Bikram Yoga

Yoga, pilates, bar method, dance classes....there are so many different techniques and workout trends to tone and form the body! I have always loved dance, yoga, pilates, etc...but yoga and Bikram Yoga (also known as hot yoga) are two different things. Bikram Yoga Chicago in Lincoln Park has a special which includes unlimited yoga for a month at the price of a whopping $29 dollars! What a bargain! I take dance classes that are $17 dollars a piece...but 31 days for $29 dollars. That's about a buck chuck. I started on March 1st and got my roomie Kelly to come with me. I have been every single day this week mon-fri...so clearly I have already gotten my money's worth. That's right, it is 8:34 am and I have already been to the 6 am Bikram class this morning.

The classes are 90 minutes and you sweat like you never thought it was possible! The room is 105 degrees with 40% humidity. The routine is the same each day, which leaves you with working on improvement throughout your experience. I am telling you, you feel disgusting, you feel grimy, you feel dirty...and you feel amazing! Full of energy while you stretch, shape, and strengthen your body. You are supposed to go to Hot Yoga daily (or at least 6 days a week) to get the effects such as reducing stress, deepening sleep, glowing skin, improving posture, lubricating joints, normalizing weight, stretching and toning muscles, and mental clarity. These are just a few of the many benefits listed on the site of the studio I practice at ( bycic.com).

Kelly and I did notice that if we do it at night it is harder to fall asleep because of the energy Bikram brings. But once I have fallen asleep, I have slept better than I have in a long time. Very deep sleep. We also noticed some breakouts on our face because of the heat, sweat, and constantly wiping our faces or putting them on the mats. We now scrub our faces immediately following the class and try to make sure we get our equipment sanitized...but honestly I will take a few pimples for this amazing new routine we r jumping into full force. Besides, I feel guilty not going with the price I am paying for unlimited classes...taking full advantage. We actually may have a cultish addiction on our plates...

Namaste

k