We all know you definitely feel the heat in Hot Yoga, but how many calories do you actually burn??? I've seen numbers range anywhere from 300 to 1500! That's a big gap, and it really depends on your weight, the intensity of the class, your effort, and on how long your class is. Here's a calorie burn calculator with a "Bikram/Hot Yoga" category, try it yourself and find out! I think I was a little too optimistic with the actual amount of calories I burn in class...
http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Yogitoes
Somebody buy me one of these! If your Hot Yoga studio doesn't offer towel service, or makes you pay to rent a towel, getting one of these Yogitoes could be really useful! They fit the size of your mat perfectly, and it's skidless! I hate when my regular towel starts to move around and it just disrupts my pose or flow of movement. The Yogitoe below is not only pink and cute, but also supports breast cancer awareness, which I'm all about!
http://www.yogitoes.com/
http://www.yogitoes.com/
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Say No to Camel Toe
Clever ad from Lululemon. Love their stuff, just wish it wasn't as pricey so that the young, broke, and fabulous can get their hands on some too.
While were on the subject of the Camel pose, is it just me, or does everyone else get this uncomfortable feeling in their chest like you're about to cry? I hear this position can feel that way since most of our day we spend with our shoulders hunched inwards at our desks, and in Camel pose it really opens you up releasing all sorts of tensions. It always feels so emotional for me, in a good way...
While were on the subject of the Camel pose, is it just me, or does everyone else get this uncomfortable feeling in their chest like you're about to cry? I hear this position can feel that way since most of our day we spend with our shoulders hunched inwards at our desks, and in Camel pose it really opens you up releasing all sorts of tensions. It always feels so emotional for me, in a good way...
AntiGravity Yoga
Okay, this isn't Hot Yoga, but it is a hot new trend in the yoga world. Doesn't this pic of AntiGravity yoga look awesome?
"Classes use the AntiGravity hammock, a soft fabric hung from the ceiling, to perform yoga poses and suspension techniques. Participants practice traditional yoga postures as well as exercises derived from dance, Pilates, and strength conditioning. Results are said to include increased flexibility and strength, better alignment and agility and a creative and fun workout."
http://www.antigravityyoga.com/
"Classes use the AntiGravity hammock, a soft fabric hung from the ceiling, to perform yoga poses and suspension techniques. Participants practice traditional yoga postures as well as exercises derived from dance, Pilates, and strength conditioning. Results are said to include increased flexibility and strength, better alignment and agility and a creative and fun workout."
http://www.antigravityyoga.com/
The 26 Poses in Picture
Sometimes it's hard to follow along in class or see exactly what the pose should look like, so here it is in picture format!
Pics courtesy of True Fitness in Thailand: http://www.truefitness.co.th/
Pics courtesy of True Fitness in Thailand: http://www.truefitness.co.th/
Hot Yoga vs. Bikram Yoga
So what's the difference between Hot Yoga and Bikram Yoga? When I first started practicing I was pretty confused why some yoga studios would call their classes one thing and not the other. Really, it's a matter of the yoga master named Bikram Choudhury wanting to copyright his series of 26 yoga poses. He is renowned for really making the practice of Hot Yoga popular in the U.S. Hot Yoga practiced according to his style exactly is considered "Bikram Yoga," while yoga practiced with some of the same poses, or a mixture of different styles in a heated room is considered "Hot Yoga." Read below for more specifics on the difference between the two, it might help you figure out which classes to take when trying different yoga studios. Personally, I like Hot Yoga better than the militant Bikram style. There's more flexibility to the practice, and I just think it keeps it from getting boring when you don't have to stick to the same 26 poses. :]
According to about.com:
What is Hot Yoga?
Hot Yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of 95-100 degrees. As you can imagine, a vigorous yoga session at this temperature promotes profuse sweating and makes the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Living yoga master Bikram Choudhury is a Hot Yoga innovator. His method of Hot Yoga is a set series of 26 yoga poses, including two pranayama exercises, each of which is performed twice in a single 90 minute class. Choudhury, who was born in Calcutta, India in 1946, founded the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills in 1974. He and his wife Rajashree were both yoga champions in India. Recently, Choudhury was involved in a lawsuit over his attempt to copyright his series of 26 poses done in a hot room. At the heart of the controversy is Choudhury's desire to prevent anyone teaching yoga in a heated room from calling their class 'Bikram Yoga.' He would like to reserve this title only for those teachers who are certified by his Yoga College of India and who stick to his prescribed method exactly (including not only the temperature of the room and order of poses, but also the carpet and mirrors in the room, and his approved text). The lawsuit was resolved with an out-of-court settlement in which Choudhury agreed not to sue the members of a San Francisco-based collective of Hot Yoga teachers and they agreed not to use the Bikram name. Bikram remains a very controversial figure in the yoga world.
According to about.com:
What is Hot Yoga?
Hot Yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of 95-100 degrees. As you can imagine, a vigorous yoga session at this temperature promotes profuse sweating and makes the body very warm, and therefore more flexible.
What is Bikram Yoga?
Living yoga master Bikram Choudhury is a Hot Yoga innovator. His method of Hot Yoga is a set series of 26 yoga poses, including two pranayama exercises, each of which is performed twice in a single 90 minute class. Choudhury, who was born in Calcutta, India in 1946, founded the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills in 1974. He and his wife Rajashree were both yoga champions in India. Recently, Choudhury was involved in a lawsuit over his attempt to copyright his series of 26 poses done in a hot room. At the heart of the controversy is Choudhury's desire to prevent anyone teaching yoga in a heated room from calling their class 'Bikram Yoga.' He would like to reserve this title only for those teachers who are certified by his Yoga College of India and who stick to his prescribed method exactly (including not only the temperature of the room and order of poses, but also the carpet and mirrors in the room, and his approved text). The lawsuit was resolved with an out-of-court settlement in which Choudhury agreed not to sue the members of a San Francisco-based collective of Hot Yoga teachers and they agreed not to use the Bikram name. Bikram remains a very controversial figure in the yoga world.
Welcome to Peace. Love. Hot Yoga.
In this space I hope to share not only information and knowledge on the practice of Hot Yoga, but also inspirational words, art, fitness/health tips and all things relevant to the pursuit of a sense of peace experienced through the practice of Hot Yoga. Why Hot Yoga specifically? Maybe it’s the 105 degree temperature that envelops you that forces you to focus, but there’s something extremely therapeutic about the practice of Hot Yoga that I am unable to find in the traditional style. I’m a modern, city kind of girl that is always in search of deep, moving experiences that can help me cure myself from everyday woes, heartache, the consequences of night life and I’m always fascinated by alternative forms of fitness that can help me balance out my love for food. I’ll keep this blog fun and fresh so I hope you guys will find it helpful and check back here often!
For now, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the Hot Yoga Guru himself:
For now, I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from the Hot Yoga Guru himself:
“Never Let Anyone Steal Your Peace.” - Bikram
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