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Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga is a Beginners yoga. It is a therapeutic yoga style designed to be accessible and beneficial to people of all ages and all abilities.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Bikram Yoga is yoga for EVERYBODY.
Bikram yoga is a Beginners yoga. It is a therapeutic yoga style designed to be accessible and beneficial to people of all ages and all abilities – first-time and experienced students alike. If you breathe you can do Bikram Yoga!
Developed over a 3 year period in the early 1970s Bikram Yoga combines traditional with more modern yoga asanas to create a sequence of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, completed in a specific order. The goal is to comprehensively work through every system, organ, gland, muscle, ligament & tendon in the body.
It is especially helpful for back pain and joint problems. Conditions such as anxiety and depression, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, insomnia, high/low blood pressure, thyroid and weight management may experience significant improvement when a regular and consistent Bikram Yoga practice is included as part of a treatment program.
Every class takes place in a room heated to 40 degrees Celsius and is 90 minutes.
Bikram Yoga is one of the most time-efficient, safe and effective methods of maintaining mental and emotional wellbeing, cardio fitness, mobility, strength and flexibility at all stages in your life.
The Benefits of Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga comprises 26 yoga postures and 2 breath exercises practised in a heated room. You don’t need to be young, strong, flexible or fit to practice Bikram Yoga. It is designed as therapeutic yoga whatever your condition. If you are time poor Bikram Yoga is the single best form of yoga to achieve and maintain an unsurpassed feeling of vibrancy and wellbeing – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
Bikram Yoga improves the quality of your life! We encourage you to come along and make up your own mind.
Why Do Bikram Yoga
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Quickly brings a deep sense of vibrant wellbeing & health
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Reduces stress
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Improves energy level
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Builds mental strength by holding your mind in a focused meditative state
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Promotes a calm and resilient mindset
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Builds a balance of strength and flexibility
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Improves joint mobility
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Teaches tremendous endurance
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Lessens risk of injuries in sport
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Helps with weight management and toning
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Improves posture
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Promotes better sleep
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Teaches you to breathe
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Improves your ability to balance
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Maintains youthful appearance
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Improves heart and lung capacity
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Eliminates back pain
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Greater flexibility of your spine in its full range of motion
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Integrates left and right hemispheres of the brain, improving memory, learning, coordination and balance
Come along and give it a try!
Join A Class Today!
A therapeutic 90 min Beginners yoga for all ages and all abilities. Absolutely no experience required
Room is heated to 40 deg.
Dissolve all that is not you. HKY is a new form of yoga, that works with your energetic body to burn the karma that we carry on our physical body. Come join us and discover the real you.
No heat!
More challenging yoga with less heat. Open to everyone with some yoga experience. 75 min class. 34 deg room.
A private one on one session created for you to target specific chronic and acute injuries and conditions or deepen your practice.
FAQ
Bikram Yoga comprises 26 yoga postures and 2 breath exercises practised in a heated room.
Himalayan Kriya Yoga comprises tapping, breathwork, movement, asanas and meditation in a non heated room. It works on clearing up the accumulation of stories, drama, trauma and karma trapped in our bodies.
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Can I go to any class?Yes. All Bikram classes are suitable for beginners. 90 minutes with 26 postures wrapped up in 2 breathing exercises. Every class has all levels of students. All Himalayan Kriya Yoga classes are accessible to all. Classes are 90 and 75 minutes long. each class differs depending on who is present and the day. If you are on a pass you can go use your pass on any class in our schedule.
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Can anybody do Bikram or Himalayan Kriya Yoga?Yes, anyone can. In your class there will be levels of experience, all ages, sizes and shapes. You might practice next to people who are recovering from hip or knee replacements, chronic back pain, new mothers, professional athletes, carpenters, bankers, teachers, firefighters, retirees or high school/college students. It’s not about doing the poses perfectly and it’s not about how you look, it’s about trying the right way. All you have to do is try and you will get results.
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But I’m not very flexible…Of all the comments we hear from first-timers, this one wins hands down! 99% of our students are regular people like you who first turned up to class and didn’t think they were very flexible. It’s exactly why you come to yoga! And a myriad of other beautiful benefits as well. Link to the benefits page. If you feel you are not flexible or blocked, we recommend starting with Himalayan Kriya Yoga to unblock and clear all that does not serve you. Combining the asana practice of Bikram with the energetic cleansing of Himalayan Kriya Yoga makes both practices more rewarding and beneficial.
