subject: Is Hot Yoga For You? [print this page] Hot yoga is a style of yoga practice endorsed by Bikram Choudhury. It involves performing yogic poses in a heated room to induce sweat and make bodies more flexible. Yoga has been around for many years and originated in Ancient India. The practice is not only good for getting participants in shape; it also is wonderful for stress relief and is known as a mental, physical and spiritual enhancer. Some say the goal is to obtain tranquility and enlightenment much like traditional meditation techniques. Here are some details about the practice:
-Bikram Choudhury: Mr. Choudhury was born in 1946 in Calcutta. He founded a Yogic College in Beverly Hills, CA in the 1970's. His version is named after him and called "Bikram Yoga."
-Westerners embrace discipline: Although this practice began as an eastern one, it has spread to the western globe and is now embraced by many. Swami Vivekananda was a Hindu instructor who introduced the practice to Europeans and Americans in the late 1800's.
-Hatha: Hatha is the method most familiar in the western world. It has asanas, postures and poses which have been quite familiar to many. School children, businessmen, businesswomen and retirees have all been drawn to downward dogs and lotus positions.
-YMCA: The YMCA as a fitness center is as American as apple pie. The initials stand for Young Men's Christian Association although there are lots of members that are old, female, and non-Christian. YMCAs all over the U.S. have multiple yoga classes on their menus in order to tone up the members.
-Poses: Some of the more common poses that stretch and strengthen all body parts include the sun salutation, downward dog, plank, dolphin, lotus, half-lotus, happy baby, cow, cat, pigeon and many more. Each of these poses and postures flow together to work every muscle and joint of the body.
-Relaxation: After a hot yoga class, individuals are so relaxed that they feel like they've had a massage. It can surely get rid of stress and insomnia.
-Water: It's important to drink plenty of water after a session in order to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of H2O will also help rid the body of toxins after a strenuous session.
-Health Benefits: An array of health benefits have been linked to this exercise regime including heart healthiness, lowering blood pressure, curtailing cancer, diabetes, anxiety, depression and even has been shown to help with schizophrenia.
-Clothing and supplies: It's important that participants wear loose clothing so that they can move freely into a variety of pretzel-like positions. Wearing a tucked in shirt with jeans is not going to cut it. It's also crucial to have fabrics that breathe so that sweat can evaporate. Having a wipe-able mat to perform the poses on is crucial, as well. Using straps and blocks as props for obtaining certain stretches is helpful, too.
Hot yoga that is performed at a 95 - 100 degree room temperature is becoming increasingly popular and is beneficial on many levels. This practice increases flexibility and strength, enhances physical, spiritual and mental well-being.
by: Abigail Aaronson
welcome to Insurances.net (https://www.insurances.net)
