What is Bikram Yoga?
Bikram Yoga is a series of 26 postures with 2 breathing exercises practiced in a hot room heated to 40 degrees Celsius with 40% humidity. It is an intense and physically challenging series where most asanas (postures) are performed twice and held for a prescribed length of time.
The series was designed by Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury to enable students to simultaneously gain maximum health benefits, as well as to establish balance and physical alignment. The asanas are performed sequentially to alleviate pains and illness typically related to the modern lifestyle by promoting better blood circulation through a process of stretching (extension) and contracting (compression).
The combination of extension and compression of muscles and organs while you are holding a posture temporarily blocks blood circulation to specific areas and encourages the heart to increase the supply of blood to the area. Once the asana is complete and you return to a relaxed position, the compressed areas will be rejuvenated by a rush of oxygenated blood. This process can assist in supplying fresh nutrients to relevant body parts and aid in the elimination of toxins.
The sequence of 26 Asanas (postures) and 2 breathing exercises work together in balance to produce a highly efficient cardiovascular workout, to reduce stress and tension, to enable regular practitioners to explore concepts of self-realization and to foster a healthier mind-body relationship.
Why is it hot?
The conditions of a Bikram Yoga studio are not unlike your own body’s temperature. The heat makes your muscles, fascia and connective tissue become more elastic. This enables you to move into postures more effectively and deeply, accelerates the many benefits of your practice and makes you less susceptible to injury. Like various cultures that deliberately use heat therapy to raise the body temperature as an immune defence mechanism against infection, the heat in Bikram Yoga can also be highly therapeutic and detoxify your body through perspiration. Additional advantages from the heat include:
- Veins and arteries dilate, allowing improved blood flow and cleansing
- Relieves tension and stress
- Improves function of the nervous system (messages are transferred more quickly from the brain and/or spinal cord)
- Raises and keeps a consistent core temperature for a deeper workout
- Allows a faster release of oxygen into the body from haemoglobin
- Thins the blood, which clears the circulatory system
- Speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids
Umm, sweat?
Sweat is not your enemy! Sweat is your body’s cooling mechanism to enable your system to maintain a stable core temperature (allowing your perspiration to remain on your skin boosts evaporation of the sweat so you remain cooler internally). Whilst it’s a weird sensation when you first start practicing, after a while you’ll get used to, and come to appreciate a good sweat. Please avoid heavy perfumes and/or deordorants as the scents can become thick in the heated environment,
What are the benefits?
Bikram Yoga is accessible to everyone, the healthy and the ill, young and old. Anyone can participate in a class, even people with chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, thyroid disorders and so on. A regular practice can help to reduce symptoms, plus one of the best ways to prevent any ailments is by keeping the body healthy and active.
With a regular practice you can:
- Improve your cardiovascular fitness
- Increase muscle tone and lose weight
- Improve flexibility and keep your body supple and mobile
- Manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Relieve stress and tension
- Expand your lung capacity and improve your respiratory system
- Heal and manage existing injuries
- Strengthen willpower, concentration, self-control and determination
What will my first class be like?
Hot and sweaty for 90 minutes!
Every Bikram Yoga class is open to beginners and due to COVID restrictions and contact tracing, we recommend to book via the @MindBody app . Your only job in your first class is to breathe – and to have fun! It is normal to feel a little bit dizzy sometimes or to struggle as you get used to the heat. That’s ok. It’s also ok if that doesn’t happen- every body is different. The most important thing is to come back soon. That’s why we give you 7 days to try it out.
The sooner you come back to class, and the more you come back when you first start, the quicker you acclimatize to the heat and the sooner you will start to see the benefits of the practice. You may be surprised just how quickly your body changes!
Here are some tips for your first class:
- Arrive 15 minutes early so you can meet your teacher and get acquainted with the studio.
- Drink plenty of water during the day before you come to class so you are well hydrated.
- Do the best you can to stay in the hot room for the full 90-minutes – breathe!
- Dress lightly – it is hot, you will be sweaty!
What do I need to bring?
All you need for class are (1) a yoga mat, (2) a bath-sized towel to go over your mat and (3) water.
If you don’t have any of these, we hire and sell all of them:
- Mat hire: $3
- Towel hire: $3
- Large water: $5
- Small water: $4
Oh, and class is 90 minutes long – so factor that into your parking considerations.
What should I eat/drink?
Everybody and every body is different. There is no prescribed diet to accompany a Bikram yoga practice but as a general rule it is a good idea to avoid heavy meals in the 2-3 hours before practicing. The big thing is hydration. You will sweat, so be sure to drink at least minimum 2 litres of water per day plus an extra litre or so if you are practicing. Be open to experimentation. As you practice more and more, you will figure out what combination of food and drink works best for you.
Announcements:
Doors to the studio usually opens 15 minutes before class. The studio will remain open maximum 15 minutes after classes. Classes start on time. Download @MindBody APP (search for Hot Spot Preston) to obtain up-to-date class times. Bookings necessary via the APP (classes can be booked up to 7 days in advance). Please CANCEL bookings at least 2 hours before class if you are unable to attend.
