REPOST: Things to do in 90 minutes: Hot yoga

For those looking for a healthy and challenging way to effectively use one and a half hours of down time, The Very Blog recommends trying hot yoga (Bikram yoga in particular). Extremely difficult yet beneficial, this exercise is a good way to make the most of one's day.

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You know the drill, the hubby has invited the boys round and declared the evening be filled with nothing but pizza, beer and general heckling at the TV. Now if you’re anything like me, this is not an appealing proposition. While I can be tempted to sit down and watch a game or two of the Wimbledon final, football just doesn’t do it for me. As such I have quite the repertoire of what-to-do-when-the-usually-attentive-other-half-is-staring-at-22-men. Top of the list is generally whine at him, point out what a waste of his time this is and sulk until the final whistle. However, when I’m feeling a bit more proactive the first thing I do is head down to my Yoga studio for a sweaty session.

If you’ve yet to try Hot or Bikram yoga then the next time there’s a match make sure you book yourself into your nearest class – then spend the day gulping water and prepare to revolutionise your workout world.

The Low Down

Bikram Yoga: Bikram classes are always 90 minutes long and always do the same 26 postures, twice each with a starting and finishing breathing exercise. It may sound repetitive, but believe me that will be the last thing on your mind. More common thoughts are …

“Wow I didn’t know my eyes could sweat”

“Oh my goodness my face is just one big sweat gland”

“What on earth is a Camel pose?”

You see, Bikram Yoga is the pinnacle of Hot Yoga as it is so strict (no leaving the room, no talking, only very little water at set times) and so regimented. It transforms you body as the postures stretch, strengthen and lengthen muscles you didn’t even know existed and the heat and humidity (40 degrees, 40% humidity) force every last drop of sweat out of your body. It is incredibly challenging, the aim of your first class is just to “stay in the room” and believe me, that is enough of an ask!

Hot Yoga: Hot yoga is a loose term for any physical yoga practice performed in a hot room. This means you can do a standing series, a flow class or even something like a Jivamukti class in the hot room. The benefit of a hot yoga studio is the sheer variety of classes you can try out, and I think this is a better choice for a beginner. Plus, they tend to be a bit less strict so if you need to leave the room to cool down/cry then you can! Common hot yoga thoughts are …

“What is that smell? Coconut? No, Jasmine?”

“Is Vinyasa a type of curry? Why is she talking about food?

“I’m just going to crawl into childs pose and pretend this isn’t happening”

It’s an incredible intense workout - you will notice as the weeks go by that your posture improves, you sleep better, your skin clears up and your breathing is more disciplined. That’s the beauty of yoga, it works your body the way your body is meant to be worked. Every single runner will admit to the pain, discomfort and injury that comes hand in hand with running, but yoga is the opposite – it’s like therapy for your body! Not to mention, it slims, trims and tones you ready for bikini season.

Yoga is often described as a moving meditation, so whether it’s Bikram or Hot, why not try a class and arrive back at home in a state of blissful calm, it might help you focus as you hear every-single-detail of the match.

Brandie Frommelt is a certified Bikram yoga instructor and the the studio director of Bikram Yoga Westside. Visit this Google+ page for more on her and her career.

What Makes Brandie Frommelt's Bikram Yoga Studio Special?

Brandie Frommelt's Bikram Yoga studio has only the best of the best when it comes to Bikram yoga teachers.  Bikram instructors undergo intense training, and must be certified before they can teach.  The instructor has to be able to recite, verbatim, the Bikram dialogue for the entire 90 minute class.  And of course, they must be qualified to teach the 26 postures and the two breathing exercises.

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It is important that the instructors know what they are doing.  Bikram yoga can be very challenging and intense, even for the most physically fit athlete.  This type of yoga not only takes a combination of strength, balance, and flexibility, but Bikram yoga is performed under extreme conditions.

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The class is held in a room that is heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity.  This high heat warms the muscles, allowing for a deeper and safer workout.  It also serves to remove toxins from the body, prevent injuries, reduce stress, promote relaxation, increase blood circulation, improve strength and flexibility, and it helps to heal any injuries you may have.  It also teaches the body to use oxygen properly.  Bikram yoga can even reduce the symptoms of many chronic diseases, such as arthritis, if practiced regularly, at least three times a week.  It will also result in an increase in muscle tone and strength, and eventually even weight loss. Mentally, Bikram yoga can increase clarity and concentration.

