Weight Loss and Bikram Yoga

Weight loss and Bikram yoga go together as you can burn 500 to 1000 calories in a single session. Bikram yoga is performed in a room where the temperature is maintained at 104 degrees Fahrenheit. You should attend the sessions at least thrice a week as going for them any less than that may not produce sufficient weight loss, and Bikram yoga may not be that effective. By attending sessions regularly, you will benefit with improved health and Bikram yoga benefits like stronger muscles and improved functioning of the mental, endocrine, respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems.

By earnestly following the instructions of the practitioner, you can bring about effective weight loss. Thus, weight loss and Bikram yoga do go hand-in-hand. After consuming food, it is important that you give at least a four-hour gap before you start the session. This will allow the food in your stomach to settle while not leaving it completely empty. It is important that you consume sufficient fluids the day prior to your session as well as on the day you have your session. This will enable you to achieve the full potential of weight loss and Bikram yoga benefits. Weight loss and Hatha yoga do not usually work well together as the Hatha yoga postures mainly focus on physical awareness, strength and flexibility. However, practicing Hatha yoga can enhance other yoga styles that are effective with weight loss like Bikram yoga and power yoga.

The difference between other exercises for fitness and Bikram yoga is that the postures of Bikram yoga are performed in a heated room. This will make the muscles flexible and supple and allow them to stretch more easily, thereby reducing the risk of injury. For you to maximize the benefits of Bikram yoga, it is essential that you maintain a yogic diet. It is also called a Sattvic diet that is mainly vegetarian, pure, light and totally free of preservatives and toxins. It consists of plenty of salads and fresh fruits. It also includes brown rice, whole grain bread, leafy green vegetables, pulses and sprouts. It is also important to eat meals that are freshly cooked instead of reheating food that is cooked previously in the microwave. You should also avoid taking deep fried, spicy and junk food as well as tobacco and alcohol. By maintaining a proper diet and practicing Bikram yoga regularly, you should be able to achieve the results that you desire.

The ancient science of Yoga has become very popular all across the world now, because of the different benefits that have been associated with it. It is a well known fact that Yoga is a great stress buster; however, there are several other advantages that various yoga asanas or yoga poses could have on a person’s health. Some of the most common yoga benefits include weight loss, an increase in concentration, improved balance, higher flexibility, added strength and a boost in immunity, to name a few. This is probably why most celebrities have been practicing various yoga exercises and postures, to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, in spite of the fact that there are so many benefits that have been associated with this ancient practice, there are several people who shy away from it. This is because many people believe that most yoga poses are too complicated and difficult for them. However, there are several beginner yoga poses that could be suitable for those who are interested in learning Yoga.  However, there are several disciplines that are a part of yoga, which can include Bikram Yoga (more commonly known as Hot Yoga), Ashtanga Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Sivananda Yoga, Ananda Yoga, Jivamukhti Yoga Kripalu Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Anusara Yoga.

Yoga asanas for weight loss

There are several people, especially celebrities, who mainly practice yoga for weight loss and toning up purposes. Though rare, some people also use a yoga pose or exercise to reduce breast size, hip size and tummy size. Given below are some of the most common disciples that include yoga poses for weight loss:

Bikram yoga poses

Bikram yoga refers to a style of yoga, which is practiced in an environment that has been preheated to a temperature of around 100 degrees F. This is why it is also referred to as Hot yoga in the western part of the world. Since this is one of the most strenuous forms of Yoga, one of the main bikram yoga benefits includes burning a high amount of fat and calories. In this discipline of Yoga, a series of 26 different Yoga poses, need to be performed in a certain sequence. It usually takes an individual around 90 minutes or so, to complete the entire set of the 26 yoga exercises. Given below are the 26 bikram yoga or hot yoga poses:

1. Pranayama Asanas (The Deep Breathing Poses)
2. Ardha Chandrasana & Pada Hastasana (The Half Moon & Hands to Feet Pose)
3. Utkatasana (The Awkward Pose)  
4. Garurasana (The Eagle Pose)
5. Dandayamana Janushirasana (The Standing Head to Knee Pose)
6. Dandayamana Dhanurasana (The Standing Bow Pulling Pose)
7. Tuladandasana (The Balancing Stick Pose)
8. Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Paschimotthanasana (The Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose)
9. Trikonasana (The Triangle Pose)
10. Dandayamana Bibhaktapada Janushirasana (The Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose)
11. Tadasana (The Tree Pose)
12. Padasana (The Toe Stand Pose)
13. Shavasana (The Corpse Pose)
14. Pavanamuktasana (The Wind Removing Pose)
15. Sit Ups
16. Bhujangasana (The Snake Pose)
17. Salabha asana (The Locust Pose)
18. Poorna Salabhasana (The Full Locust Pose)
19. Dhanurasana (The Bow Pose)
20. Supta Vajrasana (The Fixed Firm Pose)
21. Ardha Kurmasana (The Half Tortoise Pose)
22. Ustrasasana (The Camel Pose)
23. Sasangasana (The Rabbit Pose)
24. Janushirasana and Paschimotthanasana (The Head to Knee Pose)
25. Ardha Matsyendrasana (The Spine Twisting Pose)
26. Khapalbhatiasana (The Blowing-in, Firm Pose)

