Turning up the heat: Bikram Yoga

If you haven’t tried Bikram yoga yet, you really should do. I have been practicing for the past four months and I can’t quite get over how good it makes me feel.

For those of you who are familiar with yoga, Bikram is the 2.0 version taking your body and meditation to the next level.

The studio is heated to 40 degrees (105 F) and I’ll admit it is rather daunting to walk into the room for the first time.

The hot air is oppressive, the breath becomes laboured and you sweat profusely.

Each class is the same, starting with a warm up breathing exercise, followed by 26 postures, and a warm down breathing exercise.

The yoga is based on hatha yoga which has been adapted by Bikram Choudhury.

The heat makes the ninety minute practice extremely intense and many first time participants find it hard going.

I hated my first class, I hadn’t eaten or drank enough, I felt dizzy, nauseous and pretty useless during my first session. And I hate not being able to do something physical.

I was surprised that I even went back, but something made me and I have kept going back ever since.

The postures are not particularly technical, some require more flexibility than others but generally anyone can participate.

I found that the meditation element of the class was much harder to contend with but the practice has done wonders for my concentration and energy levels.

As well as improved posture and flexibility I have also found the class helps me to sleep better, it helps me to put my problems into perspective and eliminate the stress of everyday life.

Whilst on the pricey side many studios offer a starting deal which are good value for money and allow you to see if the practice is for you. Hotbikramyoga studios in Fulham and Balham offer a 10 days card for £15.

Apart from an open mind you need to remember to eat before a class and drink as much water as you can. It is normal to feel a little sick during your first class, your body takes time to adjust to the heat but trust me, your next class will be better.

As someone who embraces all different types of exercise Bikram, so far is the one thing I do not get tired of, in fact I miss it hugely when I am unable to attend.

Now whilst I am not sure if the practice can cure all ailments, (there are claims it cures everything from arthritis to obesity) but I do whole heartedly believe in the positive effects it has on me.

I would recommend the practice to everyone and anyone, just remember to take a towel, water and thin comfy gym wear. Less is most definitely more here.

You will never look back! I promise

Runners Feet without the running

To the untrained eye the picture above may look like a fairly normal pair of feet.

It has however, just occurred to me as I was painting my nails (what do you think of the shade..) that for the first time in months I have a fully grown big toenail on both feet. Hooray!

Now this is both a happy and sad occasion. Happy because I am now not totally embarrassed by my trotters, I was forced to avoid the peeptoe trend of summer footwear, but sad because having fully grown nails, signifies one thing.

I am not running enough.

Nail loss seems to be a guarantee for me when I am completing long distance runs, it doesn't seem to matter what type of trainers I wear.

My first nail was lost during training for my first half marathon in 2006 and it is always the same nail that falls off. Big toe, left foot, if you really want to know.

Of course a toe without a nail isn’t aesthetically pleasing, my friends frequently remind me how gross my feet are when I am without said nail.

I have to agree with them, but then I have to admit that there is a certain sense of achievement that comes with losing a nail. It is like my own personal pedometer letting me know that I have been clocking up the miles.

And yes, I know I have ridiculously small little toes. I can't help it.