Large or small Everyone is on their own journey. Go and do the best you can,
have fun. It's all about honoring yourself. I just crossed my year mark
and various postures are still unfolding for me and I am ok with that. For
me it's about the journey, each session seems to always bring something
new to learn about myself. Enjoy your yoga, love yourself!

Light

One of my best yoga buddies who is currently driving to Kripalu to do a weekend with Rajashree(Bikram's wife) lost fifty pounds doing bikram. I met her after she had been practicing and lost the weight. she said you know I used to be big." she showed me a phot and I would not have even recognized her from before. Last year when i was doing he weekend thing with Rajashree their was a severely obese woman there who had lost something like fourty pounds in two months and everyone lovesd the fact that she was there.

HI alex

I am also overweight (ahem) and have been for several years. It started with the first preg. I was heavy before but not as much. But now after my second baby I am still large. I have been doing Bikram all along. I actually gravitated towards it because it felt friendly to all body types. I am still heavy (much more than I would like. But my practice is growing. I practice about four days a week. I can do nearly all the postures. The ones I struggle with are the standing forehead to knee and the toe stand. Mainly my belly weight keeps me out of these. The key is to keep trying. Your body size will inevitably adjust. and even if it doesn't, you can still continue to benefit from the series. I don't believe the series has much to do with your size at all. I have seen tiny, large, and medium alike all struggle and all achieve. Keep up regular classes and you will definitely improve. Try to focus not on how you look in the mirror but how you are feeling. Focus on the inward changes and the out will follow.

Blessings to you

Karen

I too am a Beginner.

I have already taken one class, and am waiting to return once my soreness in my back and neck fades. I was told from the instructor to return the very next day. My instincts are telling Me to take this at my own pace. I could not tell how much I over-extended, until I woke up the next day unable to move.

I had ALL First Timer's concerns. I had the dizzy spells ( 3 ) where I had to walk out of the room with a bright red over heated face. I had ' the Glow' when I left the session, it felt beautiful. I felt so cleansed, and ready to even go work out at another Gym.... good thing I didn't.

When I got home I was ready to eat. I cooked Salmon, and then was ready for sleep. My body did not agree with the Dinner, it came up. I then came down with a feverish sweat and felt somewhat sick. So I know the toxins released were built up. I would continue detoxing this way, if I knew how long it would take to fully get them out of my system. I did just finish a period, and knew my energy was low to begin with.

A few days has passed , and I am almost ready to return once again. One class is not enough to really know if Bikram is the Right Yoga for Me. I'm going to trust my insincts on how often to go, and how far to push myself. "Everyday" seems a bit much for my schedule, and the hard demands on my body. I also see the "CULT" power of this program, and am still thinking about how I want to "dedicate" myself to the Studio.

I'd like to see an introduction course , shorter length, and more one-on-one instruction. Custom Bikram?

According to most websites that calculate appropriate weight for height, I am about 100 pounds overweight. I started practicing Bikram Yoga on January 24th. I started going twice a week, and in recent weeks, 3-4 times. I am by no means the most flexible person in the room, but I do what I can. I found the heat a challenge at the beginning, but it seems I have become used to it. Some days are better then others. I say, stick to it. If I can manage it with about 90 pounds of extra weight, and most of it in my stomach and thighs, you will get there with just 40 pounds in excess.

I find sheer will and detemination help me through the classes. I feel as though I have something to prove, not to anyone else, but to myself. I find that because I am now able to get through all the postures, excpet for Fixed Firm, I have built my confidence, and won't let my head stop me from doing what I know my body can do. It took about a month for me to be able to make it through a whole class without laying down for a part of it, but i know now that I CAN do it. At last check, I have already lost about 24 pounds, some inches around my waist, and my arms are beginning to show signs of toning up.

I feel fantastic after each class, no matter the headspace I was in going into the class.

i was told at the beginning that if i could just stay in the room that was great! i had 3 knee surgries going into it and couldn't even distribute weight evenly during the floor series. you can do it all, as long as your mind is in the room with you. your body will soon follow. much love yoga and warm, deep belly laughs