Developed by Bikram Choudhury as an offshoot of Hatha Yoga, Bikram Yoga is often referred to as “hot yoga”since its 26 poses (asanas) are must be practiced for 90 minutes in a room set at 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity. Although this may sound like torture at first, the basic concept is meant to facilitate wellness by increasing circulation and stimulating every organ, muscle and joint within the body. As a result it helps to prevent organ failure as well as heart disease.
This is accomplished through two processes referred to as compression in which the blood is temporarily cut off to a certain part of the body, and extension, when the heart reacts to the shortage by pumping an “excess of fresh blood” through the arteries in order to rejuvenate them.
In addition, many of the prescribed poses called asanas are meant to massage the lymph system while the excessive heat and humidity work with the exercises to force out bacteria, infections and other toxins through cleansing sweating. Among these are the Utkatasana, or “awkward pose”, Dandayamana-Dhanurasana or “standing bow pulling pose”, and the Ardha-Chandrasana and Pada Hastasana, tranlated as the “half moon asana and hands to feet.”
Other exercises such as the Pranayama series (standing deep breathing posture) and Pavanamuktasana (Wind Removing Pose), as well as the Khapalbhati (Blowing in Firm Pose) are designed to stretch the lungs and increase their capacity to hold more oxygen and improve its absorption in the body. In fact, Chodhury has been quoted as saying that many of the people who do not practice his style of yoga only use half of their lung capacity.
Lastly Bikram Yoga serves to aid in weight loss since most people end up burning anywhere from 500-1250 calories per session, depending on its intensity.




