Some Don't Like it Hot

I have been attending Bikram Yoga for a few years - most recently, within the last two months, I have been attending classes at least four days a week. I for me, its like killing two birds with one stone. I love the heat - I would frequent the sauna/steam room at least twice a week at my gym - have since given up the gym in favor of yoga, which my body seems to be responding to in a wonderful way. I love the afterglow of my skin when it has been cleansed in such a manner. My instructors are great - when it does become a little too warm, they will open the door and let some cool are in to bring the room temp down, and we appreciate it. I have been to some classes where they instructors and students alike doo like the extra heated room. It is a wonderful practice, especially for less than limber people such as myself.

It is quite challenging to appreciate form (inner or outer) and serenity when the inner biology is in a panic. 1.5 hours in a heated room beyond 105 and 90% humidity with physical exertion seems good training for desert combat --but perhaps not for the reasons most seek yoga. I often wonder if such temperatures are kind to the endocrine system. I personally choose to return though, time and time again.

I have been going about 5 days a week for a few years now. I love the Bikram series, but it's starting to get a little bit ridiculous. Teachers are trying to get their rooms as hot as possible (I've seen a thermostat at 117 until it was covered by duct tape). It's a great class when its 102-107, but when it gets above 110 I can't finish the class with any real effort. I end up in survival mode because I'm losing feeling in my extremities. Now I'm in great shape and have been going much longer than a lot of the instructors, but their comment is that during training with Bikram they do 2 classes a day in a 120 degree room. People are getting really discouraged and I think Bikram himself needs to reiterate what he says in his book and on his website to these instructors. His recommendation is a room heated to 105 not 117 unless he is contradicting himself to his instructors to keep himself safe from litigation if something goes seriously wrong at one of these super-heated studios!