Kitsilano: Broadway/Trafalgar
Teacher: Rea
$21.00/drop-in
Unforseen Costs: $2.00/towel
+ $1.00/mat
+ $2.00/water
Teacher: Rea
$21.00/drop-in
Unforseen Costs: $2.00/towel
+ $1.00/mat
+ $2.00/water
SUMMARY: Hot, wet and dangerous. General consensus on this yoga is largely contradicory. Listening to your teacher in class or Bikram himself, nothing in the universe could possibly be better for you, listening to teachers of different disciplines or peers nothing could be more forceful and contrary to listening to one's own body. Regardless, you do the exact same 28 poses & 2 breathing exercises every time, it can get very tedious, it can be a great way to learn a portable comprehensive yoga-routine (don't teach it under the table though it's copyrighted!) and get your body into a different shape ASAP.
I began my yoga career in Vancouver when a good friend oozed and oozed about and eventually took me to Bikram's yoga in Kitsilano. "You'll never be the same," she had said about the effect the class would have on me and in some ways I suppose Hannah was right. Yoga has been a part of my life ever since. I was fortunate enough to have the sweetest most inspiring woman as my first instructor and be accompanied by a very good friend. When I stood up after, outside of the classroom, my posture, my body, my feet on the ground and head in the sky felt as they never had before. Having recently quit the UBC water polo team and looking for some new athletic outlet I got hooked fast. I went to 5-10 yoga classes that first month and could not believe the visual changes in my body. Visibly loosing centimeters around my waist was an awe-inspiring phenomenon that I never thought I'd see the day of.
SETTING: 98 degree heat [whoops I'm american, excuse me] 37 degree heat. You'll see your skin cry. A wall of mirrors but surroundings don't matter much, you're only semi-concious.
PACE & STYLE: Pretty slow. The poses are held stationary for 30-60 seconds and the structure of the class is rigid. Disciplined. Perhaps Bikram philosophy operates on the premise that we don't know what's best for us. The teacher proclaims "Every yoga class you do lessens your pain, physical, emotional, mental, scientifically proven!"And I cannot deny my clarity and peace of mind now that I'm outta the hell hole. Nothing in your daily life could possibly be worse than facing yourself, sweating profusely, in tight, tiny, spandex clothing uncapable of obeying the simplest laws of gravity. But not much can out-do the high of getting out after. Sometimes you cannot listen to the commands because your mind is telling you, "3....2....toss your cookies & pass out [This is called heat stroke]," "get out while you still can". But I stay, I lie down despite the teacher's commands not too. She talks incessantly: pushing, encouraging "you can do anything for 30 seconds!"
But I'm not used to the heat. I haven't done this for 6 months, a year even. Luckily my mind is calm, and there is no vengence in my heart so the constant banter, presumptions and philosophic prophesies do little to jar my nerves. I let them pass through me like water.
"Calming your entire central nervous system," "the real yoga begins the second you walk out the door in the way you live your life," "You'll never need hormone supplements again if you do this right." Yes, there is the occasional ridiculous claim.
SCENE: Old, young, it takes all kinds. Usually 75% women but often a lot of men are present. Generally very crowded (although I remember years ago where you'd be in a 12:00 noon class with two people and your first class was free) expect to be intimidated by people's outfits (as in, they are minimal) but don't worry after the first five minutes you won't notice a thing about the people around you- you'll be struggling to survive. A lot of their classrooms now - well actually they're only currently operating 2 studios in Vancouver (West end & Kitsilano)- have antibacterial flooring.
MY EVALUATION:If it's so good for you than why does it feel like torture? Are our bodies that far gone they need a serious contortionist whooping? If this blog post and these questions turn you on, than I think Bikram's yoga might be right for you. It sure did me some good once upon a time. The instructors in Vancouver are particularly militant (I have practiced this same yoga series in Colorado & Los Angeles and the setting tends to me more gentle and flexible) so if you want someone to push you to the max go for it but if you like to talk back maybe let's find a different hot yoga setting.
*Caution: Can be addictive.
I began my yoga career in Vancouver when a good friend oozed and oozed about and eventually took me to Bikram's yoga in Kitsilano. "You'll never be the same," she had said about the effect the class would have on me and in some ways I suppose Hannah was right. Yoga has been a part of my life ever since. I was fortunate enough to have the sweetest most inspiring woman as my first instructor and be accompanied by a very good friend. When I stood up after, outside of the classroom, my posture, my body, my feet on the ground and head in the sky felt as they never had before. Having recently quit the UBC water polo team and looking for some new athletic outlet I got hooked fast. I went to 5-10 yoga classes that first month and could not believe the visual changes in my body. Visibly loosing centimeters around my waist was an awe-inspiring phenomenon that I never thought I'd see the day of.
SETTING: 98 degree heat [whoops I'm american, excuse me] 37 degree heat. You'll see your skin cry. A wall of mirrors but surroundings don't matter much, you're only semi-concious.
PACE & STYLE: Pretty slow. The poses are held stationary for 30-60 seconds and the structure of the class is rigid. Disciplined. Perhaps Bikram philosophy operates on the premise that we don't know what's best for us. The teacher proclaims "Every yoga class you do lessens your pain, physical, emotional, mental, scientifically proven!"And I cannot deny my clarity and peace of mind now that I'm outta the hell hole. Nothing in your daily life could possibly be worse than facing yourself, sweating profusely, in tight, tiny, spandex clothing uncapable of obeying the simplest laws of gravity. But not much can out-do the high of getting out after. Sometimes you cannot listen to the commands because your mind is telling you, "3....2....toss your cookies & pass out [This is called heat stroke]," "get out while you still can". But I stay, I lie down despite the teacher's commands not too. She talks incessantly: pushing, encouraging "you can do anything for 30 seconds!"
But I'm not used to the heat. I haven't done this for 6 months, a year even. Luckily my mind is calm, and there is no vengence in my heart so the constant banter, presumptions and philosophic prophesies do little to jar my nerves. I let them pass through me like water.
"Calming your entire central nervous system," "the real yoga begins the second you walk out the door in the way you live your life," "You'll never need hormone supplements again if you do this right." Yes, there is the occasional ridiculous claim.
SCENE: Old, young, it takes all kinds. Usually 75% women but often a lot of men are present. Generally very crowded (although I remember years ago where you'd be in a 12:00 noon class with two people and your first class was free) expect to be intimidated by people's outfits (as in, they are minimal) but don't worry after the first five minutes you won't notice a thing about the people around you- you'll be struggling to survive. A lot of their classrooms now - well actually they're only currently operating 2 studios in Vancouver (West end & Kitsilano)- have antibacterial flooring.
MY EVALUATION:If it's so good for you than why does it feel like torture? Are our bodies that far gone they need a serious contortionist whooping? If this blog post and these questions turn you on, than I think Bikram's yoga might be right for you. It sure did me some good once upon a time. The instructors in Vancouver are particularly militant (I have practiced this same yoga series in Colorado & Los Angeles and the setting tends to me more gentle and flexible) so if you want someone to push you to the max go for it but if you like to talk back maybe let's find a different hot yoga setting.
*Caution: Can be addictive.
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The breath control (pranayama) we practice in yoga actually helps me keep my breathing even when runs get tough, and it's especially helpful after a hard run. Plus, there is a certain peace that accompanies running (and walking). That repetitive motion allows your mind to clear, and the path that lies before allows your eyes to focus on the horizon. Add some motivating music, and you've got quite the relaxing and stress-relieving workout!
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