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Bikram yoga is named after Bikram Choudhury, the famous Indian yoga guru. Bikram yoga consist of a series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises practiced in a room heated to around 40 degrees Celsius, with a humidity of 40 per cent. Bikram yoga has been a much debated practice due to the high heat and rigorous exercise. Bikram Yoga is not recommended for those people suffering from asthma, high blood pressure, back problems or pregnant woman. However, there are many benefits of practicing Bikram yoga.

Mind and soul

Bikram yoga, along with other forms of yoga, focuses on the connection between your mind, body and soul. The aim of yoga is to achieve harmony between these three elements while increasing awareness of one’s self. While the breathing exercises help to align the body and relax the mind, the pace of the classes helps you to distance yourself from the outside world and remain in touch with your body and soul.

Better for your body

As Bikram yoga is practiced in a hot room, you will sweat. This sweating process helps with the elimination of toxins from the body. The heat also helps improve the flexibility of your body and it warms your muscles for better performance and strength. The increased circulation during yoga is great for the brain and muscles and can help with the relieving of headaches. Bikram yoga also helps to increase your metabolism resulting in weight loss while the muscle exercises help to tone your body.

Other benefits

Bikram yoga also has many other benefits such as giving you an increased balance, discipline and focus. It helps to improve circulation as well as movement in your joints, decreasing your risk of injury. If you practice yoga daily you should become less stressed, helping you to sleep better while having increased energy during the day.

Tags: detox, relaxation, yoga