Bikram Yoga: Hatha made Hot

Bikram yoga, often also called hot yoga, may have started as a fad but is proving its longevity as a non conventional yoga form with specialized studios popping up all over the country.

Bikram yoga is derived from Hatha yoga, and is a series of twenty six yoga poses ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F with a humidity of 40%. The Bikram yoga poses and method were selected and developed by Bikram Choudhury from whom it gets its name.

Thousands of practitioners the world over are breathing, stretching and maintaining poses in properly heated Bikram studios known as ‘torture chambers’. The reasoning behind the high temperature is that the warmer the body, the more flexible it is while the sequence of twenty six different postures are said to increase circulation and pump oxygen to every single organ and inch of the body, warming and stretching muscles, ligaments and tendons, in the order in which they should be.

Bikram teachers attest that 105°F is the optimal temperature for a practitioner to perform a posture with ease. Bikram Yoga employs heat to also further that detoxifying process, as the body’s impurities are flushed out of the body through the skin when a person sweats profusely. It employs a method known as the tourniquet effect, cutting off the blood supply in arteries and veins, creating pressure and causing blood to rush when released. Plus as anybody who practices Hatha yoga would agree the yoga itself makes a person feel pretty great, the heat being an added benefit especially in cooler climes.

The Bikram method uses both pranayama and postures, listed below. An 90 minute class would ordinarily have the entire sequence repeated twice.

1. Standing Deep Breathing or Pranayama
2. Half Moon Pose or Ardha-Chandrasana
3. Hands to Feet or Pada-Hasthasana
4. Awkward Pose or Utkatasana
5. Eagle Pose or Garurasana
6. Standing Head to Knee or Dandayamana-Janushirasana
7. Standing Bow Pose or Dandayamana-Dhanurasana
8. Balancing Stick or Tuladandasana
9. Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose or Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Paschimotthanasana
10. Triangle Pose or Trikanasana
11. Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose or Dandayamana-Bibhaktapada-Janushirasana
12. Tree Pose or Tadasana
13. Toe Stand or Padangustasana
14. Dead Body Pose or Savasana
15. Wind-Removing Pose or Pavanamuktasana
16. Cobra Pose or Bhujangasana
17. Locust Pose or Salabhasana
18. Full Locust Pose or Poorna-Salabhasana
19. Bow Pose or Dhanurasana
20. Fixed Firm Pose or Supta-Vajrasana
21. Half Tortoise Pose or Ardha-Kurmasana
22. Camel Pose or Ustrasana
23. Rabbit Pose or Sasangasana
24. Head to Knee Pose and Stretching Pose or Janushirasana and Paschimotthanasana
25. Spine-Twisting Pose or Ardha-Matsyendrasana
26. Blowing in Firm Pose or Kapalbhati in Vajrasana

Those who are interested in doing Bikram yoga should note that this is a high intensity yoga workout, and it’s best to try before you buy as it made not be tailored to everybody’s yogic sensibilities.

Some essential advice

• It is important to learn from a certified Bikram yoga instructor as they are versed in the appropriate training and knowledge to teach it effectively and safely.
• Invest in good quality yoga apparel. Less is more as the high temperature suggest less
• Carry your own yoga mat and towel to classes as you will be sweating buckets and sharing is out of the question
• Make sure you drink adequate water before and after class although many studios will allow you to keep water on hand. Dehydration is a common problem for Bikram practitioners. Being hydrated will also aid you in flushing out the toxins and enough water will also help you tolerate the heat better.
• It’s a good idea to eat before class, but not in the two hours prior. Minerals such as sea salt and potassium will keep you from feeling dizzy and nauseous.
• If you have health or heart problems, consult your doctor before signing on.

*Photo credits: photos by DennisSylvesterHurd, Ron Sombilon Gallery, GraceD on flickr.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com

Work-out Wear: What Works and What Doesn’t…

Fitness Fashion Faux Pas

Yes, fitness apparel or workout wear is supposed to be comfortable, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look stylish and fashion forward at the same time. If you believe the gym is the one place you can literally roll out of bed, throw on some old shorts or baggy old sweats and a t-shirt and show up without anyone batting an eye, think again! While the gym is primarily a place for exercising and working out, it’s also a prime spot for people watching and meeting new people for making friends. Your choice of comfort clothing can say a lot about you and be a way to make a statement about yourself, so you really don’t want to be sending out the wrong message. So even at the gym and the simplest of clothing, there some basic fashion rules in order to work it out right!

