Monday, 21 November 2011

Benefits of Bikram Yoga (a.k.a Hot Yoga)

Toxin Removal

Bikram yoga is a variation of hatha yoga, which according to Bikram's Yoga College of India, naturally flushes waste and toxins from the body. Hot yoga is touted by practitioners as encouraging the internal cleansing process by increasing your amount of sweat, through which these impurities are released. The college describes Bikram yoga as a "natural irrigation of the body through the circulatory system, with the help of the respiratory system."

Respiration and Flexibility

Bikram yoga -- and all forms of yoga -- help you learn how to control your respiratory rate during physical exertion through pranayama, a series of breathing exercises. "The New York Times" article indicates that performing yoga poses in a heated environment does make your muscles more supple, making it easier to perform yoga poses that involve intense stretching.

Enhanced Flexibility

Bikram yoga's hot temperatures are designed to warm the muscles, which helps to facilitate greater stretching capabilities. The Bikram yoga poses are designed for total-body flexibility and include lunging, bending and twisting. Flexibility is important for you at every stage of your life. Flexible muscles tend to be less painful, reducing overall muscle tension in your body. This is especially beneficial for older adults, whose aching joints can increase muscle tension.

Burns Calories

Bikram yoga is a challenging, active practice that involves body movement that burns more calories than when you are at rest. Burning calories helps to create a calorie deficit, which helps you to maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, Bikram yoga is a muscle-building practice. Through the stretches and poses where you support your body weight, you build long, lean muscles that not only make you stronger, but also help you appear more fit and toned. Because muscle burns more calories than fat when you are at rest, Bikram yoga can contribute even more to weight maintenance or potential weight loss.

                                                                         Source :  
  
                  http://www.livestrong.com/article/396190-the-benefits-of-hot-bikram-yoga/






No comments:

Post a Comment