Bikram Yoga

hey Robert, check your inbox.

Not being funny dudes. But have you ever met a Yogi in the Himalayas (Yoga heartland). They practice (sometimes nude or with little clothing) in freezing tempreatures. I can't see any of these Bikram followers mananging that. But if it makes you happy and healthy it's good, I suppose!

This Yoga was boarderline torcher for me, and I'm young and pretty physically active. Just a liiiitle too hot, and class was a liiiitle too long! Other wise I think it's a great idea with the heated room and all. After it's all said and done, and you're released from the torcher chamber, you feel good and healthy. :)

Relaxing in the position mentioned earlier allows the arm bones resume the proper placement in the glenoid cavity. Here, proper means the front of the arm faces forward, taking the pressure off of the brachial plexus (speaking of neurology). It is not intended to force an unnatural state but to correct self induced deformities. I have many text books on neurology. What did you feel I was missing?

Muscles are supposed to change length and be elastic. If the muscle is overly rigid and stiff that is not strength. That is brittle. See the muscle's of most elderly people. The muscles are stringy and stiff. This will also lead to poor circulation in the tissue. The arm bones turn in over time because everything we do is in front of us. We drive, eat, sit at the computer etc. and the arm bones become distorted over time due to how we use them.

Muscles are supposed to change length and be elastic. If the muscle is overly rigid and stiff that is not strength. That is brittle. See the muscle's of most elderly people. The muscles are stringy and stiff. This will also lead to poor circulation in the tissue. The arm bones turn in over time because everything we do is in front of us. We drive, eat, sit at the computer etc. and the arm bones become distorted over time.

Hi Rob, thanks. Get a book on neurology. When a muscle stretches it actually weakens. e.g. an elastic band stretching is weaker then one that isnt. Why do something to weaken a muscle to try to force an arm to sit better (what is better?). When a muscle can find natural length and be strong? I feel more than ever that it is not a worthwhile thing to do. However I am open to other insights into this. Thanks Rob. It is great to question this subject. LOVE

Pick up a book on anatomy. The coloring books are best. Look at the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder joint. They tend to become foreshortened so that the arm rolls forward (internal rotation). Turning the palm up and resting that way stretches the muscles so that the arm sits better in the shoulder joint (i.e. it doesn't roll forward) This has benefits physically, mentally and spiritually (see previous attempts to explain this to you) Do you understand now?

107 degrees?

Can you imagine the smell of ass, armpit, and P***y in that room? WOW!

Hi Rob. Got some answers that are simply nonsense and some have honestly said they don't know. Iyengar himself still hasn't replied.LOVE to all

The student who was cautious with her knees is sensible. More troubling are students who wont back off. In virasana, for example, there are numerous modifications to accommodate knee problems. A-type personalities argue against recommendations because they don't want to "do it the weak way." Then I have to waste valuable class time bringing this person back to earth. This is the right way for you, at the moment. That is the right way for her, at the moment. More intense dose not mean better.

If you KNOW something is wrong with your knees (or any body part) and the teacher won't let you modify a pose, there's something wrong with the teacher. Don't go. Face it, Bikram's technique is geared for people who (think they) want something intense, and some fitness instructors (not just Bikram's yoga) think they're catering to that by being relentless. I love Bikram yoga, but had to stop (college & tuition bills took priority) and I miss it. If you like Brian Kest better, then bunk Bikram!

I have contacted the Iyengar institute and British Wheel of Yoga. Will let you know how they respond. I remember in India, some people doing an unusual gesture in a temple. So I asked why? They just didn't know and were asking one another why? I have a feeling that my questions to BWY and Iyengar will have a similar effect. Much love to everyone

I use that phrase because the distal portions of the body are easier to see and feel then the proximal body. Beginners can see the effects of the humerous turning easier then seeing the humerous itself turning. More advanced students do indeed have the ability to distinguish between feeling the humerous and the forearm. There maybe other reasons to keep the palms facing up. There's lots I don't know . Maybe sometimes its bad ! For best answers see a senior Iyengar teacher, which I am not.

Evolution. I see. You don't mean anatomical structure.
You mean spiritually. Yes. We often don't realize how uncomfortable we are or how much tension we carry. We often pride ourselves on the amount of needless suffering we can endure. We don't know how good we can feel. How good life can be. Some of us don't believe we deserve to feel good. Everyone has there own issues. Yoga teaches how to analyze dispassionately and then evolve. First physical then mental, leading to spiritual.