Here’s another exciting piece of evidence that came in through the Cellulite Tip Line. I’ll let you read this witness testimony firsthand. It pretty much speaks for itself!
… I stumbled on your cellulite blog, and thought I would let you know that my cellulite disappeared last year within one week of taking up bikram yoga. I had always had a bit of it on my butt and back of my thighs, and by that time I was starting to have it on the front of my thighs, which depressed me. I was about ten pounds overweight at the time. Bikram yoga is practiced for 90 minutes in a 105 degree room. I was doing the yoga for other reasons and not looking for or expecting a loss of cellulite, but after about a week, or 4-5 practices total, I was cellulite free. When I look around the room as others are practicing, I rarely see a woman with visible cellulite –and most are wearing shorts. The only people I see with cellulite are women in their first few days of bikram practice, and one or two women who seem to have more stubborn cellulite and do retain a bit of it (but not a lot). When I took one of my friends to yoga with me, she couldn’t get over how smooth my skin was. She went on so long I became embarrassed!
Bikram yoga is an intense, rigorous practice, but I’ve found it to be very beneficial for many health problems and everyday discomforts. If you have a bikram studio in your town, I would recommend you try an introductory package. Most studios offer a deal such as the first ten days for $20. The yoga explanation of why the cellulite disappears might have something to do with improving circulation and stretching the fascia (as the fascia is what causes the bumpy appearance). I do think the heat is essential…
I hope you’re as excited about this report as I am! This makes perfect sense in light of the lymph theory of cellulite. Lymph circulates as an effect of skeletal movement combined with breath –what exercise could be more effective than yoga at improving lymphatic flow? On top of that, the heat in the room accelerates detoxification through the skin.
I have to admit, within minutes of reading this email I located a Bikram Yoga studio five minutes from my house. Now if I can just muster up the courage to attempt a 90-minute session!
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Whew! Ninety minutes in that kind of heat–not for the faint of heart! But I did the same thing as you: I've located a studio just minutes from work and home, and I'm going to give it a try. I'll just try to channel back to my youth, growing up in Florida without air-conditioning. Now THAT'S dating myself.
Let us know how it goes!
Hey there, after reading this, I too looked into Bikram. It's been suggested to me before, as it's very popular here (San Francisco), but being more of a cardio person, yoga didn't appeal to me. However, having multiple injuries has really reduced the variety of high-energy activities I can do, and I LIKE to sweat. I read reviews on Yelp (review website) of local studios, and was surprised to find many people mentioning permanent (not just temp water weight) loss, as well as inches lost and lots of toning. Hey?! Today a friend told me there was a special on one of the many discount coupon email/websites- 3 bikram classes for $45! Though there's a closer studio, this one is still only a 30 minute walk from my place. I'm starting Monday!
I will let def post any results I may have, assuming I make it through the first 90 minute heat and sweat session. From all accounts, it really stinks in those studios, too. I went to look today, and I could smell it out in the office area! Ugh!
Wish me luck!!
Oops, can't edit! That deal is 35 classes for $45. NOT 3 for $45 (that would not be a good deal at all!)
What an incredible deal! I wish I lived in San Francisco so I could go with you! Please let us know how it goes. I'm nervous about the 90 minutes, too. I mentioned my trepidation to the woman who sent this initial report, and she said pretty much everyone feels like they're going to pass out in the beginning so I'll have a lot of sympathy. For some reason, that didn't make me feel any better about it! Good luck!
Took my first class today. Okay, frankly, I was expecting it to be much more difficult. Actually, I was kind of underwhelmed. It was hot, and I sweat buckets. But I didn't feel like I was going to pass out, I didn't feel sick, nothing. Well, at the end, a little light headed, but I think that's from the fact that it REALLY stunk like sweaty feet at the end, and we were on the floor, AND my neck was really hurting. I didn't even need to drink much water there. I did have to avoid anything too strenuous on my neck due to herniated disks, but I was actually told NOT to go as far as other students today by the instructor on a few moves that I would not have had a problem with.
Honestly, I don't see this as getting me any more toned or losing weight. THen again, most people would think I don't need to lose weight, and that I'm already in pretty good shape.
