Bikram yoga, or hot yoga, appears to be the workout of choice for ex-cardio addicts who make the move to slower, more purposeful yoga practice. You won't find yourself dozing and chanting while practicing Bikram. You'll be energized by the focus and intensity of posing in a room heated between 95 and 105 degrees. But why workout in such extreme heat? For one, elevated body temperatures allow for more flexibility, a key advantage in yoga. Like other forms of yoga, Bikram poses result in twists, turns and stretches that push blood through the body and increase circulation. But the real draw of Bikram may be its detoxification benefits. Bikram devotees claim that extreme sweating leads to weight loss, improved skin and muscle tone and a host of other healthy results. So what can you expect from Bikram?
Deep Detox
With muscles moving in a series of fluid poses that pump up your internal heat, and the external heat turned up to about 100 Fahrenheit, you'll be nothing short of drenched during a Bikram session. Rather than shy away from the intensity, those who practice Bikram view it as a cleansing ritual for the body. The skin is the body's largest organ for waste disposal, and allowing for head-to-toe perspiration is an effective method of releasing toxins that would otherwise remain inside. How else to open up all of your 2.6 million sweat glands than with heat? Sweating removes salt, sugar, urea and ammonia, as well as small amounts of toxins and metals. Breathing techniques that accompany Bikram yoga poses further the detoxification process through the lungs, as you powerfully expel carbon dioxide.
Radiant Results
While Bikram has considerable internal benefits, it is often the external results that bring yoga students back to class time and time again. The boost in circulation and perspiration has a profound effect on skin, increasing cell turnover and imparting an enviable glow. Perspiring during Bikram also has a diuretic effect that often results in temporary water weight loss. You might also notice a temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite, which water retention can emphasize. Increasing circulation and pumping oxygen into muscles also helps to burn fat, and Bikram is known to improve muscle tone and definition. Other benefits include greater strength, balance and concentration.
Before You Go
Remember to bring your own mat and towel (after all, you'll be sweating on it) and hydrate before, during and after your Bikram session. Close-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing is recommended, as cotton garments hold on to sweat and may become uncomfortable. You might find that leotards and bathing suits are also common fixtures in your Bikram classroom for their nonrestrictive comfort. Try practicing Bikram yoga multiple times each week for optimum results. The feeling of a total-body sweat will keep you coming back for more!
