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Therese M. Pope |
April 24, 2008
Developed by Bikram Choudhury, this style of yoga known as Bikram (or “hot yoga) is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) with humidity of 40 percent. Bikram includes 26 asanas (postures) and 2 pranayama (breath work) exercises. The 26 asanas are repeated twice and are held for 30 seconds during each round. Classes are usually held for ninety minutes.
An Olympic weight lifter and marathon runner, Choudhury has been nicknamed “Yogi to the Stars” because of the popularity of Bikram amongst Hollywood celebrities. However, traditional-based yogis have touted that Bikram is the “anti-yoga” of yoga.
The Bikram Buzz
A faithful practice (a minimum of 10 classes per month) is recommended by teachers to obtain the full benefits of Bikram. The elevated heat in Bikram helps muscles easier to stretch and allows for a better range of movement (especially with joints). The body sweats as a result of the heat. Sweating helps detoxify and cleanse the body. Because the body fights infection when its temperature is elevated, Bikram can help improves the immune system and raises T-cell counts. Bikram has also been associated with weight loss because the body burns sugar and fat faster as a result of the body’s elevated core temperature.
32 year-old Colorado entrepreneur and mom, Andreea Ayers, has practiced Bikram yoga for the past five years. She has also studied Hatha and Vinyasa, but focuses primarily on Bikram now.
“The reason I love Bikram yoga is that I really see a difference in how I feel and look. I am always more calm after I finish a Bikram yoga class and I feel like if I can do an hour and a half of Bikram yoga then I do anything!” explains Ayers.
She has noticed a significant difference in her body that she has never seen or felt with other styles of yoga that she has tried.
“I lost ten pounds since doing Bikram yoga again after giving birth in May 2007. I also feel more centered and balanced and I’m not as hungry or tired during the day. I feel very balanced mentally, physically and emotionally when I do Bikram yoga. I’ve also normalized my blood sugar levels and I don’t have as many cravings for sweets or carbohydrates.”
She advises yoga students who are taking Bikram for the first time to focus on how you are feeling during the class rather than the heat.
“Once you start sweating, the sweat cools your body down so the heat is no longer an issue. If you go in thinking that your goal for the first few weeks is just to stay in the room (without feeling the pressure to do all the poses), you’ll soon find yourself wanting to challenge your body and be fully present in the class,” Ayers comments.
Despite her busy schedule, Ayers feels it is important to make time to include Bikram yoga classes in her life.
“When I finish a Bikram yoga class, I feel strong, centered, empowered and focused. As a result, I make it a priority to practice it every other day.”
Too Hot to Handle
Jennifer Russell who took a Bikram yoga class came away with a different experience.
“I enjoyed the class itself; however 20 minutes after the class was finished I started to feel sick to my stomach and very hot. Twenty minutes later I started vomiting. By the time I got home, I was a mess. My husband, who is a firefighter, knew I was dehydrated (even though I was drinking water during the class) and put me under a cold shower. I was sick all night long,” Russell shares.
Although, she doesn’t have any negative feelings about yoga in general, she wouldn’t take a Bikram class again based on her experience.
“I know people who like it and they feel they are more flexible after taking Bikram.”
Dehydration is one of the most common complaints as to why students don’t enjoy Bikram. Like Russell, they feel ill during or after the class (due to the heat).
For students who like to stand on their heads, inversion poses aren’t included in the Bikram practice. There is also the repetitive sequence of asanas that are repeated twice which can be found as boring and monotonous.
Despite the complaints against Bikram, it still remains one of the most popular and sought-after yoga practices across the world.
Cautionary Tips for the Beginning Bikram Student:
Bring your own mat and towel to class since you’ll be sweating a lot.
Drink plenty of water before, during and after class so you don’t get dehydrated.
With any yoga practice, it’s not advisable to eat two hours before class.
Before you take a class, research the yoga studio and verify that the teachers are specifically certified to teach Bikram yoga.
Bikram is not advised for pregnant women because it raises the core temperature of the body which is dangerous for both mother and baby.
If you have any medical conditions that might be affected as a result of the heat, please check with a medical practitioner before you take a class.
Use sound judgment. You know your body the best. If you are feeling ill, dehydrated or light headed at any time, immediately stop and rest or quietly leave the class.
Sources:
http://yoga.about.com/od/bikramyogahotyoga
Source: wikipedia.org (Bikram yoga)
Interviews: Andreea Ayers, Jennifer Russell
http://www.googobits.com
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