It’s getting HOT in here!

Yoga finds its roots in India and after being embraced by Hollywood celebrities in the west, it reclaimed its fame in India. There are different styles of yoga that one can practice like- Ashtanga, Iyengar, Vinsaya, Hatha etc. However, almost 30 years ago, Bikram Choudhary introduced a new concept of yoga in America. He trademarked 26 Hatha yoga postures which are performed twice in a set sequence in a heated room where the temperature goes up to 40 degrees celsius with 40% humidity. This style and routine is now popularly known as BIKRAM YOGA or HOT YOGA.

After opening over 2000+ outlets world-wide, Bikram yoga has finally come to Delhi and opened it’s first studio in Rajouri Garden. Out of curiouslity I made a call after which, I was invited to all the free trail classes. I had heard about this style when I was visiting my aunt in America and was excited to try it. So here’s my review of the trial class.

I was asked to carry a bottle of water to keep myself hydrated and a full length towel which you are supposed to spread on the yoga mat so that you don’t ruin the carpet with your sweat! I reached the place and entered from 36 degree Celsius into a closed room with wall-to-wall mirrors and equally hot as the road outside. I was greeted by a young American girl who walked around the room and introduced herself as Christina. As I waited and watched more people saunter in at their own Indian Standard Time looking apprehensive and scared, I chatted with Christina. She belonged to the party city of Vageas and had been associated with Bikram yoga for more than 5 years. Anyway, so after minutes of watching middle-aged men gape in astonishment at this American female instructor, we started with the class.

After one and a half hours, with two water breaks in-between (where we were allowed just a sip of water), drenched in sweat, I lay in Shavasana (the Dead body pose) feeling relaxed, energised and proud (for I could do most of the asanas in the first class…yup, no modesty at all!)The experience was different. I have done yoga before- in the basement, in the garden, in a group, in the hills but this was something totally different. I walked out of the class which was now burning at 40 degrees celsius and the hot breeze outside was shockingly welcoming, as it was cooler than the studio. I rushed home and checked my weight and was thrilled to see that I had dropped 500 gms, after just one class. However, I felt dehydrated so I had a litre of water, a glass of vegetable juice and a smoothie and I was back to square one.Also, half the class could not follow her accent and instructions, so I am not sure if having an international trainer will be a crowd puller.

Two days later I received another text inviting me to yet another free trial class. Without a doubt, I found myself sitting in the studio. But this time, I didn’t feel the same euphoria. The routine is the same with absolutely no changes. the instructor repeated every rehearsed sentence and this time, because it was more predictable, it was not as exciting. The packages are priced pretty high- Rs 6000 for 12 classes a month.

I am not sure if this concept will do well in Delhi where every street has a yoga centre, every community park has a morning yoga class and not many will be willing to shell out so much money to do the same yoga postures in 40 degrees. We Dilliwallahs are so sick of the heat already, a little bit of air conditioning will do us more good than yoga. I am not saying it’s a bad concept, because I did feel refreshed after the class. The asanas were good and everyone should try it at least once, just for the experience, but the routine can get a bit monotonous.

So here’s me wishing Bikram Yoga all the very best with their stint in Delhi while I enjoy a glass of lemonade in my 24 degree celsius office.