FAQ

Welcome to Bikram Yoga Shelton! Bikram yoga is a demanding and scientifically designed 26 posture series. This is a hot hatha style of yoga. It is performed in a heated room for 90 minutes which warms your muscles, prevents injury and helps to cleanse your body of toxins. It is truly a unique experience!

All levels are welcomed from beginner to advanced.

During every class you will:

1) try to hold the postures as still as possible at maximum effort

2) always breathe normally and

3) relax completely between postures (savasana)

Every posture is performed in the given order to the best of one’s ability, and is designed to stretch and strengthen specific muscles, ligaments and joints as well as stimulating organs, glands and nerves. In the process, every part of the body experiences maximum exertion, maximum relaxation and the healing inflow of freshly oxygenated blood. Done overtime with sincerity and consistency, heal the body, enhance the mind and help you blossom into your fullest potential.

Please ease into your practice. Overexertion on your first class especially is not recommended. Allow your body and mind to gently melt into the classes. As you get acclimated to the yoga, your intensity within the classes will naturally increase as well as your ability to perform the postures with more awareness and stillness. You will create the mind/body connection. It is your 90 minute break from your day, treat it as such!

Beginners

  • Please arrive 15 minutes early to register and calmly settle in.
  • Come to class well hydrated; drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • Come on an empty stomach; do not eat 2 hours before class.
  • Make sure your feet and body are clean.
  • Refrain from wearing perfume or cologne.
  • Bring a yoga mat, bottled water and towels (bath and hand) to class. (all three are available for purchase or rental)
  • A dry change of clothes is advisable since you will be sweating for 90 minutes! Showers are available on the first floor.
  • Wear clothing that is comfortable for you to stretch and sweat in. (shorts, tanks, sport tops, capris)
  • Come with an open mind and heart and have fun!

Benefits (to name a few)

  • Flexibility
  • Weight loss
  • Increased lung capacity
  • Increased muscle strength and tone
  • Improved circulation
  • Improved concentration
  • Vitality
  • Balance
  • Normalized hormone levels
  • Balanced endocrine glands
  • Less stress, anxiety and depression
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Balances blood sugar levels
  • Relieves lower back pain
  • Helps to regenerate joints
  • Mood enhancer
  • Improved posture
  • Improved digestion

Class Etiquette

  • Do your best to arrive on time. It is nice to arrive early and relax or meditate before class.
  • Before and after class refrain from talking in the room. Conversations should be held in the lounge area.
  • Do your best to stay in the room the entire class. If you are working too hard or feeling overwhelmed take a water break or sit down first. Learn to listen to your body during class and take breaks as you need to. Use the bathroom before class begins. If you have to leave early for an obligation, please notify the instructor before class begins.
  • Belongings should be kept in cubbies or downstairs in the locker room.
  • Have patience and kindness for yourself and others; please remember it is yoga practice not perfection!
  • Please feel free to ask questions before and after class.

Why the 105-degree heat in the yoga room?
There are so many reasons to LOVE the heat!!!
 

  • Enhances Vasodilatation So That More Blood Is Delivered to the Muscles. This means that the capillaries that weave around the muscles respond to the heat by dilation. This brings more oxygen to the muscles and helps in the removal of waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid.
  • Allows Oxygen in the Blood To Detach From Hemoglobin More Easily When blood passes through warm muscles, oxygen releases more easily from the hemoglobin. Blood passing through cold muscles releases less oxygen.
  • Speeds Up the Breakdown of Glucose and Fatty Acids
  • Makes Muscles More Elastic, Less Susceptible to Injury Warmer temperatures produce a more fluid stretch, allowing for greater range of motion. Cold muscles don't absorb shock and impact as well and do not stretch as easily so cold muscles get injured more readily.
  • Improves Coordination
  • Reduces Heart Irregularities Associated with Sudden Exercise
  • Burns Fat More Easily Warmed muscles burn fat more easily than cold ones. Fat is released during stress. The stress of intense exercise causes a deluge of fatty acids into the blood stream. If you exercise with cold muscles, they can't use the fatty acids, and they end up in places where they aren't wanted, such as the lining of your arteries.
  • Improves Function of the Nervous System, So Messages Are Carried Faster Between Body, Brain and Spinal Cord.
  • Enables the Body to Release Toxins Through Sweating. Remember, your skin is the largest organ of elimination!