Bikram yoga has been praised by many enthusiasts for its benefits. It is this same reason that many people became interested and decided to try yoga. However, even with these praises, there are others who believe that the practice of this type of yoga is not safe, especially since it is done in a room with high temperatures. Some made it their aim to take challenges concerning this practice and find out whether it is true or not.
What Is Bikram Yoga?
It is created by Bikram Choudhury and is defined as the school of yoga that involves hard-knock style of practices. This yoga is that same one that took Australia by storm. It is a practice composed of 26 traditional yoga postures along with breathing exercises. Practicing the series of postures is typically performed in a room with a temperature of 38 degree Celsius and 40% humidity. This is the part that earned the Bikram yoga criticism, the temperature in which the yoga has to be performed.
As experts have said, exercising along with yoga is essential for one’s health. But, considering the heat factor, it seems that it would not bring any benefit. At most, practicing Bikram yoga in a heated room can bring about the risk of getting dehydrated. This risk can lead to several complications. As experts have explained, decrease in the blood pressure levels, disrupted health brain functions and losing consciousness are just some of the effects of this.
What The Critics Think
It is believed by critics that the dampness and extreme temperatures present in Bikram yoga rooms has a high risk of dehydration or overheating. Adding the period in which it is held, the more it becomes likely for this effect to be possible. The Bikram yoga criticism is still a debate today. But many proofs can be provided as an example for this occurrence. Right next to Choudhury’s training center in San Diego, a tent has been set up by medical professionals to be of assistance to those who experience the symptoms like passing out and seizures.
Side Effects
There are also more severe symptoms associated with practicing Bikram Yoga, which include heat stroke. Again, it is caused by the high temperatures present in the rooms where the yoga is being practiced. Heat stroke is the body activity in which temperature rises to more than 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The signs that an individual is suffering from heat stroke include feeling confused, nauseous and dizzy. The person’s pulse along with sweating rates also slows down.
Even drinking water as a first aid for these individuals can lead to negative effects, especially if it is added with salts like sodium or potassium. Instead of helping the condition of the patient, it just worsens it and even leads to a condition called hyponatremia. This condition can make the situation worse since the risk of causing sudden death due to a heart attack becomes possible.
With this Bikram yoga criticism present, it just adds to the fact that the practice is not meant for everyone. And even for those who can practice, they still need to follow instructions carefully and be cautious in doing it to prevent any negative results.
