Hot as Hell: My First Bikram Experience

I’ve heard the term “sweating buckets” before, but I never actually considered it anything more than a hyperbole before last night. Yesterday after work, I tried Bikram Yoga for the first time and let me tell you, I didn’t know a human could sweat that much. I don’t even think I’ve ever been that soaking wet in the shower.

For those who aren’t familiar, Bikram is a 90-minute session comprised of a series of 26 yoga poses done in what some instructors call “torture chambers” because the room is heated to a piping hot 105 degrees.

I’ve always heard good things about this workout and was excited when I bought a one-month, unlimited pass through a LivingSocial deal (kind of like Groupon) back in April. I figured that seeing I have started tapering in preparation for the half marathon, the stretching and loosening of my muscles would help me come race day. I was also looking forward to trying something new, perhaps something that aould help me get over my weight-loss plateau.

As soon as I walked into the building I knew I was in trouble. I stepped into the humid, smelly elevator and rode it to the top floor. When I got off, I was hit by a wall of humidity and disgusting human sweat odor. I took deep breaths, trying to keep any panic attacks—and nausea—at bay.

The air was thick and it was difficult to breathe everywhere I went—I suppose this is to get you acclimated to the extreme heat you will be exposed to once you enter class. The studio was small and homey, with one large, open classroom and very friendly instructors and staff. There were freeze pops on the table and I sucked one down before I entered the torture chamber, remembering an article I read about a study showing that those who consumed a frozen slushy drink prior to exercising in intense heat were able to perform better as the icy sugar drink helps cool the body down (or something like that).

I followed the lead of others and set my yoga mat down, placing a bath towel over it. By the end of class, this towel was soaked through and weighed about 10 pounds. I lay on my back and practiced breathing, thinking the heat wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Then the instructor came in and turned the heat up.

During the class, I let the heat of the room “steal my mind” as the instructor had warned against. It was so intense that I couldn’t focus on the practice or the exercise, only how much longer I had to stay in the room. There were several times I wanted to get up and leave because I couldn’t breathe. I had to sit down a few times because my heart was racing and I felt a little dizzy.

There were moments during that class when I thought to myself that I would rather be running 11 miles than suffocating in this heat. I also decided I wouldn’t come back and that this is how they should punish prisoners—throw them in a Bikram yoga class because it has to involve more suffering than sitting in a jail cell.

Then the class ended and after two more freeze pops and the removal of my soaking wet clothes, I thought maybe I’d give it another try. I had survived and the instructor told me I’d feel great in a half hour. She was right: thirty minutes later I felt refreshed, like my body had sweat out all of the toxins, and I felt like my skin was literally glowing—or that could have been some leftover sweat, who knows.

I woke up this morning just a little sore. I didn’t push myself as hard as I could have because I was warned that the heat can cause you to stretch beyond your ability and in turn hurt yourself. With my big race coming, I didn't want to take any chances.

I still feel good, so I think I’ll give it another try. Let’s just hope my clothes and towel are dry by then (they were still damp this morning). Maybe next class I’ll just bring a bucket.