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What is it about people being p***ed with people who do bikram yoga. I went out the other night and met this girl who told me that people who do bikram yoga just do it to look good and loose weight and aren't into the spiritual side of the practice!

She made out we're ego fools who just like to look good infront of the mirror

It's not like that at all. Come on bikram yogies help me here.

well.......i've only been twice (a third coming up maybe this evening) and I've been far too busy sweating to notice others admiring themselves in the mirror. however, here are some early impressions.

I am aware of a number of differences to my usual Iyengar class. the bikram yogis are generally far younger, leaner, fitter, better groomed, more 'beautiful'. people seem far less receptive of a "hiya" nod before and after the session. inevitably, the high prices will more attract high-flyers with little time for idle unlucrative chat with passing strangers. these things do not bother me, but I can imagine why a person who feels insecure in physicality or personality and/or requires a spiritual boost might feel that bikram is a cold place!

I'm also already aware of the gentle, persistent built-in sales pitching, re why Bikram is now your indispensible tool, the happy reminders that we 'should' (yes, that word was used) be aiming at at least three or four times a week, "keep paying your money in, so we can grow" she said.

don't get me wrong, I'm loving the yoga itself, and the heat and sweat. the only thing that might make me lose interest is the limited sequence, the routine aspect. i'm a perpetual neophile, you see. my Iyenger teacher of nearly three years is always experimenting and adding new postures, adjustments, ideas and spontaneous half-baked thoughts to her repertoire. the class is always a surprise and a delight. her journey is far from arrival and we, her students, feel privileged to be travelling with her, and so a sense of connection to each other. i'm certain that bikram could not replace that.

now if i can get her to move the class to a hot room.......

...this is interesting as I know nothing about Bikram - apart from that if you want to loose weight (which I do) you should do it. So diddiddidle, why are you drawn to it? You sound like you've got a pretty balanced view of the world, is it just the heated room?

Ddididdidle I'm loving your post! Yeh, and I'm intregued too. Why would a sane sounding, lovable iyengie (scus' creative licence there) want to get down and dirty with heat loving, ego maniac, spiritual wasteland (not that I like to be judgemental - sorry purple mat ) - that is Bikram yoga! Don't do it dude!!! PULL BACK, pull back!

...for me yoga is about acceptance - if you're not into bikram TJ then don't do it. I know loads of people that practice it and love it.

yes there are many benefits of doing bikram, i was all about it until recently, i used to go all the time. and no people are not ego maniacs in the mirror, yes the mirrors are great tools for correct alignment. i am too busy staying focused on my poses to even notice anyone else in the room. however i don't like how rude the teachers can be and how you do put yourself in positions too fast and you can easily hurt yourself. and its always"bikram says" its like all the teachers have been brain washed. its almost like they have never read the yamas and niyamas.

Thanks M and TJ for the compliments. However, i'm probably better at a simulation of sanity here in the forum than in person. haha.

Yes Mumma, i think the heated room more or less sums it up. It's like having a workout and a sauna in one. I'd love to be able to hire the room and be left alone, or with a few good firm yogi-friends, to do my/our own thing. --- Why did i do it TJ? As i mentioned i'm a neophile: i'll try anything once...or twice.

Hi Amanda, if yoga is about acceptance, i guess we'll also have to accept TJ's non-acceptance of Bikram.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree here. I love bikram, I love heat which allows me to move further and deeper into the poses, I love the practice, the sequence - yeh the sequence! I like coming in and knowing what I'm going to practice. This does not make me wierd, or egotistical or less spiritual (whatever that means!)

I guess the teachers do talk about Bikram, but he invented the practice - so what's wrong with that!

hi Sal, thanks for your earlier bikram advice. i certainly didn't imply that you are weird or egotistical. i am only offering impressions, that bikram seems to have some differences as an entire, packaged experience. but the yoga itself is still solid and, as i said, i love the heat and the detox-sweat.


anyway, last night i did a double bikram, two classes back-to-back! it was great, even though i'm feeling crazy and numb and a bit detached this morning, with an insatiable thirst. and this time both teachers were excellent and never mentioned the money or any 'shoulds'. one of them was even quite spiritual.

Look personally this is what I find so great about yoga - there are so many different styles and they suit different people. Glad you had a rockin' session didd, we do it coz we love it - 2 in a row - phew! you ARE a nutter!! (in the best possible way of course!!!!!)