More Fun Than a Run: Bikram yoga is tough but addictive

Where: Bikram Yoga Canberra, 56 Hoskins Street, Mitchell, bikramcanberra.com.au
Bikram yoga is something that has a huge tendency to divide a room. People either love it or hate it – there is absolutely no middle ground. It’s a 90 minute class made up of 26 postures – not too difficult in itself – but the class is conducted in a room heated to 38.5 degrees.
I’ve done bikram yoga a few times now, and I must admit each time I go in, there is a fleeting moment at the beginning where I wonder why I went back.
If you don’t like sweat, this isn’t going to be your cup of tea. You’re going to sweat in places you didn’t know had sweat glands. Or if you think yoga is relaxing, think again. The poses are adjustable depending on your fitness level, but they’re all going to get your heart rate up.
The important thing to remember is on your first session, your goal is to just stay in the room for the entire session. There can be moments where you feel a bit dizzy at first, and it’s perfectly acceptable to just sit down for a while. Yoga isn’t about pushing yourself.
As with any yoga, the session ends with a relaxation portion, where you get to lie on your mat, and marinate in your own sweat. Particularly if you’re a fan of saunas, this bit will feel like heaven.
The class is tough, there’s no doubt about it, but it’s addictive. The feeling afterwards, once you’ve rehydrated, had a shower and cooled down, is incredible. Every part of your body is buzzing and you feel like you’ve sweated out all the bad stuff. And this is precisely the moment where you decide it’s a great idea to go back for more.
Source: http://www.watoday.com.au/act-news/canberra-life/more-fun-than-a-run-bikram-yoga-is-tough-but-addictive-20141206-11w0me.html