The Barkan Method: Hot Yoga

I have been reading up on Yoga for a while and discovered Bikram Yoga after an article about Jenny McCarthy and her experience doing it at her home. I looked into classes and either it didn't work with my schedule or they were very pricey.I have several books but wanted a DVD that went through the movements to get the feel of the flow of this particular style of Yoga. I also wanted a challenge and something that would make me work.Well, this DVD does all that. What I like about it is that it has the tutorial which goes through each movement with lots of detail. Also it has a feature during the class section. All you have to do is click on it and it will bring you right to the tutorial if you need some more detail, which is pretty cool.I definately think the reviews that state its not a power workout or the fact you won't sweat are a bit misleading. If you do this workout the way you are supposed to in a "hot" room, and you continue to challenge yourself going further with each movement you will sweat.For me I just use a portable heater and turn the fans off, and that creates a perfect enviroment. I don't know if its the ideal temp which I believe is slightly over 100 degrees, but I think as long as its warm enough to work a sweat that is the key thing, as you could really hurt yourself otherwise. I would think a humidifer would work as well to create the enviroment too.Also I saw that there was a complaint about it not being detailed, which is a bit misleading as well. With the tutorial and the ability to reference it during the class, I think it's very detailed for a DVD. I think if someone is look to delve into the finer, nitty gritty details, then I would would suggest to purchase a book as well. I have done that myself and I think that is key to learn about this form of yoga in the fullest sense.Anyway, I will definately use this DVD as part of my regular routine. It's a great economic alternative to classes and if you challenge yourself you will feel and see the results.

I read Bikram yoga and wanted to give hot yoga a try, when I ran across "The Barkan method". I feel - outside of attending a studio - this is one of the best video resources available to incorporate hot yoga into your daily routine. The asanas are straight forward and well explained. The only area I feel could use improvement is the instruction regarding breathing. There are times where he will instruct to inhale/exhale before the actual move, and it's not clear if the instruction pertains to before the move, or during the move.On another note, I practice the yoga at room temps and have had no issues. I'm not sold on the idea hot yoga needs to be performed in 105 degree heat - which is supposedly the temperature it's practiced in it's native Calcutta. I've never been to Calcutta, however weather data has the hottest months (Apr, May) topping out at 95. So unless they practice yoga at the hottest time of day, w/a space heater, not sure how they routinely practice in 105 heat. In fact, even in Bikram's book he states they routinely performed yoga at the crack of dawn which happens to be the coolest time of day - so again, 105 doesn't add up..

Okay I just got back from my first session with this DVD, and WOW, love the results. I had joints and muscles "pop" about 15 times now, some during the session, but also an hour after. In the following places: 1) Right kneee 2) Both hips 3) Tail bone 4) Left hip flexor 5) Neck 6) Right shoulder 7) Right shoulder blade 8) Spine between shoulders 9) Low backI got this DVD, along with about 4 others, to work on my flexibility. I am a guy who is bulking up and have always neglected flexibility, so this time I wanted to do it right and keep everything loose. I also work on the computer all day so you can imagine what that does to posture and flexibility. This is a really practical DVD and time efficient in my opinion. If you come from a sports history, you will recognize alot of the stretches, but many I had never seen before. Using the heat and the sequence here is a real beauty of this system, and the poses were not that hard to learn (though many will be difficult to master). I really liked how they had two instructors doing the poses side by side, and then the narrator giving detailed instructions. Having two instructors lets you view the "beginner" and the "advanced" poses, in case you are having trouble with one.I also do literally feel centered balance/posture wise physically, but also, spiritually (wasn't expecting that I was just in it for the physical effects). My next steps will be to get a thermometer as instructed in the video, and I am also going to get a neck/shoulder yoga video as well to complement this one. So I do weights Mon-Wed-Friday, and then yoga Tues-Thurs and they complement each other really well. I highly recommend this to any weightlifter that needs to work on flexibility, I only wish there were more days in the week to practice it because it's so much fun. I may update this review after long term use.

Wasn't the bikram yoga that I do at local yoga studio. I didn't know bikram included sun salutations and downward dog poses. I don't like those poses which is why I do bikram which at my local studio consist of a standing sequence and a floor sequence along with the breathing exercises.