Top 5 Hot Yoga Benefits
The hot room in which Bikram yoga is performed provides myriad benefits ranging from the excellent workout it provides your cardiovascular system with, to the impact it has on your digestive system. The top 5 Bikram yoga benefits are:
Increased vitality
Bikram yoga can put a spring back into your steps, rejuvenating you and making you feel younger. By increasing your ability to breathe deeply, it helps increase the flow of blood resulting in increased vitality. Fatigue is kept at bay while your stamina is increased leading to a fuller and more productive life.
Weight Loss
The heat of a Bikram yoga class makes it much easier for you to stretch, enhancing your flexibility and burning fat. The heat also makes you sweat more and dehydrates you causing your blood volumes to decrease. The result is a much higher heart rate and an increased calorie burn rate. Some people claim that a normal 90 minute Bikram yoga workout can burn as much as 900 to 1000 calories! Whatever the exact burn rate, Bikram yoga is a safe and effective way to achieve weight loss.
Detoxification
Because of the heat, you sweat profusely during the 90 minutes of a Bikram yoga session. The sweat helps to eliminate waste in the form of water, salts, oils and other toxins, effectively detoxifying the skin and the body. It is estimated that you can lose up to 10 pounds by way of sweat alone. This cleansing has a beneficial impact on the pores of your skin, leaving you with a fresh glowing appearance.
Increased Mental Clarity
The cleansing of the body results in a sharpening of the mind. Practicing Bikram yoga on a regular basis can lead to improved clarity. This will help you to cope with all the negative influences in today’s world such as depression and anxiety. The poses also have a beneficial impact on the endocrine system, stabilizing hormone levels and preventing mood swings. The increased mental clarity leads to a more productive and fulfilling life and may help you to achieve your life’s goals!
Reduced Stress
The meditative aspects of Bikram yoga and the intense focus on the routine, stills the turbulent chatter of the mind. It will leave you feeling much calmer and better able to handle the stresses of life. The deep breathing that is practiced in Bikram yoga becomes a habit that when carried over to your normal routine, exerts a calming influence on your mind. The reduced stress levels will eventually lead to a longer and happier life.
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