Hot Poses: The Bikram Yoga Style
Bikram yoga employs breathing techniques and poses which help practitioners achieve a high level of relaxation. This is achieved through the use of breathing techniques and unique body poses. At first it would be difficult for some to rid themselves of mundane concerns. However, in due time and practice, Bikram yoga will help realign one’s focus, from outward to inward. This will enable anyone to truly asses their true physical, mental, and emotional state. With this, the benefits of Bikram yoga is not only found in the physical improvements practitioners experience, but also in the mental and emotional rewards they gain as they become more sensitive to their own body and mind’s needs.
Traditionally, if you want to have a good cardio workout you jog, run, or bike. Unfortunately, these physical activities over time will have an impact on your body. Although these exercises are great in developing cardiovascular health, the repetitive motions of the activities will ultimately lead to injury. So as an alternative cardiovascular workout, Bikram yoga is an excellent option. Although it has low impact on the body, it is impressive how much Bikram yoga calories burn in one session. Aside from that, it is also an effective muscle training workout. The various poses require the person to hold up their body for prolonged spans of time. The practitioner’s weight becomes source of resistance. Muscles are strengthened and stretched. Bones are also strengthened. With special emphasis on the spine, Bikram yoga poses help people to increase their flexibility; thus, having a better range of motion.
Bikram yoga is performed in a room heated up to about one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. This will cause practitioners to sweat heavily. The heat actually loosens up the body. The relatively uncomfortable heat plus the sweat encourages practitioners to concentrate more on the activity since the warmth and sweat can be distractions. But more importantly, the heat opens up the body’s pores and dilates blood vessels. This will result in better circulation that will lead to more toxins released through sweat. Although the extra sweat may be beneficial as mentioned, it would be advantageous if the practitioner would invest in some equipment that is specific for Bikram yoga. A good investment is a Bikram yoga mat, which will absorb sweat and prevent the practitioner from slipping.
A Bikram yoga session starts with the breathing technique called Pranayama. Doing this breathing technique, practitioners would stand and breathe deeply while their arms move in a specific manner. The Pranayama opens up the body and prepares it for the next pose. Practitioners then do some bending poses sideways, forwards, and backwards, loosening the spine. This is followed by the third pose, wherein practitioners
