment of my life - I have a bit of an interest in what my body will look like that day. I don’t think I’m overweight, but I do tear through half a package of Oreos every month or so.
I am really lazy. My apartment building has a gym. It’s on my floor. Do I go there? Sometimes… and then I quit for two months. I know there aren’t any quick fixes, but I still want to believe! So when I noticed there was a Bikram yoga studio a block from my building, I gave it a shot.
I know there are some Bikram fanatics in the hive, so I mean no offense, but this class was… different.
For those that haven’t succumbed to the heat stroke that is Bikram, it is a 1.5 hour class in a heated room. I don’t mean 80 degrees or something manageable; it’s 105. It’s also a wee bit humid.
So let’s set the stage: you’ve rented a smelly mat because you’re new. The heat isn’t excruciating yet, but breathing feels a bit labored, like there’s a used sock on your mouth. Soon enough, you’re standing on one leg while the other leg is in some pretzel shape and sweat is pouring off your face. You can hear the plip-plop of sweat onto everyone’s mats. You start to realize you didn’t drink nearly enough water and that you’re surely in some inner ring of hell.
The sweating is no joke. My skin is usually a little dry but here, the skin was SLOUGHING OFF. I was constantly wiping my hands on my shorts so I could grip random limbs, but every time I did a nice streak of skin cells appeared. When I peeled my top off at home, I swear I heard a little splatter as it hit the floor. I’m not a person that perspires much, so this was a shocking fact for me.
Anyways, they let you drink at certain intervals and if you’re new and fainty-like, you can lie down on your back and regret your decision to come.
Before I totally make this class sound like the dumbest thing ever, the people in there were really flexible. I can’t touch my toes; these people could bend over and touch the Mesozoic era. It was pretty impressive to see people in all sorts of wild contortions. The heat really loosens up your ligaments, letting you stretch waaay more than normal. Which probably isn’t that safe, but I digress.
Now for the downer. One of my reasons for going were the online promises of major calorie burnage. Some calculators estimated 700 calories AN HOUR. That would be 1050 calories total (hooray)! Except several studies have debunked that.
If the ideal of oppressive heat and stretching appeals to you, this is the place! But if you’re looking for a pretty minimal investment to burn 1000 calories, you’re better off on the treadmill. Shudder.
What crazy things have you tried in the name of wedding body?
Yuck. How on earth would you ever get your workout clothes to not smell forever.
Wedding fitness is a tough beast indeed. Good luck! I personally think not of my wedding dress while I’m out running, but of the clothes that don’t fit me anymore! That dress will look perfect no matter what.
I’m sorry you had such a bad experience, but for me, to read this it was entertaining. HAHA I am with you, contorting myself in a room at that temperature would never happen. I don’t like it even at 85 degrees here in Colorado and we basically have NO humidity–forget it if you add that crap. Those you can get through it and love it, I bow to you 
I am weak!
I don’t do bikram regularly (ok, so probably only twice a year), but I actually love it - I always feel so good when I leave!
Woah… I did Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred, gymming on the treadmill, elliptical and that’s about it. I am, however, thinking of taking up regular yoga in the next month or so!
lol…does not sound like my cup of tea! Good for you for giving it a try, at least!
There is no way in hell I would be able to do that. I’m way too awkward. And have too sensitive of a nose. :p Brave lady.
3 months before is when I got the most motivation to work out. Until then I was lazy.
LoL at “… if you’re new and fainty-like, you can lie down on your back and regret your decision to come.” Do share with the hive if there is a simple fix! I’ve been working out 4x a week, but the weekend binge eating totally off sets the workouts - darn sweet tooth!
I took that class ONCE and then i NEVER went back. I was sick for three days after! Throwing up and nausea. they told me that was normal and that I should come back and try again. uhm…how about NOT?
I did Bikram for a while. Some days were amazing, since you get so bendy and stretchy in that heat, and some days were just torturous and I had to sit out about a third of it because I was feeling so faint. You have to be mentally and physically prepared to do Bikram.
I’m dusting off my gym membership this week so I can get into shape. Already dreading those step classes…
Props for trying! I wouldn’t last 30 seconds in there!