All relevant Victorian Government COVID-related restrictions apply. Pass by at reception for the teacher to sign you in and hand sanitize upon entry to the studio. Late cancellations will incur loss of pass used to book or a penalty fee.
Stay at home if you are unwell; consider getting tested and vaccinated.
Please check our Instagram (@hotspotpreston) for updates.
Class schedule subject to change. Check the MindBody APP for real-time updates.
Testimonial
“It’s a great place. I just started and I feel really different. The heat also makes the body feel better during class and I feel a huge improvement on my joints. Love it!” – Laura (October 2019)
“Extremely skilled instructors. A welcoming environment with smiles from the start to end. A very happy place to be.” – Abby (December 2019)
“Amazing class! It was my first time and I left the class sweaty but happy!” – Amanda (January 2020)
“It’s like forging a new body and polishing the old soul. Instructors are amazing.” – Raed (February 2020)
| MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT | SUN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:15am | None | Class 2 | None | Class 2 | None | None | None |
| 8:30am | None | None | None | None | None | Class 2 | None |
| 9:30am | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| 10:00am | None | None | Class 1 | None | Class 1 | Class 1 | Class 1 |
| 2.00pm | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| 3.00pm | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| 5.30pm | Class 1 | None | Class 1 | None | Class 2 | None | None |
| 6.15pm | None | Class 1 | None | Class 1 | None | None | None |
| 7.15pm | Class 2 | None | Class 2 | None | None | None | None |
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(Please scroll right if viewed on mobile device) Hot Yoga: Bikram Method (90 mins) Heated HIIT: Inferno Style |
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Children in classes:
Minimum age requirement for the full 90-minute Bikram yoga class is 13, children under 13 are welcome to participate in the second half of the class for the floor series. Minimum age requirement for the 60-minute Inferno Hot Pilates class is 13. All children under the age of 18 must have their registration co-signed by a parent/guardian. We prefer for minors under the age of 16 to be accompanied by a parent/guardian. We take our duty of care to each student seriously. Therefore we expect the same responsibility to be taken by all parents and guardians of children attending classes. The studio does not have child-minding facilities, therefore children are only permitted on premises (whilst the classes are in session) if he/she/they intend to participate as a student.
$38 7-Day Introductory Pass –
Want to improve your fitness, flexibility, core strength, concentration, sleep and manage your aches, pains, injuries and stress levels?
Come practice Bikram yoga – the original hot yoga – a 90-minute series of 26 postures with 2 breathing exercises conducted in a heated room, great for overall health, reducing stress and fostering better mind-body connection. Alternatively, choose Inferno Hot Pilates™ for a 60-minute full body workout combining Pilates principles and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT).
- 7 consecutive days
- Available to new students
- Pass eligible for both Bikram Yoga and Inferno Hot Pilates
- Limit one pass per person
- Activates from first visit
- Limit one class per day
- Non-refundable or transferrable, no extensions
- MindBody APP purchases will incur 3rd party processing fees
- Email us if you wish to arrange direct payment (hotspotpreston@gmail.com)
Testimonial
“I’ve been doing Bikram for about 3 1/2 years and this place is like a second home to me; it’s not so big that you feel like a number and not so small that you can’t melt into the crowd if you want to.” – Carl (December 2016)
“Love it! So hard but so good!! It really is worth the effort. A respectful atmosphere where you can go at your own pace.” – Brendon (March 2015)
“The best thing that has happen to me …awesome teachers very motivating.” – Kriyal (April 2014)
“Since starting Bikram yoga, I’ve noticed I catch colds much less often. It’s been a great boost to my overall health!” – Joanne (June 2024)
| Option | Full | Conc. |
|---|---|---|
|
7-Day Introductory Offer (7 days, conditions apply*) |
$ 38 | $ |
|
Casual |
$ 35 | $ |
|
10 Class Pass (6 months expiry) |
$ 288 | $ |
|
20 Class Pass (10 months expiry) |
$ 499 | $ |
|
1 Month Unlimited |
$ 240 | $ |
| $ | $ | |
| MindBody APP purchases may incur additional fees unrelated to the studio. Private and group sessions please enquire at studio. Please cancel out 3hrs before class if unable to attend, late cancellations will incur loss of pass used to book. | ||
Foundation Pass Terms and Conditions
- Minimum 3-month contract
- 1 week suspension each 3-month cycle
- $89 per fortnight
- Terms and conditions subject to change
- Once-off set-up fee charged by debiting company: $2.50
- Admin fee per transaction charged by debiting company: $1.50
- Dishonor fee for failed deductions charged by debiting company: $14.80
- Direct Debit will auto-renew at the end of your 3-month contract
- 14 days notice minimum required to cancel Direct Debit post initial 3-month period
- Early termination fee of $80 payable if cancellation of contract is requested during initial 3-months
- To cancel Direct Debit upon completion of the contact or to request suspensions, please write to hotspotpreston@gmail.com