How To Prepare
HOLY SWEAT!!!!
Yoga Ettiquette and House Rules - please take the time to review.
Two feet in the door...
Sign-in at reception. Bikram Yoga is hot, hot... so please be patient when signing in. Please give yourself enough time to sign-in and relax before class.
What you need in the yoga studio
Mat, towel, water and a good attitude.
What you don't need in the studio
Phones, pagers, iPhones, iPads, watches, keys, heart-rate monitors, shoes, extra bags, coloured drinks, cheeseburgers, gum and hangovers.
I'm so thirsty…
Your Instructor will advise you when your first water break is. After this, please drink between postures as needed.
Stand still, look pretty...
Practice stillness between postures. At first, it may be difficult to be still between postures but do your best to be still and breathe slowly.
Sweat! Sweat! Sweat!
You will never sweat anywhere like you do a Bikram class. Sweating is good for you, so let the sweat roll and refrain from wiping your sweat throughout your class.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
Focus on yourself in the mirror in front of you. Beginners, please watch the people in front of you if you are feeling a little lost. Please do not STARE at others in class. If you need to, take a knee, please gaze at yourself in the mirror.
Sniff, sniff
If you need Kleenex please get it before class starts.
Front row called
...and it's looking for more experienced students. Don't be intimated. It doesn't matter what class your in the front row seems to take the lead and that's the same for a Bikram Class. Beginners please practice in the middle or back row until you get the hang of it and feel more confidant. Bikram Teachers must practice in the front row.
Time flies by when your sweating
When class is finished please leave quietly and take all of your belongings with you - don't forget your Kleenex. Please recycle your bottles - use the blue bins. There's one in each washroom and one in the lounge area. Garbage - you guessed it- in the garbage bins.
Relax, Relax, Relax… class is over.
Enjoy at least 5 minutes after class to let the magic begin and your body relax. Remember your just worked your butt off for 90 minutes - you deserve it. Please do not leave before your Instructor leaves and respect your fellow yogis by leaving quietly. Make your mind up to come back tomorrow.
Plotting your escape
During class. Only in an emergency should you leave the class, examples: bleeding, vomiting or if your head is falling off. If you do need to leave, please let your Instructor know and leave between postures.
Just Breathe
During class breathe in and out through your nose. Huffing and puffing and being dramatic can lead to dizziness.
Save the water
All you need after class is a quick rinse-a-roo. Please be mindful of others waiting and leave your loufas at home - keep it simple.
Lock it up
Lockers are provided for day use ONLY. Any locks left on, will be removed at the end of the day.
Going steady
Make a commitment to practice Bikram Yoga regularly - keep the commitment to yourself. Practicing infrequently or with long lapses makes it much more difficult - remember your first class. Take Bikram's Challenge - 30 classes 30 days.
Chit-chat
Please use your "indoor voice" while conversing with friends in the Lobby area. Please NO talking in the yoga studio.
Don't call me, I'll call you
Please turn off your cell phone or switch to vibrate. It is encouraged that you completely turn your phone off until after class is over. If you must take a call please step outside the building.
Don't Let Dehydration ruin Your 90 Minute Meditation
It cannot be stressed in enough to HYDRATE BEFORE CLASS. Not 5 minutes before class but THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND THE DAY BEFORE CLASS. Proper hydration helps to flush toxins from the body and keep the brain sharp. Only water and Coconut water in the yoga room, please. NO coloured beverages. NO glass bottles. It is important to replace lost electrolytes after class. Coconut water works almost immediately to replenish the body of lost electrolytes. Other options, Emergen-C, Gatorade.
Hmm… what should I eat
Bikram Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach. Having said that, everyone is a little different. Some yogis need a little something before class while others are fine not to eat 2 hours prior. This is something the individual yogi must figure out. Please ask your Instructor for suggestions. If you are practicing in the morning, please try to eat something little before class. For example; if you go to bed at 10 p.m. and want to practice the 9:15 a.m. that is almost 12 hours with out food - your body will be starving. If you are practicing in the evening, please refrain from eating heavy meals prior to class.
Can't you smell that smell
Please refrain from wearing colognes and perfumes in the yoga studio. Please, if you smoke, do not smoke prior to class. If necessary, please shower before class.
Under the weather
If you feel sick, flu, cough or fever, please stay home and rest.
Mat attack
If your mat smells - wash it. All you need spray bottle, tea tree and water. Spray down - hang dry.
All great experience has a guarded entrance and a windowless facade.
