I stepped in from the cold and into the warm lobby of the Bikram Yoga studio on a recent 45-degree morning.
I wasn't sure how I would fare in the 104-degree room with 40 percent humidity. Was it going to smell like a dirty locker room? Would it be so hot that I'd get queasy and puke? Would people flee from my sweaty, stinky self?
Of course none of these things proved true. Surprisingly, the place doesn't smell like anything (no oils, incense, air freshener or sweaty bodies) and plus, I drank tons of water a few hours beforehand and wore lots of deodorant to be sure of it!)
I'm not much of a health or yoga buff, but within minutes of the 9 a.m. class I could see why I should become one. The lean, fit bodies of women in their 30s, 40s and 50s, (and one token man) put me to shame. But I'm not here to body bash my 25 years worth of flab.
Students at a 6 p.m. Bikram Yoga class on Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Port Orange studio. I'm the first one on the left, and next to me, is our editor Chrissy Clary. (Photo by Sean McNeil)
This is about trying something new and while I've done some yoga in Gainesville, I had never been to a hot yoga studio.
Bikram is a type of yoga trademarked by Bikram Choudhury. He began learning hatha yoga poses in India as a toddler and by age 13 he won the National India Yoga Competition.
According to his Web site, Choudhury injured his knee in a weightlifting accident when he was 17. Doctors predicted he would never walk again, but with the guidance of his guru, he created the 26-posture series that restored his health.
The 90-minute hatha yoga class is designed to work every muscle, bone, joint, ligament, gland and organ in the body. On average, students burn 750 calories as they cycle through the postures and breathing exercises that are repeated twice over the class.
Instructor Ariel Marinel (on the right) looks over the form of Ciana DeBernardo at Bikram Yoga in Port Orange on Thursday, December 11, 2008. (Photo by Sean McNeil)
Besides the obvious weight loss possibilities of sweating like you've probably never sweat before, Bikram is good for prevention of illness and injury and limiting the effects of aging, not to mention improving strength and flexibility.
Traci Armstrong, director of Bikram Yoga in New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange, said the heat actually helps you stretch muscles and get into yoga postures, or asanas.
"It is meditation and it is calming, but it's also very physical," she said. "You're getting a great workout."
Instructor Amanda Williams put it this way: "With the heat, your muscles become like saltwater taffy," she said. "You can stretch more."
Upon registering for the class, Williams warned me it's normal to feel lightheaded, dizzy or nauseous in the first couple of classes.
"One class isn't enough to acclimate to the heat," she said. "Within a couple of classes, you're going to be able to understand the heat."
That's why the instructors here are strong advocates of trying classes on at least two consecutive days. Bikram's book even says beginners should come every day for the first two months, Armstrong said.
It starts off in what initially feels like a semi-hot room. It's never gets steamy in there and it's not even worth sweating about until 10 minutes into the class, and then there's no turning back. The phrase, "It's like a sauna in here," comes to mind, and then, oy, you're just schvitzing like crazy and there's no stopping it!
I'm on the left with editor Chrissy Clary on the right during class on Thursday, Dec. 11 at the Port Orange studio. (Photo by Sean McNeil)
Luckily, everyone around you is also pouring and glistening with sweat and you kind of get over it after a while.
Steven Scafuri, 19, regrouped with some sweaty friends of his after a 6 p.m. class on Thursday at the newly opened Port Orange studio. One of his buds who has attended four classes invited the group to check it out for their first time. Scafuri said he didn't expect it to be as difficult as it was, but plans to come back for more.
"This is more mentally tough than anything I've ever done. It clears your thoughts and everything," said the Edgewater resident. "I didn't think about nothing, except breathing."
After too many "extracurricular activities" this summer, he hopes to lose a few pounds and get back into shape with Bikram, Scafuri said.
The yoga is designed for beginners, so people of all levels are in the class. You don't have to be flexible, Williams said--an important factor for me, because I can barely touch my toes, although I did find myself getting closer to those piggies throughout the class. The most important aspect is the alignment of your body, which is why instructors use mirrors.
"That's why when we're teaching the class, we're watching your body," Williams said.
Watching from her post, Williams politely instructed me on how to get into posture without embarrassing me. I also tried watching the other students as an example.
Casey Sparks, 21 and Ciana DeBernardo during class as instructor Ariel Marinel gives direction from her post on Thursday, December 11, in Port Orange. (Photo by Sean McNeil)
On my first try at Bikram Yoga in New Smyrna Beach, I positioned myself toward the back of the room so I wouldn't flop over and get in anyone's way while trying to hold some of the more complicated postures. Williams stood in the front and center of the studio, using a headset microphone to call out the poses, such as the half moon and eagle pose, which she explained in detail.
Surprisingly, I got pretty out of breath just standing there trying to hold a pose and soon started huffing and puffing back there--probably causing Williams to encourage me to take a break. But no, I stood strong, for about 30 seconds anyway, before I nearly fell over.
You're supposed to be properly hydrated before taking the class, but its also just as important to take breaks whenever you feel like it.
Listen to your body, said Ariel Marinel, who instructed me in my second class in Port Orange. "It's very OK to sit down."
A couple of students sat some of the postures out and I took a break for a few minutes too.
I left the studio that day feeling pretty tired and fully expected to feel sore the next day, but the pain was actually quite minor. Must be the heat.
Check it out for yourself:
Bikram Yoga in Port Orange, 3510 S. Nova Road, is having an open house on Saturday, Jan. 3. There will be two FREE yoga classes at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Arrive early. There is no pre-registration. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided.
For rates and more info, visit www.bikramyogansb.com (for both New Smyrna Beach and Port Orange locations).
Preparing for class:
- Drink plenty of water so that you're hydrated before coming to class.
-Bring a yoga mat, large bath towel, a small hand towel and a bottle of water. If you forgot any of these items, they are available for rent or purchase at the studio.
- Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early for your first class for registration and orientation.
- Wear cool, comfortable clothes. No long sleeves or pants.
- Other notes: Ask questions before or after class. Turn off your cell phone. Try to stay in the yoga room once class begins. Don't talk during class.