Bikram Hot Yoga Houston Blog

So often we think that the only measure of our yoga practice is how well we execute the postures, or if our physical body has improved. Of course these things are important, but have you ever stopped to consider the other hallmarks of a powerful yoga practice?

For example, have you become a kinder person, less judgmental? Do you find yourself gossiping less, or feeling disturbed when in the company of someone speaking harshly or unkindly of others? Are you able to stop yourself before you say something in anger? Have you let go of grudges and hard feelings? Have you become more comfortable with silence, with stillness? 

How is your heart doing? Not your physical heart. How is your compassionate heart doing? Is it larger and wiser than it used to be? And your mind? Is it calmer, more peaceful? Do you have fewer attack thoughts than you did before you began to practice yoga? Does joy come more quickly to you than it used to? Are your relationships filled with less drama?

It's fun to make a list of all the ways Bikram Hot Yoga has changed your life. You can use the questions above to get started, to prime the pump. You'll be amazed at how long the list is and how quickly the pages fill up when you start to include mental, emotional and spritual changes along with the physical ones. Have fun!

Several weeks back Rebecca Spera, the host of ABC's Mirror/Mirror took her first BY class at our SB studio. Watch her fun and adventures tonight at 10:30pm on Channel 13! Then, beginning Monday, the rest of the country can watch it here  http://www.livewellhd.com/index on the Live Well HD Network.

Here's another link to watch in case you miss(ed) the show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tePc-ocaiE

As the heat increases outside to match the heat inside the yoga room, it becomes especially important to maintain good hydration. Studies show that 80% of the US population is chronically dehydrated.... We want you to remain among the 20% that is consistently well hydrated, so please remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. The water that you drink during class is more a reward than anything else. If you wait to hydrate yourself until you are in class you're going to have a miserable class. The hydration that your body uses during the class itself happens long before you start Pranayama Breathing!

If you are seriously dehydrated, during or after class you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Sharp thirst
• Dry mouth
• Dark urine
• Fatigue and weakness
• Chills
• Head rush
• Headache
• Increased heart rate (not related to balancing stick or triangle pose ; )
• Increased respiration
• Increased body temperature
• Decrease sweating
• Decreased urination
• Muscle cramps
• Tingling limbs

All of this can be easily avoided by mindfully consuming enough water throughout the day to keep your cells hydrated.

If you take class often, it's also extremely important that you replace your electrolytes. Electrolytes are chemical substances that become electrically charged ions that regulate and conduct electric currents in the body; they are vital for the function of your nerves and muscles. It's easy to deplete your electrolytes by sweating heavily and drinking copiously, which are hallmarks of Bikram Yoga. If you start to feel "flu-ish" that's an early warning. You need to stay well hydrated, but that can also contribute to flushing the electrolytes out of your body. Everyone who practices BY regularly should pick up an electrolyte supplement at the health food store, or (my personal favorite), drink Zico coconut water after class. It will taste like pure ambrosia and at the same time will take care of your electrolyte replacement.

Summer is just getting started. Please take good care of yourself.