Hot yoga, also known as Bikram Yoga, is a yoga system that gets its name from the yoga guru Bikram Choudhury, who compiled some traditional hatha yoga techniques. Born in Calcutta, India, in 1946, Bikram Choudhury practiced yoga from the age of three, getting to learn all the asanas to be a champion.
The idea of creating his own style arose from an accident he suffered, which completely destroyed his knee. However, his injury was completely healed after returning to yoga school.
During 70s, hot yoga reached its maximum fame and today, it remains one of the most sought after activities by those who love the world of well-being and relaxation.
This variety of yoga is characterized by making use of 26 different postures that include two exercises to control breathing. Each of hot yoga classes lasts 90 minutes and is carried out in a special room, which is heated to plus 40 degrees.
It is also important to know that hot yoga can only be taught by certified teachers, who must have previously completed a special intensive training of nine weeks.
These teachers also have the obligation to recite Bikram’s dialogue in all their hot yoga classes, while standing on a podium installed for such a function. Beyond all this, the truth is that Bikram Yoga is an activity that is worth trying for all the advantages it has for the organism.
The Benefits
- You burn fat from the first class of hot yoga. One of the greatest benefits of the heat inside the Bikram Yoga is that the metabolism accelerates and the fat contained in the body is redistributed, to be exploited in the form of energy.
- It improves your digestion. This discipline is great to also accelerate the metabolism of fatty acids and glucose, which prevents some complications such as constipation and gas. It is very advisable for those who have bad digestion.
- It relieves back and knee injuries. Frequently, those who injure these parts of the body cannot practice more intense or abrupt exercise. But the hot yoga classes can be very precise to work with these body parts.
- It is recommended for people with diabetes. This, thanks to the good effect it has on glucose, it maintains stable levels of blood sugar, something that is essential for diabetics.
- It strengthens self-esteem and spirit. There’s nothing like the way you feel when you see that you have so much control over your body, and the way you look after constantly practicing this discipline, which is great for accepting yourself.