Of course you can leave. It happens all the time.
Absolutely. They encourage you not to, especially during the “balance” poses, but just because movement can throw other people off, but they don’t bar the doors. First step is usually to lay on your mat and see if you feel better, but you can always leave.
Some people spend the majority of the class laying on their mats. If they are nearby, I like to make sure they are still breathing 
Sometimes, especially in the early morning classes, people doze off.
My friends and I always talk about trying hot yoga, but we are afraid we’re going to die. Ok, not literally, but we’re out of shape and aren’t hitting the regular classes enough to get by in hot yoga, I think. It’s definitely something I’d like to work up to, though.
Do you have any suggestions for when it’s good to give it a try? Obviously it’s going to differ from person to person, but I’m just curious what you think.
Do it when you’ve had about 3 days.to actively, conscieciously been able to hydrate with water and no alcohol. Don’t try it for the first time during your period, but it can be great during PMS as that water-weight will roll right off you in sweat. Do it on a day you can get a good night’s sleep although depends on if you do it in the evening or morning.
Also, really don’t be shy about wearing skimpy yoga shorts and maybe just a sports bra while in the class. None of the serious students will be checking anyone else out during class, and the cost plus the pain means one has to be fairly serious to be there. No matter your body type, if you continue to.practice, you’ll try to find the lightest, skimmpiest clothing. Sure, maybe someone will take a peek now and then, but if they are working hard it won’t really make a lasting impression–good or bsd.
I would try a Moksha class first, they just seem to be not as arduous, and see if there’s a “gentle Hot Yoga” class - a lot of places offer them.
Stay away from “Hot Core” or “Flow”. There is no pause in flow between poses and you are usually expected to know what’s coming. Hot Core is a TON of core work, which you may or may not be keen on.
You can expect the first half to be almost all standing poses, and the second half all mat work (generally). They go from the “power/strength” moves to balance, and then everyone on their mats.
Wow, I came back in here to argue about the copyright/trademark issues and how a “hot yoga class” isn’t really Bikram yoga, and found out via only a quick Google search (there is basketball on, sorry) that the series of poses (and I suppose the dialogue–didn’t read any opinions) cannot, per one federal court/circuit, be copyrighted. Quickie Googled link: http://ipandentertainmentlaw.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/bikram-yoga-protected-by-trademark-not-copyright-its-hot/
Said quick search did not indicate an appeal had been filed although Bikram apparently said he intended to do so. The ruling was only a partial MSJ so the determination might not have been immediately appealable, but not going to check PACER in the near future to make sure.
Wow, this issue has been going on for years with former Bikram teachers! There is an ABC? video of him discussing the practice and he is unapologeticly acting like the commercial success he is versus some master of inner peace. In fact, Bikram yoga has been called the “McDonald’s of Yoga.” He didn’t sell the yoga to me on that basis so I don’t feel cheated. I do know he helped bring awareness of yoga–and hot yoga to the US and actively made it commercial. He should get to profit from it, but I don’t know to what extent. I don’t know copyright law at all, but stupidly assuming someone is copying the exact set of poses–the same amount of time, and the same dialogue (essentially) I would think that is a shame. Hot yoga should be available from anyone who wants to teach it, but don’t just copy the man and profit–mix it up like some of the other hot yoga places like lowering the temperature/humidity requirements, change the flow of the poses, do something to make it different.
As to whether it is copyrightable, that is a legal question for someone who knows the law and can reasonably debate about it.
I have very mixed feelings about Bikram Yoga - which leads me to being able to take it or leave it. I’ve done it off and on, over the years, including a 60+ day challenge.
In general, it’s a good workout. After doing it, I feel exercised and stretched. And generally, the average amount of “woo” in a Bikram class tends to be lower than the average amount of woo in other types of yoga, which is my preference. However, some of the dialogue sets my teeth on edge, which isn’t conducive to getting in the right mindset. And, IME, Bikram instructors (especially ones who don’t have any background other than Bikram yoga) tend to have huge knowledge gaps when it comes to things like kinesiology, don’t know what they don’t know, and will push people into injury.
It’s worth trying, but it’s not for everyone and do be careful.
Not in the places where I’ve taken classes. Obviously, they don’t lock the door - fire hazard. But at the beginning of a class where there are new students, they tell people not to leave, to just lie down if it’s getting too hot for them, and anyone making a move away from their mat is reminded of the earlier instruction. Obivously, YMMV.
That’s a bit different than not letting you leave the room. They say the same thing where I take Bikram. They’re encouraging you to stay. If someone is about to puke or having a bathroom emergency, it’s not a problem to leave. It would be totally disruptive if people were coming and going as they pleased. That is all that they are trying to avoid.
I took a few sessions about 10 years ago. It was OK, I guess. Not my thing, though. Nowadays I would not be able to function in such an environment, let alone work out. The first Bikram class I went to, the teacher introduced himself as “Quadzilla.”
What do you do to hold the grip doing head to knee poses? My hands slip even though i wipe them in a towel. I have brought some non-slip cream but I would prefer not to use it…
The same with Head to Knee Pose with Stretching Pose, I can’t lift my heels. Do you have any suggestions? 