Bikram Yoga or Therapeutic Hatha / Raja Yoga is a series of 26 yoga stretching postures and breathing exercise taught in a 90 minute class. Each pose is a challenge based on one’s personal abilities. The postures are done in the safe environment of a heated room so that deep penetration can relieve one’s body resistance without risking injury.
By the end of a bikram yoga class session, each individual will have worked every muscle, tendon, joint, ligament, internal organ, and gland while systematically moving fresh, oxygenated blood to 100% of the body. The result is restoration of health to all systems. As you increase strength, flexibility, and balance in your body, you will be energized, you will revitalize your mind, and you will be working on eliminating conditions of stress produced by fast-paced lifestyles and previous existing conditions.
These bikram yoga postures work synergistically and cumulatively to put the body back on track and in balance. This yoga builds strength, balance, and flexibility by gently stretching and massaging the spine, muscles, tendons, joints, and all internal organs of the body. Lung capacity is expanded, leading to greater vitality. Bones are strengthened. Joints are opened and lubricated. Muscles are strengthened, toned and made more flexible. Regular practice of the bikram yoga series of postures results in the healing and repair of injuries and illnesses, weight loss, and peace of mind.
Below is a video of the Standing Series during a bikram yoga workout, which is the hardest part of the workout.
In conclusion Bikram yoga claims that blood circulation is affected immensely during the Bikram Yoga class because of two processes called extension and compression. These 2 dynamics are said to work together to deliver fresh oxygen to every joint, muscle, and organ within the entire human body. While performing a specific asana (pose), the participant stretches or compresses a certain part of the body, thus cutting off circulation to this part temporarily. This restriction of circulation makes the heart to pump more blood in reaction to the shortage. The pumping of excess, fresh blood is called extension. Once the bikram yoga asana is complete and the individual comes out of the posture, the new oxygenated blood is able to rejuvenate the arteries that were being compressed.
Because of the volume amount and introduction of fresh blood, it is said that infection, bacteria, and toxins can be released through this bikram yoga process.
