Sizzling Bikram Yoga
June 30, 2010There are many yoga types practices that you can venture into or try. Most of the asanas are pretty uncomplicated and can be out into practice with great ease. However, there are also styles of yoga that may be too challenging, and potentially harmful for beginners to try. Bikram hot yoga is one of those styles. So you need to understand the dangers of Bikram yoga to avoid serious injury.
Founding of Bikram Hot Yoga
Bikram Choudhury is a renowned name in Olympics. In the 1960’s, he won the gold medal for weight lifting. He adapted traditional yoga techniques and incorporated the naturally hot and humid environment of India. He designed Bikram yoga as a form of yoga which increases muscular strength, endurance and weight loss.
Choudhury has gone to great lengths to keep his form of yoga intact and guarded from misinterpretation. He has limited the access of his yoga only to those who have learnt yoga from his Yoga College of India situated in California and if anyone wishes to edify the same to others then they should be literally licensed by Choudhury himself. On can learn a true sizzling Bikram yoga only through attending the Yoga college of India set-up by Choudhury or from those who have obtained license from him to do so, others who just boast to teach the specialized form of yoga might just be fooling you.
How is it Different from Traditional Yoga Practices?
This specialized form of yoga should be performed in a room which is pre-heated up to 105 degrees in temperature. The clamminess in the room should also be regulated and it should be between 40% to 60%. Sizzling Bikram yoga requires heat as an integral part of the yoga session and cannot do without it. The heat is essential in making this more of a workout technique rather than a relaxation time. An extreme amount of perspiration is expelled; cleansing the body of toxins. It is important to be properly hydrated before beginning to avoid any dehydration issues. The session involves body stretching and posing of various forms so as to boost stamina and potency, which is effectuated because of the heated up environment.
The session involves a total of 26 postures, or asanas. The asanas are performed in a custom manner repeatedly. Each asana lasts for a period of 10 to 60 seconds. And the total session is 90 minutes long. The first twelve poses are standing poses. The others are all done lying on the floor and sitting.
The Poses of Bikram Hot Yoga:
1. Asana involving intense inhalation and done while standing
2. A posture wherein a half moon pose has to be done by allowing the hands to touch the feet
3. Awkward pose
4. Eagle pose
5. An asana which is done wherein head is allowed to touch the feet
6. Standing bow pulling pose
7. Balancing stick pose
8. An asana wherein you are required to stretch your feet
9. A pose wherein you show up as a triangle
10. Standing separate leg head to knee pose
11. An asana where you are required to pose like a tree
12. Toe stand pose
13. Dead body pose
14. Wind removing pose
15. An asana which involves you to rise while lying down
16. Cobra pose
17. Locust pose
18. An asana which involves a pose of a full threat locust
19. Bow pose
20. An asana wherein you pose like a firm and fixed thing
21. An asana wherein you pose like a half tortoise and dwell
22. Camel pose
23. Rabbit pose
24. An asana wherein you have bring your head toward your knees
25. Spine twisting pose
26. An asana which shows as if you are blowing air firmly
Aside from the obvious benefits of Bikram yoga, there are other benefits to doing Bikram hot yoga that may not be seen right away. Bikram Choudhury and other dedicated clique of this form of yoga proclaim it to heal many forms of illnesses if practiced no less than ten times during a month. Those who have signs showing up as auto immune illnesses and sclerosis can for sure find great difference on practicing this form of yoga. Since this form of yoga brings on excess of perspiration, it helps in oozing out toxins from your body resulting in a glowing skin with no skin related issues.
The argument is intense on the aspect of involving conventional yoga along with tough workout, while the critics blame it as a rebellion yoga form which spoils the tranquility and serenity of typical yoga.
