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Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga is a branch of yoga developed by Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury, founder
of the world-famous Yoga College of India.
Bikram yoga is a twenty-six series of asana (yoga poses) designed to warm and
stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons in optimum order. These series bring
numerous benefits to the body; however, like all yoga, the aim of Birkam yoga
is spiritual awakening.
Bikram yoga works according to what Birkam himself calls the “tourniquet effect:”
Birkam yoga classes are designed to incorporate stretching, and creating pressure
on the body all at once. During Birkram yoga poses, the blood supply in arteries
and veins is cut off, creating pressure throughout the body. When the pressure
is released, a “lock gate” effect is created. This effect causes blood to charge
through the veins and arteries.
Aerobic activity trains the heart, lungs and cardiovascular system to process
and deliver oxygen with increased speed and efficiently throughout the body
by increasing the heart rate during exercise. These benefits are achieved during
a Bikram yoga session, qualifying Bikram yoga an effective aerobic workout.
Breathing techniques are an extremely important component of Bikram yoga. Two
breathing techniques are used alternatively throughout the workout:
- 80-20 Breathing Technique
Before you begin the Bikram yoga pose, inhale a full, deep breath. Enter the
pose, close your mouth and continuously let out 20 percent of the air through
your nose. The poses that require 80-20 breathing require oxygen in the lungs
to help you maintain proper strength throughout the pose.
· Exhalation Breathing Technique
Before you begin the Bikram yoga pose, inhale a full, deep breath. Once you
have entered the pose, exhale the breath completely. Continue exhaling throughout
the pose.
Be sure not to strain your lungs while breathing during the Bikram yoga poses.
If you run out of breath during the pose, take another breath and continue with
the breathing method. As you continue practicing Bikram yoga, your lung capacity
will improve. Soon the Bikram yoga poses and the breathing techniques will feel
completely natural.
During a Bikram yoga workout, your body experiences the following benefits:
- Improved circulation
- Increased joint mobility
- Increased range of motion
- Greater strength achieved
- Increased blood and calcium supply to bones
- Boosted immune system
- Lymph nodes massaged, leading to improved lymphatic system function
- Lungs stretched and cleaned
- Increased endocrine gland secretin
- Increased oxygen and nutrient supply throughout body
- Improved brain function
- Blood pressure lowered
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