Bikram Yoga Classes
Bikram Yoga was developed in the 1970s by Bikram Choudhury. This program was synthesized completely from traditional yoga, allowing it to offer many of the same health benefits in a unique style. The class is a 90-minute program that consists of 26 different postures and 2 breathing exercises. If it sounds just like yoga, you're right. However, this type of yoga is practiced in a room that is 105 degrees Fahrenheit with about 40% humidity. That's going to produce some serious sweat, and it is one of the most popular forms of hot yoga that you can find.
Hot yoga is much more vigorous on the body because of the heat and humidity in the room. For those who want to get a little more out of their yoga classes, Bikram Yoga is definitely something to consider. The poses are all performed twice throughout the class, in a hot and humid room that makes the work all the more strenuous for those involved. While there are many people out there practicing some form of hot yoga, only certified instructors are actually allowed to teach legitimate Bikram courses. These instructors must be carefully trained and certified by the Yoga College of India, which will include training in poses and room temperature as well as mirrors, carpet, and text used in the classroom sessions.
Bikram Yoga was created in 1974 when Choudhury established the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills. For many years, people practiced a form of hot yoga that was based on his principles, but not the complete teachings. This caused a lawsuit more recently and limited the ability of anyone teaching a hot yoga class to call it Bikram Yoga unless they were actually certified in his methods and used them exactly as they are taught. While this man is slightly controversial, his form of yoga is quite popular.
Hot yoga like this method was designed to help increase the body temperature while exercising, which is why it helps burn more calories than a traditional class in a climate-controlled room. Students need to bring their own yoga mats (for obvious reasons) and stay hydrated by drinking lots of water before and after classes. Instructors also encourage students not to eat within two hours before class time. If you're looking for a better way to do yoga, this program that is taking the world by storm might be one to consider. That is, of course, as long as you don't mind a little sweat.
