Imagine this- you're in a room full of scantily-clad individuals, sweating profusely, twisting and turning your body in ways you never imagined possible, inhaling, exhaling....aaahhhhh- oh, i forgot to mention- the room is 105 degrees! This is the world of Bikram hot yoga. Ok Ok, let's get the technicalities out of the way for all you amateurs- Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga popularized in the early 1970s. Classes run exactly 90 minutes and consist of a series of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, done in a room heated to105°F. Why anyone would subject themselves to this experience was beyond me, that is, until I tried it for myself for the first time yesterday morning. I am SORE from head to toe from all the bending, flexing, stretching, turning, twisting, balancing on one foot until it went numb. However, it was a great experience and I plan to do it again- multiple times. Why, you ask????
Besides being a very relaxing experience, hot yoga has several benefits for the body as well as the mind and soul. Here are just a few:
- Reduces injury
- Reduces the effects of stress
- Tones and strengthens muscles
- Increases energy
- Increase balance & coordination
- Weight loss
- Increases metabolism
- Boosts immune system
- Enhances the function of respiratory, muscular, endocrine, & circulatory systems
Here are just a few of the poses we did:
