What Is Bikram Yoga?
Back in the 70s, a young lad, armed with yoga championship laurels from India, went to the USA and popularized a new way of practicing yoga. He devised a suitable method that he put together after years of experimenting and practicing. His name is Bikram Choudhury, and he called the method he devised Bikram Yoga. It became a big hit in the United States, and soon, people were flocking to join his classes across the world called the Bikram Yoga Studios. The method entails practicing a set of predesigned exercises synthesized from the traditional Hatha Yoga asanas in a studio with a temperature of about 40oC and 40% humidity. The session includes the practice of 26 asanas for 90 minutes. Below, we compiled a list of all the 26 yoga asanas done in a Bikram Yoga session. Take a look at them.
The Bikram Yoga Technique
1. Pranayama (Deep Breathing)
Benefits: Pranayama increases your focus and expands the lungs. It enables maximum oxygen to reach your muscles and organs and improves blood circulation. It will prepare you for the following exercises by easing and calming your mind. The breathing energizes and detoxifies your body. Stand straight. Keep your spine erect, and legs together. Interlock your fingers and place them under your chin and along the arc of your neck. Keep your elbows together. As you inhale, pull up your arms with your wrists slightly touching your ears. Keep your head straight. As you exhale slowly and deeply, tilt your head back and let your hands follow the movement of the head.
2. Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose)
Benefits: Ardha Chandrasana strengthens your core. It increases your spine’s flexibility and improves kidney functioning. The Half Moon Pose firms your body and tones your hips, buttocks, thighs, and abdomen. Stand straight and lift your arms up. Join your palms to form the prayer mudra above your head. Don’t bend your elbows. Keep your hands straight, flexed, and firm. Now, in that position, bend on your right hip, with your torso falling on the right. Keep your legs straight while doing this. Repeat the same on the left side.
3. Utkatasana (Awkward Pose)
Benefits: Utkatasana tones and shapes your legs. It cures slipped discs and other spine related problems. It stretches your hips, spine, and chest muscles. It strengthens your torso, tones your legs, and relieves joint and back pains. Stand straight and keep your feet arm length apart. Stretch your arms forward, with your palms facing downwards. Keep your arms straight. Now, bend at your knees and push your body down as if you are sitting on an imaginary chair. Do not bend your knees beyond your feet. Hold the pose. To know more about the pose, click here: Utkatasana
4. Garudasana (Eagle Pose)
Benefits: Garudasana opens up the largest joints in your skeletal system. It improves the flexibility of your hips, knees, and ankles. It enables fresh blood to flow through your kidneys and reproductive organs. It also increases your focus and improves balance. Stand straight. Bend your right knee. Wrap your left knee over your right knee such that they seem stacked on top of each other. Place your left leg on the posterior of your right shin. Raise your arms forward to the shoulder level and bend your elbows at a 90-degree angle. Wrap your right hand over your left. Repeat the same with the other side. To know more about the pose, click here: Garudasana
5. Dandayamana-Janushirasana (Standing Head To Knee Pose)
Benefits: The pose strengthens your hamstrings and leg muscles. It improves the flexibility of your sciatic nerves and tones the muscles of your back, biceps, and triceps. It improves concentration, builds mental strength, and tightens the abdominal muscles. Stand straight with your feet together. Form a cup with your palms by interlocking your fingers. Bend at your waist and lift your right leg up towards your chest by bending at the knees and cupping your palms around the sole of your foot. Slowly straighten your right leg, taking your hands with it. Bend your torso further, making your chest touch the knee of your right leg. You must also bend your elbows slightly to accommodate this stance. Hold the pose.
6. Dandayamana-Dhanurasana (Standing Bow Pose)
Benefits: This pose develops balance and firms your upper thighs. It also improves the strength and flexibility of the lower spine. It builds patience and concentration and clears cardiovascular problems. It stimulates the blood vessels and supplies fresh blood to the entire body. Stand straight. Lift one of your legs with your hand from the inside at the ankle. Stretch the other arm out to the sky with the palms facing forward. Now, slowly extend the leg you lifted upwards. Make sure your torso is going slightly forward while doing so. Keep your hips and the foot of the leg on the ground in a straight line. Kick the other leg further up till you can with the arm of the hand holding the foot stretching along with it. As you stretch higher, your upper body should bend more forward.
7. Tuladandasana (Balancing Stick Pose)
Benefits: Tuladandasana stretches your heart muscles, rejuvenates your brain, and strengthens your concentration. It strengthens your core and back muscles and gently stretches the entire spinal column. It increases your stamina and helps burn calories. Stand straight and raise your arms to the sky. Clasp your hands, leaving your index fingers pointing to the sky. Now, lift your left foot off the floor while keeping your spine straight. Take your left leg further up. You will form a ‘T’ with your outstretched left leg and your arms. Hold the pose.
8. Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana (Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose)
Benefits: This pose strengthens and stretches your sciatic nerves. It massages the abdominal organs and the small and large intestines. It increases the flexibility of your ankles and hip joints, releases tension in your lower back muscles, and creates emotional stability. Stand straight. Take a big step to the right with your right leg. Stretch your leg to the right as wide as possible. Stretch your arms on their respective sides and bend forward towards the ground and between the legs. Reach your hands towards your feet and clasp them around the ankles. Use that grip to push your torso further down till your head touches the ground. Keep your arms, legs, and spine straight. Hold the pose.
9. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
Benefits: Trikonasana revitalizes your veins, tissues, and nerves. It reduces rheumatism and lower back pain and strengthens your knees, ankles, legs, chest, and arms. It cures anxiety and improves digestion and coordination between the heart and lungs. Stand straight with your feet arm distance apart. Keep your waist straight and bend towards the right. Lift your left hand up and let your right hand touch the ground, forming a straight line. Your right hand should touch the tips of your right toes, with the palm facing outward. Keep your right foot facing towards the right. Bend your right knee as much as you can and stretch out your left leg. The legs should be flexed and taut. Turn your head left and look up at your left hand. Hold the pose.
10. Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana (Standing Separate Head To Knee Pose)
Benefits: The pose tones your abdomen, waist, hips, thighs, and buttocks. It stimulates your thyroid gland and regulates your metabolism and immune system. It helps those suffering from depression. It cures constipation, low blood pressure, and menstrual problems. Stand straight with your feet together. Raise your arms overhead and join your hands together in a firm clasp. Move your right leg towards the right, about two to three feet distant from the left leg. Turn your right foot towards the right. Now, tuck your chin into your chest and bend your torso towards your right leg till your head touches your right knee. Make sure your legs and hands are straight while you do this. Hold the pose. Repeat on the other side.
11. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
Benefits: Vrikshasana improves your posture and balance. It increases the flexibility of your hip joints, knees, and ankles. It prevents hernia and aids neuromuscular coordination. It strengthens your eyes and shoulders and reduces flat feet. It also increases your patience. Stand straight with your feet together. Keep your arms along the sides of your body. Get your palms together in a prayer mudra and place them in front of your chest. Raise your right foot. Bend it at the knee and place it on the upper thigh of your left leg near the root of the left thigh. Square your shoulders and keep your left leg straight. Hold the pose.
12. Padangustasana (Toe Stand Pose)
Benefits: The pose strengthens and opens up your knees. It cures hemorrhoid problems and develops mental strength. It strengthens your joints, abdominal muscles, hips, ankles, and toes. It increases your focus and improves your posture. The pose will also keep you calm and balanced. Stand straight with your arms by the side. Bend your right knee towards your chest. Bring your right foot to rest on your left knee. Make sure the sole of your right foot is facing upwards. Now, bend down on your standing left leg and bring your buttocks to rest on the heel of your left foot. The thigh of your left leg should be parallel to the ground. Bring your hands together in the prayer mudra and place them in front of your chest. Hold the pose.
13. Savasana (Dead Body Pose)
Benefits: Savasana relaxes and cleanses your body internally. It releases stress, depression, tension, and fatigue. It relaxes your muscles and cures insomnia. It improves your mental health and concentration and stimulates blood circulation. It helps in curing constipation, diabetes, and asthma. Lie down on your back. Keep your legs slightly apart. Place your arms along both the sides of your body. Let your palms face upwards. Relax. Close your eyes and breathe deeply through your nose. Consciously relax your body from head to toe as you breathe. Hold the pose till you feel completely relaxed. To know more about the pose, click here: Savasana That is half of the regimen done. Relax well in Savasana, drink some water, and gear up for the next 13 challenging poses that are sure to test your stamina.
14. Pavanamuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)
Benefits: Pavanamuktasana compresses and massages your digestive system. It strengthens your arms, improves hip flexibility, and tones your abdomen and thighs. It helps in the release of gas and aids digestion. It eases tension in the lower back and enhances blood circulation in the hip joints. Lie down on your back with your feet together and arms placed along the sides of your body. Clasp your hands and wrap them around your right knee. Bring it towards your chest and press your thigh on the abdomen. Keep your neck and left leg straight. Square your shoulders. Hold the pose.
