Hot Poses: The Bikram Yoga Style
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Bikram yoga employs breathing techniques and poses which help practitioners achieve a high level of relaxation. This is done through the use of breathing techniques and unique body poses. At first it would be difficult for some to rid themselves of mundane concerns. However, in due time and practice, Bikram yoga will help realign one’s focus, from outward to inward. This will enable anyone to asses their true physical, mental, and emotional state. With this, the benefits of Bikram yoga is not only found in the physical improvements practitioners experience, but also in the mental and emotional rewards they gain as they become more sensitive to their own body and mind’s needs.
Normally, if you want to have a good cardio workout you jog, run, or bike. Sadly, these physical activities over time will have an impact on your body. Although these exercises are great in developing cardiovascular health, the repetitive motions of the activities will ultimately result in injury. So as an alternative cardiovascular workout, Bikram yoga is an excellent option. Although it has lesser impact on the body, it is impressive how much Bikram yoga calories burn in one session. On top of that, it is also an effective muscle training workout. Several of the poses require the person to hold up their body for prolonged spans of time. The practitioner’s weight becomes source of resistance. Muscles are strengthened as well as stretched. Bones are also strengthened. With special emphasis on the spine, Bikram yoga poses helps increase flexibility; thus, having a better range of motion.
Bikram yoga is done in a room heated up to about one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. This will lead to practitioners sweating heavily. The heat loosens up the body. The sometimes uncomfortable heat plus the sweat encourages practitioners to concentrate more on the activity since the warmth and sweat can be distractions. But more importantly, the heat opens up the body’s pores while it also dilates blood vessels. This will result in better circulation that will lead to more toxins released via sweat. Even though the extra sweat may be beneficial as mentioned, it would be advantageous if the practitioner would invest in some equipment that is specific for Bikram yoga. A good investment is a Bikram yoga mat, which absorbs sweat and prevents the practitioner from slipping.
A Bikram yoga session starts with the breathing technique called Pranayama. Doing this breathing technique, practitioners would stand and breathe deeply while their arms move in a specific manner. The Pranayama opens up the body and prepares it for the succeeding pose. Practitioners then perform bending poses sideways, forwards, and backwards, loosening the spine.
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