The Unique and Controversial Bikram System of Yoga
One form of Yoga which is as unique as it is controversial is Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga is a popular form of yoga in the United States, as well as other areas of the world. However, many of the claimed health benefits have been shrouded in controversy since Bikram Yoga became popular in the 1970s (httpwww.bikramyoga.com). Additionally, recent developments of potential health risks, as well as sexual assault accusations surrounding the founder, have made Bikram yoga as controversial as it is popular. When looking at Bikram yoga, it is important to discuss its founder, history, teachings, and health benefits. However, it is also important to look at the controversy surrounded the safety and health …show more content…
The humidity and heat of Bikram yoga are believed to intensify the workout as well as help remove toxins from the practitioner’s body. Followers of Bikram yoga as well as its founder state that this yoga practice awakens glands, organs, and nerves., restoring all systems to a healthy working order (http://www.bikramyogarvc.com/what-is-bikram-yoga/). Additionally, Bikram yoga promoters state the heat and humidity essential to Bikram yoga prevent injury and illness while limiting the effects of aging as well as to promote weight loss promote weight loss, and limit the effects of aging.(http://journals.lww.com/nscajscr/Abstract/2013/03000/Bikram_Yoga_Training_and_Physical_Fitness_in.35.aspx).
In a 2013 study of adults who were deemed healthy and practiced Bikram yoga for eight weeks saw increases in flexibility, and deadlifting strength as well as losing a small amount of body fat. This study found that the differences in calories burned varied according to the gender of the participate with women burning three hundred and thirty calories and men burning four hundred and sixty in a ninety-minute span. However, cardiovascular measures did not improve. (Bikram Yoga Training and Physical Fitness in Healthy http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2013/03000/Bikram_Yoga_Training_and_Physical_Fitness_in.35.aspx). Unlike many other forms of yoga, the benefits and safety of Beckman yoga are debated. Additionally, the character of its founder has also come under …show more content…
In this study, the researchers were attempting to find out if Bikram yoga was, in fact, healthy for you. To determine if Bikram Yoga was healthy for those practicing Bikram yoga, the study participants voluntarily were asked to swallow a core body temperature sensor and then wear a heart-rate monitor, during a typical 90-minute class, where the temperature of the room was 105F. Every ten minutes the participants core temperature of their body was checked. Despite the fact that none of the participants showed heat intolerance symptoms, many of the volunteers were found to have core body temperatures of higher than 103˚. In fact, a male participant in the had a core temperature of over 104˚F man in the study had a core temperature of more than 104° F. Researchers mentioned in this study that both heat stroke, as well as heat illness, can occur when an individuals core body heat reaches 104°
One form of Yoga which is as unique as it is controversial is Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga is a popular form of yoga in the United States, as well as other areas of the world. However, many of the claimed health benefits have been shrouded in controversy since Bikram Yoga became popular in the 1970s (httpwww.bikramyoga.com). Additionally, recent developments of potential health risks, as well as sexual assault accusations surrounding the founder, have made Bikram yoga as controversial as it is popular. When looking at Bikram yoga, it is important to discuss its founder, history, teachings, and health benefits. However, it is also important to look at the controversy surrounded the safety and health …show more content…
The humidity and heat of Bikram yoga are believed to intensify the workout as well as help remove toxins from the practitioner’s body. Followers of Bikram yoga as well as its founder state that this yoga practice awakens glands, organs, and nerves., restoring all systems to a healthy working order (http://www.bikramyogarvc.com/what-is-bikram-yoga/). Additionally, Bikram yoga promoters state the heat and humidity essential to Bikram yoga prevent injury and illness while limiting the effects of aging as well as to promote weight loss promote weight loss, and limit the effects of aging.(http://journals.lww.com/nscajscr/Abstract/2013/03000/Bikram_Yoga_Training_and_Physical_Fitness_in.35.aspx).
In a 2013 study of adults who were deemed healthy and practiced Bikram yoga for eight weeks saw increases in flexibility, and deadlifting strength as well as losing a small amount of body fat. This study found that the differences in calories burned varied according to the gender of the participate with women burning three hundred and thirty calories and men burning four hundred and sixty in a ninety-minute span. However, cardiovascular measures did not improve. (Bikram Yoga Training and Physical Fitness in Healthy http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/Abstract/2013/03000/Bikram_Yoga_Training_and_Physical_Fitness_in.35.aspx). Unlike many other forms of yoga, the benefits and safety of Beckman yoga are debated. Additionally, the character of its founder has also come under …show more content…
In this study, the researchers were attempting to find out if Bikram yoga was, in fact, healthy for you. To determine if Bikram Yoga was healthy for those practicing Bikram yoga, the study participants voluntarily were asked to swallow a core body temperature sensor and then wear a heart-rate monitor, during a typical 90-minute class, where the temperature of the room was 105F. Every ten minutes the participants core temperature of their body was checked. Despite the fact that none of the participants showed heat intolerance symptoms, many of the volunteers were found to have core body temperatures of higher than 103˚. In fact, a male participant in the had a core temperature of over 104˚F man in the study had a core temperature of more than 104° F. Researchers mentioned in this study that both heat stroke, as well as heat illness, can occur when an individuals core body heat reaches 104°