Bikram Yoga Diet - How should i combine bikram yoga with diet and other exercise?
Bikram Yoga is also called Hot Yoga and is done in a room heated to a temperature of around 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is done to avoid injuries, to allow for deep stretching and to promote a release of toxins. Ideally, you should be consulting a Yoga therapist at the Bikram Yoga center itself. Bikram Yoga is a complete Hatha Yoga regimen most concerned with energizing your body and designed to revive, reorganize, invigorate and stimulate every cell of your body.
The whole program was developed by the founder, Bikram Choudhary himself; it stretches and warms up every organ, muscle, tendon, ligament, joint and vertebrae of your body, right down to the cellular level. The exponents of this system claim that all the systems of the body are revitalized, by driving fresh blood and oxygen to every part of your body. So, ideally, you would need no other exercise if you are practicing Bikram Yoga; it is a complete workout regimen in and by itself.
As far as diet is concerned, we’d recommend that you adhere to a Yoga diet.
Yoga diet
A Yoga diet is called a Sattvic diet. This means it is predominantly vegetarian, light, pure and completely free of toxins and preservatives. It includes plenty of fresh fruit and salads including sprouts – before every meal – pulses, freshly cooked vegetables, including green leafy vegetables, whole grain bread or brown rice. You are strongly advised to have freshly cooked meals rather than microwave heated previously cooked food. In any case, food cooked the previous day is considered a serious ‘No-No’.
You should avoid all non-veg fare, spicy, deep fried and fast / junk foods if you wish to retain any of the benefits of your Yoga program. Likewise, shun all tobacco products and alcohol, including beer and alcopops. It is equally important that you have your meals at regular intervals and try to maintain the same timings every day. Some Ayurvedic supplements will go a long way in helping boost your energy resources, since Bikram Yoga is known to be a taxing style.
Meanwhile, whatever style of Yoga you are practicing, it is very important to pay attention to your lifestyle. This includes the type of furniture you use, – strictly avoid overstuffed cushions and bean bags – the kind of company you keep, the kind of entertainment you indulge in. As far as possible, keep your tastes and indulgences Sattvic; in other words pure and light. Avoid anything over energizing and disturbing, the kind that only over stimulates your mind. They will only detract from the benefits of your Yoga practices.
