Why Can’t I drink water in Hot Yoga?
HI Everyone,
In January, a TikTok influencer took a 26&2 class at a Hot Yoga studio in New York City—formerly known as Bikram NYC, now BODE NYC.
During class, she took a sip of water and, according to her post, was scolded by the teacher for drinking outside the designated “party time” break.
Her TikTok went viral, sparking a wave of commentary online—and two weeks ago, The New York Times published an article about the controversy. The teacher claims she asked politely.
In this week's YouTube video, I dive into the history behind the infamous “Party Time” water break from the original Bikram Yoga system and explore how this strict rule shaped the culture of Hot Yoga classes for decades.
As Bikram’s most senior teacher for over 18 years and founder of Barkan Yoga, I’ve seen both the value of discipline and the downside of rigid instruction. Join me as I break down where this rule came from, why some teachers still enforce it, and how we can find the balance between tradition and evolution in modern Hot Yoga.
LOVE & LIGHT,
JIMMY