# My doctor told me "Bikram Yoga is stupid" **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 3, 2007, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600 "2007-05-03T12:34:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/1 "2007-05-03T12:34:07Z")
Well - the title pretty much says it all. I did some searching, but only found official Bikram sites - anyone have easy access to some sports/exercise analysis that comments on Bikram’s risk relative to other exercise activities? A bit of background: he’s a good doc, really. But I had worked out that morning (for those who don’t know, Bikram is “hot” yoga - a 90-minute session in a room heated to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You sweat a little. 😉 ). Anyway, seeing him a little over an hour after working out, my internal temp and blood pressure were still elevated, but coming down a lot from the beginning to end of my physical. When I mentioned that I had worked out that morning, his reply was - well, in the thread title. He went on to say: - if you want to, run for a couple of miles then take a sauna - don’t do both together - there is a high risk of issues related to dealing with the heat (note: not specific to me, per se - just in general. I am pretty healthy and been going to Bikram for almost a year - I experience occasional light-headedness in some postures, but that is normal for Bikram and most yoga…) - A few points about how at temps above 100 degrees, most official experts recommend, like, 45 minutes of downtime for every 15 minutes of exertion and since Bikram is 90 minutes straight, it can’t be good. Again, he is a good doc overall. And I know how great I feel when I am done working out, so I don’t plan to change things. But I am curious if anyone else is aware of any concerns or risks associated with Hot Yoga? ---
**Author:** ![Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/2 "2007-05-03T14:02:27Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] I experience occasional light-headedness in some postures, but that is normal for Bikram and most yoga…) [/QUOTE] This isn’t what I’ve heard from yoga instructors (not Bikram). It was more like, if you feel lightheaded, slowly come back to whatever base position and if it keeps happening, maybe this posture isn’t for you. Other than that, I dunno. Maybe more yoga-Dopers will check in. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/3 "2007-05-03T14:36:13Z")
So, what exactly is the benefit of lightly sauteing yourself again? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/4 "2007-05-03T15:58:04Z")
[QUOTE=Harriet the Spry] This isn’t what I’ve heard from yoga instructors (not Bikram). It was more like, if you feel lightheaded, slowly come back to whatever base position and if it keeps happening, maybe this posture isn’t for you. Other than that, I dunno. Maybe more yoga-Dopers will check in. [/QUOTE] It’s completely normal in Bikram yoga. I used to do Bikram yoga between 2-6 times per week, but I injured myself and had to stop, and haven’t been back. I really enjoyed it, and I miss it, but I have found that it’s just not an efficient enough workout for me - buy that I mean that it’s an enormous time-suck for me, living a half-hour from the studio. I rarely get the chance for 3 hours without the kids, when there is a class going on. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/5 "2007-05-03T16:04:45Z")
It’s 110 out. If I do Yoga, is it Bikram yoga? Honestly, if you are well hydrated and arn’t experiencing any ill effects. I don’t see what the problem is. Millions of people exert themselves every day in high temperatures. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/6 "2007-05-03T16:07:15Z")
[QUOTE=Harriet the Spry] This isn’t what I’ve heard from yoga instructors (not Bikram). It was more like, if you feel lightheaded, slowly come back to whatever base position and if it keeps happening, maybe this posture isn’t for you. Other than that, I dunno. Maybe more yoga-Dopers will check in. [/QUOTE] Oh sure - there is a whole lot of “if this posture is causing you trouble, sit it out for now - but don’t be afraid to test your boundaries” type of coaching going on. Sometimes I find with backbends, say, that after holding the position for some time, as I recover I get light-headed. But now that I have gotten familiar with how it feels, I can tell the difference between simply re-orienting my sense of balance and “whoa, I should skip this one today”… ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/7 "2007-05-03T16:09:51Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] So, what exactly is the benefit of lightly sauteing yourself again? [/QUOTE] Well, for me, I can say that I can really tell that my body’s systems are all getting worked - muscular, skeletal, mental - and doing it in the hot room makes it easier to get warmed up and feels very invigorating upon completion. The first few times were murder, but it ends up feeling great and now I seek it out. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/8 "2007-05-03T16:22:35Z")
I discussed Bikram briefly with my doctor and her recommendation was “If you want to do yoga, do regular yoga in regular temperatures”. Her personal experience was that she’d seen more injuries from Bikram. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/9 "2007-05-03T16:25:33Z")
[QUOTE=KneadToKnow] So, what exactly is the benefit of lightly sauteing yourself again? [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=WordMan] Well, for me, I can say that I can really tell that my body’s systems are all getting worked - muscular, skeletal, mental - and doing it in the hot room makes it easier to get warmed up and feels very invigorating upon completion. The first few times were murder, but it ends up feeling great and now I seek it out. YMMV. [/QUOTE] That, and you taste better with onions. What? ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/10 "2007-05-03T17:58:43Z")
[QUOTE=Valgard] I discussed Bikram briefly with my doctor and her recommendation was “If you want to do yoga, do regular yoga in regular temperatures”. Her personal experience was that she’d seen more injuries from Bikram. [/QUOTE] I can understand that. It’s HARD. ---
