We all know the benefits of yoga for your body, mind and soul… but what about Bikram yoga? In short, Bikram yoga is a hot and sweaty 90-minute workout in a room where the temperature is cranked up to 40 degrees. Why would anyone voluntarily sign up for this, you ask? Aside from the fact that it’s an intense workout, Bikram yoga is also linked to numerous benefits – more than what you’d expect from a regular yoga class. Still need more convincing? Here are 7 benefits of practicing Bikram yoga…
1. It’s safe for your joints
The risk of getting injured during a Bikram yoga class is significantly lower than most workouts. Why? Simply because the heat and humidity in the room increases blood flow to your muscles, and you are less likely to get injured when your muscles are warm. This also allows you to stretch further and deeper in to your asanas (yoga poses) without any risk of injury – double win!
2. It releases all the toxins from your body
In need of a detox? Skip the juice cleanses and give Bikram yoga a go. It’s one of the most effective ways to rid yourself of all the toxins. Due to all of the sweating that will occur during the class, the toxins will get flushed from your body. However, make sure not to wipe away your sweat during the class, it’s your body’s natural way of helping you cool down so you’ll just end up sweating more.
3. It’s good for your heart
One of the major health benefits to Bikram yoga is that it’s good for your heart. Numerous studies have concluded that Bikram yoga improves arterial stiffness in young adults, which is usually related to high blood pressure. It also helps to significantly reduce insulin resistance index in older adults – a driving factor that leads to diabetes.
4. It improves your flexibility (a lot)
Whether you’re aiming to touch your toes or perfect the dancer’s pose, Bikram yoga is great for pushing past your limits and improving your flexibility. Thanks to the heat and humidity in the room, you’ll be able to stretch much further than you would at a regular yoga class. Try it out and you’ll start seeing the difference after just a few classes.
5. It helps you sleep better
There are 26 asanas in a Bikram Yoga class and each one has its own benefits to the body – including better sleep. The Rabbit Pose helps with insomnia, the Bow Pose aids digestion and the Spine Twisting Pose calms the nervous system. You can see all the asanas and their benefits here.
6. It works out the full body
Yep, hot yoga is an awesome full-body workout! Through all the different asanas, you’ll get to challenge your strength, balance and flexibility – pushing your limits for each. Depending on how much work you put into each posture, hot yoga can be equally as intense as weightlifting!
7. It helps you burn calories faster
With the temperature cranked up to 45 degrees, your heart rate is naturally elevated. This means that your body is working harder and burning more calories – way more effective than a regular yoga class. So if losing weight is one of your main fitness goals, yoga-to try out a class.
Ready to get sweaty? On top of the full 90-minute Bikram yoga classes, many yoga studios also offer 60-minute Bikram yoga express classes. Either way, don’t forget to bring a towel (or two) because you will be drenched! If you’re looking for hot yoga studios in Dubai, check this out.