Globalization by Bikram

Yesterday, I happened upon a woman who, as she describes herself, is "a freelance English and Bikram Yoga teacher." She said she had taught Yoga in LA, New York, Marseilles, Nepal, Indonesia, Dubai, and Vienna. Currently, she was helping to open a new studio here in Wien (Vienna, btw).

This morning, I took up her offer of a lesson. Early morning in Vienna and NO one is on the street. This city is very calculated and runs on a clock. Go out at 11:00, leave the streets by 6:00. Etc. So I decided to go, sans the sports bra I left at home, foolishly.

First of all, the studio smells like cardamom, my favorite. The lady is very kind and offers me help in choosing a mat and some towels. Unfortunately, I go into the men's changing room because I cannot read German. Oh well.

We go into the HOT studio, as Bikram is hot. About 15 minutes in, I'm already DRIPPING in sweat, and so is everyone else. The work out is both mental and physical and it is damn good. Everyone from young people to old people do it, and everyone at their own pace. For the most part, everyone was in really good shape, and everyone had to sit down at one time or another to just rest. When the instructor opened the windows on occasion, I relished in the fresh air.

Funny enough, the instructor was not too zen, but speaking in strong German, (with english for me). Imagine that sounds and clapping of a high upper school PE teacher. Everyone is sweating and at this point, everyone is in little undies and bras. You don't give a shit after a while.

Later, when its all said and done, I feel refreshed. I get some tea and apples and sit in the group. surprisingly, I was very relaxed and not in pain. (Currently I just feel a little weak, why I am sitting down before I continue to sight see).

A mother/daughter pair living in Vienna but from California start talking with me, telling me there is Bikram all over the world, even in Sarajevo! The guy, Bikram from LA created the exercises that work your thyroid, pancreas, and not to mention muscles and mind. He trains people and sends them all over the world. The sequence is the same, as is the exercise, so basically you get the same thing (with slight variations) wherever you go. I might have to try it in Sarajevo and Israel. Maybe I'll get one started in Kosovo, haha. For 10 Euros, I got all of that (including my free breakfast), and a free session tomorrow morning at 7:00 AM. I might go...

After my chat with those ladies, I went to the correct dressing room.... Now, you cannot have body issues in a European Gym. Communal showers, nudity, and no "stalls" change that. So I just went at it naked.

Words of wisdom for first time Bikram people: (Mom! Listen up!)

--Bring the littlest pair of shorts and a sports bra. Everyone, even the fat people, will have one on.

--Bring extra clothes, two towels, and shower supplies. You NEED to shower after this.

--Do NOT eat before this. Wake up and go. No coffee.

--Drink a bottle of water before you go. During, you cannot drink water for the first 25 minutes of the 90 minute routine.

--Have no shame.

--Be in half decent shape before you go. Bikram is for everyone, but come on, you should be able to at least sit in a warm room for 90 minutes.

--Don't give up. Have a mentally calm attitude and just don't think about it when you cannot do a perfect pose.

--Have fun.

Namaste.