Bikram Yoga, or the Hot Yoga is yet another Yoga system rather widely practiced in the West nowadays.
Named after its founder, Bikram Choudhury, Bikram Yoga features a set of 26 Asanas combined with two types of Pranayama breathing and practiced in a room heated up to 40°C/100°F with humidity equaling approximately 50%. Such surroundings are claimed to facilitate the performance of exercises while the muscles become really warm and flexible thus reducing the feeling of pain and the risk of receiving an injury; and profuse sweating helps remove toxins from the organism much quicker. The Asanas selected for Bikram Yoga are mostly difficult, but the heat makes it possible to stretch better and safer, so even persons who are stiff and not physically fit can do them well. In fact, Bikram Yoga is practiced by people of all ages, weight and body type. It is also popular among show business stars, sportsmen, actors and other celebrities all over the world today. The “father” of Bikram Yoga maintains that his methods are supported by science and show the only right approach to Hatha Yoga as compared to other styles taught.
Such statements and kind of aggressive ways of Bikram Yoga founder to copyright his products have caused much controversy in the USA Yoga Community. In particular, it has been disputed whether Yoga on the whole as philosophy, a set of ideas, can be copyrighted, or how could a series of exercises that had traditionally belonged to universal practice, bear a trademark. A number of files under this issue still remain open; however, the court declared that there was no misuse of copyright rules for the name “Bikram Yoga”, the various books, video and audio for Bikram Yoga at home, and the like materials.
Returning to the essence of Bikram Yoga, it should be pointed out that each posture is to be repeated twice in a special sequence (same every time) starting from standing Asanas and proceeding with bends (back to forward) followed by twists. There is particular timing for each exercise and the session lasts for about an hour and a half. The frequency of classes is determined by the practitioner themselves but can also be advised by the instructor.
To conclude, we’d like to remind you that Yoga is not all about becoming slimmer or subduing different illnesses. Originally, it is meant to establish proper communication between body and mind, pacify the soul, make one wiser and move them nearer to the ultimate enlightenment and union with the Divine. |