JiggaRoo

Bikram Yoga is no joke!  This is tough stuff, making it all the more important to be well prepared and know what to expect before going to a Bikram Yoga class.

Hydrate! One of the most important things is to get water into your system!  You’re going to be in a 105 degree heated room with a humidity level of 40%!  Make sure to drink plenty of water before, during, and after your practice.  The hot yoga room is going to increase fluid loss due to all that sweating you’re about to do.  Being properly hydrated will also help prevent fatigue.  It takes about 30 minutes for water to fully absorb into your system, so try to drink a lot of water at least an hour before your class starts.  I’ve made the mistake of going into class dehydrated and just trust me on this one, it was no fun at all.  Please don’t be stupid like me.

Eat Minimally! You’ll be performing a bunch of balancing poses and twists, many of which will purposely add pressure to your joints and internal organs.  Imagine compressing your body on a full stomach.  Don’t do it.  You’ll hate it.  If you must eat and don’t have much time to digest, try to keep your portion small.

Dress Light! The males in class are almost always shirtless, and the women are usually in nothing more than a tank and short, body hugging shorts.  Wear tightly fitted clothing that show off your figure – it helps when you can see if you’re doing the poses correctly in class.  One time I wore a baggy t-shirt to class thinking it’d be no big deal, but I was so busy pulling my shirt off my skin that I was distracted and unfocused (not to mention extra hot) throughout the entire class.

My last comment should be a given, but I know the majority of us don’t do this (this includes me) – SLEEP.  Sleep is so crucial so why are most of us always trying to catch up on it?  My next post will be about how a lack of sleep affects us in negative ways, contributing to weight gain and hormonal disturbances in our body.