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What should I expect in my first class?Your first class is primarily to get an idea of Bikram Yoga. Expect that this may be one of the hardest things you will ever do, but know that you can sit or lie down whenever you need, drink water and rest. It is very common to feel overwhelmed or a bit odd during your first visit. Please take it easy. And don’t expect too much of yourself. As a first timer, you’ll likely be towards the back of the yoga room. In front of you will be students of all levels of experience. You can watch these students and follow along. The teacher will guide you with clear instruction, but there are no expectations upon you at all. Simply do what you can do. It’s up to you to proceed at your own pace. We’d like to encourage you to come along and decide for yourself. If you are new to Himalayan Kriya Yoga, just come to expect the unexpected.
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I’m a bit worried about the heatThat’s OK, in fact it is completely normal! Almost without exception it is everyone’s concern when they start. Expect to feel hot, but know that the teacher will look after you, you will become used to the heat and eventually not even notice it! And we do have other options, the Intermediate Hatha Yoga uses less heat than Bikram, usually around 34 deg. Himalayan Kriya Yoga is not heated, so we have you covered each way.
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I’m 61 years old. Am I too old to start Yoga?Many of our students first come to yoga in their middle years nursing chronic ailments. Knees and backs are favourites. They are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. This goes for several of our teachers too. 🙂 Himalayan Kriya Yoga is specifically designed to remove the stories, drama, trauma and karma we carry in our bodies and is a perfect accompaniment to Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga is specifically designed to be accessible to all ages. It is not a contortion exhibition or a gymnastics competition, it is beginners’ yoga. While the room is challenging, the postures are gentle and you can take each to your own level. You will get a non-impact cardiovascular workout while at the same time improving the function and mobility of your joints and the strength of your spine. Many of our postures are one legged, so helping with balance and maintaining bone density. Bikram Yoga has been developed to help rehabilitate the body, whatever your age.
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How much water should I drink before class?We always say “be well hydrated” and we’re often asked – how much is that? We know that 2 litres a day is a great start. 8 glasses. For a morning class we recommend you drink between half a litre and one litre from when you wake. Practising an afternoon class make sure you’ve had a couple of litres of water through the day. Of course these are general guidelines and will vary depending upon environmental conditions, metabolism, weight, activity. We recommend that you drink plenty of water before and after class. You are less likely to feel light-headed or dizzy during class if you hydrate yourself during the day.
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Should I eat before class?Don’t eat a big meal less than 3 hours before class. A small snack an hour or so before is fine.
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I feel nauseous/ dizzy during class and very tired after my first class. Is this normal?It is not unusual to feel nauseous, dizzy, tingly, cold, hot, sweaty, disorientated or like you need a good nap after your first few classes! You are doing something that is new, and your body (and mind) need to adapt. The great news is that your mind is the most adaptable machine on the planet. Your body has begun to cleanse itself as a result of the yoga practice. Don’t be scared. After your first few classes this sensation will pass. The more you can relax as you give 110% effort during class, the more energised you will feel throughout the class and throughout your day.
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Will Bikram Yoga make me fit?Definitely! Bikram Yoga is an effective cardiovascular workout. Apart from strengthening your heart and lungs you will heal and restore the functioning of every system of your body. To get fit practice regularly and consistently.
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How soon will I start to see changes?Your intention in class defines the impact it has on you. How quickly you progress will depend entirely on you – to a small extent upon your natural ability, but mostly upon the honest commitment and effort you give to your yoga practice. Make a change to your schedule and include yoga twice a week as part of your commitment to your health and you will start to see changes within a few short weeks. After almost 25 years of teaching Bikram Yoga here at Brooky we have taught literally tens of thousands of people and we have found that most people are surprised and excited by how quickly they see and feel changes after only a few classes. With Himalayan Kriya Yoga you will feel the impact for 48 hours after your first class. Bikram Yoga Brookvale has created a safe environment enabling you to stretch, strengthen and nourish your body, mind and spirit. Our mission is to support you along your path.
