Bikram Yoga at Bikram Yoga Manila – Makati
I have a love-hate relationship with Bikram Yoga. The first time I tried it was at another yoga studio in Alabang three years ago, where it felt like penance during the experience but amazing afterwards. While I managed to go to several sessions every now and then, I was neither a regular or committed to the practice.
Still I went, mostly during times when I felt like I needed a good sweat and de-stress. After a particularly intense session of sweat, I was feeling a big lightheaded and I got into a car accident on the way home.
That being said, it took around two years for me to get comfortable enough to try and practice it again. In an effort to be brave, I decided to book a class thru ClassPass. This time, a little more careful about not driving home!
What is Bikram Yoga?
Founded by celebrity yogi Bikram Choudhury in 1973 in LA, it’s a patented 26 pose cycle, 90-minute work-out in an up to 105-degree heated room with two breathing sequences. It is known to reshape the body into a leaner and longer toned form. It’s required that every Bikram Yoga studio should also require mirrors and bright lights. They also don’t allow music or talking.
Every legitimate Bikram studio to be officially affiliated must have instructors who are trained by Bikram Choundhury personally. Founded in 2005, the first official studio in Manila is called Bikram Yoga Manila.
Is it the same as Hot Yoga?
Most people use Hot Yoga and Bikram Yoga interchangeably. While it’s very similar in a sense that they’re both set in rooms that are meant to be in heated, Bikram Yoga is a lot hotter. The poses also vary per instructor and studio. Also, Hot Yoga is often more “fun”, allowing music and talking between the instructors and the students. It can also be done in the dark with no mirrors.
(Read: My Hot Yoga Experience at Yoga Plus Makati)
My Experience
Because it’s been two years and I don’t remember anything from the sessions I went to before, I told them it was my first time. Unlike other Yoga studios in Metro Manila, they do ask you to pay for the rental for the towel (Php 40) and the yoga mat (Php 50).
For my first class, I had a great teacher, Olay, who taught us the basics of breathing properly in the Bikram Yoga space. She advised me to take a mat somewhere in the middle so I can observe other students around me if ever I feel lost.
Her class was jampacked and filled with professionals of all ages who work in the Makati area. I could see why as she was the right combination of stern and gentle and made the experience slightly spiritual and not as stressful as I remember.
Olay is probably one of the more spiritual yoga teachers I’ve ever encountered and she just seems to walk with elegance (even when she is sweating a lot). I particularly love a line that she said, “meet your body where it is, not where it was yesterday, not where you think it should be“. It resonated with me at this point in my life as I am trying to regain a better fitness level after a year of focusing on building my start up, Tipsy Tales.
In one of the succeeding classes I took with them, there was one time during a 10am class that loud sounds of construction work was a bit distracting during the class. Given this was not the instructor’s fault, but it still took me a little out of the mediative experience.
From the times I came to their studio, their morning classes generally have less people and the much needed shower afterwards isn’t so difficult. However, for post-work evening classes, it’s often full and you’ll struggle to find a place in the room and have to line up for the shower afterwards.
Overall, I think Bikram Yoga is a great workout and meditation in between rough days of resistance training. The heat helps loosen the muscles and it’s akin to a self-care ritual where you detox both your negative thoughts and your pores.
Class Details
If you don’t avail of this from ClassPass like me, their First Timer Trial Package is at Php 2,300 for 2 weeks and unlimited classes. For 1 Month Unlimited Pass it is at Php 3,499 and gives you access to attend all the classes (including Yin Yoga and Zumba).
BIKRAM YOGA MANILA – MAKATI
Visit them at 15/F 88 Corporate Center, 141 Valer o St. cor. Sedeno St., Salcedo Village, Makati, Philippines
Contact Number: +63 2 576 8391, +63 2 889 0126
Email: info[at]bikramyogamanila.ph
