1. Only as Good as the Teacher
Find a good quality Bikram yoga instructor. The only place for Bikram yogis to get certified is through Bikram's Yoga College of India. Anything less is probably fraud. The instructor needs to be qualified, experienced and knowledgeable about Bikram yoga. If he does not know what he's doing, it can be very dangerous.
2. Stay Realistic
Set low expectations and realistic goals for yourself. Even if you have been flexible and fit your entire life, Bikram yoga is quite a different thing and needs to be respected as such. Prevent injuries by progressing at a healthy rate. Don't push yourself too hard and you will be surprised how fast you see progress.
3. Yoga Is No Competition
Every individual is completely different. Don't compare what you can do to what others in your class or your instructor can do. Don't feel pressure to obtain a full pose on the first or even second try. It will be impossible to keep up with seasoned Bikram yoga practitioners in the first few weeks.
4. Tune In to Your Body
Listen closely to the cues your body is trying to tell you. If something hurts or feels uncomfortable, then stop doing it. Strength, energy level and flexibility can vary greatly from day to day, and even throughout the day, so don't be disappointed if you are not as successful from one day to the next.
5. Don't Let Heat Get to Your Head
It is easy to overdo it in Bikram yoga because of the heat of the room. Because your muscles are warm, it will seem like you will be able to hit a pose much more deeply than maybe you can. It is important to know your limits. Overstretching a muscle is the quickest way to strain it, which can be a serious injury that takes a long time recover from.
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