Yoga was invented in ancient India and is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy - the term for physical, mental, and spiritual disciplines. It has been adopted by many in the west as a lifestyle choice and a way of finding a unifying aspect in what some would term as a somewhat soulless society. One particular form of yoga, called Bikram Yoga, has been becoming more popular among those looking for something more challenging out of the practice.
Bengalese All-India Yoga Champion, Bikram Choudrey, had some strange new ideas of how to practice this age old art form. His life-long love of yoga started at the age of four and he grew up to found the Yoga College of India; he's still an active force in modern yoga techniques today and his specific set of asanas make challenging form of the ancient practice, known as 'hot yoga'.
Bikram Yoga is a form of hot yoga, which is exactly as it sounds. The technique involves twenty-six specially designed poses practised in a room with a temperature of 105 degrees and a 40% humidity rate. This might not sound like a lot of fun but the heat has an effect on the body that's hard to argue with. The heat relaxes the muscles and the lungs letting you take longer breaths and allowing your body to achieve the poses Bikram has planned. It can be extremely beneficial to everyone from the newcomer to the professional sportsmen. But it's not for the weak!
Mentally, Bikram is a challenge. It is practised in a room of intense heat and can be difficult to adapt to even for seasoned yoga enthusiasts. There are many risks to exercising like this such as dehydration due to sweating and it is therefore recommended to sip water during classes. Another danger can be hypothermia which is the overheating of the body; symptoms for this are dizziness, nausea and fainting which can lead to heatstroke. This pressure on the body also has an extended risk to the mind. Many experts and sportsmen have claimed it builds up mental stability and helps strengthen emotions. Yoga has particular notoriety as being something that requires dedication and almost something of a lifestyle change, so the added pressure that Bikram applies is not for the faint-hearted, however the long-term effects have been praised.
Bikram's scientifically designed programme is aimed at primarily allowing the muscles to relax, which allows for the prevention of injuries and is said to have an almost regenerating effect. One pioneer of Bikram is Michele Pernetta, who is credited as bringing this form of yoga to Great Britain. He says of this regenerating factor, "Most sports have long-term effects but yoga is the science of putting the body back to the way it's supposed to be." A ninety minute session contains two breathing exercises and twenty six poses to be done in a particular order which maximises flexibility; it is frequently practised by dancers for this effect.
Bikram Choudrey has a different view on yoga from most. Having been a champion of competitive yoga he feels that competition is what democracies are based on. Some say he's a bit of a character, well known in the U.S.A for suing a lot of people for copyright infringement, but people are still going crazy for his idea, and the benefits seem to be obvious!
Bikram Yoga is now so talked about; it has become almost table talk for yoga enthusiasts. It's negative and positive sides have been frequently argued but its basis in the scientific seems the hardest to argue against. It has been adopted by many in the west as something of a challenge, a way of achieving a physical wellbeing as well as a mental one. It is highly recommended by both the newcomers and the seasoned professionals as a suitable way of marrying the tranquil with the physically demanding, something that seems to be becoming more prevalent in today's world.
Bengalese All-India Yoga Champion, Bikram Choudrey, had some strange new ideas of how to practice this age old art form. His life-long love of yoga started at the age of four and he grew up to found the Yoga College of India; he's still an active force in modern yoga techniques today and his specific set of asanas make challenging form of the ancient practice, known as 'hot yoga'.
Bikram Yoga is a form of hot yoga, which is exactly as it sounds. The technique involves twenty-six specially designed poses practised in a room with a temperature of 105 degrees and a 40% humidity rate. This might not sound like a lot of fun but the heat has an effect on the body that's hard to argue with. The heat relaxes the muscles and the lungs letting you take longer breaths and allowing your body to achieve the poses Bikram has planned. It can be extremely beneficial to everyone from the newcomer to the professional sportsmen. But it's not for the weak!
Mentally, Bikram is a challenge. It is practised in a room of intense heat and can be difficult to adapt to even for seasoned yoga enthusiasts. There are many risks to exercising like this such as dehydration due to sweating and it is therefore recommended to sip water during classes. Another danger can be hypothermia which is the overheating of the body; symptoms for this are dizziness, nausea and fainting which can lead to heatstroke. This pressure on the body also has an extended risk to the mind. Many experts and sportsmen have claimed it builds up mental stability and helps strengthen emotions. Yoga has particular notoriety as being something that requires dedication and almost something of a lifestyle change, so the added pressure that Bikram applies is not for the faint-hearted, however the long-term effects have been praised.
Bikram's scientifically designed programme is aimed at primarily allowing the muscles to relax, which allows for the prevention of injuries and is said to have an almost regenerating effect. One pioneer of Bikram is Michele Pernetta, who is credited as bringing this form of yoga to Great Britain. He says of this regenerating factor, "Most sports have long-term effects but yoga is the science of putting the body back to the way it's supposed to be." A ninety minute session contains two breathing exercises and twenty six poses to be done in a particular order which maximises flexibility; it is frequently practised by dancers for this effect.
Bikram Choudrey has a different view on yoga from most. Having been a champion of competitive yoga he feels that competition is what democracies are based on. Some say he's a bit of a character, well known in the U.S.A for suing a lot of people for copyright infringement, but people are still going crazy for his idea, and the benefits seem to be obvious!
Bikram Yoga is now so talked about; it has become almost table talk for yoga enthusiasts. It's negative and positive sides have been frequently argued but its basis in the scientific seems the hardest to argue against. It has been adopted by many in the west as something of a challenge, a way of achieving a physical wellbeing as well as a mental one. It is highly recommended by both the newcomers and the seasoned professionals as a suitable way of marrying the tranquil with the physically demanding, something that seems to be becoming more prevalent in today's world.
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