It’s not long now until We Are Models members take over sohot Bikram yoga studios en masse… and we couldn’t be any more excited if we tried.
We realise, though, that for many of you this might be your first foray into the world of Bikram yoga. If this is your first Bikram yoga class, you might be feeling pretty intimidated, especially if you haven’t done much of any type of yoga before.
We wanted to put your fears at rest so we asked Yoga Master Bill Thwaites to share his top tips to help you get the most out of your first Bikram yoga class.
How to Get The Most Out Of Your First Bikram Yoga Class
#1 – Drink Enough Water
Bikram Yoga
The most important thing to remember is to drink enough water. Aim for at least a litre prior to coming to your Bikram session because you’re going to sweat it all out. The water in your blood supply governs your blood pressure, so if you’re dehydrated you’ll be more likely to feel dizzy, especially in the heat of the Bikram studio.
Saying that, don’t drinks loads of water right before the class or you’ll give yourself a stomach-ache. Rather, you should be regularly drinking enough water to ensure you’re naturally hydrated.
#2 – Don’t Eat A Large Meal
Bikram Yoga
As with other forms of exercise, don’t eat a large meal in the hour or so before you practice, but you don’t want to come to class with an empty stomach either. Bikram yoga is an intense workout, so you want to give your body the fuel it needs to thrive.
After your workout is an ideal time to eat something more substantial, to refuel your body for the rest of the day.
#3 – Take It Easy
bikram yoga
“I’ve been practising for 15 years and occasionally I’ll still miss out a posture”, Bill says. Sage advice: “don’t be afraid of missing a posture; you’re not competing”. While one of the best things about Bikram yoga is the group energy you get in a class, that’s not to say that you always have to keep pace.
Listen to your body – if you need to sit, sit. You can learn a lot just by watching. Be kind to yourself and don’t push yourself beyond your limits.
#4 – Embrace Messy
bikram yoga
Your first Bikram yoga class will be messy – in fact, your first few months of practice will be. Don’t be self-conscious; you have to get over it and give yourself a break. Don’t be competitive with others; don’t even be competitive with yourself. Be kind to yourself, especially in your first class.
#5 – Be Open Minded
bikram yoga
If this is your first Bikram yoga class – or even your first yoga class – it’s probably going to seem a little strange. Yoga has a particular connotation; one that leads many people to back away with a slight eye roll without ever giving yoga a chance.
The best thing you can do in preparation for your first Bikram yoga class is turn up with an open mind. Be attuned to your body, and be open to how different you may feel after the session. Bikram yoga is a spiritual practice; even if you don’t consider yourself spiritual, you’ll get much more out of your class if you’re open minded and try to embrace Bikram on its own terms.
Hopefully you can see that there’s very little barrier to getting started with Bikram. While the world of yoga can sometimes feel a little exclusive and you can be nervous to get started, the entire ethos of Bikram is to embrace and be open – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Our We Are Models takeover event is the perfect opportunity to give your first Bikram yoga class a go, or your 100th. Bikram yoga is as suited to beginners as it is experienced practitioners – and everyone will get something out of our session. Not least, that it’s going to be an awesome morning out with the We Are Models community – don’t miss out!
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