03/20/09

Not "real" Bikram

by antiguablue

Note: I didn't attend any other classes, so maybe they are good at teaching other kinds of yoga.

I was in town for the weekend and went to the Friday noon "Bikram" class. This isn't a real licensed Bikram studio, and they don't follow a lot of Bikram's rules (e.g.: Bikram doesn't allow wood floors because they're too slippery/dangerous, but this place has them).

My biggest problem was that the room was not NEARLY hot enough. It could not have been hotter than 90, when a real Bikram class should be at least 105. Also, the instructor deviated a lot from the standard Bikram instructions, so instead of giving lots of details about what you should be doing in each pose, he talked about things like finding your inner peace. That's nice and all, but I noticed a lot of people in the class doing the poses completely wrong because the instructor wasn't being fully informative.

I guess this class is fine if you're into "gentle" yoga, but I'm pretty hardcore about Bikram and this was a disappointment for me. I come to Bikram classes to get an intense workout and to be pushed to the limits of what my body can do -- NOT to be told I can just take it easy and meditate on my goals in life. That's what therapy is for.

• Pros: Only Bikram class in the area
• Cons: Not hot enough, instruction not very good

12/01/08

Great Bikram Class

by NoBrakesGo

I've been practicing yoga for 1.5 years and this was my first Bikram yoga class. I've been to several studios and this one was warm, inviting and helpful. The class was terrific and the teacher, Annie, was a superb motivator. Anytime I'm in Tampa visiting family, I will make it to Yogani and sweat out the family tension!

• Pros: Mat rental, friendly staff
• Cons: Parking

10/16/08

Best yoga in town

by sj31

I've been going here since they opened the location (plus a couple years at the old location). They offer many types of yoga. I like Eric's Tuesday 5pm intermediate flow class for a great workout. It is a popular class with good reason, many regulars. In general, the instructors I've had here are the best out of the studios I've visited in Tampa and NY. You must give this place 3 tries, with 3 different instructors to get a range of what they offer.

• Pros: instructors, ambiance, showers, class variety
• Cons: if you forget your mat, you have to pay for mat rental