Bikram Yoga, sometimes referred to as hot yoga, is a form of yoga done in a heated studio. Heat is used to loosen tight muscles, allowing you to correct any postural deviations or injuries. Bikram Yoga can only be taught by an instructor certified by the Bikram's Yoga College of India.
History
Bikram Yoga was named after Bikram Choudhury. Bikram was born in Calcutta, India in 1946. He began practicing yoga at the age of four. At the age of 17, Bikram injured his knee during a weightlifting exercise and was told he would never walk again. He used yoga to rehabilitate his injury and made a full recovery. From that experience he developed his method of 26 essential postures to improve mind, body and spirit that could be completed in 90 minutes. In 1974 he founded the Bikram's Yoga College of India in Los Angeles, California.
Benefits
Bikram's Yoga College of India states that yoga alters the construction of your body from head to toe. Heat is used to warm up your body and soften your muscles to improve flexibility. Each studio is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Another benefit of the heat used in Bikram Yoga is to remove toxins from your body through the act of sweating. Bikram Yoga has 26 postures and when done in the correct order they are designed to move fresh, oxygenated blood to your muscles, organs and fibers to restore all systems of your body to proper working order.
What to Expect
According to Bikram's Yoga College of India there are certain things you need to be aware of to prepare yourself for your first Bikram Yoga class. Because the studios are heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, you should bring a yoga mat, large towel, one to two washcloths and a water bottle to class and dress in light clothing. It is recommended that you go to class on an empty stomach, meaning your last meal should be one to three hours prior to class. If you normally don't drink water daily, start hydrating a few days prior to class. Bikram's Yoga College of India recommends drinking four liters of water on the days you participate in class.
Considerations
You may experience some biological effects after class that are normal and shouldn't alarm you. You may feel extremely tired after class, but this is just your body's way of cleansing --your energy levels should return to normal after a few classes. If you experience muscular soreness or stiffness the day after class, this is normal and will alleviate itself as you continue to increase your flexibility and strength. If you feel nauseous or dizzy after class you may be dehydrated. Drink as much water as you can and to reduce the risk of dehydration in the future make sure you hydrate appropriately before class. You may experience skin irritation after class, this is normal and means your body is releasing toxins. Shower after class to wash the toxins away.
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