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Why do Bikram yoga rather than another yoga style?Great question! Taught correctly all yoga has benefits and different people are drawn to different styles. We like Bikram yoga because of its comprehensive nature. Besides building strength and suppleness, the challenging environment makes it very very rewarding at a mental and emotional level. It is the hardest thing most of us will do but ask anyone who does Bikram Yoga regularly and they will tell you that although it is challenging they keep coming back because of the challenge and the positive, vibrant, healthy vibes it gives them. Don’t take our word for it though! Check out our student’s comments here. The biggest thing is how ridiculously clean and well you feel. You’ll probably get the best cardio workout you’ve had for quite a while, you’ll be stronger and find you move more easily, you’ll have better posture, toned muscles, a calmer outlook, better sleep patterns, and of course more flexible!
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What do I wear?Wear comfortable close fitting clothes suitable for hot conditions. Loose clothing is harder to move in and can show a little more than you (or your fellow yogis) might like. First class, we’d suggest a singlet and leggings or shorts for women and for men, boardies are the most popular option. After a few classes you’ll get an idea of what works best in the room by seeing what other students like to wear. For Himalayan Kriya Yoga, wear something comfortable, the room is unheated, shirt and leggings or t-shirt and shorts for men. We also recommend you bring in something warm to wear during the longer savasanna.
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Will it get me fit?Undoubtedly, yes. If you feel time-poor and fitting in exercise can be a struggle, Bikram Yoga is a great option for you because Bikram Yoga is the single best form of yoga to achieve and maintain optimal health, a sharp positive mind and your ideal body.
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Will I lose weight?Yes! If practised regularly, 2-3 a week minimum, Bikram Yoga is a very effective way to lose weight and get in shape. Bikram Yoga elevates your heart rate and helps to balance your metabolism, so whether you want to lose weight or put on some healthy muscle mass, Bikram yoga will help you tone and strengthen your body in all the right places. Because it is low impact, it’s perfect for all ages and abilities. You can burn 600 to 1,000 calories per class, depending upon your work rate. A Bikram body is a healthy body! Bikram Yoga is also effective in rehabilitating old injuries and complementing peak performance training.
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I have lower back problems. I’ve heard Bikram can help?We have a strong emphasis in Bikram yoga on back health. Many, many regular students first came along because of the reputation Bikram yoga has in helping with back pain. The heat warms the body and enables the joints to move more fluidly. The 26 postures are designed to build strength through the whole body and especially the back area. The beginners postures work through every range of motion, increasing flexibility. In the beginning you will take it a little easy but you will quickly start to notice increased range of motion and reduction in pain in your daily life. Let us know about your condition so that we can advise you accordingly.
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What should I bring?A BIG water bottle (we suggest 1 litre minimum) A yoga mat (available for sale at the front desk) A beach towel or similar sized A second towel if you want to have a shower in our studio afterwards Change of clothes for after class. For Himalayan Kriya Yoga, bring a mat, towel and water. You may not need a shower afterwards.
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Can I drink water in the class?Of course, you can drink any time during your class. Bear in mind though that your body takes around 30 minutes to absorb water into your system, so it is best to arrive well hydrated rather than rely on sips in class for hydration. During class we pause for 2 or 3 “official” water breaks and that is generally plenty if you arrive well-hydrated. Also, filling yourself up with liquid then moving your body backwards, forwards, upside down etc, not unsurprisingly, can make you feel a little bit sick.
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Why the heated room?We heat the room for Bikram to 40+ deg celcius and intermediate to 34 deg celcius. Himalayan Kriya Yoga is not heated. The heat, combined with the sequence of postures, makes Bikram Yoga special and unique. The hot room warms your muscles, enabling you to work safely and with more efficiency towards a deeper stretch, whilst also healing and preventing injuries. The heat raises your heart rate and so provides a safe environment for a cardiovascular workout. Yoga is not just about working muscles. True health and fitness begins from the inside. As you work deep within your body, Bikram Yoga systematically works to improve the function of every organ and every system in your body.
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I can’t do the postures very well, will I still get the benefits?It is not important how far you can go into the yoga pose. In yoga there is no standard of comparison. The postures you struggle with the most are the ones you need the most! So even if you do 5% of that posture, it is starting to help you. And, yes, it might be all of them! What is important is that you do the pose with the correct body alignment – putting your best effort on that day into the pose whilst still breathing quietly and keeping a cool head.
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How often should I come to class?For best results, we encourage a regular practice of 2-3 times per week more if you like. If you can only manage once a week, as long as it is regular – you will also start to feel benefits, just a little more slowly. We do recommend 1 of these times to be a Himalayan Kriya Class, you will see rapid improvements in your Bikram classes and in your life.
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