Here’s a look at some Tips on What Works and What Doesn’t in Fitness Fashion-

• Don’t over do it. You don’t want to be that woman decked out in shiny tights, bright leg warmers, the wrist sweat bands and headbands and every workout accessory known to man. Keep it simple, plain and modern, you don’t want to send out the ‘I’m stuck in the 80′s’ vibe.
• Don’t under do it either. If you’re one of those lucky people with the perfect abs and well toned body, I know you’re dying to show it off. But there is such a thing as exposing too much skin. Most of the your other exercisers will agree that while you may look great and be proud of yourself, it’s not nice to rub it in everyone’s faces.
• Underwear…Don’t exercise in it and don’t exercise without it. What I mean by that is, exercising in only your boxer shorts, bras or anything else that looks like underwear should be avoided at all costs. Seeing people stretch in their tighty whiteys is unpleasant for everyone around you. On the other hand, for the sake of comfort don’t skimp out on wearing any underwear at all under those baggy shorts or a bra under that tank top.The last thing you want is to give other gym-goers an eye-full of something they may wish they hadn’t gotten.
• Wear the appropriate innerwear. On the subject of under garments, it’s just as important to wear the right kind, especially for women. Regular bra during workouts more often than not, don’t offer enough support which can be both uncomfortable for you and unsightly for others (or draw too much attention, if you know what I mean!). Look into and sports bra or an exercise bra for extra support.
• Flip-Flops and Jeans are a No-No. Wearing non-athletic shoes while working our isn’t just a fashion faux pas, it’s also dangerous and could lead to injury if using the treadmill or other exercise machines. The shoes you wear for exercise are probably the most important part of your workout wardrobe, the provide padding and work as shock absorbers, the also provide the much needed grip for many exercises, so invest in a separate pair of gym sport shoes especially for working out. Jeans are just not appropriate exercise wear, they don’t have near as much stretch as you require to be comfortable and allow you the freedom of moment. Wear appropriate athletic clothes when working out.
• Wear comfortable but not worn out. It’s ok to sweat, get a little stinky and dirty when working out, that’s shows you’re actually working out, but don’t come to the gym in clothes that already emanate a disturbing stench or bear suspicious stains. And similarly wearing clothes with giant holes or that are so worn they don’t look like they’ll tear any second should definitely be avoided. If you insist on wearing that favorite old t-shirt of yours past it’s expiry date, at least make sure it’s clean and presentable, if not save it for when your not out in public.

*Image credits: yogacarashop.com (Bright White capri pants with contrast stitching), photos by YoGeek Mami and lululemon athletica on flickr

Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials

Classics in a Woman’s Closet

Sure everybody would like to adhere to the latest trends by updating their wardrobes each season but a closet overhaul is hardly practical. Petite or plus sized, invest in these ten true wardrobe classics and you won’t have to – basic, versatile and timeless pieces that are workable with all the rest of your closet all year round. The good news is you probably already own most of these items. Choose quality and a great fit with these must haves and you can never go wrong on any occasion or be stuck with ‘nothing to wear’. The top ten wardrobe essentials are

A white shirt
This clean and crisp white button down working man’s staple in now a must have in every woman’s wardrobe. Smart and sassy, dressed up or dressed down, the basic Oxford is available in many styles now, tailored to a woman’s body and rather contemporary. Create interest by rolling up the sleeves, or pairing it with a bold scarf.

Pencil skirt
Pencil skirts are on point every season because their classic desirability keeps them coming back. They’re as flirty as they are businesslike, so stick to slimmer shapes that are so feminine and chic.

Dark jeans
Flattering as anything, a good pair of dark jeans are an essential. High waisted or low rise, straight fit or wide legged, pick a style that suits you and you feel best in.

Stylish sportswear
These days fitness and yoga wear is cooler, colourful, functional, versatile, and dare I say it, very fashionable and in no way restricted to the gym or studio. Shop for the right fitness apparel and look chic when you hit the streets even before and after.

Little Black Dress
Who can do without the fail-safe LBD, the sassiest must have of them all. Knee length or above with bare legs or sheer tights. The key is to accesorize yours differently and it will come up trumps every time.

