"When we begin to understand the total being that is man, we realize that he is no simple organism. Within him are many powers whose potential he employs in greater or lesser degree in accomdating himself to the conditions of this world. Their potential is vastly greater than the average person thinks" ~ The Great Paramahansa Yogananda
"Hatha yoga, this thousands of years old practice, has been called "the yoga of will power." Just doing it strengthens our will, an attribute of mind. When we have the positive experience of being able to do more than we expected, our confidence and self-esteem get a boost, fostering a more positive mind. We begin including positive thoughts about ourselves, and allow negative self-talk to fade away. Our practice strengthens our mind.
The mind has five aspects which as they develop, bring equanimity to the mind.
Faith, Self-control, Determination, Concentration, and Patience. Each of these five develop by practicing Bikram's Yoga. When we're forced to do something that is against our own nature, our soul is unhappy, there is no peace. When the soul is unhappy, pain begins to trouble the body as well. Rather than change your ways to conform with the world, you must eventually find a way to express your truth from your heart regardless of the world." ~ Bikram Choudhury
Testimonials
Read how Bikram Hot Yoga has changed the lives of many New Mexico men and women from all ages, shapes, sizes and condition. You are capable of so much more than you may know! Read more..
Whether you think you can or can't - you're right!
“...I'll cut to the chase: Bikram's Yoga simply works for me. I became a Bikram's "regular" back in December of 2008. As a competitive runner, I've definitely heard plenty of advice on the benefits of core strength, not only for injury prevention, but all-around health. I feel that Bikram gives me the perfect balance of all-around strength and fitness and lays the foundation upon which I can progress in abilities as an athlete....”
“...WoW.... what a difference! After wearing 40lbs of equipment for years my back and body started to feel like a stiff and broken machine. I was experiencing stabbing pain in my upper back that was keeping me from enjoying my life and keeping up with my one year old daughter. After only a few classes my pain has decreased and I feel like standing up straighter without trying....”
Benefits bikram hot yoga
Many people perceive yoga as simple stretching. In fact, yoga postures are tools for you to benefit your health by improving circulation to your internal organs, muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints. The benefits of Bikram Yoga are numerous and deep when performed with a consistent practice of 2-3 times per week.
"The twenty-six exercises systematically move fresh, oxygenated blood to 100 percent of your body, to each organ and fiber, restoring all systems to healthy working order." Bikram's Beginning Yoga Class (Tarcher Putnam, 1978). When you increase the flow of oxygen to your body you improve your body's ability to heal itself. The Bikram Yoga series has been scientifically designed to help you direct oxygen to the parts of your body that need it most. It rejuvenates, regenerates, strengthens, flexes and balances all of your body, inside and out!
"Bikram Yoga is a powerful tool to strengthen the aspects of the mind: Faith, Self-Control, Determination, Concentration, and Patience" - Bikram Choudhury Read more...
• Tones and strengthens all major muscle groups down to the bone |
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Why the Heat?
Bikram vs Regular Yoga: The Differences in Calories Burned
Sweat and detoxification
The skin, the body's largest organ, eliminates toxins through perspiration. The function of sweat is to cool the body through evaporation. Hot yoga practitioners purport that perspiration removes waste from the body on a surface level through the pores and on a deeper organic level by carrying waste away from the kidneys and liver. Sweating has also been found to stimulate the metabolism and immune system.
Focus and breath
As the body works to stay cool, the mind must focus in a challenging environment. As in all forms of yoga, hot yoga puts emphasis on deep breathing to increase the flow of prana or vital life. The breath connects the body to the mind and carries the practitioner through the poses. Deep breathing helps to calm the body and mind, and circulates fresh oxygen throughout the body.
Flexibility
Stretching warm muscles is more effective and lets the practitioner get deeper into poses. Because stretching is an effective way to increase flexibility, hot yoga can help improve one’s range of motion, prevent injuries in exercise, and help a person heal from previous injuries.
Weight Management
Many people seeking to manage their weight practice hot yoga because it addresses several aspects of weight loss and maintenance, including exercise, stress reduction, and thyroid stimulation.
Stress Relief
Exercise, deep breathing, and meditation have been shown to reduce stress levels, and hot yoga combines all three. The mind's effort to focus on the poses in a hot environment distracts from stressors. Lower stress levels allow for better, easier sleep, which improves the immune system, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and improves mood.
Immune System
Raising one's core temperature increases white blood cell production that defends against viruses and bacteria. The body also produces more interferon, which increases the production of antibodies. Stress is known to weaken the immune system, so activities that reduce stress also reduce susceptibility to illness.
Aches, injuries and arthritis
Many joints, especially the vertebrae, stop lubricating as efficiently when a person enters their thirties. Yoga promotes joint lubrication which can alleviate general feelings of stiffness and discomfort in the spine, knees, hips and shoulders, feet and hands.
Increased Performance
Many athletes and take up hot yoga to improve performance in other activities. Well-stretched muscles and joint in proper alignment have better range of motion and are less prone to injury. The breath control of yoga also improves performance in cardiovascular and anaerobic activities.