Founder: Bikram Chowdhury
Bikram yoga, or “hot yoga”, is based on the asanas of classical hatha yoga. However, its peculiarity lies in the fact that classes are held in a well-heated room. The author of the methodology, Indian Bikram Chowdhury, found that hatha yoga is most effective in the hot Indian climate, and not at the “room temperature” of the premises of the northern countries. Therefore, he proposed to artificially create a hot climate in the room.
The effectiveness of Bikram yoga has been proven by the founder’s own example. At a young age, Bikram was forced to give up yoga due to a serious knee injury, which, according to doctors, should have deprived the young man of the opportunity to move independently for life. It was then that in the head of Bikram Chowdhury the idea of ​​​​a new look at the practice of yoga was born, the essence of which is to perform asanas in a heated environment. He rightly reasoned that all the postures of Hatha Yoga are designed for a warm body, since the Indian sages practiced in a hot and humid climate. Therefore, to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, these conditions should be reproduced during exercise. Bikram was not mistaken, and after several months of diligent practice, he managed to restore mobility to his legs with the help of a special set of asanas that Bikram performed at a temperature of about 40 degrees.
It has been established that a warm body quickly gains flexibility and stretching, therefore, in a heated room, many yoga exercises become painless. Abundant sweating during the practice of Bikram yoga cleanses the body of toxins and toxins, promotes rapid weight loss. Bikram yoga exercises strengthen the muscles, cardiovascular and respiratory systems of the body, relieve back pain, relieve migraines, help recover from injuries and cure chronic diseases.
Bikram yoga classes are held in heated rooms with an air temperature of 37-40°C. The classic session consists of 26 asanas, which are performed at a fast pace for an hour and a half, and two breathing exercises. It is worth taking a towel and a bottle of water for Bikram yoga classes, because. already at the beginning of the workout, sportswear will become wet.
Who can practice Bikram yoga: this style of yoga is recommended practice for those who want to cleanse their body and lose weight quickly. The practitioner must be physically fit enough to keep up with the pace of the asanas given by the instructor in the hot climatic conditions of the room. Bikram yoga is contraindicated for people with a weakened heart and low blood pressure.