The Yoga rules

By Aazdak Alisimo

Have you heard about Hot Yoga? It seems as though people everywhere are frantically signing up for this type of yoga ... otherwise known as Bikram Yoga.

Somewhere along the line, Bikram Yoga morphed into the term "Hot Yoga." This is partly due to the fact that the inventor of this type of yoga, Bikram Choudhury, forbids anyone other than his pupils to use the aforementioned term. Therefore, those teachers that have not attended Choudhury's school in India may not use this term at all, so these people have come up with the term "Hot Yoga" instead. No matter what you call it, the principles of this sort of yoga are still the same.

Choudhury invented a series of poses that were to be practiced within the confines of a very hot room. Most people that find themselves immersed in one of these classes will become easily exhausted due to the 85 to 100 degree rooms that they will be enclosed in. Why does this type of yoga require such high temperatures? The concept behind this practice is that the body will become entirely cleansed at such high temperatures, leaving nothing behind but the spirit. Also, it is nearly impossible to concentrate on anything other than the poses when submersed in such a steamy room.

Should you decide to try out Bikram Yoga, make sure that you bring your own mat, towel, and plenty of water. Many people that do not come prepared for this course often find that they become light headed rather quickly. Remember to drink profusely while you are going through each pose, and stop if you become exhausted. Also, almost everyone should consult their doctor before attempting to begin this type of yoga.

It should be stated that there is a fundamental difference between those studios that teach Hot Yoga, and those studios that follow Choudhury's method. If you want to follow Choudhury's original poses and instructions, make sure to find a school that has been certified by him. Still, Hot Yoga will allow you to experience the basic poses involved with this practice, and it is still entirely beneficial.

Now that you know why some people call it Bikram Yoga and some people call it Hot Yoga, you can decide for yourself which path to take. Either way, you will find that this sort of yoga is soothing and cleansing, though it may not be for everyone.

Aazdak Alisimo writes about yoga for YogaExerciseInstructors.com where you can find yoga instructors near you and across the nation.