If you have never tried Bikram Yoga before, I suggest you sign up for a class. This was my first time doing a Bikram class and I must admit it was more enjoyable than I thought it would be and I also feel like a badass for not just surviving the class but actually doing pretty good. Benefits of yoga are plentiful but Bikram Yoga kicks the benefits level up a notch while focusing on breathing right, using your strength and increasing your flexibility all while sweating it out like you are standing over a volcano.

WHAT IS BIKRAM YOGA?

Bikram Yoga is done in a room with the heat level at about 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40°C). Including 26 different postures, stretches and various breathing exercises, they are all meant to improve your strength and overall health. Yoga is known for improving your balance, coordination and flexibility, all of which is achieved more efficiently with the increased temperature.

DETOXIFY YOUR BODY

One of the most obvious benefits from doing Bikram Yoga is that it helps you sweat out toxins along with water and salt (which is why it’s important to stay hydrated during Bikram). Sweating it out in Bikram also opens up your pores and helps clear your skin while also boosting your immunity.

Proper Breathing

All types of yoga helps you learn proper breathing technique but the increased heat level that comes with Bikram Yoga makes it harder to breathe; forcing you to use proper breathing technique to go through your entire session without having to walk out of class to catch your breathe or take a break.

Proper breathing sounds simple enough but is not always as simple as just breathing. Learning to get enough oxygen helps you avoid getting winded when doing everyday things like walking up a flight of stairs or during an exercise session. It also means your muscles get more oxygen, allowing them to work harder for longer.

Contrary to what you might initially believe, the breathing techniques used in Bikram Yoga can even help against asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Strength Training

Pretty much all of the 26 different poses used in Bikram Yoga force you to engage your muscles to hold certain positions, making you stronger.

Funny thing with yoga is that if you have never taken a class before, some of it just looks like “easy” stretching. Certainly not the case. It takes a lot of strength to hold some of the positions in Bikram Yoga for a prolonged time, increasing the difficulty even more when you factor in how hot and sweaty you are.

WEIGHT-LOSS

Something I didn’t know about Bikram Yoga until I signed up is that traditional Bikram Yoga classes are 90 minutes long! Being so hot and physically intense, you can burn up to 1000 calories in one session. If you’re new to working out, don’t let the 90 minutes scare you away. You can always just relax in a comfortable position whenever you feel you need a break.

Bikram Yoga also increases your metabolic rate which means you will burn more calories and keep those calories from turning into body fat. If weight loss is one of your goals, all yoga but especially Bikram Yoga is a good option.

HEAL OLD INJURIES

A less known benefit of Bikram Yoga is that it can help reduce the pain of old injuries. A lot of the pain caused by old injuries is due to weakness and inflexibility. Since Bikram Yoga makes you stronger and more flexible it can help to alleviate various forms of pain.

A month of trying out two new fitness classes a week, I am now on week 3, has led me to spicing up my fitness routine and also reminded me of why I love this lifestyle so much. Follow me on Instagram @anajacqueline_aj to keep up to date with everything. You can also catch up checking out hashtag: #masamormovement.

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