I’ve heard several people say that they don’t like Bikram yoga because it’s not meditative or spiritual. I suppose on the surface it looks like boot camp, but it is not purely physical; it is an incredibly deep meditative practice.
I get panic attacks. I have been carried out of restaurants, bars, house parties and art galleries because I am a hyperventilating, sobbing mess. For a time they were so debilitating it was difficult to leave my house.
I thought Bikram might help me manage stress but I was very nervous about trying it. It involved going to a place I had never been and staying in a room for 90 minutes with people I didn’t know. This is a terrifying prospect for someone with panics like mine. I literally had an entire therapy session dedicated to discussing if I could survive my first Bikram yoga class.
I did survive. In fact, I thrived.
It is all well and good to meditate in a candle lit room with soothing music and people using gentle voices. It does feel great and I enjoy those types yoga classes, too. But they didn’t help me with my reality. I need to learn to relax when my brain throws some serious, hardcore panic at me.
Bikram has trained me to breathe and meditate when I am trapped in a room that is really bright, a million degrees, packed with people who smell and a teacher who is loud. That’s why I can now survive life in my head.
When I panic, it is bright and loud and I’m dizzy and nauseous. I can’t run away from that situation, either, but that’s fine because this yoga has taught me that there are options beyond fight or flight.
I rarely get panic attacks anymore. I have the same stress and the same triggers. The panics rise up and threaten me; they insist that I can’t breathe and I am going to die immediately. Then, I hear my teacher:
Meet resistance with breath. – Lizzie.
Don’t meet panic with frustration or defeat or anger. Just take a moment. Then, I hear another teacher:
This is going to hurt like hell. It’s O.K. Don’t be scared. – Kirk.
I know I can do it, I can make it through this just like I make it through class four times a week. Then, I hear another teacher:
Deep breath in. Let it out slow. – Amy
And that’s exactly what I do.
The hot room is my training ground for the real world. Those instructions – seemingly about my physical practice – are the deepest, most spiritually profound lessons I could imagine.
Maybe it looks like boot camp to you, but to me, it’s church.
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bitchingaboutbikram said:
Yes, yes and yes. I, too, suffer from debilitating panic attacks and when I finally let a friend convince me to go… I took a private class with the owner before I would even *consider* going to a group class.
The year leading up to my first class this past December has been filled with anxiety, pain, severe depression and a complete lack of faith in myself and this life (post-breakup, life-changing nonsense). I think the yoga is changing that, and I’m blown away. (if you’re interested, I wrote about it in this post: http://bitchingaboutbikram.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/class-26-21112/).
This yoga is changing my mind in ways I never thought possible. I went in thinking it would give me a new way to punish myself, but I never knew that it would change my heart and mind. I’m still struggling, but I see the potential, which is something I haven’t seen in a very long time.
So. Great post! Agreed! Love the Bikram! GO TEAM!
Lisa Jones said:
I love hearing this! The private class was such a great way to ease yourself in! Good for you. So glad to hear that it has helped you so much. Thanks for reading, and I’m on my way over to read your post!
Nadia Badr said:
100% Bikram completely cured me of my panic attacks and anxiety attacks. I used to be on meds for that, and I used to have all the syptoms that now I have learned to crave and love.. sweaty palms, heart racing, mind wandering, thoughts of everything I have to do, and everywhere I have to be..
and now.. ‘deep breath in.. let it out slow..’…
‘mini heart attacks so I don’t have a real one later..’
6 years later.. no anti-anxiety meds, no anti-depression meds, and not a single reason or inclination in my mind why I would ever want or need those things again..
Lisa Jones said:
Fantastic. It makes me so happy to know Bikram is helping others in the same way! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Mooper said:
Amen! Bikram has helped a ton with my panic attacks and general anxiety, too. I used to wake up in the middle of the night mid-panic attack, and that hasn’t happened in a good six months or so (I’ve been doing Bikram about ten months at this point). It has helped me stay calmer across the board. So glad to hear it has helped you so much as well.
Lisa Jones said:
Yay!!Love knowing that Bikram is helping so much. Middle of the night panic….that’s just awful!
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Mark said:
I do not suffer attacks very often, but I did have one a few months ago while at work. Although I was really nervous about it, I went ahead and took class that afternoon. Put simply, it was the best thing I ever did. If you wish, you can read about it here:
http://dotheposture.blogspot.com/2011/08/panic-attack.html
Namaste.
