BIKRAM YOGA Learn About this "Hot" New Trend in Yoga and Its Benefits! Are you a yoga enthusiast?  One of the latest styles of yoga is Bikram yoga, also known as ‘Hot’ or ‘Spicy’ yoga that requires practitioners to pose in a heated room.

Bikram yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury, a yoga master from India who founded the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills in the mid-70s.  Since then, yoga enthusiast of all ages have caught onto this trend and started enjoying a vigorous yoga experience at yoga studios around the country.

WHAT IS BIKRAM YOGA?

HOW LONG ARE BIKRAM YOGA SESSIONS?

Bikram Yoga sessions are typically 90 minutes long and require practitioners to follow a set of breathing exercises and postures.  By the end of the session, the muscles, joints and ligaments in the body will be completely refreshed and fresh oxygen will be circulating throughout the body.  Bikram yoga is considered to be both an intensive calorie-burning exercise, and a highly restorative fitness regimen because of its exceptional health benefits.

KEY BENEFITS OF BIKRAM YOGA

Performing the highly-focused and targeted stretching and breathing routines in the heated room eliminates toxin buildup caused by stress and also helps the body become stronger and more flexible.  Taking Bikram Yoga classes regularly can give you more energy, make you feel refreshed and even reduce the risk of injury and soreness from everyday activities.  Some of the key benefits of Bikram yoga include:

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING BIKRAM YOGA

Bikram Yoga is a very powerful form of yoga and offers a number of health benefits.  However, it may not be a suitable exercise for everyone.  Women who are pregnant, experiencing menopausal symptoms and individuals with high blood pressure may need to refrain from doing Bikram yoga because the intensive heat can cause a number of health problems.  If you have a family history of heart disease, circulatory problems or diabetes, you may be a better candidate for Hatha Yoga, a calm and less intensive yoga practice that provides many relaxation benefits but is not performed in a heated room.

If you are in good health and want to try a Bikram yoga class, you will need to:

• Wear light, loose-fitting clothing – preferably yoga gear such as shorts and tank tops

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after the session to prevent dehydration

• Avoid eating at least 2-3 hours before class

• Bring your own yoga mat

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Article Written By: Sabah Karimi; Sabah is a busy writer from Orlando, Fla., who is passionate about writing on health and fitness, beauty, fashion and style tips, spa and travel topics. She now uses her expertise as a freelance writer to contribute to both DivaVillage.com and VillageMAMA.com.