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There are the classic do’s and don’ts that every hot room newbie hears, as they nervously prepare for their first class. It’s usually about setting up, drinking water and where to leave their sweaty rental towel.
But the practice of Bikram yoga is full of subtleties that I wish I had known when I got started. Here are just a few of them:
~ Sweat is sexy. I know you think it’s gross. But it’s so not. Sweat means passion. Dedication. Hard work. Health. It’s hot. Seriously.
~ Don’t worry about getting into better shape or getting more flexible before you come to your first class. We were all kinds of broken down messes when we first came. Fitness and flexibility come from going to class. Just start where you are.
~ Don’t set up in the front row on your first class, but stagger your mat so that you can see yourself in the mirror. You don’t like to look in a mirror, you say? You cringe at the sight of yourself in work-out clothes? That is exactly why you are here. It’s not to get the cute yoga ass you’ve heard so much about; that’s just a side effect. You are here to learn to love your reflection. We all had that critical voice in our head when we got here; you are here to kill that voice. You are here so that you can look in the mirror and smile kindly at yourself, like you are an old friend. You are here so that someday you can look yourself in the eyes and bow to your own grace and strength.
~ You will learn that us Bikram yogis love our bodies. Not that we are all perfect, by any means, but we love the incredible things that our forms are capable of. We treat them with respect and pride. This means we are not afraid to wear the smallest yoga clothes possible and we’re fine with nudity in the change room. We gave up shame around class #5. You will, too.
~ Savasana really is the hardest posture we do. When you are in camel, you might think I am full of it. But really, it’s savasana. It’s brutal to be still, in both mind and body, but that is OK. This is a lifelong practice.
~ The postures build on themselves; there will be a first step, then a next step. If you feel too challenged by a posture, go back to an earlier step and work on mastering that. Substituting different yoga postures or crunches or wind-sprints does not impress us. It makes us worry you will hurt yourself. You can take an improv class on a different night.
~ When you begin, you might think Bikram is all about the work-out because it’s all you can get your mind around. Be reassured that this practice is about embracing stillness, managing your ego and getting control of your monkey mind. It’s a profoundly spiritual meditation practice – it just takes a few classes to get your mind to shut the hell up long enough to realize that.
~ I promise you that even though it is all you can think about – leaving the room will not help you. I’ve seen several people pass out, all of them were attempting to leave the room when they went down. Sit or lie down on your mat and let the community energy and the watchful eye of the instructor support you. Breathe.
~ Get ready. If you decide to stick with this, get ready for a community more supportive that you could ever imagine. Get ready for huge challenges and more huge rewards. Get ready to cry in postures because you never thought it was possible that you could ever do them. Get ready to crave time in the hot room. Get ready to wonder what you ever did without it. Get ready for the yoga to change your body, mind and relationships in ways that will shock you.
Get ready.
Then get in there.
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travelswithslippers said:
Good list…funnily enough, I was told all these things as a beginner, I just wasn’t ready/able/willing to hear them! Namaste!
Lisa Jones said:
Thanks! Good to know there are informed beginners out there. I walked in totally clueless, I had never known anyone who had ever taken a class!
Jessica said:
I love this! Thank you for your writing and the inspiration you give!
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so much! I’m so happy that you enjoy the blog! Namaste.
Eat the Yolk said:
Beautiful list! Much more helpful than the don’t lists floating around. I imagine it just might inspire folks to try this out! 🙂
Lisa Jones said:
Thanks so much. I hope it will!
Erin McManus said:
such an accurate and inspiring list…and at the same time, I am glad i was gradually taught and discovered some of the newbie stuff on my own by just practicing 🙂
Lisa Jones said:
That’s very true – I think some of this stuff you can really only get from experience. Thank you for reading and Namaste!!
Dawn said:
One of my favorite posts, EVER.
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so much!!! 🙂
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GeorgiaStateOfMind said:
That was an awesome read.
Our studio does have a page of beginners guidelines which was ace, and this added to it beautifully.
I have been a Bikhead for nearly 2 months and an addict for about that long too…that is why I am here; the days I don’t attend a class I find myself reading about it!!
Now I am going to continue reading through your blog for all things yoga!
Namaste.
