Bikram Yoga Rockville

After doing intro hatha yoga classes, I was looking for a challenge. Ive heard so many good things about bikram yoga, so I ended up buying the $20 unlimited week pass.

Immediately when you enter the door, there is a shelving area to place your shoes. The entire facility is barefoot, including the reception and bathroom areas, which are spotless...and I just so happen to be a neatfreak, so score!

I already had good vibes for this place, as the owner called me after an email inquiry about their passes, and left me tips on what to bring my first time. That was a really nice touch. I had even more good vibes my first day here, as I was greeted at the front desk by the owner, who welcomed me and signed me in. I bought a vitaminwater for $2 (coconut juice is $3)...electrolyte drinks weren't forced like a previous reviewer says, but I even urge you to do it the first time because you will need it.

She immediately introduced me to my instructor of the day, who was extremely nice and took my mat to place by the window--this is the beginner's spot, as it's slightly cooler. (I would later feel that no spot felt cooler, as session 1 felt like hell no matter what I did.)

VISIT 1:
Sweat immediately. The instructor gave a warm welcome to me. I felt like all the students were in this with me--everyone was supportive. Even though the pace is fast and you don't know what to do, there are plenty of people to watch and follow. The instructor was very, very detailed in what to do on every part of your body, so I never felt lost despite being a first timer. He often emphasized that it didn't matter how you looked compared to others, just as long as you were doing it right. Wiped and sweat buckets. His encouragement to push harder and harder made it challenging for all. I really, really liked that he gave me individual attention for the poses. There were a couple of times I really, really wanted to leave the room, but I pushed. I left drenched without any epiphanies, but felt like I just completed the most insane workout of my life. To hell and back.

VISIT 2:
Kindly introduced to the next instructor again. I had to really talk myself into coming back and that it would get better. I arrived early so I could lay in the heat and adjust. It did seem more tolerable. Instructor also very descriptive about poses and I didn't feel lost at all. I found it easier to get into the poses, but still felt the intensity and challenge. Still had to sit out a couple times, but it was much later into the session. I let the sweat just go this time, which made me feel cooler. Today she emphasized that imperfections were fine...and really got me to sync into my breathing and release my stress. At the end of it, when savasana began and the door opened--I found myself teary eyed. Maybe it was a sense of conquering the insane heat, maybe it was really a release of all the bad stuff--but from that point, I knew I was hooked.

I'm so connected with my body now and find myself wanting to lead a more healthy lifestyle, both physically and emotionally. Force yourself to give it consistent tries and to fall in love with yourself. There is such a community here, so don't let the fear of being a beginner or of a new studio deter you. Thanks Bikram!

TIPS:
-Feel free to sit out when you are spent; you won't be the only ones. People all around the room took breaks as they needed.
-Bring frozen water, it'll melt quick.
-Think you've drank enough water all day? Drink more. Double it.
-One bath towel or Yogitoes for your mat; I found I didn't need any other towels, because leaving sweat on cools you.
-Come 10 min early if you are particular on where to be placed.
-Be quiet.
-You can bring your purse/bag in with you. There's space.
-Cool down and drink liquids before you leave, either in savasana in the room, or out in the waiting area. It's easy to get winded.
-Go to an afternoon class, though its crowded, the unity and energy makes it a different feel than the nooners.

Out of the five Bikram studios I've visited the past year, Bikram Yoga Rockville ranks the lowest.

Things I didn't like:

1) Carpet flooring-It's dirty, people sweat, and it's much harder to clean. I could only imagine how many hundreds of people of sweat on it before me.

2) The really loud heater in the room that keeps going on and off. It's so deafening when you're on the left hand side of the room. Noise pollution in a yoga class--not for me.

3) Usually crowded. I can see why--the space is small and there's no competition for Bikram studios in the Rockville--everyone flocks here. This creates a potential problem when you're next to someone super smelly. :(

The most memorable turn-off was when I was called me a "germaphobe" and suggested to check out studios around the area when I questioned how often they cleaned the carpets. It was a bit hostile for just a simple question. It was funny because I tried to refill my water bottle from the water cooler, I was told not to do because they didn't want the water to splash from my Camelbak to the cooler spout, causing germs. Ironic, huh. Also, I didn't like how some teacher interrupted the session by telling people to stay on their mat when they inched too far off their mat. Not exactly a stress-free place for a yogi just trying to find her peace.


