Bikram Choudhury adapted 26 poses from the Hatha tradition to create Bikram or "hot" yoga. A four-time winner of the National India Yoga Championship, Choudhury brought the expertise he gained from his yoga teachers in India to the United States and created Bikram's Yoga College of India in Los Angeles. He calls his heated yoga studios "torture chambers," believing that the optimal pose is achieved in 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don't Eat Before Class
It's not a good idea to eat before any type of yoga class. Digestion is a natural process that takes and gives energy. Leave a good two hours after finishing a meal before you enjoy a Bikram yoga class. Although there are no inverted --- or upside down --- poses in Bikram, a hot yoga class is rigorous and practiced in extreme heat. Having a full stomach would be uncomfortable and might even make you feel sick.
Stay Hydrated
Bring plenty of water to a Bikram class. Each class is 90 minutes long, and you'll be perspiring the whole time. The Bikram website advises you to drink 64 to 80 oz. of water in addition to your normal daily intake on the days you practice Bikram. Feeling dizzy or nauseous after your first Bikram class is commonplace and should decrease over time, but drinking water will mitigate the symptoms of heat stress.
Clothing
When Choudhury teaches a class, it's his custom to show up in nothing more than a Speedo. Not everyone can pull that look off, though, so you might want to consider wearing a little more --- but not much. A close-fitting pair of cotton shorts and sleeveless cotton top will get you through a Bikram class without being distracted by sopping wet, baggy clothing due to perspiration.
Pregnancy
For women who have practiced Bikram yoga prior to getting pregnant and who intend to continue, Bikram's wife, Rajashree, has developed pregnancy yoga classes. The original 26 poses have been adapted for pregnant women, and some have been left out altogether for the safety of mother and baby. If the heat becomes too intense, ask that a window be opened or just rest until you feel able to continue.
Warnings
Have a physical before starting Bikram yoga. Anyone with undiagnosed heart problems or hypertension may be at risk due to the extreme heat. Keep your doctor apprised of any symptoms you may experience during a Bikram class. If you are pregnant and have never attended a Bikram class prior to your pregnancy, it is advisable to wait until after the birth of your baby.
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