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It may seem dangerous to do any kind of exercise under such conditions, but as long as you stay well hydrated and you don't have a serious medical condition, it is safe.  This is another reason it is important to have a certified Bikram instructor running your class – they know how to keep you safe, as well as knowing how to help you reap the most benefit from this popular type of yoga.

REPOST: What is Bikram Yoga?

In recent years, many people from different age groups have started practicing Bikram yoga to lose weight, reduce stress, and improve flexibility. LiveScience.com explains in detail this type of yoga and its many health benefits.

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Bikram yoga, often called "hot yoga," is a form of yoga popularized by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s in California. Bikram yoga instructors go through a nine-week training program in which they learn a set practice and dialogue. Currently, there are more than 1,650 Bikram studios around the world.

The yoga practice involves repeating the same 26 poses in set cycles over 90-minute classes. In most classes, rooms are heated, often up to a sweltering 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 Celsius) and kept at fairly high humidity. Proponents claim the temperature improves blood flow and helps oxygen reach muscle tissue, which may make practitioners more flexible. Hot yoga advocates also say the practice can flush out toxins from the body and even help with weight loss.

Studies have shown that a regular yoga practice can help lessen back pain, sharpen the mind, improve mood and even lower blood pressure. However, no large-scale scientific research has backed up benefits specific to the Bikram practice. Toxins, for instance, are typically flushed out not by sweating, but by the liver and the kidney, and are removed through urination or bowel movements.

However, the practice does have some potential dangers. The profuse sweating involved in Bikram yoga can lead to dehydration if practitioners don't drink enough water. A 2012 study in the British Medical Journal Case Reports described a woman who developed seizures and went into a coma after losing so much salt through profuse sweating in a Bikram yoga class. And the increased flexibility can actually be a bad thing, because it can make practitioners prone to overstretching that can facilitate strains and sprains, according to "The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards," (Simon & Schuster, 2012).

Hot yoga can also worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and people with high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions should also steer clear, experts say.

Generally, if someone starts feeling nauseated, dizzy or otherwise ill during a Bikram yoga class, it's a good idea to have some water and take a break.

Still, there's little risk of developing heat stroke during a Bikram yoga class, at least if it's practiced in a room kept between 90 and 95 F (32 and 35 C), according to a small 2013 study by the American Council on Exercise. That study tracked 20 people practicing both hot and regular yoga found virtually no difference in core temperature or heart rate between the two groups.  Those practicing the hot yoga, however, did perceive it to be harder, even if their bodies didn't register the increased difficulty.

Brandie Frommelt is a certified Bikram yoga instructor. Visit this Facebook page to learn more about this workout.

Brandie Frommelt's Bikram Yoga Vegas

What is Bikram yoga?

Bikram yoga is often known as hot yoga, because it is practiced in a room that is heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity. Classes are made up of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, and last for 90 minutes. To qualify as "official" Bikram yoga, the classes must be taught by teachers who have undergone intense training and are Bikram certified. In Bikram yoga, the teacher stands at the front of the room and recites the Bikram dialogue verbatim.

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Why is the room so hot?

In such a hot room, blood flow is improved and oxygen is distributed more efficiently throughout the body. This results in improved physical performance during the yoga class. Toxins and impurities are also flushed out of the body.

Who practices Bikram yoga?

Recently, many people have discovered the benefits of Bikram yoga. Professional athletes like it because it leads to increased strength and flexibility, and can even help to improve mental clarity and the ability to concentrate – all of which can mean more success in their athletic career.

However, you don't have to be an athlete to reap the benefits of Bikram yoga. Anyone interested in improving their physical and mental well-being can enjoy a Bikram yoga class.

Is it dangerous to practice yoga when it is so hot?

Of course, when you are doing any kind of exercise you should stay well hydrated by drinking water or a sports drink. If you have a medical condition or take medication, it is best to check with your doctor before starting a Bikram yoga program.

At Bikram Yoga Vegas, owner Brandie Frommelt and her expert staff are more than willing to answer all of your questions about Bikram yoga – and they are ready to get you started with this rejuvenating and popular form of yoga.