Bikram yoga is a collection of traditional yoga techniques and has acquired immense popularity as one of the most effective forms of yoga. Also known as hot yoga, the yoga system has been invented by Bikram Choudhury, the founder of the Yoga College of India.
Bikram yoga system consists of a total of two breathing exercises and twenty six yoga postures. As this yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 40. 6 degree centigrade, it is therefore called as hot yoga. The humidity of the room should optimally be 40 %.
A typical Bikram yoga class runs for about ninety minutes.
Despite the fact that Bikram yoga has certain benefits, the yoga regimen has attracted controversies and criticism. Practitioners of Bikram yoga commonly experience nausea and dizziness. Various researches also report that performing yoga in a heated room may not be suitable for everyone and may develop complications in people. According to the exercise physiologists at Orthopedic Specialty Hospital, Murray, Utah, working out in hot temperatures puts the cardiovascular system at stress. This may induce chest pains in practitioners. Therefore, people with any type of cardiovascular issues should avoid practicing Bikram yoga.
The heat that is a part of the Bikram yoga increases the blood flow to the muscles and in combination with the stretching exercises also increases the flexibility. The elevated heat levels also decrease the pain perception of the practitioner. In this case, a person may not observe his/her natural body limits to stretching or physical activity. This may result in injuries, chest pains, or any type of cardiovascular symptoms.
The first and foremost step to take is to opt for professional assistance before starting out with any of the yoga steps. It is recommended that you discuss your personal medical history in detail with the professional. It is not recommended to perform any hot yoga exercises if you are sensitive to heat, if you have a history of suffering from a heat stroke, if you get dehydrated quickly, or if you feel fatigued in a short time.
In case you feel any abnormal symptoms during your hot yoga sessions, seek prompt medical advice without delay. If possible, you can supplement your yoga sessions with weight training so that you get the required strength to withstand the stretches.
Some of the hot yoga tips that should be helpful for the beginners are as follows: