Developed in the 1970's by Calcutta-born Bikram Choudhury, Bikram yoga is designed to develop strength, endurance, and flexibility. The people who practice Bikram strongly attest to its ability to heal and rejuvenate the body, as well as provide one of the hardest workouts that they've ever had.
If you can't quite equate yoga with a great cardiovascular activity, you might want to look further into Bikram. The classes are 90 minutes long and include a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. Each posture is held between 10 to 60 seconds, involving an intense amount of concentration and strength. The temperature in the room is intentionally set between 95-100 degrees because of the fact your body becomes more flexible when it is warmed up. The sweating is also believed to cleanse your body of toxins.
The sequence of postures, also known as asanas, are said to move fresh blood through every part of the body in order to give your muscles, glands, and internal organs a complete workout. During the first hour of class, students go through several standing postures to strengthen the legs and improve posture. During the second half, students lay down on the floor and practice yoga movements designed to challenge the body to resist gravity. For example, the series of postures known as the cobra series involves pressing your arms and legs into the air while keeping your hips on the ground. This helps to work the strength of your spine while keeping the heart-rate up.
People of all ages and skill levels are embracing the heat, particularly because Bikram can be suited to every body. There is usually a modified version for every posture, so that you can proceed at your own pace. If you're looking to firm up and rejuvenate your body, Bikram might be worth sacrificing some sweat.
