Welcome to Bikram Yoga Ormond Beach! Thank you for taking the time to check out our website. Please take 5 min to read the following paragraphs as they will give you a better insight into the yoga and the man himself.
Bikram yoga, often referred to as “hot” yoga is a powerful and intense practice because it does so many things at once. Bikram yoga has a medicinal-like aspect in that it helps and restores the body, mind and spirit to a healthy, invigorated place, offering a cardiovascular workout along with the yoga element
Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury- a Founder
Bikram yoga is a 26-step series of asana poses (“asana” refers to the physical aspect of the yoga) and postures that is performed over 90 minutes in a heated room with temperatures over 100 degrees. It is regarded as one of the most intense and physically challengeing forms of yoga.
Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury has been a yogi almost his entire life and he is the heart and brains behind Bikram yoga. Choudhury copyrighted his 26-step asana poses and postures in order to protect the yoga from becoming something else.
Although he has been met with fierce criticism for doing so, many people referring to him as the Rolls Royce of yoga or as a fast-buck artist, Choudhury’s copyrighting of his yoga has ensured that the yoga’s philosophy and practice remain unaltered. This includes ensuring that the yoga teacher is trained and licensed, that the sequence of the postures remain unaltered and that the room remains simple and unadorned with floor to wall mirrors and bright simple lighting-no candles, no aromas, nothing to distract from the practice.
Healing the Body, Mind, and Spirit
Choudhury and the practice of Bikram yoga stresses the idea of self-realization which occurs when the body and the mind followed by the human and the spirit become connected. Both physical and mental powers are believed to develop simultaneously.
The yoga is intended to offer and support clarity of the mind by focusing on being in the present and focusing on the self in the mirror. Bikram yoga teachers are constantly reinforcing the practice of maintaining the eye contact with the self in the mirror. The philosophy is that working hard and realizing the power within the self will allow the eyes to appreciate and like what they see in the mirror.
Another reason to like the self in the mirror is that there is no element or focus on competing with anyone else. Each person works towards his or her own goals and competency, challenging the self to reach its greatest potential.
Other Health Benefits of Bikram
Each posture has many distinct health benefits which often overlap with the benefits of other poses. The sequencing of the postures also plays a vital role in their healing benefits. These postures help to establish or reestablish balance and physical alignment.
The amazing aspect of Bikram yoga is that it does so many things at once. The postures improve flexibility, posture, strengthen muscles, increase oxygen and improve circulation throughout the body to heal and protect joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves. It is also believed that this yoga stimulates glands and reproductive organs partly because of the increased oxygen flow.
Breathing Techniques of Bikram
The practice of Bikram yoga involves breathing techniques and a philosophy behind them. Yogis often refer to the breath as “prana” which means life’s energy coming in on the breath.
In Bikram yoga, almost all of the breathing, both inhalation and exhalation, is done through the nose which is known to filter and warm the air and, in turn, slow the breath. When the breath slows, the parasympathetic nervous system takes over the sympathetic nervous system to help create relaxation and calm. So, awareness and practice of this breathing technique is vital to ensuring a beneficial yoga experience.
Slowing down, focusing on and being aware of the breathing are all essential in creating the relaxation needed to help connect with the mind.
It is a good idea for any beginner to read some vital tips before starting the very first class which is usually the hardest. This will help in knowing what pre-class preparation is needed to ensure the optimal benefits of the yoga.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please check out our new students page and yoga ettiquete page for more helpful info and to answer some of your other questions. See you soon!
-Team BYOB
