A bit of Bikram: the benefits of hot yoga

Over the past few years, the boom of Bikram has hit towns all over the UK. Bikram was once was a well kept secret by celebrities such as Benedict Cumberbatch, George Clooney and David Beckham, but has since become a popular form of exercise in wider circles across the country.

Bikram yoga, a unique style of yoga coined by founder Bikram Choudhury, is a set of 26 yoga postures, completed in a hot room. The selection of poses are said to be healing to mind, spirit and body and are suitable for all ages. But is this select and special type of yoga really worth the hype?

Many people feel that the heat would be unbearable: rooms in Bikram sessions are around 40 degrees Celsius, and the heat can create adverse effects on the body, especially when exercising in it for 90 minutes. However the sweat allows the body to flush out toxins and can encourage weight loss. After just one session, your body is used to the heat, and benefits to the body can be felt almost immediately. Additionally, due to this, your skin tends to feel clearer and you leave feeling refreshed and energised.

It is a well-known fact that yoga is good for the body, however its impacts on the mind seem to be often questioned by sceptics. Bikram yoga involves a range of crafted poses and positions, which stem into each other creating a fluent and methodical process which helps unwind and relax. Over the weeks, you feel your body becoming stronger and the progress that can be felt and seen from starting as a novice is simply overwhelming. Teachers guide and coach classes to becoming confident and disciplined in yoga, which has positive effects on both the body and mind. Furthermore, many Bikram regulars are also there as therapy for injury, and many testimonials praise the healing effects Bikram has on a plethora of injuries.

It seems, whether old or young, novice or expert, or even injured or healthy, Bikram has a multitude of different benefits to heal, treat and soothe the body, mind and soul.