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so much! And welcome to the Bikram addiction. 🙂 It’s the best obsession to have!
Bikram Yoga Vancouver said:
This is absolutely and truly a MUST READ. Thank you for your truth. These words will help inspire another generation of Bikram Yogis to be.
You’ve made our day today. ♥BYV
Lisa Jones said:
Thank you so so much. You made MY day! Namaste to my fellow Canadian yogis!!
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Christine said:
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve just started practicing, and with three classes under my belt, it seems as though each one gets harder. I’ve been searching the internet for bikram blogs, desperately needing some inspiration and words of wisdom. I stumbled upon yours yesterday, and I’m hooked! Your words have convinced me that it’s worth it. I’m proud of myself every time I show up to class because I know that I can only get better. Motivation to show up to class becomes motivation to stay in the room, stay in the postures, and truly realize the full benefits of going to class. I can only start with who I am, what I have, and what I do right now – and with the help of your posts, I’m seeing that each day, each class is a new “right now”, a new chance for me to become a better version of myself! This is all very new, very scary, and very exciting, but I know that I am blessed because my body is capable and I have the time, money, and motivation to make this change! Please keep posting, and know that you have inspired an 18-year-old young woman from Maine to commit to and learn to love Bikram!
Lisa Jones said:
Christine – I am so touched and misty-eyed by your comment. Thank you. And congratulations on the beginning of this exciting (terrifying/achey/hugely rewarding) journey. You sound like you are right on track. I’m honored to be part of the process for you. Whenever you find yourself needing motivation – come on back here. We’ve got a great little community going, always ready to give a fellow yogi a boost. Namaste!
Christine said:
I went to my fourth class this afternoon, and I left in tears – I was able to do every single posture!!! Sometimes I fell out of a posture but I got right back in and kept my focus. Not once did I feel the need to leave the room or sit down. My head hurt and I was hungry towards the end of class, a sign that I may not have timed my eating or hydrating perfectly. But in the final savasana, I was overwhelmed with admiration for what my body had just done and respect for myself for not giving up. When it got hard, I tuned everything out and focused on my breathing. I am so proud of myself for completing my first full class, and so amazed at what my body is and will become capable of!
Melissa said:
Excellent article. I’ve been practising for 5 years with many stops and starts along the way. The most important thing that practising Bikram’s yoga has taught me is that it’s never too late to start again. I tell people who ask me about Bikram’s that for me it’s about breathing and listening. Namaste.
Lisa Jones said:
Yes!! It’s never too late….I think that is such a beautiful thing. Thank you so much for reading and namaste to you!
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Valérie Ketchoua said:
Reblogged this on MonYogaChaud.
Jerry said:
Now i’m very intersted in trying Bikram Yoga. Thanks for informing me of what to look for on my first class.
Theresa Champagne said:
Hi Jerry,
I’ve been subscribing to this blog for a few months and THIS POST is the very one that convinced me to get to my first Bikram Yoga class.
I attended my first class today and it was an experience perfectly aligned to the idea of being exactly, imperfectly who I am, without apology. I sat for most of the class and am returning tomorrow morning.
Go! Breath. There is a community waiting to support your journey.
Namaste,
Theresa
Lisa Jones said:
Theresa – I’m so glad to hear that the post was motivating for you and that you had a wonderful experience in class. Good for you for getting back in there right away, there is NO shame in sitting down when you need to! Congrats and best of luck on your Bikram journey! Namaste.
Lisa Jones said:
Great, Jerry! I hope you give it a try. Come on back and let me know what you think of it!
Bikram Yoga Vancouver said:
Had to read it one more time. So fantastic!
Lisa Jones said:
Aw…you make me blush. Thank you so much!
Wyanne Purua said:
Hey thanks for the advise, I went to my first class on Sunday 29th July in New Market. It’s exactly how you said. I am Maori & yes I got a little shy of the mirrors, in amongst 45 other people, but i won’t now.Really enjoyed it with Erica look forward to the next 2 classes this week. Thanks Wyanne 🙂
Lisa Jones said:
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear it! Thanks so much and namaste!
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Kristin Joy said:
breathe through the NOSE…it will really help you from feeling funny. DO NOT wipe the sweat it is your bodies natural cooling mechanism!
