BIKRAM YOGA (Hot Yoga)

BIKRAM Yoga-

Bikram Yoga was brought over to America by Bikram Choudhury in the early 1970's. Bikram Yoga sessions run for exactly 90 minutes and consist of a set series of 26 postures including 2 breathing exercises. Ideally, Bikram Yoga is practiced in a room that has been heated to 105 degrees with a humidity of 40%. The postures are practiced in a heated room, which promotes flexibility, improves circulation and prevents injury. The warmth also allows you to delve more deeply into postures than you could in a non-heated room.  It is HOT in there to say the least, I sweat so much. It is one of the best detoxifiers for your body.  I have been practicing for one month now and I have never felt so challenged, mentally and physically. I am addicted.

There are so many health benefits that come along after getting into Bikram yoga. I would like to start off with the weight loss. As I said in my previous post  I lost 12 lbs in 3 weeks. I believe that I was able to burn so much fat because of Bikram Yoga. During one 90 minute session you burn 500-1000 calories, more if you’re really pushing yourself. This is because the muscles are heated, which enables them to burn fat faster. You will be able to see and feel your body changing. It also helps you to make better food choices and crave less unhealthy foods. 

Many people today suffer from lower back pain, stiff necks, headaches, scoliosis, herniated disks and many other back problems. The various poses work through these problems and relieve so much pain. That is a major part of why I chose to couple it with my marathon training. My lower back is my weakest point, whenever I am out of class my back feels revived and fresh. By doing Bikram Yoga all my muscles will be stretched and my joints are all repaired. There is also helpful psychological aspects that come from this practice. It balances your mind and body, this helps people have healthier sleeping patterns, it also helps people that have high-anxiety. There  are so many benefits that come from Bikram Yoga.

I have just recently started practicing Bikram Yoga and can’t wait to see all the health benefits that will come with it. I am about to start a 30 day Bikram Yoga Challenge. Have you tried Bikram Yoga before? Any thoughts ??

If your interested in starting the practice of Bikram Yoga your future balanced mind and body await you. Look up a studio in your area and take a class for beginners. Let the instructor know it's your first class and they will help you through the poses. Make sure that you go to class hydrated and bring along; a mat, a towel, and at least a liter of water. Dress lightly and get ready to sweat.