Lisa Jones said:
So glad you were able to get to class! That’s huge. Getting there is always the hardest part, then you can just reap the benefits. Thanks for reading and sharing!
Mark said:
PS: Please read the comments after the post. A Bikram instructor in Ottawa had a student with the same issue a few days later. Interesting read!
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Julie Swanton said:
In one of my first Bikram classes teacher says, “Anyone can meditate on top of a mountain. It takes true concentration to meditate in the middle of a city”. I always think of that when the firetrucks drive by the studio.
Lisa Jones said:
Amen to that. Thanks for coming by!
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Katy said:
It’s church to me too!
Lisa Jones said:
That’s such a lovely feeling, isn’t it?? 🙂
Grazyna Gurrola said:
Learning how to deal with stress is important. If you have gotten to the point you dread certain situations because you had an attack during those circumstances, you should start looking at those times differently and for what they are. Many people get troubles built up in their minds and those though5ts take over when those people least expect it. These are the thoughts that pave the way for serious attacks. When you know the source of your pressure, dealing with it head on is necessary sometimes to take it away. If you are having issues at your job, talk to your boss or other co-workers about it. Talking and counseling are great ways to relieve the pressure that may be causing you to suffer severe anxiety. The same is also true about family problems. Making sure you take the time to talk to your family about what is bothering is of the utmost importance.:
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bexplores said:
How long have you been practicing bikram and and how long til you noticed the effects? I just started doing classical yoga and sometimes feel super anxious in class alone! I would love to hear more. Thanks!
Lisa Jones said:
I’ve been practicing Bikram for just over three years. I really started feeling calmer within the first few months. When I first started yoga – it definitely triggered my anxiety – a new place, new people, ect. But when I got used to it I was really able to take advantage of the meditative aspects. Going more frequently (3 or 4 times a week) really helped me. If your anxiety keeps up, maybe play around with different types of yoga/teachers/spaces until you find a place where you feel comfortable. But keep in mind, with a new things, it can take a while to really get to understand the practice and see if it’s right for you. Best of luck and keep me posted!! Namaste.
Percy said:
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Anne Steele said:
thank you so much for highlighting these simple instructions which so key to being there for that spirituality…
Denise Telford said:
Hi, I suffer from anxiety and panic and intrusive thinking. I had been going to Bikram but not regularly. I stopped several months ago when I was diagnosed with adrenal exhaustion. I managed to get back to class tonight and I really struggled and felt very nauseous and panicked. I’m now scared that my anxiety will get worse if I continue, although my teacher says that a regular practice will in the end heal the anxiety. I don’t know if I can get through another class!
Lisa said:
I totally know where you are coming from. If it helps – know that many of us have had those feelings, and it has helped us. It’s really good that your teacher knows what you are dealing with.
If you feel like trying again, I would really encourage you to do so. Remind the teacher that you are working through something, set up in the back and sit down when you need to and always focus on the breath. Be kind to yourself and know that you are not alone with any of this.
My experience with Bikram and anxiety has been so positive, but not always easy. It takes time, and sometimes there are set backs. But in the end, for me, the result has been nothing short of miraculous.
Please keep in touch and let me know how it all goes for you. You can do this. 🙂
denisetelford said:
Hi Lisa, Many apologies for not replying sooner but I had not realised you had replied to me until I looked up your post to re-read today! I hope you don’t mind but I am about to PM you on your email address and would appreciate your thoughts. Many thanks for your reply and for this brilliant blog. Denise 🙂
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Paul Bond said:
Yoga has been practicing from centuries to cure many problems especially it helps in treating the anxiety or panic attacks. All the treatments or self medications won’t work in the same way to all the persons, choose the best way which helps to get out from your anxiety or panic attacks and practice those to get relief.
Alicia Raquel said:
I feel so happy to have found this! I barely started Bikram a little less than a month ago and have to say that I have noticed a difference. I look forward to furthering my practice and reaping more benefits that will help w. my anxiety & panic attacks! namaste ❤
Lisa said:
I’m so happy to hear this! I wish you all the best – please keep me posted on how it goes! Namaste.
Harmful effect of stress said:
Stress can also lead to heart ailments. Yoga is widely practiced, great for your health and the basic poses are easy to learn. Thanks for the great post.