I have a strong heat aversion but I am soooo intrigued by bikhram yoga and I’d love to try it, even just for once! I love the feeling of a good sweat! Props to you for giving it a shot!
I focus on being on my honeymoon, on the beach in a 2 piece and it scares the hell out of me…I did a no solids diet for a week to jump start my work-out…water and juices only. I cut a quick 17 lbs. before I started my power 90X, my wedding is getting closer and I finally feel like I look great.
The number of calories burned in a Bikram class can be as low as 350 or as high as 750. It varies on age, sex, experience in the class, and many other factors. I love teaching hot yoga & would be willing to answer any questions people have, just pm me!
I’ve been doing Bikram yoga for 3 months now, i try to get there about 4 times a week. I like it, but the repetition (strangely not the heat) is starting to get to me. Sadly, I haven’t lost a pound, and I swear I am not a crappy eater. BUT, I am way more flexible than I was when I started. My package is over at the end of March and I am gearing up to try a new fitness routine–spinning maybe?
I have always worked out pretty regularly, about 5 days a week, but for the wedding prep I’m trying to do more cardio than I normally would, and do active things on my “off” days, like walking places instead of driving, etc. I tried hot yoga once, and had the mother of all headaches the entire day. I could barely open my eyes. Never again!
I felt the same way the first class but it does get better. You start to tolerate the heat and relatively quickly you start to build endurance. I loved not having crazy dry skin this past winter and I’ve never looked better (or felt better about myself). It’s worth another (or more) try!
I’ve tried Bikram a few times and personally didn’t like it for a lot of reasons. I mean it was a good workout and I sweat alot but 1) Official traditional bikram rooms have a pretty distinct smell (the guru of it has mandated that ALL of his studios must have carpet) You get about 40 plus people in a room sweating buckets about 4 times a day 7 days a week and well…. 2) I didn’t get the same mental clearing that I do from ashtanga yoga. Plus I don’t like the way the bikram poses flow together. There’s no room for adaptation for different bodies, and every class I ever went had instructors who made it a competition into who can get down the lowest regardless of their level. It rubbed me the wrong way.
Not to mention that the bikram guru has tried to copyright all of his yoga poses, the poses sequence, studios, and even yoga name. Hot yoga is the ‘generic’ name for doing yoga in a heated room, but if a non bikram-studio calls it bikram that he can and has sued before. Never minding the fact that most of “his” poses are centuries old, running a yoga movement with those methods just doesn’t jive with me. I haven’t tried a hot yoga class, just official bikram studios-so maybe there is a difference? Any yoga teachers? Does hot yoga do the same 90 minute cycle of poses?
That said, I have friends that swear by bikram, love it, and do it at least 3 times a week. It’s not for me, but that’s just me.
I did Bikram yoga for a while also. Liked it, but a) it was sooo expensive and b) it was a three hour commitment for just one class since the studio is not near my work. I agree with the previous post that the repetitive nature of the classes can get boring. The gals at the studio promised me that Bikram was better than a runner’s high, but I never felt that and decided to get back to running. However, one major take-away was the saying of “Push. More. Harder.” that was often repeated in class. I remembered this while completing my first half-marathon recently, and I apply it to certain life situations every now and then.
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Mrs. Ribbons, Washington D.C./Bloomington, IN Age and Occupation: 23, Research Associate for an international development firm Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Proposal Coordinator for contractor Engagement Date: May 2, 2008 Wedding Date: June 2010 Venue: Indiana Memorial Union About Me: I'm an Indiana transplant living in DC with my fiance and our pretty kitty. I enjoy the color pink, I'm obsessed with the Dior New Look and tulle, and I heart my level 80 paladin. I'm a sucker for bad TV, literary theory, and cakes of all persuasion. I also happen to be marrying the cutest closet nerd around! It's all about Bloomington for us because it's where we met -- on the college paper. If there's a theme for our small summertime wedding, it's Dior meets Dorothy Draper on a lark in Bloomington; think poofy, plus graphic prints, bold colors, and a whole lot of prettiness.
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