bikram yoga is a form of yoga developed by bikram choudhury. in this practice the classroom is heated to 105 degrees fahrenheit and 40% humidity. from there students perform 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises over 90 minutes specifically selected by choudhury to improve health and stamina. the classes are highly structured and poses are performed in an exact sequence every time and repeated twice. many people praise this form of yoga and i have found it very beneficial. however not everyone is a proponent of this training. many health professionals contend that stretching in extreme heat increases your chances of injury. muscles and other connective tissues warmed by the high room temperature allow you to stretch well beyond normal limits. furthermore exercising in extreme heat significantly increases chances of dehydration and places a huge stress on the cardiovascular system that could be harmful to some people. if you’re interested in this form of yoga it’s important to keep three things in mind. one this is a very physically demanding form of exercise and is not for everyone. two if you have any previous injuries or health conditions ask your doctor if this type of training is appropriate for you. three remember bikram yoga is not the only form of yoga available. numerous studies involving all types of yoga (ananda ashtanga and iyengar) can improve your health.
what is bikram yoga?