In addition to your Fitness Together sessions, you should be fitting exercise into your schedule outside of here as well. Sometimes we get caught in the rut of doing the same ol’ thing: going to the gym, doing that same exercise tape we always do, running the same route. Everyone’s routine can benefit from a little change to keep it interesting. Here we will show you different forms and styles of working out and encourage you to give some of them a try; you might fall in love with something you normally never would have thought was for you.

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BIKRAM YOGA

Bikram, or “Hot” Yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of 95-100 degrees. As you can imagine, a vigorous yoga session at this temperature promotes profuse sweating which rids the body of toxins. It also makes the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.

Living yoga master Bikram Choudhury is a Hot Yoga innovator.  His method of Hot Yoga is a set series of 26 yoga poses which are performed twice in a single 90 minute class. Bikram was involved in a lawsuit to copywrite his 26 moves to ensure that anyone taching yoga in a hot room could not call it “Bikram Yoga” unless they graduated from his yoga college in India. He still remains a controversial figure in the history of yoga.

A lot of people prefer Bikram yoga because the sweating from the extreme heat helps to feel like they are getting a “real” workout. Whether you buy that or not, many people swear by it.

“It’s 90 minutes of 26 postures in 105 degree heat. I do it 5x per week and I cannot say enough about the amazing benefits. The increased flexibility is just a small biproduct; I love how many calories I burn and that’s coming from a dedicated runner who had back pain. Well… All I can say is the back pain is GONE! AND my strength for my runs and workouts is much more intense. Check it out! It does depend on what kind of yoga you are doing, but you absolutely can “drop pounds” and change your body completely.”

                                                                                                                                                                  -Carrie, as posted on katheats.com

Hot Yoga Tips and Cautions

It is essential to have your own yoga mat and towel when doing Hot Yoga since you will be sweating so much. Students tend to wear very little clothing for the same reason.

Make sure to drink plenty of water before and after class so you don’t get dehydrated. It is not advisable to eat during the two hours before class.

If you want to try Bikram’s method, make sure the Hot Yoga studio you choose has been certified to teach Bikram Yoga.

Hot Yoga is not advised for pregnant women, since it can raise the core body temperature.