Frequently Asked Questions
How hot is bikram yoga - why the heat?How hot is bikram yoga? Firstly, muscles work at their most efficient at 104 degrees. If the room were cold then heat would continuously be lost to the room. Keeping the muscles warm enables you to stretch more deeply without injury. The result is that, after regular practice, you will have no aching muscles the next day. Next, the heat helps to open the pores and rid the body of toxins through sweat. The sweat combines with sebum forming a natural moisturiser for the skin and protecting against bacteria. Finally, it helps to thin the blood, increasing the heart rate for a better cardiovascular workout. How does it work?Bikram Yoga stimulates every system of the body, starting with the breath, moving onto the skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, immune, urinary, endocrine and reproductive systems. It does this by a tourniquet effect of stretching, balancing (using gravity) and creating pressure all at the same time, restricting blood supply and creating pressure. When released, a floodgate effect is created, causing fresh oxygenated blood to rush through the veins and arteries, carrying with it nutrients and flushing them out. Pressure is also applied to the heart by moving its position relative to the rest of the body. Is it aerobic?Yes. Beginning with Pranayama Breathing, your aim is to increase the flow of oxygenated blood around the body. In time, as you start to use your breath especially during more difficult postures, the lung capacity will improve. Your heart becomes stronger and so you will increase your aerobic capacity. Is it cardiovascular?Yes. Exercising in the heat will increase the heart rate. As you continue through the series the heart has to work harder. By the time you get to Tuladandasana (Balancing Stick) the heart rate will double for 5 seconds. This will stretch the lower muscle of the heart, increasing its capacity to pump blood around the body. What is happening to my body?
Will I lose weight?Yoga for weight loss, is it any good? Practicing Bikram Yoga helps to regulate your metabolism. People who eat too much or too little will find their own level through the Yoga. The intensity of the class means that on average a person will burn 450 calories during a class. In this heat you loose large amounts of fluids. This reduces water retention. Also excess gasses are released removing the feeling of being bloated. With a sensible balanced diet and regular practice you will feel very different. Is there anyone who cannot do Bikram Yoga?Bikram Yoga is suitable for all ages and levels of ability above 11 years old (the ability to sweat is essential to prevent overheating). It may be more challenging to some and certain modifications may need to be made. Always check with your doctor if you have a concern and inform the instructor prior to the class. The only times that it is not recommended to do Bikram is:
What if I'm pregnant?As with any new exercise it is not recommended that you take up something new whilst pregnant. However, if you have been practicing Bikram regularly for at least 6 months then there is no reason not to continue with some modifications. Your body temperature is already higher, therefore you would need a cooler part of the room. In addition, compressions or lying on your back are not recommended. Please inform your instructor to enable them to work with you. Bikram's wife Rajashree has produced a Pregnancy Video specific to Bikram Yoga, which may also help. What if I have high blood pressure?Unstable or high blood pressure responds very quickly to diligent Yoga practice. Initially, when tested a week after your first class you may see a slight rise. By the second week this should be closer to normal and will remain there with regular practice. Speak to your doctor and use common sense. Don't push too hard initially. Use caution in the following postures until the blood pressure normalizes:
In the beginning only hold these postures for 5 seconds, building up to 10 seconds after 2 weeks' continual daily practice. For the first few days if you are flexible enough to go all the way back in Fixed Firm pose, only stay there for 5 seconds also. Make sure that you rest in between postures. It is also essential to breath normally (in and out through the nose) throughout the class. Never practice alone or without the aid of a qualified instructor. What if I have back problems?Yoga may seem the furthest from your mind when you have such pain. However it is remarkable rehabilitation for the spine as long as you make a few modifications until you become stronger. Imagine your spine as a series of ball bearings (vertebra), one on top of another, each separated from the next by a cushion (cartilage disc). When the spine is new all the ball bearings are smooth and shiny, moving freely in all directions. The cushions are strong and thick. Now picture your daily activities, in one position after another, mostly bending forward. In doing this each vertebra of your back is compressing its cushion at the front and allowing it to bulge at the back. This goes on year after year, leaving little resiliency at the front of the disc, while the sides and back have become weak through lack of use. In addition, the ball bearings have become rusty. This results in backache, headache, stiff neck and other more serious complaints. What you need to do is move the spine equally in all directions to return the discs to the original deep cushion and allow the ball bearings to become smooth again. Beginning with Half Moon this series of 26 postures was compiled to make your spine work 360 degrees. By exercising in all directions the condition of the spine will improve along with a healthy nervous system. The whole time that you move your spine in this way, you are building strength in all of the muscles in your back and abdomen, which will also take the strain away from the spine. If you can get yourself to the class, work with some initial modifications and persevere - you will feel a difference. I did after a very short time. Back pain brought me to Bikram yoga and kept me practicing. What if I have asthma?Bikram Yoga will be good for you in several ways:
What are the benefits of bikram yoga postures?Download our free Benefit of Bikram Yoga info sheet containing a detailed description of each of the 26 postures - "The Benefits of Bikram Yoga" |
Bikram Yoga Leicester | 59 Friar Lane | Leicester | LE1 5RB | Tel: (0116) 2619262