Push, push, push. It’s something you’ll be doing a lot of in your 90 minute class at Bikram Kelowna.

Start by pushing open the glass door on a wall of windows and enter. You’ll be greeted with a clean, open space, a bright display offering colourful mats, giant towels and teeny-tiny yoga outfits not to mention an enthusiastic instructor behind the desk. The wide open space and the welcoming vibe will have you taking your first of many deep breaths.  

Upstairs you’ll find the hot room where you’ll twist and stretch your way through the trademark series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. The room is white and wood, windows and mirrors. You’ll share it with 30 or so scantily clad bodies that will collectively jack the temperature up over 100 degrees.

Beat the heat with lots of water - instructor Maria recommends drinking a couple of litres of water before class and to make sure you also bring some along. You’ll sweat it all out.

As you bend and strain through the poses, you’ll be reminded to keep your eyes open so that you stay present in the practice. You’ll hear ‘push, push, push’ as you sink deeper into each posture.  When you get to the heavy breathing, you’re almost through. And then, after a few moments of recovering in Savasana (corpse pose), that wave of yogic bliss will pass over you.

You’ll be glad you pushed, pushed, pushed the envelope.