15. Padahastasana (Sit Up Pose)
Benefits: Padahastasana increases your flexibility and stretches your spine. It firms your lower body and improves blood circulation in the legs. It stretches your shoulders and hamstrings and strengthens the biceps and calf muscles. It also stimulates the kidneys and pancreas. Sit down on your buttocks with your legs stretched out in front of your torso. Leave your arms hanging on both sides of your torso. Keep your back erect and feet together. Bend your torso towards your knees and place your head on them. Reach for the toes with your hands and clasp them. Flex your arms at the elbows and place them on the ground beside your calf muscles on both the sides.
16. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Benefits: Bhujangasana improves your appetite and digestion. It relieves menstrual disorders and regulates blood pressure. It enhances the functioning of your liver and spleen and makes your spine stronger and more flexible. The pose balances weight by regulating your metabolism. Lie down on your stomach. Keep your toes together, and your arms gently placed on both the sides of your torso. Place your palms on both the sides near your chest, facing downwards and gently pressing into the ground. Now, apply pressure on your palms and lift your head, chest, and stomach off the floor. As you do this, bend your arms a little at the elbows. Square your shoulders and keep them away from your ears. Hold the pose.
17. Salabhasana (Locust Pose)
Benefits: Salabhasana works perfectly for slipped discs and sciatica. It strengthens your upper spine and relieves tennis elbow. It also helps in removing varicose veins on legs. It firms your buttocks and hips and encourages perseverance. Lie down on your stomach, keeping your chin on the floor. Let your heels touch each other. Now, snug your arms under your abdomen. Your palms should be facing downward and fingers spread and pointing towards your knees. Lift your right and left legs separately. Release your chin and place your mouth on the ground as if you are kissing it. Get your legs together, apply pressure on your hands, and lift both your legs as if they are one. Hold the pose.
18. Poorna Salabhasana (Full Locust Pose)
Benefits: Poorna Salabhasana works good for spondylosis and slipped discs. It increases the elasticity of your rib cage and tones your arms, thighs, abdominal muscles, and hips. It prevents lower backache and relieves rheumatism and menstrual problems. The pose corrects bad posture. Lie flat on your stomach. Stretch your arms out at the sides with the palms facing downwards. Keep your legs together. Lift your head, chest, and torso off the floor. Lift your arms along with them, stretching them outward, with the palms facing down as you do so. Lift your legs off the floor. Hold the pose.
19. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Benefits: Dhanurasana expands your lungs. It strengthens and revitalizes your spinal nerves. It improves the functioning of your large and small intestines, relieves constipation, and improves digestion. It treats bronchitis and diabetes and helps the liver, kidneys, and spleen function better. Lie down on your stomach. Keep your arms along the sides of your body. Keep your legs hip-width apart. Bend your knees and stretch out your arms to hold your ankles. Lift your chest and legs off the floor and pull your legs back by applying pressure on your ankles with your hands. Look straight and hold the pose. To know more about the pose, click here: Dhanurasana
20. Supta Vajrasana (Fixed Firm Pose)
Benefits: Supta Vajrasana prevents hernia and stimulates the thyroid glands. It stretches and expands your rib cage. It loosens up your legs and regulates the adrenal glands. It eliminates anger and increases courage. The pose relieves constipation and relaxes your mind. Sit in Vajrasana and place your palms beside your buttocks with your fingers facing forward. Bend backward, keeping your right forearm and elbow on the floor and then the left forearm and elbow. Bear the weight of your torso on the elbows and look ahead. Reach for your toes with your fingers and grasp them. Hold the pose.
21. Ardha Kurmasana (Half Tortoise)
Benefits: Ardha Kurmasana releases tension in the neck and shoulders. It enhances your memory and mental clarity. It is good for asthma and irritable bowel syndrome. It tones your thighs and abdomen and gives a relaxing stretch to your spine. It also increases the flexibility of your hips. Sit in Vajrasana and lift your arms up towards the sky. Bring your palms together and entwine both your thumbs together. Keep your arms straight and stretched, with your biceps touching the ears. Now, bend down at your waist, bringing your entire torso towards the ground. Get your forehead and little fingers to touch the ground. Hold the pose.
22. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Benefits: Ustrasana stimulates your nerves. It improves the flexibility of your neck and cures backaches. It stretches your throat and is good for the thyroid gland. It opens up your chest, improves your posture, relieves menstrual pain, and strengthens your back. Kneel down on a mat and place your hands on your hips. Your shoulders and knees should form a straight line, and the soles of your feet should be facing upwards towards the ceiling. Bend backward gently and reach for the soles of your feet with your fingers. Keep your arms straight and look upwards. Hold the pose.
