Health Tip – Apr. 17 – Is “Hot Yoga” Healthy?

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    Dee Dee - Health Tip
    Dee Dee – Health Tip

    Bikram yoga was created in 1971 by Bikram Choudhury, an Indian entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. It is called “hot” for good reason: classes are held in rooms with the temperature set at 105 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity controlled at 60 percent. It consists of 26 yoga poses (asanas) designed to warm and stretch muscles, ligaments, and tendons in a specific order. Choudhury claims that the 26 poses work every part of the body, and provide internal organs and muscles with what they need to maintain optimum health. He maintains that the high heat is necessary for protection of muscles and allows for deeper stretching, detoxification of the body and other benefits.

    While it’s true that warmer muscles are more flexible and better able to stretch, there are concerns about exercising in high heat since it can be particularly stressful on the body – even for those who are very fit. It is also easier to overstretch muscles in a hot environment without being aware of it at the time, possibly resulting in muscle strains or even damage to joints.

    If you decide to try Bikram Yoga, be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the routine and pay close attention to how you feel. Take a break if you find the poses too strenuous and stop immediately if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, overheated or experience chest pain. In general, avoid Bikram yoga if you’re sensitive to heat and have experienced heat stroke or dehydration in the past. If you have arthritis or any type of joint problem or high (or low) blood pressure, be sure to check with your doctor before taking a Bikram yoga class. If you have  heart disease  or are pregnant, it is advised to choose other types of yoga.

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