I'll keep going, and see if any miracles occur. I did feel nicely relaxed and stretched afterwards, and being a usually anxious and super tense person, that was nice!
And most people there, including the instructor (who I liked and he was good), were NOT particularly toned, IMHO. Didn't notice the cellulite too much, though.
Actually, your account makes me more excited to try it since I was worried about the passing out part! I know when I steam my face, my skin always looks so much better because of all the sweating. I've been wanting to find a sauna to get the whole body effect, but I think this would be even better because of the yoga poses and deep breathing. I'm not looking forward to the stinky feet smell, though. Can't they use incense or something to cover that up?!
Thanks for following up with the review. Keep us updated!
Bikram update- it's really bad for my skin! At first I wasn't sure if it was the yoga or something else. After 2nd class I had developed an entire crop of cysts on my chin. I took almost a week off, and the acne cleared. Did internet research, and of course found conflicting info. Bikram enthusiasts claim acne is the result of toxins being released, and will clear after a while. Many cystic acne sufferers that have been doing Bikram for a while say it did NOT clear up, but worsened. Now I wash face immediately before and after class, and bring a second towel for floor work. 3rd class no new cysts. After 4th class I had a few new ones. In a bacteria-laden environment like that (105 degrees, humid, and laying in your own sweat), cleanliness and precautions are necessary!!
Cellulite/weight loss/benefits? 4 classes in 10 days. Nothing noticeable thus far except less muscle tightness, and easier recovery from running when I take bikram next day. And again, I've seen LOTS of cellulite on Bikram students!!
Herama, this is awesome! It’s like you’re an undercover agent performing a reconn mission! I’ve been busy working on the new website for several hours straight on this Friday night, so my eyes are a little too blurry to comment properly right now
Just wanted to let you know that I enjoy reading your reports. I won’t be able to try bikram yoga for a few more weeks (until I get this dang site ready!), so I’ll probably base my decision on your opinion of the class. Thanks for sharing your review with us! If you keep at it, I’d love to compile your comments into a post about your whole experience.
I’ve now done 6 classes total. Obviously I’m still going, so that says something. I DO like it. I was preparing to get an epidural for herniated cervical discs, and am putting it off in hopes the Bikram can help. And it does seem to be helping. My PT told me NOT to do Bikram, warning I could hurt myself worse (being competitive and pushing myself). But I swear it’s helping. But cellulite, weight, physique? No change thus far. I like how I feel after (relaxed!), but really have to take breaks between classes due to the skin issues. Being prone to fungal stuff (TMI- sorry!), and othe skin issues, I find this really exacerbates it. SOme students have told me the more I go, the better and quicker the skin issues should clear up. I beg to differ. 1.5 hours dripping sweat, then walking 2 miles home while it dries, is not good! 1st was the cystic acne (now wash face immediately before and after- still getting bumps, and cysts behing ears!),then was a rash on legs, and now something that I’m not even going to post!
However, the relaxation, loosened body, and quicker recovery from running make it worthwhile.
A bit the CI will particularly find interesting: last night had a different instructor, and during one of the poses involving chin to chest, she said like “this presses on your thyroid which stimulates the lymphatic system.” I don’t recall exact words, but she was the first instructor I’ve heard mention this. I don’t like the pose, as it’s hard to breathe and uncomfortable, (which she and other instructors HAVE mentioned, and said it’s supposed to be.) But last night, after her thyroid comment, I found it much more tolerable!
Another great intel report. Thanks, Herama! Do you remember which pose she was referring to? I know the shoulderstand is good for the thyroid, but there are probably many more. I’m curious why/how some women see immediate results with these sorts of things, and for other women it doesn’t do a thing (cellulite-wise). Women report a similar situation with dry brushing. Perhaps it has something to do with how close the cellulite is to the surface or how blocked the pores are. It also likely involves the overall strain on the lymphatic system. I think I saw such fast results when I started dry brushing in Scotland because I had been living without fluoride for several months already (even though I didn’t know the effect fluoride was having on my body at the time).
Still don’t know names of most poses. It’s one where you have hands above head, chin to chest, and then bend over at the waist, rounded spine, and touch hands to floor. The whole time keeping chin to chest. It’s not a comfortable pose!