23. Sasankasana (Rabbit Pose)
Benefits: Sasankasana increases the mobility and elasticity of your back muscles and spine. It sends fresh blood and oxygen to your nerves. This asana relieves tension in your neck and shoulders. It helps reduce sinus and colds and rejuvenates the thyroid gland. Sit in the Vajrasana. Raise your buttocks off the heels of your foot. Leave your arms along the sides of your body and keep your back straight. Now, bend forward from your waist, arching your back. Place your forehead on the lower thighs, and your arms stretched out backward and reaching out to the soles of your feet. Place the thumbs on the ankles. The other four fingers should gently touch the soles of your feet. Hold the pose.
24. Janushirasana-Paschimottanasana (Sitting Head To Knee Stretching Pose)
Benefits: The pose increases blood circulation to liver, pancreas, thyroid, and intestines. It keeps allergies at bay, is good for digestion, and cures chronic diarrhea. The asana balances your blood sugar levels and enhances the function of your kidneys. Sit down on your buttocks with your legs stretched out in the front. Bend your left leg and place the heel near the anus and the rest of the sole on the inner upper right thigh. Stretch your arms over your head and bend forward towards your right leg. Clasp the big toe of your right foot with both your hands while your hands are bent at the elbows. Place the crown of your head on your right knee. Hold the pose.
25. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Spine Twisting Pose)
Benefits: The pose improves the elasticity of your spine and prevents slipped discs and arthritis. It calms your nervous system and relieves tension trapped in the back. The asana increases the supply of oxygen to your lungs. It also detoxifies the internal organs and improves reproductive health. Sit straight on your buttocks. Keep your legs stretched out in the front and your feet together. Bend your left leg, take it over your right leg, and place your left foot near your right thigh. Now, bend your right leg and get it closer to your pelvis. The sole of your right foot must press against your left buttock. Bend your torso towards the left and keep your gaze over your left shoulder. Keep your spine erect. Take your left arm behind and place your palm on the back. Stretch out your right arm and clasp your right knee with your right hand. Hold the pose. To know more about the pose, click here: Ardha Matsyendrasana
26. Kapalbhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breathing Technique)
Benefits: Kapalbhati Pranayama stimulates digestion and dissolves toxins and other waste matter in your body. It uplifts and rejuvenates your brain. The breathing technique will make your face glow with regular practice. It cures asthma, sinus, and hair loss. Sit down in Sukhasana and place your palms on your knees in the meditation mudra. Inhale deeply and slowly through your nose. Pull your stomach in towards your back. As you relax from this contraction, exhale in an outburst, and follow it up by an automatic inhalation. Doing this 20 times counts as one round of Kapalbhati. Relax deeply in Sukhasana at the end of each round by closing your eyes and listening to your body. To know more about this breathing technique, click here: Kapalbhati Pranayama
Benefits Of Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga flushes out the toxins in your body It strengthens and tones your body, making it more flexible It improves your immunity The practice heals old injuries and prevents future injury It helps you lose weight effectively You develop better breathing and increase your joint mobility It increases your focus and determination Regular practice of Bikram Yoga makes you sleep well as well as happy and energetic Bikram Yoga keeps your body young and glowing It improves the coordination between your mind and body
Now that we know what a Bikram Yoga session entails, let’s look at some common questions asked regarding it. Is it necessary to learn Bikram Yoga from a certified instructor? It is important to learn the Bikram Yoga style from a certified teacher as simply practicing the list of asanas in a heated room is not adequate. How many times a week can I practice Bikram Yoga? Initially, you need to attend the classes every day for at least two months. Later, you can reduce the number of days as per your convenience. Can I practice Bikram Yoga when pregnant? It is best to consult your doctor if you are pregnant. Is prior practice of yoga necessary to practice Bikram Yoga? No, it is not required as all Bikram Yoga classes are designed for beginners. Can I practice Bikram Yoga with an injury? Yes, you can, after consulting your doctor. Bikram Yoga will help your wound(s) to heal faster. How should I prepare for a Bikram Yoga session? Eat two hours before your class commences and be well hydrated. What should I wear and bring to a Bikram Yoga class? Wear breathable and stretchable yoga wear and carry a bottle of water, a yoga mat, and some towels to your class. Is Bikram Yoga harder than Vinyasa Yoga? Both Bikram Yoga and Vinyasa Yoga have levels ranging from beginner to advanced, and both can be practiced by yoga enthusiasts at different levels of preparedness. Can you do Bikram Yoga without heat? Yes, you can do Bikram Yoga without heat as it is essentially a set of yoga postures and breathing techniques that are practiced in a flow. According to a recent study, you do not need to practice Bikram Yoga in a hot room to gain its benefits for heart and health (1).