Lisa Jones said:
Yes! Great points, Kristin. The not wiping the sweat is so important and so challenging. Thanks for reading and namaste!
Brooklyn, NY said:
I’m extremely motivated after reading this…. but still wondering if Bikram is the right place for me to *start my yoga journey. Have not been to one yoga class in 27 years, aka my life. Do you recommend Bikram for someone new to yoga?
Lisa Jones said:
Hi there! I think that if you are feeling drawn to Bikram – totally give it a try! I think it’s great for yoga beginners, because each posture is described in detail, step by step. If you can’t do something, just go back to the previous step. There is no expectation that you should already know something about the poses. My husband had not taken a single yoga class when he started and now he’s hooked! All types of yoga are different, so there is no need to start with one tradition to prepare for another. Just hydrate and jump in! Let me know if you try it and what you think. I always recommend that you take three classes before you make your final judgement. Thanks for reading and for your question! Enjoy your class!
MIke Mitchell said:
I’ve been having this discussion with a close friend who is also considering her first class. I sent her the link to this post and I couldn’t agree more. Bikram is FOR BEGINNERS. Its for people who start out of shape and maybe feeling older than they wish they were. You don’t need to be in shape to do Bikram Yoga, you need to do Bikram Yoga if you want to get in better shape. I started at 51 years old and way out of shape and over weight, no previous yoga experience, just jumped right in. 21 months later I’m in the best shape of my life and totally hooked. Don’t be afraid to start where you are right now. This yoga was meant for people like you and me.
Lisa Jones said:
What a great story! I’m so glad to hear that Bikram has been so beneficial for you and I really hope the post was helpful for your friend. It’s hard to explain to people that there are no expectations, but you can’t really understand until you really get in there. Thanks so much for sharing the blog! Namaste!
siva said:
It is good way
Kathy of Paleo Foods said:
Thank you I came across your blog while looking for some resources on how to start on a yoga. All the while I have this misconception that all yoga classes are the same. Thank you for this very informative article. I will certainly take your advice that BIKRAM classes will be very suitable for those who are trying to explore the idea of adopting this discipline as a form of exercise and relaxation as well. I heard so many benefits that one derives from yoga and now I am willing to try it out and prove these stories myself. Thanks for the tips, I will keep these in mind when I finally start my yoga classes/
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overallhealthnews said:
What a great story! I’m so glad to hear that Bikram has been so beneficial for you and I really hope the post was helpful for your friend. It’s hard to explain to people that there are no expectations, but you can’t really understand until you really get in there. http://healthxwellness.com/spiritual-life/yoga/bikram-yoga-poses-health-wellness/
Lisa said:
Thanks so much!
Susan said:
I especially liked the one about the small yoga clothes. As a woman in her sixties, it is unlikely that I will every lose the stubborn belly fat without liposuction, which I refuse to do. From my second class. I started to wear a sports bra and yoga shorts and I don’t care what anyone thinks. I also learned very quickly that no one was looking at me anyway! We were concentrating on staying alive in the hot room……
Lisa said:
Good for you! And you are totally right – no one is judging you. Thanks so much for reading!
peady said:
This is really excellent. Thank you for such a well timed and extremely apt post. 🙂
A dear friend shared it with me on Twitter. I am about to take a big leap into a trial run at a local hot yoga studio. I need to just relax and enjoy the experience – regardless of everything, right?
I’m trying.
I have tried a too-much-for-a-beginner-silent class in the past and survived.
I just keep telling myself to go with the flow.
Easier said than done…
Susie Jacobs Exercisetopia said:
Others will be usually nervous during their first day but it is just normal. Great tips for beginners.
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freemoviesonline2uran said:
The first helpful tool for a total yoga beginner is to build basic familiarity with yoga … I am so glad this post was helpful to you. …
yoga for beginner
Bronte said:
Hi! I am currently studying abroad in denmark and am feeling like I need to do something for myself and have a better sense of purpose. I signed up for a 30 day unlimited Bikram membership and am so excited but absolutely terrified. Your post helped a lot but I am still a little worried about becoming my own worst enemy and succumbing to the self conscious feelings of being around a bunch of fit, half naked people and being the newbie who is not at that confidence level. Any tips? Also, what is the typical post-bikram routine?
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