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Bikram Yoga has its followers such as celebrities Jennifer Aniston & Madonna & sports stars David Beckham & Andy Murray, but also has its critics who say it’s a danger to people’s health due to the high humidity & temperatures involved with the sessions. Some Health experts say that because the temperatures & Humidity are so high, people are over straining muscles & tendons due to not warming up sufficiently.

So what is Bikram Yoga?

Bikram Yoga was popularised in the 1970’s by Bikram Choudhury, now in his 70’s. The class is heated to 40c & Humidity is 40%. The class lasts for 90 mins and the Yoga Instructor guides the students through 26 Asanas (poses) and 2 breathing exercises, working from a script. The classroom is usually carpeted & Mirrored.

The routines are well-known to be super tough and Choudhury once famously said “Someone coming to my class for the first time, gets told, welcome to 90 Minutes Yoga hell, where you try to kill yourself”. This all appeals to Bikram Yoga fanatics who want hard routines where they really work up a sweat rather than the serene pace of other Yoga Sessions. Bikram Yoga can burn up to 1000 calories per session so it’s easy to see its appeal.

So is Bikram Yoga Safe?

There’s a point where the temperature & Humidity create a surge of endorphins which numb pain & stimulate the student to feel exhilaration. It’s called the “Bikram Buzz” and some health experts feel this leads to increased risk of injury due to pupils not realising they are straining muscles, ligaments & tendons, until the have come down from their natural high? By then of course the damage is done. Also, the heat makes muscles more supple, adding to the feeling that impossible posture can be achieved. This is all especially true for the novice.

We believe the way forward is education. The instructors need to be taught these facts if they don’t already know. Indeed, most of the instructors we are instructed by, totally realise what’s happening and we have never had any problems. But of course, they are merely Yoga Instructors, not Doctors or Health professionals. The instructors that don’t know the dangers must be given extra knowledge in the ways of the body. So they can push students but also understand their limits. We have heard horror stories of instructors pushing pupils so hard into more difficult postures and generally yelling & shouting. This is not Bikram, or rather if this is Bikram, maybe change is needed.

So is it safe?

Well, nothing is ever safe with Yoga, there is always the prospect of over exerting oneself, but with Bikram, you have the added problem of heat & humidity increasing the risk of dehydration.

So to remain safe with Bikram Yoga, we advise pupils should-

• always take plenty of water
• make sure they are familiar with the Bikram sessions
• wear appropriate clothing, non slip pants etc
• Take a Yoga towel along to wipe away sweat & moisture
• Use a non slip mat (essential)
• Don’t partake if you have any niggling injuries or you are pregnant
• Know your body, if you feel dizzy or breathless, get out of the room and get some help