Thursday, October 11, 2012

Taking the heat off yoga


MANILA, Philippines - The recent Global Mala Project gathered hundreds of different people for a day of wellness, celebration, and optimism through yoga. Two tents at the Rockwell Center housed different forms of yoga — variants of flow, yoga for athletes, poi and drums, dance, and many more. And then there was Bikram yoga, but minus the heat that it is well-known for.

“Less heat due to the venue became perfect for beginners who have never tried Bikram yoga or are a bit intimidated by the heat,” says Ginger Diaz, a certified Bikram instructor and studio director of Bikram Yoga Alabang. “It was a great way to show them the basic postures.”

She goes on to explain, “The reason for heat is to help people be a bit more flexible. The 26 postures and two breathing exercises in Bikram yoga are the same in every class so your body could get used to it. More importantly, you don’t have to be a pretzel to get the benefits from Bikram yoga.”

Taking the heat away will actually be more challenging. The recommended temperature, which is 40°C with about 40-percent humidity, detoxifies the body and improves strength, according to the Bikram Yoga College of India. Each pose can help address certain health concerns.

One of the most popular yoga styles, Bikram yoga is practiced by celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Jennifer Aniston, and George Clooney. It is also popular among athletes, including David Beckham and the XTRM Triathlon team. practice.”

source: philstar.com