Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga is also known as ‘Hot Yoga’ because it is performed in a room heated to 95 to 105 degrees. Developed by Bikram Choudhury, this style of yoga focuses on twenty-six postures, or asanas, which are performed in a set series that warms and stretches the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the order in which they should be stretched. Each yoga pose is usually performed twice and then held for a certain amount of time. A typical Bikram yoga session begins from Standing Postures then moves to the Backbends, Forward Bends, and Twists, with the poses accompanied by the breath of fire, or Kapalabhati Breath.

Bikram is a very physical and intense form of yoga which, when combined with the hot temperatures, results in a tough workout. The heat not only replicates the temperature of India, yoga’s birthplace, it also helps to loosen the muscles and produce sweat which helps to cleanse the body of toxins. The asanas move fresh blood through the entire body and each organ, restoring health to the body’s system along with proper weight, muscle tone and a sense of well-being. With regular practice, Bikram yoga can help to remove chronic pain and disease symptoms from the body.