Therefore, bikram yoga weight loss benefits are very common, since exercising in a heated room for about an hour and a half helps burn a lot of fat and calories. In fact, the bikram yoga calories burned per hour are a lot higher than the calories that are burned with other forms of yoga, or several other exercises too.

However, apart from bikram yoga weight loss benefits, there are several other advantages that can be associated with this style of yoga. Since heat can cause the muscles to get supple and warm, the regular practice of Bikram yoga can increase flexibility and agility in a person. Moreover, since people tend to sweat a lot, while practicing this yoga style, they eliminate the toxins from the body.

However, in spite of all the bikram yoga weight loss benefits which are known of, it is important to consult a health care provider, before practicing this style of yoga, since there could be certain side effects that are associated with it. Some of the side effects that have been reported after the practice of Bikram yoga are nausea, shock, extreme fatigue and pain. It is also important to be clad in the appropriate bikram yoga clothing, in order to reduce any side effects.

Ashtanga yoga poses

This discipline of yoga generally includes poses and postures that are very vigorous. However, this discipline of yoga is regarded as being ideal for beginners who are trying to lose weight. The basic or easy yoga poses that are a part of this discipline include:

• Ardha Baddha Padma Uttanasana (the Half Bound Lotus Intense Stretch Pose)
• Pada Hastasana (The Hands Under Feet Pose)
• Padangusthasana (The Big Toe Pose)
• Parivritta Parsvakonasana (The Revolved Side Angle Pose)
• Parivritta Trikonasana (The Revolved Triangle Pose)
• Parvottasana (The Side Intense Stretch Pose)
• Prasarita Padottasana (The Wide Leg Forward Fold Pose)
• Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
• Trikonasana (The Triangle Pose)
• Utkatasana (The Fierce Pose)
• Utthita Hasta Padanghustasana (The Extended Hand To Big Toe Pose)
• Utthita Parsvakonsana (The Extended Side Angle Pose)
• Virabhadrasana I (The Warrior Pose I)
• Virabhadrasana II (The Warrior Pose II)

There are several standing and advanced yoga poses that are also a part of Ashtanga yoga.

Power yoga

This style of yoga involves heavy sweating, as people need to engage in a lot of muscle building work. Therefore, this form of yoga is not ideal for everyone, even if they want to lose weight.

Before the practice of any yoga discipline or any yoga pose, it is absolutely essential to get an approval from a doctor. It is also best to consult a qualified yoga guru for additional information on a yoga routine and sequences, as well as the maintenance of a yoga journal for future reference.

Bikram recommends a minimum of 10 classes a month to derive the benefits of his Yoga program. Among this is weight regularization. Beginners take 3 classes for the body to get the right approach to a pose, and 10 classes for the body to start working with poses to realize optimization of all body systems. Besides endocrine, lymphatic and elimination systems, even digestion and respiration begins to work in balance.  Appetite normalizes and unhealthy cravings are known to reduce drastically. For those who devote time to regular practice, at least, but preferably more than thrice a week these results help regularize weight.

One more fantastic benefit of Yoga is weight reduction. Through different Yoga poses you are easily able to shed extra body fat. Some of the poses rouse sluggish glands and make them improve their hormonal secretions. For instance, the thyroid gland has a major effect on our body weight as it has an effect on the metabolism. Poses such as Sarvangasana (shoulder stand) and Matsyasana (fish pose) are particularly effective for the thyroid gland. These poses boost fat metabolism in the process converting fat to muscle and energy.

Deep breathing, Yoga style helps in increase the oxygen intake to the cells of the body; this includes fat cells. As a result fat cells are burnt up. One more astounding facet of Bikram Yoga is that it helps control anxiety. This, in turn, lowers anxious eating. The human tendency is to swallow food without deriving satisfaction or pleasure, particularly when we are tense. In the process we end up eating more. Alternatively, those who approach their meals with a better mood are less likely to overeat in a frenzied bid to calm their worries, fears and apprehensions. Bikram Yoga has proven to play a vital role in making people more cool and calm.