I started this a week ago, and am curious if anyone does this regularly?  If so, what kind of benefits have you seen?  Does it include cellulite reduction? Also one friend says your eyes get whiter :p

I've been practicing Baptiste power vinyasa yoga for about 2 months now and I absolutely love it. It's the first kind of "exercise" that I haven't had to force myself to do. I actually get upset with myself if I have to miss it. I definitely notice my strength increasing and I've been told I look more toned. Also, I'm more at peace mentally. I've learned that there are situations in which I have no control and that all I need to do is breathe and get through the moment. It's helped me be able to clear my mind better. In a perfect week, I go three times, but it hasn't been working out that way lately :/  I 100% recommend it.

I love hot yoga, i need to get back into it. I used to do it every weekend and it's so relaxing, do it close to bedtime and you will sleep so wonderfully and the next day you are so calm and relaxed.  I love the humidity and going through all 23 postures. it's a challenge but you feel great once you are done.

I do a lot of Bikram and while I can't say that I've lost any weight, I do love the way it makes me feel. 

I do love bikram, but it is mainly for mental reasons (learnign to relax in challenging situations, the peace that comes with absolute concentration, the feeling of accomplishment after a class)... but I actually stop going after 6 months of religious 3-5 day practice.... I had actually gained weight and my muscles were beginning to feel a little soft. (I was triathlon training until two long term overuse injuries sidelined me). Once a week it's great, but don't believe ll of the weight loss hype. Of course I am a scientist and have done a ton of research into bikram ... it may actually be detrimental - but I love it weekly or less.

I'm curious as to how it's detrimental? I only went 8 times because I was doing a 10 day trial, and I finally lost the 4 pounds I was trying to kick! Plus my chiropractor said my spine looked great.  DO you mean from the heat though?  Or the positions?

I'm obsessed with hot yoga, I haven't been in a month or so and really need to get back into it. I go to Moksha Yoga in Halifax and try to go 5 times a week or so. It's the first exercise that I really love, it's so relaxing and makes me feel so good. I didn't really lose any weight doing it but I feel so much stronger and healthier.

Well, let me first say that I do do bikram from time to time, so I am not against it in any way. But 1) the heat/humidity level basically causes the body to go into a heat stress and 2) the heat makes it seem as if you can stretch a lot further than you actually can - making it more likely to strain or tear a muscle.

Another professor I work with went religously for three years - and him and I have had lengthy conversations abotu experts opinions on the health benefits- apparently other yogi's have taken the hot yoga approach and deviated from it creating their own practices in "warm" rooms rather than "hot." But yes, I went today and my back feels great now!

I own the book Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class, & I love it. I don't do it in a hot room, however. I understand the reason behind it, to make your muscles stretch easier, but I just can't handle the heat. I just try to do it towards the end of my day, after I've been at work & my muscles are warmed up on their own. When I stick to it, I definitely lose weight, feel more toned, & am more peaceful. I love it. I need to start doing it again! :)

I am absolutely obsessed with Bikram's yoga. I practice 5 - 6 times a week and I have heard most of the hype - good and bad.

Most people who are against it say it's not "yoga" because it's not "relaxing" and such. I agree that it's not relaxing, actually it's really freaking hard, but I have never had regular yoga bring me to the relaxed, meditative state of mind that I get from Bikram.

Also the legality of it, and the way that it's patented and franchised is pretty lame, but you know what? It works.

With Bikram, don't feel discouraged if you don't lose any weight. When I was a beginner I wasn't doing the postures 100% correctly, even though I am really flexible from years of ballet training. Its my sixth month of practicing Bikram and I am now noticing my body starting to look better every day. I am extremely satisfied with my results - shorter/less painful menstrual cycles, much more mental clarity, and I feel stronger. Also, Bikram paired with Alicia's Superhero diet... Is AMAZING. It makes you feel absolutely inhuman.

Great post, my first hot yoga class all I wanted was out! Then as I kept going, I started feeling stronger and more determined. I ate healthier, and to be honest, I love a good sweat. Sweating out all of the toxins feel great, and my body is getting more toned. I love hot yoga!

Oprah had an article which was awesome about a woman who is overweight, divorced, out of work, in debt., etc and she did Bikram hot yoga for 60 days and she was pretty much fighting in the beginning but it turned out okay.  I'm sure you can access this article on oprah.com or it's in her Jan 2010 magazine.  It's by Paige Williams and it's a great read.