The First Health Blog Service

Bikram Yoga

Bikram Choudhry, the founder of Bikram Yoga, was born in Kolkatta in 1946. Who studied Yoga with Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda (Author of the most popular book on Yoga, The Autobiography of a Yogi, and founder of the Self-Realization Fellowship in Los Angeles). It is a series of 26 poses performed in a room heated from around 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit. Bikram started many training centers for yoga, on the direction of his master Bishnu Gosh. Later, he founded his own system of yoga known as Bikram Yoga.

Bikram practiced Yoga at least four to six hours every day at Ghosh’s College of Physical Education in Calcutta. At the age of thirteen, he won the National India Yoga Championship. He was undefeated for the following three years and retired as the undisputed All-India National Yoga Champion. Bikram teaches at the Yoga College of India in Mumbai and other locations around the world, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Paris and Tokyo.

Bikram has designed a sequence of 26 yoga postures (or asana) and two breathing exercises that are performed in a heated room. The postures are vigorous and demand a lot from the students. The heated room, typically around 95-105 °F (35-40 °C), makes muscles more pliant and encourages sweating which purportedly acts as a purifier. People of all levels, ages and body types practice together with a teacher acting as a guide, taking the class through the ninety-minute series.

Each Yoga Pose is usually performed twice and held for a certain period of time. Their Yoga Sessions start from Standing Postures, then the Backbends, Forward Bends, and Twists. The Poses are accompanied by Kapalabhati Breath or the “breath of fire”.

Heat is used in Bikram Yoga in order to allow you to go deeper and safer into a Yoga Pose. Your body becomes more flexible in the heat and since most poses used in Bikram are physically challenging, heat allows you to get into a pose that you never imagined you can do. It also eliminates the risk for injuries, promotes sweating and helps you release the toxins in your body. The poses not only work on your muscles but also your internal organs. Each pose stretches and strengthens your muscles, joints, and ligaments and, at the same time release the toxins and work on your internal organs like the Glands and the Nervous System.

Some people are often discouraged to Practice of Yoga by thinking that they are not flexible enough. Yoga is not about being flexible, but about strengthening your body and your spine in all directions with the goal of creating a union between the body, mind and spirit. All that matters is to try the right way without pushing yourself too far. In practicing, you may wear shorts or leotards or anything you feel comfortable sweating in.

Bikram Yoga is designed to “scientifically” warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons in the order in which they should be stretched. Practice of this Style of Yoga promotes the cleansing of the body, release of toxins and utmost flexibility. It can also reduce stress and increase Blood Circulation. The practice of Bikram Yoga can also help you lose weight and develop toned and strong muscles.

Anyone can practice Bikram Yoga. In even people with chronic diseases such as Arthritis, Diabetes, and thyroid disorders may benefit in doing the Yoga Poses by reducing symptoms and is also one of the best ways to prevent any ailments by keeping the body healthy. In fact, it has helped its founder, Bikram, recover from a serious Knee injury he acquired in his training for weightlifting. He had been told by his doctors that he would never be able to walk again. After consulting with his Yoga teacher, he resumed his Yoga practice and his daily performance of the Asanas allowed him to rebuild his muscle and walk again. Hollywood celebrities, athletes and ordinary people also claimed that the practice of Bikram Yoga helped them in reaching high levels of performance, extend their careers, heal their bodies, achieve mental clarity and increased energy levels.

Bikram Yoga Classes uses the same routine every Class. Let your body tell you how often you should practice. Some may find this boring since they feel that they are starting over and over every time they come to class but you should remember to take satisfaction in the small accomplishments you have for repeatedly doing the poses.

Add comment May 13th, 2006

5 Resistance Training Tips

Trying to firm and tone? Looking for a bathing suit body? No problem!

If you’re resistance training program isn’t performing for you; there’s a solution. Get back to basics: give your routine a face lift by reviewing these 5 fitness canons.

Canon 1: Always Exhibit Proper Posture The most important thing to remember when resistance training: proper form will make all the difference. Forget sets and reps, if it’s results you’re looking for and your form isn’t solid, you are asking for injury (not to mention an inferior workout).

Guarantee a shape-shift by using this technique: Stand in front of the mirror with feet shoulder width apart, eyes facing forward. Tuck you hips under and engage your abdominals - this will protect your spine and lower back and place your body in the safety zone.

Use this technique when performing a lift from a sitting position, as well. Make a mental picture; train your mind to notice if you are out of alignment by recognizing how this protective, invisible girdle feels around your torso. Soon, you will find your body naturally conforming to this posture.

Canon 2: Always Be Aware of Your Breath When performing a lift, always be aware of your breathing. This is especially important if you have considerations with your heart and blood pressure. If you hold your breath during resistance training you could be placing a dangerous amount of pressure on your heart.

Here’s a technique to help you breathe properly during a lift: While engaging the lift: inhale through your nose. Continue to take in this long deep breath until you’ve reached capacity. Then, quickly exhale through the mouth on your exertion. Over time your breathing pattern will become rhythmic.

Canon 3: Know The Difference Between Precision and Momentum It’s often been said: 3 repetitions performed with precision will net greater results than 20 repetitions performed with momentum. This statement demonstrates the difference in the two: Yes, you’ll need to challenge yourself and push your body’s limits, but swinging weights and using momentum not only looks sloppy, but begets equal results. The answer: A proper lift with a sensible weight will create definition and a sleek beautiful body.

Canon 4: Be Aware of Lifting To Heavy Canon 4 is a natural extension of the previous principle. Remember: it’s important to make strength gains during resistance training (and this will happen naturally) however, if you are forcing the lift, you are using a weight that is too heavy.

Here’s the test: After a workout, you may experience some slight soreness in the muscle. However, if this soreness lasts beyond 48 hours, it may be a sign that you are lifting too heavy. As a rule: always aim to warm up and cool down, before and after your workout session.

Canon 5: Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate The body is made of 60% - 70% water, therefore, it is important to hydrate the body before, during and after exercise as the increased exertion accelerates the rate of water loss. A rule of thumb is to drink at least an 8oz glass of water before during and after you workout. This will keep the body hydrated. It will also prevent dehydration and undue stress on your kidneys.

The Secret Canon: Something else to keep in mind for a safe, effective workout: obtain proper footwear. This should not be taken lightly. Proper footwear will help protect your feet, back and joints from receiving the majority of impact. As a rule you should take a constant inventory of your feet, replacing your training shoes 2-3 times per year (depending on use). You will know when it’s time if they’ve broken down or feel loose and sloppy.

Above all: Listen to you body! Be aware of what is trying to tell you. It’s my guess, however, if you aim your awareness toward these canons of resistance training; your body will reward you with a strong, shapely, and injury free body - just in time for summer.

By Lara Turner

Add comment May 12th, 2006