Bikram - Because I'm the Expert...

NOT! However, I can offer some insight into this torturous "zen experience."

I went several times last year, and then got lazy and just stopped. I went again yesterday after a very long hiatus and let me tell you, it was great!

Okay, it wasn't great in the usual sense of the word. It was HOT, painful, sickening, difficult, uncomfortable, crippling, and awkward. However, after leaving the studio following my 90 minute Bikram yoga session, I had never felt better. I felt like I had really accomplished something. I can't wait to go back yet I dread it, all at the same time. It's the strangest sensation ever to love something yet despise it.

I have been getting some severe tension headaches due to stress. Work has got me down without even realizing it! I have very low energy, am packing on the pounds and just generally feel like a pile of shit. I'm not eating very well, my face is breaking out, my back hurts along with my head, and I feel like I'm walking around with my fists and teeth clenched, ready to kill someone. STRESS. Why am I stressed? Who the hell knows. My life certainly is far from difficult. Stress affects you in ways you'd never acknowledge until something happens (ie these terrible headaches). I'm only 26 and have a long way to go so this needs to be addressed a-sap.

So, it was time for some lifestyle changes and some goal making. Getting back into the swing of things was one of them. It is very obvious to me that I won't ever be hitting the inside of a gym although I could certainly use it. So, the alternative is yoga. I also look forward to my seawall walks and rollerblades but the weather needs to perk up, just a tad. Justin and I (although he doesn't know this yet) are also planning to do some hikes and possibly the grind once the weather is better. Although I'm not very outdoorsy, this is the only type of activity I can handle. I may also dabble in Aquafit (stop laughing) but that is yet to be determined. One thing at a time!

My massage therapist also suggested a steamroom. Apparently there is a great one at the Mount Pleasant Community Centre. $5 drop in, even once a week is worth it to release stress, loosen muscles and joints, clear the skin, and even speed up the metabolism.

I digress (I do that a lot). Nothing can prepare you for Bikram the first time. If you know nothing about Bikram, have never done any type of yoga or aren't particularly active, God help you. Well, that was me the first time and God did not help me. He laughed at me. I couldn't believe people would subject themselves to this willingly. I thought this the whole class as I felt sorry for myself but when it was over, I got it. It was worth it. Aside from blacking out and literally seeing stars, it was very exhilarating. It was an opportunity to put everything aside and focus. There is no shame in the class and no one is ever looking at you thinking "she looks fat in Lululemon" or "she's really bad at this." No one cares about you and you don't care about them. You barely have enough in you to care about yourself. Everyone is encouraging and supportive, never judgemental.

Give it a try. You will curse my name the entire time if you take my advice but when it's over, I'm confident you will realize the benefits.

**You must be well hydrated before going. Catch 22 is, don't drink too much RIGHT before the class. Once you're in the room, you cannot leave. Well, you can but it is highly discouraged (disrupting the morale of the class) and is frowned upon (seriously). Therefore, no pee breaks. You can drink while you're in there so bring lots of water. At least a litre. If you drink a lot of water, you shouldn't have any problems. If you don't, start a few days before to get your body properly hydrated. It is very important to drink a lot of water after the class or else you will end up with a hangover-like headache that lasts the entire day/night. Eat decently a few hours before going. You can't stuff yourself nor can you do it after a day of starving yourself. You'll pass out. If you're sick, stay away. Coughing will be disruptive and because of the heat, you will sniffle and need to blow your nose every 5 seconds.

Wear as little clothing as possible. You will drench anything cotton so proper yoga wear really is beneficial. If you run, any dri-fit products will help. I like Luon (Lululemon) because aside from the fact that it is stylish and comfy, it was actually designed for this purpose!

Bikram is all over the greater Vancouver area. I go to the Metrotown location at Boundary and Kingsway. They have some great introductory rates - maybe I'll see you there. Message me with any questions you may have but trust me, I'm not a pro. People of all shapes, ages, races, and backgrounds go there. There are a surprising amount of older people there. They have likely sustained some sort of injury or are experiencing some type of pain associated with getting older (arthritis etc) and it has been suggested to them as a method of healing by friends, doctors, naturopaths etc.

There was an older gentlemen there last night. He was overweight, probably mid 50's and was the last person you'd think you'd find there. He did so well, he put me to shame. He was committed and put his mind to it and tried his best. He often stopped gasping for air. He needed help understanding the poses. Sometimes, he needed to lie down. Sometimes he'd be conservative about how far he could push himself. This is completely normal for the first time and I did the same when it was new to me. He got a round of applause at the end and he deserved it. If he can do it, we all can do it.