Bikram yoga was founded in the early 1970s by Indian yoga guru Bikram Choudhury. Bikram began his yoga journey at the age of 4 and at 12 became the youngest ever national yoga champion for 3 years in a row. At 17 he was involved in a weight lifting accident that left him with a severe injury that doctors said would result in him not being able to walk again. Bikram, with the guidance of his teacher and renowned yoga master Bishnu Ghosh, used yoga to heal his body and within 6 months he recovered. Bikram went on to create the 26 yoga poses for healing body and mind.
The set of 26 postures and 2 set breathing exercises are performed in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit or 40 degrees Celsius with humidity of 40%. The series of yoga moves is completed over a set 90 minute workout and the postures have a set sequence. It works to encompass all parts of the body from skin and bones to internal organs by moving fresh oxygenated blood around the body. One of the ideas behind Bikram yoga is that the heat of the room aids in increasing circulation to all body organs and therefore maintaining good inner health as they all work together. The heart rate becomes elevated and works the cardiovascular system. The heat also assists in gaining the flexibility needed for the body poses and in removing toxins from the body.
Breathing methods are an important part of Bikram yoga. The 80-20 method requires a full breath prior to the posture and then 20 percent let out continuously through the nose with a closed mouth. In the exhalation breathing method a full breath is taken and then completely exhaled once you are in and completing time in the posture. The breathing methods require some strengthening of your lung capacity over time.
The emotional aspect of Bikram yoga is also an important part of its philosophy and is developed through an awareness of our inner selves and how outside events impact on us. Self control, focus, motivation and concentration help to achieve this.
Bikram trains all of his yoga instructors in his method and it is a very intensive training of 500 hours at his yoga college. There are many Bikram yoga studios worldwide and the instructors must be trained specifically to work in this specialised form of yoga.
Christine Margaret has an interest in yoga. Please visit yoga-at.com yoga-at.com for more information and products.
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