Benefits of Bikram Yoga & Some Advice

What is Bikram Yoga?

There are many benefits of Bikram Yoga. But first, what it Bikram Yoga? This sequence of 26 poses designed by Bikram Choudhury is completed in 90 minutes in a room heated to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 40 percent humidity.

What are the benefits of Bikram Yoga?

Bikram Choudhury speaks to the many benefits of Bikram Yoga, saying,

“Bikram Yoga’s twenty-six posture exercises systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to one hundred percent of your body, to each organ and fiber, restoring all systems to healthy working order, just as nature intended. Proper weight, muscle tone, vibrant good health, and a sense of well being will automatically follow.”

On the Bikram Yoga site, you can read the full benefits for each of the 26 poses.

There are many contraindications (including pregnancy) for yoga poses, which is why consulting your doctor before practicing yoga is essential. You should also have a certified yoga teacher that learn and practice under in person. These poses are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Some of the benefits include:

Standing Deep Breathing: improves blood circulation and focus and helps transfer more oxygen to organs and muscles

Eagle Pose: improves flexibility in hips, knees, ankles, helps blood flow to sex organs and kidneys

Standing Bow: moves blood from one side of the body to the other, improves balance, patience, determination, and concentration and helps flexibility and strength of the lower spine

Tree Pose: improves posture, balance, and flexibility

Half Moon Pose: strengthens the core, increases flexibility in the spine

Awkward Pose: tones legs, helps with cold feet

Standing Head to Knee Pose: strengthens hamstrings and leg muscles

Balancing Stick Pose: strengthens heart muscles and concentration

Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose: reduces sciatica, increases flexibility in spines, ankles, and hips

Triangle Pose: reduces lower back pain

Standing Separate Head to Knee Pose: beneficial for metabolism and immune system

Toe Stand: strengthens knees, improves concentration, opens hips

Dead Body Pose: increases circulation

Wind-Removing Pose: strengthens arms, increases hip flexibility

Sit Up (seated forward fold): increases spine flexibility

Cobra: strengthens lumber spine, improves digestion

Locust Pose: strengthens lumber spine, improves digestion

Full Locust Pose: strengthens the middle spine, opens rib cage

Bow Pose: opens rib cage, aids digestions, increases circulation

Fixed Firm Pose: increases circulation, increases the flexibility of spine and hips

Half Tortoise: relieves tension in neck and shoulders, increases blood flow to the brain

Camel Pose: improves the flexibility of neck and spine, helps constipation

Rabbit Pose: increases mobility of the spine, relieves tension in back, shoulders, and neck

Head to Knee Pose and Stretching Pose: improves digestion, beneficial for the immune system

Spine-Twisting Pose: calms the nervous system, increases circulation to spinal nerves

Things to Watch Out For

• In my opinion, this is not a class for beginners. If you are really athletic and just new to yoga, you may be fine. However, the fast pace, challenging poses, and the extreme heat make this a very challenging class.
• Stay hydrated. Coming to this class when you are dehydrated is not going to be fun. That being said, don’t chug a bunch of water right before class. You will probably end up feeling sick. It’s best to keep your hydration up for a day or two leading up to the class. Obviously, it’s best to always be well hydrated. Don’t like drinking water? Read Five Ways to Trick Yourself Into Drinking Water.
• Don’t wipe the sweat off. Sweat is your bodies way of regulating your temperature. If you wipe it away constantly, you aren’t giving it a chance to evaporate.
• Be early to class. This is not a class that you want to run into at the last minute. It’s best to be a little early to let yourself acclimate to the heat before diving into the postures.
• Listen to your body. During this 90 minute sequence, your core body temperature and heart rate will rise. If you are feeling dizziness, headaches, a drop in your blood pressure or nauseous, take a break. If you are diabetic, have hypertension, or obesity you are more at risk for these symptoms. I would highly recommend talking to your doctor before starting this type of yoga (or any yoga for that matter) regardless of your level of health.

Want to give Bikram a try? This video will lead you through the complete sequence.

Bikram Yoga is obviously really intense. A Yin or Restorative Yoga class would be a great compliment to a Bikram practice. You can read about the difference between yin and restorative in Yin Restorative Yoga: What is the Difference?

Namaste,

Abby

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