Things I did like:

1) If it's your first time there, they set your map up for you, which was a nice gesture.

2) They get to know your name. They clap for you at the end of class for sharing your practice there.

3) Spencer was probably the best teacher I had here. I really appreciated his encouraging instruction and was effective at pushing me to go deeper in my practice.

For a first time yogi with no expectations, Bikram Yoga Rockville could be a good introduction. If you don't have negative interaction with the front desk, it could be a pleasant experience. They also offer advanced classes here that I have not seen at other studios.

However, for a friendlier and better experience guaranteed, I would recommend Bikram Bethesda as your next closest option.

It's in a strip mall, and people walking will sometimes peer in the window and watch the class--but you'll be too distracted to care. The room is hot, and the yoga is intense. It's great.

Classes are always the same, and you can buy them one by one ($17 each, plus $2 if you need to rent a yoga mat) or in chunks, so there's no need to make a commitment, and no reason not to go and try a class. Bring water, and don't be afraid of the heat!

Diana, the owner, is a great teacher with a blunt sense of humor. Her classes are fun. Many of the teachers have very soothing voices (which is useful, because it seems easier to get into a back bend when the teacher hypnotically intones "lean back... fall back... way back").

www.bikramyogarockville.com

Let me preface this by saying I dislike normal yoga immensely. I find it boring, I am not flexible, and honestly I feel kind of stupid saying Nameste.

BUT

I love Bikram yoga. I wish I could afford to do it more often.

There is something immensely calming, relaxing, and cathartic about being in a super hot room, sweating out all your toxins, drinking tons of water, and peacefully doing yoga.

Afterwards I feel centered, cleansed, and flexible. If you have never done it, they have an Intro Week Special!
(first-time local residents only) for $20. Normally a single class is $17- so you should do it and try to go every day that week. I promise you'll feel different, better, at the end of the week. Classes are 90 min- not an hour, so keep that in mind too.

Maybe it's because I've been doing Bikram in NYC for so long that I think this place is AMAZING.
Bikram in NYC is synonymous with being a sardine in a sardine can.
It's crowded, smelly and not something anyone would really want to be a part of.
This place is still a little pricey for me but it's large, clean and I LOVE the instructors. They really make an effort to help you understand and help you master the moves. They are encouraging and never make you feel stupid if you are having a harder-than-usual day.
I'm also not sure why (given that 30+ people are sweaty for 90 minutes at a time and times that by the ~4 classes they have a day) but this place doesn't smell!!! I don't know how they manage it but somehow they escape the sweaty gym sock smell that clings to every other bikram studio I've frequented.
That, itself is worth the hefty monthly membership.

Regardless, it's a great work out and something different.
For those still hesitant, they offer a $20 one-week trial for new students so take advantage of that and get Bikramed!

Awful! Rude owner, rude instructor. If you like to be boss around this is the place for you. By the way I've been doing yoga for 5 years, and I was trying something different... but I guess it was the wrong place.
Paying for 20$ for the week was a waste of money!!

While new to Bikram Yoga, Bikram Rockville was not my first go-around. I had been going to Bikram Yoga Bethesda, and since my package there was used up and the Living Social Deal for Rockville came out, I decided to give it a try. It's less than 2 miles from my office, so I'll say it was at least convenient. However, I bought a month-long pass, I went three times, and I'm not going back.

My first day, it was a chaotic mess. I think most people were there with the LD deals. I was asked by the owner if I had a problem finding the place. When I said no not at all, I work around the corner, she said, "Ok well maybe NEXT time we can try to come a little sooner, huh?" RUDE.

Other staff members were nice, but the goods do not outweigh the bads for me. Like I said, I've been to BYB, which I LOVED, but I moved and it's no longer conveniently located for me. So here are some of the "bads" that just became deal breakers for me:

CHATTY ATMOSPHERE
At the Bethesda location, I became used to no one speaking once they got into the hot room, as it was a disruption to others who were preparing to practice. I enjoyed it because, while it's an intense workout, it was nice to sort of free your mind and not deal with any noise. I was surprised when I walked into the incredibly crowded hot room for the first time and it was like walking into a loud classroom.

