1. Why the heated room?
Bikram’s yoga is practiced at a recommended room temperature of 40C and about 40% humidity to keep the body from overheating (contrary to popular misconception); allow deeper and safer stretch of muscles, ligaments and joints; detoxifying the body by flushing toxins through opened pores; thinning the blood to clear the circulatory system; increasing heart rate for better cardiovascular workout; and reorganizing the lipids (fat) and muscle tissues and placing them in optimal state.
2. What if I’m not flexible?
This is the most common misconception that prevents people from coming to a yoga class. However, yoga is not about how flexible you are. It is about opening your spine and stretching your body in all directions. As long as your are trying the right way and you find your personal “edge”, you will get 100% of the benefit medically, bio-chemically, physiologically, and psychologically.
3. Is it a cardiovascular workout and can I lose weight?
Yes, no matter what level of fitness or body shape your are, you will all receive benefits from Bikram’s Yoga class. With persistence you can lose inches and develop muscle tone, strength, and stamina. Bikram yogo works by the tourniquet effect: stretching, balancing (using gravity), and creating pressure all at the same time. The blood supply in arteries and veins is being cut off, creating pressure. When released, a lock gate effect is created, causing blood to rush through veins and artieries, flushing them out. Also,
pressure is applied to the heart by its relative position to the rest of the body.
4. Can I continue to practice if I’m pregnant?
For pregnancies that are not high risk, practicing yoga during pregnancy helps to; decrease pain of the lower back and joints; strengthen the mind; improve digestion and clear toxins via moderate heat. Many specific benefits also include: improved breathing, fluid and hormone balance, prevention of varicose veins.
If you have never practiced Bikram’s yoga before, we do not recomment first timers to start when you are pregnant. Regular practitioners can continue to practice without modification from the start of pregnancy up until the beginning of the second trimester. For the last two trimesters, a specific pregnancy routine, as outlined by “Rajashree’s Yoga for Pregnancy” video,
should guide the practitioner. Please consult with your doctor before performing Bikram’s Yoga while pregnant. Pregnant yoginis are welcome to stand in the cooler part of the room.
We sell “Rajashree’s Yoga for Pregnancy” video at the studio which provides a unified system for relaxation, strengthening of abdominal, pelvic, and spinal muscles that are important for a safe delivery.
If your delivery was healthy and normal, Bikram recommends that you start your yoga the moment you are out of bed. Post-partum, please continue the pregnancy routine for another 6 months.