Today’s yoga is drastically different from the kind of yoga our senior generations used to practice and follow. Evolving with time, yoga has no longer remained a form of exercise which only older people follow but has instead become youthful, vibrant and dynamic and is fast catching up pace with the other forms of workouts.
Latest addition to the ‘Yoga’ fraternity
Moving on from Power yoga, there is one more dynamic style of yoga which has suddenly caught everyone’s attention. This form of yoga is Hot Yoga. This form of yoga is named after the legendary yoga living master Bikram Choudhury who has innovated and come up with twenty six different postures each of which is performed two times in a class of 90 minutes which also involves two styles ofPranayama.
What is it?
‘Hot Yoga’ are basically yoga exercises or postures which are performed in a pre-heated room. This re-heated room is maintained at a temperature of 95 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot yoga class is a flowing vinyasa style of yoga where one after the other different postures are done. Performing these postures under such controlled high temperatures helps in promoting profuse sweating resulting in making the body warm.
A little trivia about the ‘Guru’
Yoga Master Bikram Choudhary is the inventor as well as the innovator of Hot yoga. He was born in Calcutta, India in 1946. He was a yoga champion as through his childhood. His wife, Rajashree, too is a well known yoga practitioner. Mr. Choudhary is credited for starting his own yoga center at Beverley Hills in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Forms of ‘Hot’ Yoga
Core Power Yoga is another form of Hot yoga in which a heated room is used to conduct classes. This form of hot yoga is very popular in the US; andMoksha Yoga, was started in 2004 and has spread in the US from Canada. In the US, it is known asModo Yoga and like Hot Yoga also consists of a set series of poses.
Useful Tips
Some helpful reminders before joining a Hot Yoga batch,
Hot Yoga is not advisable for pregnant or expecting women;It is advisable to carry your own yoga mat and a towel for hygiene purposes;Ensure that you have sufficient intake of water before as well as during the class in order to avoid dehydration.Consult your medical practitioner prior to joining such a class.Have fun!
Since the time this form of yoga has made its foray in India, its utility and efficiency is often been a subject of debate from various subject matter experts. However, in spite of receiving its fair share of criticisms, Hot Yoga is still very popular especially with the younger generation which swears by it and practice it diligently.