I'm going on two years of doing Bikram Yoga and I have to say it's been very beneficial in so many ways.
In my opinion, Bikram Yoga is design in such way that it forces you to make better choices in life including with the foods you put into your body. It may be the heat of baking in a room for 90 minutes, but I just don't find it appealing to eat a cheeseburger after class. After an intense session of torture my body is craving and I mean screaming to have raw freshly made juices. We have to acknowledge that our bodies are meant to be nourished with live fresh foods, and we should respect our bodies and give it what it needs.
So how do I prepare for a Bikram Yoga class? Well, the following things I actually do religiously before class and I have notice the difference in that I can go through the entire 90 minute session without resting. A very difficult task for a man that is over 200lbs!
First are for most you must drink lots of water before class. I usually have at least a gallon if not more. According to The Institute of Medicine determined that an adequate intake for men is roughly 3 liters (about 13 cups) of total beverages a day. For women it is about 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of total beverages a day (Clinic, 2011). Honestly, this may sound a little gross but the best gauge for me is to simply check my urine throughout day and when it reaches a point that it is clear that is my indicator that I am well hydrated. With regards to meals I also like to make sure my meal selection is pure plant base meals to keep my PH balances are optimal (I will do a blog later on Ph Balancing). I have also notice that if I have any breads or pasta within a few hours before class it will have an impact on my yoga. I am just slow and the food is stuck in my stomach; not good during Locust Pose. I like to start my morning with fruits maybe some granola. I continue with more fruits and raw juices before lunch. Lunch is usually my biggest meal and that is loads of greens with olive oil. Mid day up until class is more fruit and coconut water. This format has made such a difference for that I have not only lost 32lbs, but my Yoga sessions are at a different level. My mind can tap deeper into being in the present moment because my body is fueled correctly with energy foods.
Final tip is that I would recommend getting to class at least 30 minutes before the session. I think that it allows us to slow down and mentally prepare for yoga. We are just so busy rushing, texting, and worried about our personal stuff that we miss the beauty of Bikram Yoga.
I hope this was helpful and if you have any questions, please hit me up at
dionjbrown@gmail.com or see me at
SuperNova Yoga in Arlington, Virginia Cheers
Dion
NovaYogaDude
Works Cited Clinic, M. (2011, October 12). Water: How much should you drink every day? Retrieved Month 13, 2011, from Mayo Clinic:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283