|
Bikram Yoga is named after its founder - Bikram Choudhury, who
studied Yoga with Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda.
It is a series of 26 poses performed in a room heated from around
90-100 degrees Farenheit. Each Yoga Pose is usually performed
twice and held for a certain period of time. Their Yoga Sessions
start from Standing Postures, then the Backbends, Forward Bends,
and Twists. The Poses are accompanied by Kapalabhati Breath
or the "breath of fire".
Heat is used in Bikram Yoga in order to allow you to go deeper
and safer into a Yoga Pose. Your body becomes more flexible
in the heat and since most poses used in Bikram are physically
challenging, heat allows you to get into a pose that you never
imagined you can do. It also eliminates the risk for injuries,
promotes sweating and helps you release the toxins in your body.
The poses not only work on your muscles but also your internal
organs. Each pose stretches and strengthens your muscles, joints,
and ligaments and, at the same time release the toxins and work
on your internal organs like the Glands and the Nervous System.
Some people are often discouraged to Practice of Yoga by thinking
that they are not flexible enough. Yoga is not about being flexible,
but about strengthening your body and your spine in all directions
with the goal of creating a union between the body, mind and
spirit. All that matters is to try the right way without pushing
yourself too far. In practicing, you may wear shorts or leotards
or anything you feel comfortable sweating in.
Bikram Yoga is designed to "scientifically" warm and stretch
muscles, ligaments and tendons in the order in which they should
be stretched. Practice of this Style of Yoga promotes the cleansing
of the body, release of toxins and utmost flexibility. It can
also reduce stress and increase Blood Circulation. The practice
of Bikram Yoga can also help you lose weight and develop toned
and strong muscles.
Anyone can practice Bikram Yoga. In even people with chronic
diseases such as Arthritis, Diabetes, and thyroid disorders
may benefit in doing the Yoga Poses by reducing symptoms and
is also one of the best ways to prevent any ailments by keeping
the body healthy. In fact, it has helped its founder, Bikram,
recover from a serious Knee injury he acquired in his training
for weightlifting. He had been told by his doctors that he would
never be able to walk again. After consulting with his Yoga
teacher, he resumed his Yoga practice and his daily performance
of the Asanas allowed him to rebuild his muscle and walk again.
Hollywood celebrities, athletes and ordinary people also claimed
that the practice of Bikram Yoga helped them in reaching high
levels of performance, extend their careers, heal their bodies,
achieve mental clarity and increased energy levels.
Bikram Yoga Classes uses the same routine every Class. Let your
body tell you how often you should practice. Some may find this
boring since they feel that they are starting over and over
every time they come to class but you should remember to take
satisfaction in the small accomplishments you have for repeatedly
doing the poses.
| |