Jules has recently started up a new training regime which is a little more well-rounded than his usual regime for training for marathons. This includes embracing new techniques such as introducing Bikram Yoga into his routine. I’ve always wanted to improve my flexibility (the reason why I started Tae Kwon Do many years ago though in Oz though I haven’t followed through with it in London) so I thought I’d join him for a session.

Bikrams Yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury and involves moving through a series of 26 postures in a room at 40+°C and high humidity. Classes are generally specific with an instructor taking you through the postures in normally 90 minutes. This yoga is apparently a bit different in that you often have rest and recovery breaks in between postures where some other yogas will have you continually moving in and out of postures. The high temperature in the room is a double-measure for sweating out toxins and keeping the body warm to increase flexibility.

Today we got to the class quite early. Many people turn up to the session early so they can lay down and relax in the very warm room. Its very quiet and almost meditative – no one is laughing or joking around or even talking. It was pleasant to lay in the room waiting for the class to start. You can attend the class no matter what level you’re out though the instructor makes sure to ask if there are any beginners so he/she can tailor their instructions accordingly. I was the only newbie in today’s session! However, I was pleased to see that I could actually get into most of the postures though I struggled with any that involved flexing my arms like the Garudasana or Eagle Pose which involves twisting one arm within the other. Something to do with my man shoulders!

You’re advised to take two towels – one to put down on the mat you use and one to later wipe yourself down after the class. I was in no way prepared for just how sweating I would get from stretching and holding poses. It was amazing. As soon as I entered the first pose I started dripping sweat. No, actually it was more like a torrent of sweat. My towel was drenched by the end of the session.

Consider we didn’t move from our spots on the towel tonight’s session of Bikram Yoga was one of the toughest workouts I’ve had a in a long while! Even my heart was pumping a bit though that was probably from my body trying to cool itself! Very interesting.