My First-Time Yoga Experience

Now, that’s quite an experience I will NEVER forget.

“It is Sunday morning. One of those days when the only thing that makes me laugh out loud is surprisingly this book called Fitness Confidential, written by Vinnie Tortorich. After reading the first two chapters, I realized how much I like this guy. He definitely makes me feel good about myself. For the first time, I see another FREAK like me when it comes to SUGAR. Hahaha, so I keep reading because it is so much fun!

After a while, I decided to quickly go online and see what my friends are up to.

See what?! ‘Free HOT Yoga session for 90 minutes’ right this afternoon. I just couldn’t believe it. It was exactly what I needed to get out of the house and clear my mind. So I texted to my best girlfriend and asked her to join me.

‘YES, let’s do that’, she replied to me. That moment I knew why I loved her so much.

A few hours later, we got to this place, called Bikram HOT Yoga where the yoga instructor ( we found out that later who he was) says HI to us in a perfect German. We both looked at each other and realized that we don’t speak German like he does, so better switch to English … you know, just so we could understand everything. :)

To my surprise, he was also fluent in English.

Braving a look around, I see beautiful plates all filled up with dry figs, dates, and almonds … a big variety of tea as well. I can’t help but think to myself, ‘I’m going to love this place’.

Almost an hour later, I’ve lost what seems like half my body weight in sweat, have fallen three times (that’s my initial version so I stick to it), and wanted at least one time to get out of the class and ‘RUN’.

But the instructor said to me ‘DON’T. Try to resist until the end!’

Don’t ask me why but I listened to him.

So going into my first-ever yoga session, I can see that this hot yoga is NOT just another stretch workout. It actually is an INTENSE workout that is at least physically demanding.

After the 90 minutes, he said to me:

‘You should be proud of yourself. This HOT yoga, practiced in a heated room, focuses on sustained yoga postures and a few breathing exercises, challenging your physical endurance and flexibility to push past your body’s limits.

Bikram Yoga is the fastest-growing yoga in the world, with over 1700 schools worldwide, that stimulates muscles, organs, glands and nerves by getting fresh oxygenated blood to every cell in your body. It is designed for all ages and shapes, first-time students, and experienced practitioners alike. Mentally and physically, Bikram Yoga increases strength and flexibility, but also takes away the stress from the body and the mind. You will feel rejuvenated and revitalized with every class you take.’

What I also loved was the fact that Bikram Yoga Düsseldorf offers bilingual classes (German – English) taught only by certified Bikram yoga teachers. Bikram yoga is hot, intense, fun and it will bring you Strength. Flexibility. Balance the muscles.

I went and asked away what are the most common questions that they get from customers.

He smiled, guessed my concern and said to me:

1. It doesn’t matter how FLEXIBLE you are. Yoga is for everyone. What matters is that you should try to do the posture in the right way. If you practice like this, regularly, you will become much more flexible anyway.

2. Bikram Yoga is AEROBIC, so yes, it is a challenge for everyone. The postures are a combination of strength, flexibility, balance and stamina. But remember that your hard work will be rewarded with a stronger, leaner and more flexible body.

3. Bikram Yoga’s BENEFITS you say? Well, it releases tension, stimulates blood circulation, makes you stronger and leaner. If you come regularly, you can expect results such as regulation of blood pressure, improved lung function and the lessening of arthritis symptoms and thyroid abnormalities. It also helps with (old) injuries and chronic back pain.

4. As you can imagine, I had to ask one last question (for the moment): Why is the room heated?
The heat helps to ensure that muscles, tissues and joints are stretched safely and helps to heal existing injuries, as well as stimulating the detoxification process. All the traditional benefits in the warmth- your body has the chance to change at a deep level.

Even though I had this experience last Sunday, I wanted to wait a little and see how I feel the next days. Well, I feel so good that I am going back this weekend. And surely, it was a lot more intense that I have ever expected.

I will let you know more on the physical benefits in a few weeks.

Thank you, Bikram Hot Yoga Düsseldorf once again for this amazing experience & Eva for these lovely photos. I will see you guys soon!

Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Bikram Hot Yoga Düsseldorf and I did not receive any compensation.