Naturalpath

Bikram Yoga- it’s an addicting experience. Why are so many people so into it? I have been going to Bikram for about a year on and off. The session consists of starting and ending breathing exercises as well as 26 postures performed in a heated room.

Bikram Yoga is practiced in a humid room that is heated to 101 degrees. This is similar to our own physiologic temperature, allowing us to skip past the first 15 minutes of warm-up required for other types of exercise and allowing you to move more quickly and deeply into the postures. The increased humidity causes you to sweat more, causing detox through the skin, our largest organ, as well as allowing optimal lung function, protecting from respiratory problems.

This exercise greatly increases cardiovascular health and immune function. Capillaries dilate, increasing blood flow, therefore oxygenating tissues, removing waste products, and improving peripheral circulation. Just like our own body raises its temperature to fight off infection and recruit T-cells, the hot environment of Bikram allows optimal T-cell action.

The nervous system is benefited as well, through various spine exercises including side, back and forward bends. You work out your lower, middle and upper spine in various positions, helping with posture and core strength.

Bikram can help to control weight as well as help to prevent and resolve injuries. This type of yoga increases metabolism in the digestive system and in individual cells, causing your body to burn fat and glucose more effectively as well as redistributing body weight. I must say that every time I go I can feel the difference for two days after; even while walking I feel more in control, balanced, with a strong toned core.

Because Bikram works with gravity and instructors are very clear about how to get into the poses, there is a decreased risk of accidents as compared to other exercises such as lifting weights or running. Also, your muscles and connective tissue become more elastic and flexible.

Mentally, Bikram can increase willpower, self-control, concentration, and determination. Holding poses for 30 seconds- 1 minute can be very difficult- my muscles often shake while I am dripping sweat- yet there are meditative resting periods called sebasana between the positions which allow you to clear your mind of the effort put into the last posture and prepare for the next one.

Give Bikram Yoga a try- I promise you won’t regret it. Most studios offer cheap trial packages, which are essential because the first session may be a little overwhelming, but even in your second session you will start to feel more flexible and comfortable in the new postures and heated atmosphere. And remember, the feeling in the last sebasana makes it all worth it!!