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Bikram Yoga
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Torrance
1820 S Pacific Coast Hwy
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 540-2023
1820 S Pacific Coast Hwy
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 540-2023
- Good for Kids:
- No
6 reviews for Bikram Yoga
It's true that the 100+ degree heat is very difficult to bear... but you get used to it after a session or two.
I tried out Bikram after my sister went to one of their free-of-charge sessions that they supposedly have every year? Anyway, they have 10 days for $30 for new people who wants to give it a try. You can go to as many sessions as you want in those 10 days! It can get a little tiring if you decide to do it everyday though. So I did one every other day, and it did wonders for me. Just make sure you don't drive a couple blocks down to Fatburger afterwards.
So the sign-up was very quick and the staff were very friendly and helpful. Since the instructor knew that was my first Bikram experience, she came by a couple of times to help me re-adjust my positions, or to tell me I can lay down and catch up later whenever I felt better.
DO bring a big bottle of water, because you're going to sweat a LOT. Also, bring a big towel along with your matt since they charge you extra.. except for the small hand towels which came in handy for me.
I loved my 10-day trial! Like they said, you get rid of all the toxins in your body and it feels so good after a session. The sense of accomplishment is priceless.. however, I give it 4 stars because of the price. Other than the first timer trial, it's $20 per class, $80 for 5, $140 for 10, and so on.. yeaaah, about that..
They also offer classes in Japanese, so if you're more comfortable with Japanese than English, or fine with both, it's on a Sunday I believe.
Can't beat the heat? Join it--at Bikram Yoga! The allure of summertime specials and masochistic impulsivity lead me to practice yoga (for the first time, ever) in a 105 degree furnace heated room for 1 1/2 hours.
The experience? Incredible!
I sweated out every worry, stress, ache and pain, and walked away feeling light and free. (Actually, I walked away soaked to the bone in sweat--but, full of pride that my stiff-as-a-board ass actually survived without passing out, and then, AFTER a cool shower felt light and free.) I woke up at 5:30am to join the 6:30am class, and fully expected to crash afterward, but that didn't happen. Birkram actually increased my energy level; directly following the class I was compelled to take a quick bike ride, and carry out the rest of my day: loosed up, alert, nap free. I recommend Bikram to anyone who's up for totally jumping in the pool (of sweat) before testing the water: If I can do it, you can.
This Bikram Yoga studio was is very clean.
The owners are two Italian brother/sister team. The brother can be a bit edgy - interacting w/ him stressed me out because he was at times very bossy. I mean, it was my first time trying this type of yoga and v. nervous. But, the class run by his sister was great. I haven't been back in a few months, but I plan to return soon since the other two studios I tried were dirty and gross.
I base my review on a jillion or so visits to this particular studio. I have been practicing yoga for over 15 years. I fell into Bikram yoga totally by accident (it was the only studio within walking distance to my house at one point). I believe it is, all in all, a good compliment to other yogas and other workouts in general. It's the way I get my cardio, because without flailing your limbs around like an epileptic weasel, suffering through gym rats and their hair pomade, or dodging traffic sprinting down the roadways, you get your heart rate going like the dickens. Sweating like a beast, yes, it's true. Feeling great afterwards: most of the time!
FWIW, I have been to Bikram studios all across the country and in fact around much of Europe, too.
+ 1 Star - The instructors. Fantastic. From the owners, Roberto and Paola, to the fun, funny Haru (he mangles the English language with such joy and enthusiasm that I have to say I go out of my way to go to his classes just to feel his good vibe in broken Japanese-y-ness), the upbeat and precise Leyla (who also has such a fantastic practice that it's inspiring except those moments when she is doubled over like a paper clip that I sort of hate her in a loving way), sweet, gentle whip-cracking Nicole (oh, she is calling me out from across the room - I thought I was "safe" over here hidden behind all these other people...), the teachers make this place the very best in the LA area.
+ 1 Star - Pretty dang clean. Let's face it, picking off white as the main carpet choice throughout was not the best choice on the owner's part. However, more than that, what you notice in this studio compared to other Bikram studios is that it doesn't have nearly the horrid rancid sweat smell that most have. They care about the smell and they do try to keep it tidy.
+ 1 Star - Changing area. It's small, sure, but well laid out and with two showers and a big sink area, you won't be waiting too long for a clean up after class. The are also two toilets in the hallway (co-ed). I assume the guy's is pretty good, too, but obv I haven't been in there....
+ 1 Star / - 1 Star - Towels. The hand towels are no charge! Yipee! But the full size towels are a buck each to rent. That is of course in line with other Bikram studios in town, but it still rubs me.
- 1 Star . The fees. Okay, I don't think the fees are crazy (As of this writing single classes are $20, packages are various prices as you can imagine). But what vexes me is that if you buy, say, 25 classes, you have 6 months to use them. And no extensions. Seems a bit stingy, as what does it matter to them whether you take 6 months or 60 months? I'm just sayin'.
+ 1 Star - Cute clothes for sale. They have a nice selection of clothes for sale in the front room. Workout clothes ldo! And cute things that I haven't seen in like a million other stores.
+ 1 Star - Parking. It seems like a little thing, but in S Bay, parking is often a nightmare and so it's coolio that they have free parking in the building. It's easy to pull in and out, too, so when you are peeling rubber to get to Starbucks for that "reward" after class, it's easy out!
All in all, Bikram is one of those things that you either love or hate. I recommend at least 3 classes, preferably all within a week (hey, they have a newbie special here for $30 for 10 days!) to at least get used to the heat. Also, my personal preference is for the 6:30 am class cos then the room is the least sweaty-aftermath-ish than if I let myself sleep in and go later. A lil tip - no charge.
This place is great, it's super clean and ALL the staff here really care about your aches/pains and talk to us all about our practice. In class, the instructors remember your names each and every time. The cleanliness never stops amazing me and my husband. Never smells and actually, smells good. They really care about their clients here. Have been to another local studio that was a dump! Roberto & Paola, thumbs waay up!
All my aches and pains that I have had for years are now gone. All my back therapy is done. Spent too much money with other back treatments but I found this place and that was it. This place is the best. If you are hesitant about the heat, you are not the only one. Everyone is at first but you're body will love it and you will want to go back again and again. Gave up my regular workout (which I loved) of kickboxing and weights for this and am proud I did. My husband and I cannot stop telling everyone we know about this place and its effects on our bodies. Try it, you'll like it and if you don't, try it again.
I'm use to hot yoga classes but this takes the cake. During the class I almost felt like I was going to have heat exhaustion, heat stroke and dehydration. I've taken classes where the rooms were heated naturally by everyone's bodies which now I believe allows everyone's bodies to adjust to the heat accordingly. I do yoga for a workout and for the spiritual aspect of it. I felt like this type of yoga takes the spirituality out of yoga completely which is why yoga was created. I was not able to do a pose and the instructor made me feel slightly bad because I couldn't do it the way she described. I didn't like this since I'm getting the same benefit as everyone else who could do it. I gave this place 3 stars because other people may like this type of workout, the staff was nice and the facilities are decent. Also, I sweated so much that my skin is soft. They do charge a little more than some of the other yoga places but that's probably because they need to pay the heating bill.
