Hot Yoga is another name for Bikram Yoga. It is a form of Yoga founded in Los Angeles with credit being given to Bikram Choudhury for his work in developing the style. Hot Yoga sets itself apart from other styles of yoga because of the environmental conditions which practitioners of Hot Yoga practice under. This style is referred to as “hot” because the room which it is practiced in is tempered to 105 degrees Fahrenheit with a 40% humidity level. Bikram teaches his Yoga system at the Yoga College of India in Los Angeles, which he founded himself, but hundreds of schools teaching the style can be found around the globe. Many followers and students of Bikram Yoga refer to Choudhury Bikram as the “Guru of Hot Yoga”.

It is believed that the increased temperature and humidity which Hot Yoga students practice under causes the body to become more flexible while at the same time increasing the number of toxins removed from the body via the sweat glands. It is believed that the twenty-six postures recognized in Bikram Yoga benefit all of the major organs of the body, joints, and blood. Bikram teachings are based on his principles of Extension and Compression. In Hot Yoga, when a posture is performed by the student, the body compresses, which temporarily shuts off blood circulation to specific parts of the body. When the body senses this temporary blood restriction, the heart springs into action to pump more blood, which is called extension. When the posture is complete, the new blood that was pumped as a result of the restriction is allowed to flow through the body and feed the temporarily compressed arteries. Bikram teaches that bacteria and toxins are released when the fresh blood is allowed to flow.

Hot Yoga may not be the best choice for beginners to Yoga because of the environmental stress which the student is put under, but Hot Yoga does offer beginner’s classes for new students. For the seasoned Yoga practitioner who may be becoming bored with their current regular routine, a few Hot Yoga sessions may be just what you need to spice up your sessions (pun intended).

What is Hot Yoga? So many Yoga’s, so little time. There is Hatha, Jnana, Bhakti, Raja, Karma, Mantra, Tantra, and now Hot Yoga. Each form of yoga has it’s own set of poses. order of those poses, some type of breathing technique, and some type of goal you are trying to achieve. All of them appear to be a means to gain some kind of control over mind, body, or spirit. No matter which form of Yoga you choose to do and for whatever reason, there are numerous health benefits that can come from them also.

Hot yoga differs not so much in the way it is performed or what poses are involved but in the conditions under which those poses are performed. Like the names itself implies, this type of yoga is performed in a hot room with temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees. By doing poses in such a hot temperature the body sweats profusely thereby releasing itself of toxins while heating up the muscles allowing them more flexibility. With the body becoming more flexible, aches and pains tend to go away as the muscles loosen.

Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide College of Yoga in India. He is also the person responsible for the innovation that is known as Hot Yoga. There are 26 poses involved along with two exercises called pranayama each of which are done two times during one class lasting 90 minutes. Pranayama are breathing exercises capable of either calming or invigorating the body depending on how it is done. Although many places offer Hot Yoga, only Bikram Yoga is endorsed by it’s creator and if you want to be sure you are doing it his way you should make sure the class is a Bikram Yoga class before signing up.

The benefits of Hot Yoga are nothing short of remarkable and the medical issues it addresses are endless. You can lose weight, rid your body of toxins, gain strength and flexibility as well as de-stress. It is recommended that pregnant women not participate in this type of yoga due to the rise in the body’s core temperature. It is also wise to use your own mat and towel due to the profuse sweating that takes place. Hot yoga is gaining in popularity because it works so well, it can be said that if you are in to yoga and you like to sweat you might enjoy this type because it seems to be pretty “hot” right now.

Bikram Yoga: An Introduction Created by Bikram Choudhury, Bikram Yoga provides numerous physical and mental health benefits. Increased muscle strength, improved circulation, increased energy level, reduced stress and expanded breathing capacity are just a few of the rewards of Bikram Yoga practice.

Also known as “Hot Yoga,” Bikram Yoga is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit and humidified to 40%. Each session consists of 2 sets of 26 asanas, or poses, and lasts 90 minutes. While these asanas are not unique to Bikram Yoga, the standardized sequence in which they are performed is Bikram’s design.

Bikram Yoga works by the tourniquet effect. Each asana is a process of stretching and balancing at the same time. Blood is cut off in the arteries and veins, creating pressure. When the asana is complete, blood is released and rushes back through the arteries and veins, flushing them out. This process is repeated throughout each session as the student moves through the asanas.

The heated room boosts muscle flexibility, enabling students to safely stretch more deeply. The copious sweating caused by the studio’s elevated heat and humidity flushes toxins from the body.

Students should prepare for Bikram Yoga class by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to achieve proper hydration. However, the stomach should be empty, as food in the digestive tract interferes with yoga practice. Attire should be minimal, but modest, as well as form fitting and comfortable. Women often wear shorts and a sports bra, while men wear only shorts or a bathing suit. Students will need a yoga mat, a large bottle of water and at least one full-size towel. These can often be rented or borrowed from the yoga studio.

During the class, the instructor will talk students through the asanas. Heat or exertion may cause beginning students to feel dizzy or nauseous during or after class. If this happens during class, the student should drink water and lie down until the feeling passes.

After class, students should drink plenty of water and shower to remove the toxins released in their sweat.

Instruction is provided by certified Bikram Yoga teachers. These teachers train with Bikram himself and must complete an intensive 9-week program that entails over 500 hours of study. Classes may be held only in studios approved by and affiliated with Bikram’s Yoga College of India.