Hi, Jess ~

There are lots of differences between yoga styles! Bikram is just one fish in a huge pond. Yoga poses, effort level, and class styles vary tremendously.

You might want to read thru these guides to help choose a style that's right for you -- it might be Bikram, but you might also discover you're an Anusara girl at heart :-)

Bikram Yoga Basics:
http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/bikram-yoga-basics

Ashtanga Yoga Basics:
http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/ashtanga-yoga-basics

Vinyasa Yoga Basics:
http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/vinyasa-yoga-basics

Iyengar Yoga Basics:
http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/iyengar-yoga-basics

Anusara Yoga Basics:
http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/anusara-yoga-basics

Kundalini Yoga Basics:
http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/kundalini-yoga-basics

Hey Jess. First off, good luck with your new ballet classes!

As for bikram yoga, the heat does help to loosen your muscles, which makes it a bit easier to gain flexibility. Check out this guide on bikram/hot yoga for tips and more info:

http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/tips-for-hot-yoga

That being said, "regular" yoga will help you tremendously, too. Just make sure you take part in a class designed for your skill level that is lead by someone with a good reputation.

Some yoga poses you can start practicing in the meantime that will help you in ballet are listed in the link below. Good luck!

http://yoga.isport.com/yoga-guides/?&k=ballet&a_lev=&s_CustomSelect=0

Thanks Chris! Sorry for the delay in responding. The earthquake on Tuesday and the hurricane today have made things quite crazy here. Correction - the earthquake and hurricane have made people quite crazy here.

I will start doing these poses immediately. I was meant to start bikram this morning, but people are already a little crazy on the roads and the hurricane isn't supposed to start until after lunch. I rescheduled for next week. :) Wish me luck!

Hey, I'm just glad the hurricane wasn't as horrible as it could have been.

Good luck with bikram, let me know how it goes!

Okie dokie. Yeah, people lost their minds over the weekend. I rescheduled the bikram class for this Saturday, so I should have something to report this weekend.

Bikram was incredible. I enjoyed it. The only downside was that I was exhausted for the rest of the day and I had a little headache. I think I'll do it again in a couple weeks after I start ballet. :)

Good plan, glad to hear an update!