For about a year and a half my wife, Yvette had been asking me to come join her for this amazing yoga workout called “Bikram.” Now I had grown up playing what I considered “manly” sports like football, basketball, and track so going to a yoga class where people wore short shorts and only stretched did not appeal to my masculine side. So I denied her for close to two years.
Then I started to see the changes in her body, mind, and spirit and one day I broke down and decided to go. When I walked into Bikram studio in studio city California for the first time I was shocked. The room was like a sauna and all I saw was incredibly fit men and women wearing barely any clothes. I was the guy with baggy shorts and a t shirt trying to figure out what cult my wife was trying to get me into.
Bikram Choudhury, founder of Bikram Yoga
As we started the class I began to sweat profusely after the first breathing exercise. I went to drink some water to hydrate and was yelled at, not really but told in a nice way to not drink at that time, however it felt like I was being yelled at. I remember getting frustrated because I could not do all the moves as my flexibility was non existent.
I started to notice other people sweating, breathing hard and some even taking breaks. I told myself I would not quit and attempt to do the full 90 minutes. After the standing series the i felt like I was going to pass out and I started asking myself, “why did I agree to this torture?” then the instructor said,”great that was just the warm up now we can begin!” I thought she had lost her mind.
An advanced pose - only for advanced classes 🙂
At the end of my first Bikram yoga experience my towel was drenched in sweat, I felt like I was going to pass out and I received an unbelievable workout but the only difference was I felt so at peace. Compared to the other workouts I was used to doing. I am so grateful that my wife stayed on me to go to my first class. Now I can’t get enough. I look forward to my Bikram classes and have received enormous benefits both physically and mentally.
If you would like to calculate your calories to see how many calories you will burn by going to Bikram yoga click here http://www.bikram-yoga-noosa-australia.com/weight-loss-and-yoga.htm
The new athlete. Zen, built, ready to take on the world!
I will warn you though. As you get better and better it seems as though your shorts get smaller and smaller. For all those athletes out there who think yoga is for “girls” I challenge you to try it ONCE!
Great article. Well done Dave for being ‘man enough’ to go…..and well done Yvette for waiting for him to be ready. May you both enjoy this next level of conciousness 🙂
thanks Kathy! He’s a pro now! 🙂
Fab article Dave. I discovered Bikram Yoga in London last year and love it. It an amazing workout> so true about the shorts (¡dios mÃo;o)
Love it! Yoga, well, true yoga is NOT for wusses. Bikram helped me actually discover yoga and all that it really is. I had taken yoga classes at the gym and just didn’t “get it”. I took a class at one of Bikram’s schools and then I got it. The 90 minutes of being uncomfortable are so worth it for the zen that remains for the rest of the day. Thank you for sharing this, Dave!