Thursday, February 26th 2009
Hot, sweaty, yoga? Last time I checked these words did not go together.
I have always pictured yoga as an hour of relaxation and meditation- a time of deep breathing and self-reflection. These thoughts were shattered when I attended my first Bikram yoga class over Christmas break. Before going, I knew that the basic premise of the class was to have a 90-minute yoga session in a heated room. Being in relatively good shape and having taken yoga classes for the past year, I considered myself up for the challenge.
About 10 minutes into the class I realized that I had hugely underestimated how physically demanding the class would be. I was sweating profusely from every pore, my hands slipped against the back of my calves, and tears of sweat burned my eyes. I hadn’t worked this hard since the beep test in grade 12 gym!
At first I found the heat and humidity of the room to be calming- like stepping off the airplane upon arrival in the Caribbean. Later, however, I was silently cursing the heat as I was trying to follow the cues of the instructor while fighting off my pangs of dizziness.
Despite the fact that I greatly struggled through the first class, I went back two days later, this time fully knowing what to expect. My second class was much more rewarding and I greatly enjoyed it! I still sweat and found the heat hard to adapt to, but overall I felt a great sense of accomplishment and rejuvenation upon completing the 23-pose session. I felt loose and limber and free of all the toxins that had been camping out in my body since first semester.
Bikram yoga, otherwise known as hot yoga, was founded by yoga master Bikram Choudhury and is practiced in a 40.5?C room with 40-60% humidity. The warmth of hot yoga creates many benefits including joint mobility, better range of motion, and flushing of the lymphatic system. The 23 poses that are done in each class have been specifically chosen to increase blood circulation and enhance oxygen conversion and absorption to stimulate and restore health to every muscle, joint and cell in the body.
If you haven’t tried it yet and are looking for a new way to vamp up your yoga routine, or are just looking for a good workout, I definitely recommend giving hot yoga a try. There are many yoga studios in the Hamilton area that offer Bikram yoga, so search around until you find one that works for you. Most studios offer some type of discounted introductory package.
Tags: bikram yoga, stretching, yoga
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Where are these studios in the hamilton area that offer bikram yoga?
Yes, I would like to know too!
Yes, I would also like to know where in the Hamilton/Dundas/Burlington area that offers Birkram Yoga.
Thank You
sounds hot
You don’t know the half of it. (In Burlington)
http://www.mokshayogaburlington.com/
There is a Moksha yoga studio in Burlington, and another one is opening soon in Hamilton. I’d recommend those, I’ve been to a couple different moksha places and they have good instructors and facilities.
and stay the fuck away parham, I’ve heard you hate women.
I tried to post this yesterday but didn’t go up for some reason. I’ve tried it once or twice (Burlington). All the instructors appear to be very well qualified and accomplished at the Burlington location.
Erin (particularly for beginners) was very good. Make sure you get there early though. You can have 80 people in a single class and it packs up quickly.
http://www.mokshayogaburlington.com/index.htm
I keep trying to post this but I guess the link is holding it up.
I’ve tried it once or twice (Burlington). All the instructors appear to be very well qualified and accomplished at the Burlington location (They have interesting Bios posted on their site)
Erin (particularly for beginners) was very good. Make sure you get there early though. You can have 80+ people in a single class and it packs up quickly.
I’d say be there half-an-hour before class for your first time (just to deal with staff and ask any questions) and at least 15-mins early regularly.
In Burlington the address is:
Moksha Yoga Burlington
676 Appleby Line
Burlington, Ontario
L7L 5Y1
Phone: 905.631.9595
Hot Yoga is available in Hamilton at De La Sol Yoga Studios, 430 York Blvd
http://www.delasolyoga.com/home.htm
All the teachers are pretty good. I particularly recommend Jennie, Nancy, or Steve’s classes. They attract a wide range of people of different abilities, including members of the Tiger-Cats.
I have recently moved to Hamilton in a loft apt. and I’m recovering from back surgery. My 2 sisters take hot yoga and love it, but they are in shape. It has taken a long time to heal from this surgery, but i need to stretch so bad it’s driving me crazy! Would you recommend this class for me to help toning up again? Where is the closet studio to Bay St. S? I was going to join a boot camp, but it’s too soon. Please let me know your thoughts. Katie