NatKat

Great thread!
Both sides of this debate resonate with my experiences – I have found both loving & supportive Bikram teachers as well as abrasive “militaristic” and possibly money-hungry ones.

I started Bikram at a wonderful studio in a large city. I had 2 favorite teachers & felt total love and encouragement in their classes. The rigidity of the programme is simply to push lazy Americans past their comfort level. Truly, we moderns are the only people in the history of the planet to expect everything in life to be pleasant, easy, soft, and comfortable. It taks “push” to get beyond this TV & convenience-food mindset. My favorite teachers were also skilled in demonstrating and correcting alignment when I had questions or made mistakes.
At this same studio was 1 teacher I disliked. I avoided her classes. I found her rude, abrasive, insenstive.
I moved from that city and did not practice for several years. Just yesterday I started practice again for health reasons.

I have mixed feelings about this new studio. The manager seems money-hungry … but I don’t blame her. It is a tough business. Sweetness and love will not pay an expensive lease. I estimate the build-out costs 30k minimum. I forgive “money hungry” studio owners unless they are outright rip-offs. Most are losing sleep trying to stay ahead of lease and buildout costs, pay staff, etc.

What bothered me more about this teacher was negativity during teaching and lack of ability to demonstrate a pose. This teacher recited from rote – not really “present”. When a personal anecdote was told – it seemed negative in nature. My previous teachers told inspiring anecdotes if they veered into the personal. Possibly this teacher/manager is just burnt-out and can’t afford to hire more staff. OK, fair enough.

What totally disturbed me was: I had a specific question about a pose and this teacher didn’t answer it and seemed unwilling or unable to actually demonstrate the pose. At my previous studio, even the teacher I “hated” was competent at demonstrating poses. Most of the teachers in my old studio did 1 repetition of each pose to demo. This teacher sat down most of the class and did NO demonstration.

In any case, I don’t care for the new studio and it is a long drive from my small town so am researching how to heat my home dance studio. I love Bikram, love the philosophy, but have encountered a wide range of talent, skill, and compassion in the teachers.

Will stay at this new studio for now. I can ignore what I dislike about the teacher at least temporarily. Also, it is unfair to judge after only 1 class. My experience may improve. OTOH, if I am going to practice with no demonstration or real guidance, I might as well do it at home with Bikram’s book & CD and save myself the gas money and commute time!

Just some things which may help (I too have my struggles with appropriate diet and practice)
#1 There is no “rule” for all body types. Dairy products are healthy for some and contra-indicated for others. You may wish to research your Ayurvedic body type as a starting point.
#2 Not all “dairy” is equal. Corporate dairy is full of toxins and the factory farm animals are unhealthy. When I eat yogurt, I purchase quality organic milk and make my own. It is easy, economical and healthy. Use raw or pasteurized milk as “ultra pasteurized” is useless. I make yogurt in crockpot – no need for fancy equipment and only 1 dish to wash.
Good instructions on internet.
#3 Hot Yoga will detox the body and it’s given me some bizarre cravings. When I smoked cigartettes, I actually smoked MORE when I started doing Bikram b/c my body was detoxing the nicoteine faster!!! I now don’t smoke and am on dairy-free diet for health reasons. Normally I don’t crave dairy at all … but after my first Bikram class in several years … I had mad craving for pizza and lusted after melty mozzarella. Go figure. I just sat with it and promised myself pizza as soon as my health problem is cured. *sigh*.
Good luck!