SMALL SPACE
The room is way too small for the amount of people who go there. It's insane. I was literally on top of the woman next to me. The guy behind me and I kept hitting each other because we were both tall but we were also about 6 inches away from each other. It's just way too crowded for my liking. I got there early enoguh the second time to get a spot in the back of the room but it's still just way too small for me. I didn't like it. Bethesda's studio is so big even when the class is crowded you have ample space to do your thing.

CALLING PEOPLE OUT
At Bethesda (and I'm told by friends, at other places they go), they make it a point to say, "Focus on yourself in the mirror, no one else. You're looking straight ahead at yourself." That's one reassuring thing to hear for the yoga newbie. I do not like how they call people out left and right here. One instructor in particular teased a guy who was wearing a t-shirt and socks. It's distracting. I got called out once for having a serious face. Who gives a ---- if my face looks serious. I'm concentrating on what I'm trying to do, and it's 105 degrees in there. I'm a former college athlete and the serious face is what I do when I work out. Who cares. I just didn't appreciate it.

I'm not saying all the instructors are bad either. She wasn't even that bad. She was perfectly nice. But calling people out like that just is not my thing.

While Bikram is an incredible workout, I will probably never be practicing at Bikram Rockville again. I will find a place closer to my new home, or bite the bullet and return to Bethesda which I absolutely loved.

I went to bikram for the first time last week. I've been doing different kinds of yoga on and off for a couple of years now.

Bikram is totally different from any yoga I've ever done. It's sort of like boot camp, having an instructor tell a big group of people what to do without pause. And I drink a lot more water during the day, because I know how much I'm going to be sweating later. Ninety minutes of yoga in a 105-degree room with about 25 other people? That's not the yoga I know.

I have never sweat so much in my entire life, but for some reason, I feel refreshed when I leave bikram. It's addictive.

You can rent a mat (which they DO clean--I've seen them hanging on drying racks in the back) and buy water. Bring a bath towel AND a washcloth, though you WILL sweat more than your washcloth will absorb.

I'm a bikram convert!

Ahhh Bikram. I think that everyone should try this at least once. The wonderful feeling that you have after you have blasted through 90 minutes of Bikram is indescribable. Colors are brighter, you feel like your walking on air...it's just a wonderful feeling.

Bikram Rockville is a great Bikram studio. I've been to a couple in the past 3 years that I have been attending classes and this is my favorite studio. The instructors are helpful, and want you to have a rewarding experience.

They offer mat and towel rental, sell water and energy drinks and cute stretchy yoga clothes. Drink lots of water, wear minimal clothing and have fun. And if your a student, take your student ID. They give you a discounted rate. =]

I used to pass by this place often while grocery shopping/getting dinner/hanging out, etc., and I would wonder at the group of people strangely focusing on seemingly nothing in this room that was steaming up from the inside. My thoughts: Wtheck.

But after a trial run of Bikram Yoga at 6am in SF with S.K. and a loss of what new exercise I could do to supplement my attempt at weight loss (because running, basketball, and volleyball were clearly NOT working), I decided to go for it.

I adore it. It's intense, and I sweat buckets (Literally. I kind of want to find a way to wring out my towels and clothes to see how much I actually sweat during one of these sessions. Then again, maybe not. :D)

Anyway, Bikram Yoga Rockville is great. The instructors are super friendly and make an effort to make you feel at ease. Plus, it's fun with them! We sang happy birthday in the middle of class while doing the triangle pose (I'm still too noob to know what it's actually called) to one of our classmates, forcing us to not only breathe but also to have some fun.

Additionally, the facilities are clean and not smelly. Don't forget to take your shoes off at the door, and you will want to go earlier during some of the night classes because the rooms WILL get filled to capacity.

Oh, and another thing (I know, I know, shut up, Jeanne). I like how my classmates are all shapes, sizes, ages, skills, etc. etc. Obviously there really isn't much control over who shows up to class, but as a complete noob, it's nice to know I'm not alone in my pained (and often failing) efforts to balance on one leg.

My only complaint is that the hours aren't too great for people who work. I get off work at 6pm, and rushing back to make the 7:30pm class doesn't really work sometimes, especially if the Metro is being its normal, temperamental self . . .