By Lori Woodyard
To make Bikram Method Yoga practice a safe rewarding experience takes
more than a hot room and a list of postures. Bikram Yoga is a
specialized form of yoga, requiring appropriate training and knowledge
to teach it. It is important to learn from a certified instructor.
Bikram Yoga works by the tourniquet effect: stretching, balancing
(using gravity), and creating pressure all at the same time. The blood
supply in 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. Also, pressure is applied
to the heart by its relative position to the rest of the body.
During a Bikram Yoga class muscles are contracted and stretched at
a cellular, biochemical level. Lipids and proteins reorganize optimally
in such stretching, allowing for better circulation. Joint mobility
and range of motion is increased, and strength is built by the use
of gravity. Muscles and joints are balanced. Blood and calcium are
brought to the bones. Working against gravity strengthens the bones.
Organs of the immune system within the bones (red marrow) are boosted.
Lymph nodes are massaged; lymph is pumped throughout the body, and
white blood cells are distributed throughout the body as the lymphatic
system works more efficiently. There is compression and extension
to the thymus, spleen, appendix and intestines; lungs are stretched
and flushed out by increased blood circulation. Endocrine glands are
encouraged to secrete appropriate hormones, and communication between
hormones and various glands and systems of the body is perfected.
Toxins and waste are eliminated through organs of elimination. Nerves
are stimulated by compression and extension, improving communication
within systems of the body and supplying fresh blood, oxygen and nutrients
throughout. The brain is stimulated by improved circulation and varying
blood pressure.
Bikram Yoga also helps balance the emotions in several ways. Physiologically,
regular practice harmonizes the nervous and endocrine systems, two
systems which figure heavily in emotional well-being. In addition,
practicing Bikram Yoga cultivates mental faculties of faith, self-control,
concentration, determination, and patience. This helps balance
emotional life.
A minimum of 10 classes per month is recommended to get the benefits,
including weight normalization. It takes three classes for beginners’
to understand the proper approach to the posture and to realize optimization
of body systems. Appetite will normalize, and unhealthy cravings will
diminish. All of these results will help to normalize weight with
regular practice, but preferably more than 3 times per week.
For more information, contact Lori Woodyard 304-615-3017
or visit www.bikramyoga.com
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