I could never do this type of yoga. I would pass out.

I tried Bikram yoga once with a friend and it was not fun. At first it was ok but I couldn't stand the heat for 90 minutes. And I found it hard to hold poses sweating as much as I did. Never again.

i tried bikram once and had a pounding headache for the whole next day- it was the worst headache i have ever had. i disliked it because they don't seem to focus at all on growing within the poses, it seems to be all about sweating buckets and that is it. i also think the extreme heat could lead to injury since your body is stretching more than it is capable of due to the heat.

I love, love, love it. I have a herniated disc and I had debilitating sciatica and was unable to stand up straight or walk well. I was in constant pain and quickly becoming depressed.
I tried Bikram and it hurt like hell, but I felt pain relief the next day. I went back and again it hurt and I felt even better after the class. Within a week I was able to stand up straight and I was able to sleep through the night again.
My orthopedic surgeon was amazed. I was able to completely get off all the prescribed pain medicines and anti-inflammatory drugs.
I can't say it healed me, but nothing--not, drugs, orthopedic surgeons nor chiropractors--worked. The Bikram practice did.

I've never taken a class, I can't seem to find one offered in my city - but I have read that these classes are a great way to train runners (and other outdoor athletes) for summer weather. It gets your body used to heat and humidity so that you don't keel over when you take your runs outside in 90 degree weather with 90% humidity. As for the weight loss benefit, I totally agree. If only it was as easy as sweating... right?

i went once and was able to stay the whole class barely!
definitely NOT for me... i felt sick and holding the poses was difficult beacause of all the sweat...

i'm all for the non 104 degree yoga

I LOVE Bikram too! Been practicing for 2.5 years now. And I agree with you FitSugar, it DOES NOT necessarily make you lose weight. I don't do it to lose weight. I do it because I personally feel more challenged in a Bikram class than I do in any other type of yoga class. Additionally, I have very weak wrists... And the poses in Bikram put no pressure on your wrists.

I love the meditation I move into when I practice Bikram. The heat helps me focus on me. My mind wanders a lot less in a Bikram class than it does doing any other exercise.

Everyone should try it!

I love bikram yoga. For those that have done one class, you haven't really given it a fair shot. If you are thinking of trying it out commit to going 3 times (even if you loathe it the first time - I did, most people do) because it takes a long time to even begin to understand what you are doing. And as far as weight loss, the practise is 90 mins long and hard as hell. I've worn my heart rate monitor and it burns up to 500 calories a class. So while you do sweat a lot, it is an intense workout too.

I love heat and I'd love to try this -- but I imagine I'd pass out from the humidity and the stench. OK -- I'm only guessing it stinks in there, but I think it's a good guess...

pilates > yoga

I've done Bikram - it's not my favorite form of yoga, but it's ok. While doing it, I didn't lose any weight whatsoever.

The hour and a half is tough to commit to after work, especially when you work full time. I personally prefer a strong power yoga class to Bikram.

While sweating does remove trace amount of waste from the body, it is not the primary waste removal of the body (which we know what is without being crude). Another thing that sweat removes from the body is electrolytes that are needed for physical activity. I sweat enough with ashtanga anyway.

I have two friends who were seriously injured while doing a Bikram class. One is an avid marathoner and triathlete and she snapped her ACL while doing Bikram. She has been practicing Bikram for three years. Another tore her hamstring pretty seriously and she has been practicing for five years. Both women said they had no idea they were pushing themselves too hard and were surprised by the injury. The heat allows your muscles and tendons to stretch maybe further than they would otherwise and if you aren't vigilant about paying attention you can really hurt yourself. Obviously many people love it and practice safely and don't hurt themselves but everyone should be careful.

I love Yoga, I practice along with a class 4 times a week but I personally do not care for Bikram. To me, yoga should be a positive, relaxing stretch of the body leading up to more intense poses that tone your core and muscles while only pushing one's body as far as they feel they can go. Bikram is just a bit too intense for me, I don't care for the heat at all and all that sweating can really be a bit dangerous depending on the pose...I could see myself pulling something if I continued Bikram. I did Bikram a few times and everytime I couldn't focus on the tranquility of Yoga but rather how hot it was and all that darned sweatiness. I know people who love it though and more power to them ^.^

I thought the heat was to help you stretch more, not for a supposed weight loss. Weird.

I've gone to a handful of Bikram classes and thought they were ok. I could see mixing them into a yoga practice, but I don't think I'd like doing that same routine every time. I'm in Texas so I'm used to the heat/humidity. LOL.

Before I moved, I practiced Bikram for about 2 years on a regular basis (at least 2 or 3 classes a week). I found the heat to be detoxifying and extremely therpeautic. With respect to people hurting themselves doing Bikram, the instructors (at least the good ones) teach you to listen to your body and not push yourself beyond your natural limits.

I also lost a good deal of weight from the practice. Within the first 3 months I lost about 8 or 9 pounds, which is a lot for me because I'm only 5"1' and was pretty tiny to begin with. I saw a lot of definition in my arm, leg, and ab muscles within a few weeks too.

Good Point econinsf! The heat does warm up your muscles, so they stretch more than they normally would, which could lead to injury.

I agree with Stacey Cakes... Good yoga instructors (not just Bikram instructors) will teach you to listen to your body and not over do it. Yes, the heat does allow for a deeper stretch because you are "warmed" up.

Maybe I am biased against all other yogas though... Until I started practicing Bikram, I thought yoga was silly. I had tried a few different types a couple of times each, and I always found myslef giggling. What's with the "om-ing?"

I personally feel like people in Bikram class are less pretentious than other yoga practices.

omg, i felt like the people in the Bikram classes were MORE pretentious but i'm pretty sure it's cuz i went to that class in a trendy part of town and my regular yoga classes are in my local gym in the 'burbs.

but that's not the reason i didn't like Bikram...more like i felt like i was suffocating and i couldn't concentrate because i felt stifled from the humidity! i don't even like saunas so i'm not sure why i tried it in the first place! oh well, just another experience in life...

I have never noticed bad odors in Bikram classes. The people that take these classes seem to bathe regularly and the studios I've been to keep things very clean.

I've been doing yoga for nearly 8 years, and tried most types. Bikram yoga was by far the worst - I blacked out three times, and almost passed out once even though I drank plenty of water. It was horrible - I felt so sick, like I was going to throw up!

Its just not healthy - even doctors agree. It may be alright for people who already live in this kind of heat, but for people who aren't used to it, its really not a good idea. And you can easily over-stretch and cause injuries in that heat!

Give me Ashtanga over Bikram any day...

Bikram works for some people and not for others. My runner friend persuaded me to try a bikram class. I had to leave the class early on because I was blacking out and the heat was definitely not the worst part of the event.
The employee teaching the next class told me that I was weak and not trying hard enough because I left the room. He explained the superiority of bikram teachers and told me that when I was "strong enough" to handle the class, it would help prevent my migraines which are triggered by heat. I was so embarrassed and ashamed.
While I'm sure (or at least hoping) not all bikram studios are like that and this was one awful man, I would rather practice a form of yoga that allows you to get in touch with a positive side of yourself, and not in a place that harbors competition and judgment of others.
Bite me bikram man!

I forgot to post this link earlier when this post was still around... but here: http://www.bikramyogaseattle.com/postures/index.html