The heat combined with the sequence of the postures is what makes Bikram Yoga so special! The room is heated intentionally to warm the muscles, which allows you to work deeper in a shorter amount of time, seeing results faster. Bikram Yoga changes the construction of the body from the inside out, from the bones to the skin and from the fingertips to the toes. So before you change it, you have to heat it up to soften it because a warm body is a flexible body. Then you can reshape the body any way you want!
Here are some more reasons for heating the room:
The heat takes the trauma out of stretching.
Makes the muscles, fascia and connective tissue more elastic which allows you to twist and stretch with less chance of injury.
Warm muscles burn fat more easily than cold muscles. When we stretch, the fat has no room to sit so it redistributes to the blood stream which we then use as energy.
The capilliaries that weave around the muscles respond to the heat by dilating. This brings more oxygen to the muscles, tissues, glands and organs which helps in the removal of waste products.
When blood passes through warm muscles oxygen releases more easily from the haemoglobin. Blood passing through cold muscles releases less oxygen.
Blood becomes thinner which clears the circulatory system.
Higher temperatures improve the functions of the nervous system. Messages are carried more rapidly to and from the brain via the spinal cord (you think clearer).
Warmer temperatures produce a fluid-like stretch that allows greater range of motion in the joints.
Speeds up the breakdown of glucose and fatty acids.
Promotes sweating which assists the detoxification process, using the body’s largest organ, the skin, giving you a wonderful glow from head to toe.
As you start to work deep within your body, you may start to release “poisons” or “toxins” that have been stored in the body for long periods of time.
Heart rate becomes elevated which strengthens the heart and lungs and therefore improving the cardiovascular system, (heart and lungs).
Improves strength because proteins can be utilised more effectively.
When the body is warm T cell output from the thymus gland is multiplied 20 fold. T cells fight infection which in turn keeps the immune system functioning properly.
Allows you to develop your strength, determination, concentration, patience and self control through a challenging environment.
