| Bikram yoga, also referred to as 'hot yoga', is a form | | | | Bikram yoga can assist in healthy weight loss as the |
| of yoga created by living yoga master Bikram | | | | profuse sweating involved rids the body of harmful |
| Choudhury. Before emigrating to the United State, | | | | toxins and improves circulation. This leads to an |
| Choudhury trained at the Bishnu Ghosh School in | | | | increase in the body's metabolism and continued |
| Calcutta, India. He now lives in Beverly Hills and has | | | | practice builds and tones the muscles and flexibility. |
| founded Bikram's Yoga College of India in Los Angeles. | | | | As you continue practicing this form of yoga you will |
| Yoga originated in India and is based on the practice of | | | | begin to appreciate the benefits of increased energy |
| physical poses that are designed to improve the mind, | | | | and general well-being that comes from the |
| body and spirit. Yoga has evolved over the years to | | | | knowledge that you are taking care of both your body |
| incorporate many different types, each with unique | | | | and health. As a result you will sleep better, develop a |
| benefits, including hot yoga. Bikram yoga has become | | | | healthier appetite and notice a healthy glow to your |
| a particularly popular style in recent years and is a | | | | skin. |
| relatively new form of yoga that is based in ancient | | | | It is important to understand that hot yoga can be |
| yoga practices with aim of achieving optimum mind | | | | challenging due to the need to withstand the high |
| and body fitness levels whilst engaging in an effective | | | | temperatures during exercise, which can lead to |
| body detoxifying practice. | | | | dizziness, the feeling of nausea and possibly feinting. |
| The concept of Bikram yoga consists of a series of | | | | But by taking precautions in the beginning, such as |
| 26 yoga poses (postures) and 2 breathing exercises | | | | regular breaks, your stamina and endurance will |
| performed in a room heated to the temperature of 105 | | | | increase with time and practice. |
| degrees Fahrenheit (40.5 degrees Celsius) with 40% | | | | To prevent dehydration it is important to drink plenty of |
| humidity. The heightened temperature helps to keep | | | | water before and after each session. It is also |
| the body and muscles warm allowing deeper | | | | essential to have the necessary equipment when |
| stretches whilst reducing the risk of injury. | | | | doing Hot Yoga, such as appropriate, minimal clothing, |
| Hot yoga is believed to have many healing and | | | | your own yoga mat and a towel as you will be |
| restorative benefits such as detoxifying the body and | | | | sweating profusely. |
| weight loss as well as creating a feeling of wellness. | | | | |