Bikram Yoga Amsterdam: Going "Dutch!"

Yesterday, before I left Amsterdam, I was able to squeeze in a Bikram yoga class in Amsterdam.



And it was a little different than I had expected it to be...

See, even though Bikram yoga has "universal" elements, things cans still be different between studios. Yesterday, these were the differences I experienced:

• The studio was much cooler than I am used to. Three days before, I had practiced in a studio that was 114 degrees Fahrenheit BEFORE class started. The Amsterdam studio felt about 100 to 105 degrees.
• They discourage you from drinking water in class. They really don't want anything to disturb the "flow of energy" in the room. And drinking water can be disruprtive, if you're not disciplined in how you drink.
• When they do Dandayamana - Bibhaktapada - Paschimottanasana, Trikanasana and Dandayamana - Bibhaktapada - Janushirasana, they ask you to turn sideways on your mat. I actually have done this at other yoga studios, and I think the one I practice at is one of the few that doesn't do it. But I prefer it that way. You actually have to use your leg muscles when you do these poses, just to keep yourself from sliding.
• When they do Sasangasana, they don't use a towel around their feet for gripping. In fact, in the second set of this pose, the teacher specifically requested that I not use it.

The only other major difference between the two studios is that the first set of each pose was instructed in Dutch. The second set would be instructed in English. It was very cool. As was the studio itself.

It was very easy to find, and it was just gorgeous. Slate tiles in the lobby... Huge women's locker room... Large windows in the practice room...

No coconut water though. But it was a really good practice! Just a lot cooler than I am used to.