Exercise Review: Bikram Yoga Victoria Park, Perth!

There’s most certainly a right and wrong way to go about Bikram Yoga. I learnt this the hard way. My first session I turned up in my standard gym gear = long yoga pants, a t-shirt and a leotard thing (so I can bend this way and that and not have my belly fall out), and realised my mistake as soon as I entered the studio. The vast majority of the 30-ish attendees were wearing what I first thought were bikinis, but turned out to be Bikram-intended gym gear. These people had the right idea. Before I’d even started, I had condensation dripping from my eyelashes.

And there’s definitely a learning curve. The three sessions I went to followed a pattern – I would arrive, enter the room and be freshly shocked at HOW warm Bikram yoga is (40 C), lie down on my mat and start to feel like I was adjusting and this might be okay – then the instructor would enter and we’d start moving. I lasted 40 minutes in my first session, overdressed and not hydrated enough, and drove home bewildered and drenched.

My second attempt was far better. I wore as little as I was able and attended an evening class, meaning I had a whole afternoon to get hydrated enough in preparation, which made a big difference. I left the room twice to pace around in the air conditioning before heading back in, but I still stayed until the end of the 90 minute session. I considered this progress, and decided to give it a third shot to see if I could top that effort.

Third session was exhilarating. I didn’t leave the room, though I did sit sweating on my mat to recover every once and a while. But I still stayed for 90 minutes and emerged sweaty and victorious at the end, feeling like I’d proved to myself that I could adjust to what felt like an insurmountably difficult physical challenge.

And the end result is fantastic. Once you’ve rehydrated (and I deeply recommend the Chi Coconut Water available at the front desk) you feel godlike. You’re energised, ultra limber and have all those good aches that tell you you’ve done well.

My particular Bikram was at the newly opened Bikram Yoga Victoria Park – and I had three different instructors over that session. The circuit of poses was identical each day, which was a small mercy since there was a collective boneless relief when we moved to the second half of the session (the stuff on the floor). Our instructors all wore headsets and talked continuously through the 90 minute class. Granted, they weren’t doing the full exercise that we were, but they were still demonstrating, wandering between people and fixing postures. It struck me as incredibly exhausting. There must have been some serious tolerance build up in that.

Ultimately I had a really positive experience – I feel like I was worked hard and got results, and the staff were professional and friendly. I’m even considering some of those Bikram bikini things. I’m a sucker for nice new gym gear.

♥ There are even showers you can use before/after class!

Bikram Yoga Victoria Park has a rather awesome beginner’s deal that I’d recommend: Ten days of unlimited Bikram for $20!

I spread my three sessions over five days, and the amount of improvement I felt just in those three sessions drives home for me that it really is something that needs to be done in bursts, multiple sessions in close proximity. Karen, the vibrant and ultra-fit Studio Director confirmed as much by very gently suggesting I come back for the third class, and I’m glad I did. (She also clarified for me that I was not, in fact, drowning in my own sweat, but in an ungodly amount of condensation. This is very reassuring). Can I also suggest that you remove all makeup before heading in there? I finished a session looking like I’d emerged from a screening of The Notebook.

Bikram Yoga Victoria Park

Unit 1, 345 Shepperton Road
East Victoria Park, Perth

Ph: (08) 9470 5700

E: info@bikramvicparkperth.com.au

Have you tried Bikram Yoga before, or want to? Does the idea of heat-based exercise excite or scare you? Lets chat in the comments!

Review by Suzanne from Don’t They Know Who I Am?

Be well,

xoxo

Exercise Review: Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUPing) in Perth!

I LOVE water, especially Perth’s incredible beaches and beautiful river. However I have to admit, unless it’s 40°C outside, immersing myself in water (aka swimming) is not something I enjoy THAT much. I blame it on a terrifying swimming teacher I had to endure during school swimming lessons. I think this is what enticed me into trying Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) – I’m able to enjoy the visual feast of our water without getting too wet or needing a skippers ticket!

Before I even tried SUP I was in love with it, and my first paddle in Dunsborough enforced this love fest. Virtually anyone can SUP, you don’t need to be athletic or have the balance of a tight rope walker. Everyone seems to think that it’s much harder to balance on the board than it actually is, and I can assure you that after a couple of minutes of getting used to the feeling, you’ll be SUPing away in no time! It’s often recommended that you start out on your knees to get a feel for it, and have an initial short lesson so you can paddle like a pro. I much prefer SUP to kayaking as you have a birds eye view of what’s going on in the water, it’s more peaceful because you don’t have paddles splashing around your face and it’s less stressful on your back.

SUP can be a fantastic total body workout that you’ll actually love doing. Who does exercise that they hate anymore?! SUP improves your balance and coordination, and can be as much of a cardio workout as you want it to be. Heart pumping or peaceful? You set the pace. It tightens and tones your back, shoulders and legs, and works your core big time. What’s more, you don’t even realize that you’re working out, as you’re either enjoying the beautiful view or trying to keep up with a pod of dolphins! My boyfriend and I once spent an hour watching a mother and her babies fish and play – AMAZING. If you want to take SUP to the next level you can join in on a SUP group fitness class, try out some SUP yoga, enter a SUP race or catch some waves, which I’m told is a little easier than normal surfing.

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On a beautiful flat day SUP is incredibly calming – being in the middle of an expanse of glassy water does that to you. It’s a great way to take some time for yourself and get in touch with nature. Our sunny and calm winter days are fantastic for trying SUP out, so rug up, wetsuit or jumper depending on your level of confidence/balance, and give it a go!

My Hot SUP Tips:

♥ Check the wind! Unless you’re after a KILLER workout, paddling in the wind is a bit of a nightmare. If you’re going out for a long time make sure you have a way of getting back to your car if the wind gets up.

♥ If you’re considering buying a board buy the lightest one you can afford – it makes getting it on and off your car a breeze, and you’ll be more likely to SUP often.

♥ If you’re traveling, try and scope out a SUP tour – it’s a fun and healthy way of exploring a new area (deserts not applicable!).

SUP hire and lessons in Perth

http://www.elementalsup.com.au
http://www.standuppaddleperth.com
http://www.standupaddiction.com.au
http://standuppaddle.com.au
http://www.sossurf.com.au

Do you like the look of Stand Up Paddle Boarding? Any questions please let me know in the comments! 🙂

Review by Emma Smyth, wellness lover, model, SUP fanatic and blogger over at @ This Sparkly Life!

Be well,

xoxo

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