About Bikram Choudhury
Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide Yoga College of India™. Born in Calcutta in 1946, Bikram began Yoga at the age of four with India's most-renowned physical culturist at that time, Bishnu Ghosh, the younger brother of Paramahansa Yogananda.
At seventeen, an injury to his knee during a weight-lifting accident brought the prediction from leading European doctors that he would never walk again. Not accepting their pronouncement, he had himself carried back to Bishnu Ghosh's school, for he knew that if anyone could help to heal his knee, it was his teacher. Six months later, his knee had totally recovered. To learn more about Bikram Choudhury click here!
How does Bikram Yoga work?
By the tourniquet effect: stretching, balancing (using gravity), and creating pressure all at the same time. While in a posture, the blood supply to your arteries and veins is being cut off, creating pressure. When released, a lock gate effect is created, causing blood to rush through veins and arteries, flushing them out. The heat heightens the purification and healing processes of the body and the mind.
Why the heat?
By intentionally heating the room, the 90 minute Bikram practice has three major benefits:
- A warm body facilitates a deeper stretch with greater benefits
- The heat assists in the purification and removes toxins
- The challenging environment strengthens your mind
More specifically, the circulatory system (veins, arteries, capilleries) responds to the heat by dilating, bringing more oxygen to your muscles, joints and organs - revitalising, rejuvenating and re-energising your body from the inside out. All in all, a hot Bikram workout will build strength and stamina in not only your body, but in every part of your life.
“In the extreme heat we forge bodies and mind of steel. By pushing you to your limits and then beyond, you begin to understand that there are NO limits.”
I have been doing Bikram yoga for about 8 months. I average 2 practices per week, but I really notice the difference if I get 3 days a week read more....