**Author:** ![sunacres](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@sunacres](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunacres)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/11 "2007-05-03T18:13:05Z")
[QUOTE=even sven] It’s 110 out. If I do Yoga, is it Bikram yoga? Honestly, if you are well hydrated and arn’t experiencing any ill effects. I don’t see what the problem is. Millions of people exert themselves every day in high temperatures. [/QUOTE] Seconded. Don’t let that wuss doctor bullshit you. When I lived in Saudi Arabia it was 130 most summer days and we still worked out hard every day. The key is conditioning - if you just do it once in a while it’ll freak your system out. If you’ve been doing it several times a week for a year you should be fine. Just pay attention to how you feel. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/12 "2007-05-03T19:05:33Z")
I’ve been doing Bikram yoga twice a week for over a year and a half. It’s made a huge difference in my overall fitness. Like any exercise it’s not for everyone but I am surprised that any medical professional would call it “stupid.” The heat is supposed to make you more limber which is supposed to help prevent injuries and to make you sweat out “toxins.” One of the things that I appreciate the most about Bikram yoga is that they don’t spend much, if any, time on philosophy and meditation. It’s all about the exercise; stretching, balance and strength. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/13 "2007-05-03T19:15:42Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] One of the things that I appreciate the most about Bikram yoga is that they don’t spend much, if any, time on philosophy and meditation. It’s all about the exercise; stretching, balance and strength. [/QUOTE] Same here - and by focusing on allowing my body to go farther into each posture over time, I find I have to relax my mind - so I get meditative benefits, without having to listen to (IMHO) anyone else’s spiritual mumbo-jumbo… ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/14 "2007-05-03T19:24:21Z")
[QUOTE=GingerOfTheNorth] I can understand that. It’s HARD. [/QUOTE] Amen to that! It’s pretty funny - I have never been one to exercise; I had a running habit for years at a time, but am by no means “athletic.” But for some reason, I took to this - it really seems to suit my body, for want of a better term. What’s hilarious is that I find myself in the locker room with very fit guys - clearly habitual workout types - who are experiencing Bikram for the first time and just _wiped out_. They keep going on and on about how they have never experienced anything like it vs. weight training, running, other cardio, etc. Never thought I’d be in a position to coach someone on how to approach a workout… 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/15 "2007-05-03T19:34:10Z")
[QUOTE=WordMan] They keep going on and on about how they have never experienced anything like it vs. weight training, running, other cardio, etc. Never thought I’d be in a position to coach someone on how to approach a workout… 🆒 [/QUOTE] There was a guy at my studio who was in the Marines. He did the Bikram 30 Day Challenge which is taking a class a day for 30 days straight. He told me that it was physically and mentally more difficult than Marine boot camp. ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/16 "2007-05-03T19:52:54Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] I’ve been doing Bikram yoga twice a week for over a year and a half. It’s made a huge difference in my overall fitness. Like any exercise it’s not for everyone but I am surprised that any medical professional would call it “stupid.” The heat is supposed to make you more limber which is supposed to help prevent injuries and to make you sweat out “toxins.” One of the things that I appreciate the most about Bikram yoga is that they don’t spend much, if any, time on philosophy and meditation. It’s all about the exercise; stretching, balance and strength. [/QUOTE] What kind of toxins are you sweating out? I’m not being snarky - I’ve just never understood the terms “flush out the toxins” or “sweat out the toxins” when it comes to diet and exercise. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/17 "2007-05-03T19:55:29Z")
[QUOTE=overlyverbose] What kind of toxins are you sweating out? I’m not being snarky - I’ve just never understood the terms “flush out the toxins” or “sweat out the toxins” when it comes to diet and exercise. [/QUOTE] I have no idea and I think that the claim might be bogus which is why I put toxins in quotes. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/18 "2007-05-03T19:57:54Z")
[QUOTE=overlyverbose] What kind of toxins are you sweating out? I’m not being snarky - I’ve just never understood the terms “flush out the toxins” or “sweat out the toxins” when it comes to diet and exercise. [/QUOTE] I just think of it as “flushing out my system” - I drink a lot of water, I sweat a TON during the session and get my whole body working. I just assume that getting my body working that hard and moving fluids through it is, ultimately, a Good Thing™. I can also say that if I have eaten crap food or drunk alcohol the night before I go to a session, getting started can be a lot harder. Usually, though, by the end, I am back up to speed - so again, I assume that the yoga and sweating is helping my body to process the damage I have done to it and is better off than before I did the session…it certainly feels that way. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/19 "2007-05-03T19:59:03Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] There was a guy at my studio who was in the Marines. He did the Bikram 30 Day Challenge which is taking a class a day for 30 days straight. He told me that it was physically and mentally more difficult than Marine boot camp. [/QUOTE] Yep, I can believe that. I didn’t do the 30-day challenge because there is no way in hell I could do that, and I was doing classes all the time. ---
**Author:** ![SparrowHawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@SparrowHawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SparrowHawk)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600/20 "2007-05-03T19:59:42Z")
I do Iyengar yoga, not Bikram, but I would say “listen to your body.” There’s an article [here](http://www.yogalearningcenter.com/Articles/HotYoga.cfm?Title=Hot%20Yoga) that emphasizes knowing what the risks, signs and preventive measures are, so you can be aware of how your body is responding. If you’re feeling good, I wouldn’t think it’s harming you. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-doctor-told-me-bikram-yoga-is-stupid/402600.md?page=2)