I see, like a variation on the forward bend. The one I was thinking of is an inversion.
Me is the opposite. The more I attend to my bikram’s yoga courses the more I’ve notticed cellulite in my body (especially in the area of my derrière)… i thought it was because of the big dehydration I submit my entire body every time I attend to class… and I drink lots of water!
Very interesting, Aida. Your dehydration theory is a strong possibility. In this month’s Cellulite Book-of-the Month, Dr. Murad writes about cell hydration and cellulite. If cellular hydration is a particular problem for you, I can see how Bikram yoga would aggravate cellulite. Thanks for adding this valuable info to our case!
Hi,
I came across your discussion and thought I’d add something quickly. I’ve been doing Bikram for a few weeks now, and even though I haven’t noticed much of a change in my own body, honestly, the bodies of the instructors are flat-out amazing. I’m yet to see any cellulite on any of them. Their tone is incredible.
I also looked at the class regulars, and even though their tone isn’t as impressive, I haven’t noticed any cellulite.
I have no idea why this is, and to be honest it hadn’t occurred to me that Bikram would ‘fix’ existing cellulite, but I do think it’s interesting that the long-term Yoginis don’t appear to have any.
That is interesting, Lara. It does seem that bikram yoga is uniquely designed to target cellulite. Thanks for adding this info to our investigation!
I have completed 5 sessions of Bikram Yoga so 7.5 hours to-date over 9 days. I have no cellulite any more, after years of envying my friends on the beach I cant wait to get into a bikini. I am going to keep the Birkam up, I’m planning 3-4 sessions a week and I hope to keep seeing the benefits. The area I have noticed the improvement the most is on my stomach…. It’s unbelievable. I also do a fit camp class and I have noticed in that class how much more flexible I am……I recommend!
Jeannette, yaaaaaaaayy!!!! It is the highlight of my day when I receive another cellulite success story. Thanks for telling us about your experience with bikram yoga. I am going to add your story to our growing list of real life cellulite success stories. Experiences like yours give the rest of us hope!
I always had cellulite, even when I weighed 115 pounds and working out it was always there (butt and thighs). I then was introduced to bikrams and loved it. Not when I was there but after I left I felt so much better. I was getting ready for my wedding so I started doing it appr. 3-4 times per week for 4 months and my cellulite was GONE!!! It was amazing!!! I was drinking appr. 3 liters of water per day to stay hydrated. I then quit after by wedding because I moved and there wasn’t a studio close by and the cellulite came back!!! Now it’s also on the front of my thighs! I went a couple times recently and started noticing a difference but you have to drink a ton of water. It us a huge time commitment but to not have cellulite it’s worth it!!
Awesome, Chelsea! What valuable info for our case. It’s amazing that your cellulite came back when you stopped going. If you could just figure out what was causing your cellulite in the first place, then you would be home free! The #1 culprit we’ve uncovered so far is sugar. Many women report losing all their cellulite after eliminating sugar from their diet. I don’t think that will work for everyone (it depends on the cause of your particular case of cellulite) but it is a pretty common one.
I adding your cellulite success story to our collection. You are lucky #13. Thanks for sharing it! See, Real Life Cellulite Success Stories.
Hi! Stumbled across your site tonight…very cool! I am 5’2″, fairly muscular/athletic and 128 lbs. I have always struggled with cellulite as well; since early high school! I began my yoga journey last October. I started with Vinyasa, Ashtanga and Yin. I have been practicing Bikram for the past 3 months also. Cellulite = gone (for the most part). I am a LOT smoother and have better muscle tone in my calves (from Bikram) now than ever. I definitely attribute the toning to the sweat, the inevitable extra hydration, and less alcohol. Went on vacation a couple of weeks ago and gained a few lbs from beer and eating out. UGH. Within 3 Bikram classes the weight and cellulite will be gone again. Highly recommended!
P.S. I too have fungal problems with my skin like Herama. Sweating does exacerbate the patches, but I STILL find it worth it!
Angela, that is great to hear! How is the cellulite situation now that you’ve been back at yoga for a couple weeks?
Also, regarding the fungal issues, do you have a sweet tooth? Sugar is one of our primary cellulite suspects and it is known to cause fungus problems, too.
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