An avid yoga practitioner and still learning I am, my eyes and ears are ever open at the mention of yoga. Lately, the craze of yoga, in the form of various types, various yoga centres and various gurus suddenly mushroomed from the nobodies and never-heard-of names. Fitness centres are quick to make big bucks from this craze. Never do they care that actually yoga is a traditional practice and in so, adherence to some basic traditional rules are actually required, eg respectable dress-code and practising in a calm state. Instead, it has turned into a fitness fashion ( like picture above ) to look good, with high heart-pumping workout regime.
Recently I received a complimentary 1-time trial session of Bikram Yoga at a fitness centre. I was prepared that this would be a 1 and half hour of hot yoga session. Having practised traditional Hatha Yoga for almost 2 years, I was eager to find out what this was all about. It was supposed to encompass 26 asanas, breathing exercise and all in a hot 35degree Celcius room. Apparently, the yoga that Madonna and fellow celebrities followed.
Recently I received a complimentary 1-time trial session of Bikram Yoga at a fitness centre. I was prepared that this would be a 1 and half hour of hot yoga session. Having practised traditional Hatha Yoga for almost 2 years, I was eager to find out what this was all about. It was supposed to encompass 26 asanas, breathing exercise and all in a hot 35degree Celcius room. Apparently, the yoga that Madonna and fellow celebrities followed.
Observation #1: I was overdressed. In stretchable T-shirt and shorts, I was fairly comfortable and prepared to sweat it out to twist, turn, fold. But I didn't seem to belong as the girls were practically in bikini tops and skimpy shorts except for one Muslim lady covered from neck to ankle. And the guys were topless with 6-packs, toned body and skimpy shorts. All the sweating adds a shiny gleam to the almost naked body, you wonder if yoga was really intended to be like this.
Observation #2: Breathing in through nostrils and out through mouth during the breathing exercise. Ain't this contradicting to traditional yoga teachings of in/out via nostrils only, except for a few special breathings. And you lose so much hydration when breathing through the mouth.
Observation#3: Most asanas were balancing asanas eg. eagle, bow & arrow, and squatting with one leg crossed over the thigh, the other balancing the whole body on toes. The Shiasana ( corpse posture ) was so quick .. it required one to literally jump up from lying down to up again at each posture cycle.
Observation #4: I was looking for the instructor to show us how to do, but she was busy giving repetitive instructions sounding like a robot. However, her English was not so clear, suspecting that she was a foreigner and not a native speaker. Heard that they were "shipped in" from the so-called Bikram Centers somewhere. She emphasised that this was all about concentration .. I think yoga is definitely bigger than that.
Observation #5: Their heels are always touching .. hence kind of off-balance especially if you bend the upper body down. What I learnt in traditional yoga practices was that the feet be slightly apart if on the ground for better balance.
Observation #6: The relaxation part was DIY .. eg. just lie down and rest for as long as you wish. But in a hot room, I couldn't wait to get out for some fresh cool air.
In Summary, don't join the Bikram Yoga if you do not have a flattering figure ( flat tummy, lean body ) to show off. Okay, so it was really hot and you felt that the sweating was like burning fat, felt like a good workout but along with the litres of water you lose, minerals are drained along the way too. Another thing I was surprised was that nobody checked if I suffered high blood pressure or any health problems before allowing me to step into this high-energy regime. I was panting due to the heat and fast heartbeat and was close to walking out of the room. Now I can understand why the skimpy dress-code. You sweat so much you only want to wear your skin.
In Summary, don't join the Bikram Yoga if you do not have a flattering figure ( flat tummy, lean body ) to show off. Okay, so it was really hot and you felt that the sweating was like burning fat, felt like a good workout but along with the litres of water you lose, minerals are drained along the way too. Another thing I was surprised was that nobody checked if I suffered high blood pressure or any health problems before allowing me to step into this high-energy regime. I was panting due to the heat and fast heartbeat and was close to walking out of the room. Now I can understand why the skimpy dress-code. You sweat so much you only want to wear your skin.
If you don't have self-confidence and a beginner in basic yoga - this can kill you ! In this eye-opening experience, this yoga is about self-worshipping and showing-off to others. Now that, I can relate to Madonna alright. I wouldn't want to deviate from my beliefs of what yoga should be - comfortable, peaceful and harmonious form for the body, mind and soul.
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