Bikram Yoga

This is a series of 26 set asanas developed in California by Bikram Choudry. Bringing yoga to the warm climates of Los Angeles gave Bikram yoga the nickname ‘hot yoga’ due to the postures being performed in a minimum temperature of 40°C.

Performing energetic asanas and Pranayama in a hot room like this encourages practitioners to sweat considerably, removing toxins from the body. It is advisable before and after practise to drink lots of water to aid detoxing and to avoid dehydration.

Bikram yoga is beneficial in promoting better sleep patterns, improves cardiac and pulmonary functions, and helps the body’s natural processes of digestion and metabolism. However, if you are pregnant it is advisable to not perform Bikram yoga as it raises the body core temperature and can result in the body becoming overheated. Due to the challenging nature of Bikram it is also advisable to consult a doctor before beginning your practice if you have any other health concerns such as; high blood pressure, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis.

Who is Bikram for?

This style would suit those who don't mind the smell of sweat and who enjoy being challenged physically.