Classic pumps
Black or nude, these hot heeled numbers are so versatile, you can pair them with all your dresses and trousers. A 2.5 inch heel will always be in vogue.

Cardigan
Light, lovely and luxurious, the cardigan can be worn out and indoors, and add a layer for warmth, color and texture without overpowering an outfit. Invest in a neutral color or one you love to wear in cashmere or a wool cotton blend.

24 hour handbag
Every woman needs a handbag that she can take from day to night. Sleek, sturdy and shapely, it can be a basic beige leather box bag or a bold statement bag to up the ante and break away from the boring.

Good basics
Don’t scrimp on good bras and underwear just because they’re not on show. If they can give you the right support and shape, your outfit can look much better on you. Bulgeless and seamless, the right bra and underwear can make you look polished in even a t-shirt and leggings and make you feel sexy.

Black trousers
Black is flattering on all figures and goes with everything. Black trousers are a staple, boardroom or bar, and can be teamed with anything from a blazer to a ruffled blouse.

Photo credits: Pictures by liss_mcbovzla, Yogacara, LollyKnit, Coutorture,

The 3 F’s Of Working Out- Fitness, Fashion and Function

Fitness Fashion: Where Practical Workout Wear Meets Fashionable Wear

With New Year’s just over, I bet on many a new year’s resolution list is the exercise regularly or get fit point. And we’re here to help you get a kickstart fir that fitness regime by dressing the part. Working out is such a psychological thing and to motivate yourself to do anything high energy or high impact the proper attire can help a lot.

Many people question the use of special workout wear or fitness apparel vs just wearing a regular old baggy t-shirt and loose fit sweats. While we can give you the whole boo-ha of how special active wear designed by the big companies and brands use special technology in their fabrics that absorb moisture and help in your fitness regime. While those points are valid, the bottom line is that it is more psychological than anything, if your goal of exercising is to feel good in your body, why wear clothes that make you feel big and frumpy when you ARE exercising? Workout apparel closer fitted to the body actually helps you move a little bit better offering you greater ease of movement. Wearing more fitted clothing has also proven to be a motivating factor while exercising, as you tend to be able to see the shape of your body and the parts engaged in the exercise and not. This keeps one on their toes and plays a role in wanting to get in better shape.

The first thing to consider when buying fitness apparel is the type of exercise you intend on doing. For example, if you’re doing yoga which is low impact, the moves are slower and you don’t sweat much you can look for fabrics that breathe easily like cotton mixes. Yoga apparel should have stretch and extreme movability. The colors for yoga tend to be muted and on the earthy side rather than bright popping shades. Wearing clothes in the colors of the chakras are great stimulants when practicing yoga. For high impact exercises like aerobics, jogging, spinning etc. you want materials that will wick away moisture and not lock it in. Some fabric use a technology that actually moves the moisture off your body to the outer layer of the clothing, keeping you dry while working out. You also need to consider proper support in your top or sports bra when doing such activities. Bright colors and cheery prints are great for high impact workouts, it will make it that much easier to get inspired and motivated to put it on and go work out.

Own one set of staple or essential workout attire- a well fitted bootcut draw-string or elastic waist pants in a solid color like black, a well fitted tank which can be layered or worn with a sweatshirt should be a universal staple in every woman’s wardrobe whether they work out or just lounging out. This out fit is works just as good outside of the gym as inside.

*Photo Credits: photos by lululemon athletica on flickr.

Working It Even When You’re Working Out

Fitness and work outs are designed to make you feel good right? So, what better way to feel good than to look good while you sweat it out.

Wearing the right workout clothes has more to it than just the ‘feel good’ factor. While studies have suggested that you are more likely to have a better workout if you are happy with your outer appearance, wearing the appropriate fitness apparel is about function. Designed for freedom of movement and comfort while performing the activity, workout clothing is both functional and practical. Doesn’t mean it can’t be trendy and chic, right? If the celebrities can work it, so can we. Personally, sporting some trendy fitness gear just motivates me to sweat it out harder. We’ve compiled a short list of workout apparel essentials to have no matter what your fitness routine.

Pants: A very important piece, you want to look for pants that move with you and do not restrict movement in any way. Fabric blends of stretchable spandex and soft cotton are ideal as exercise wear as it stretches and moves comfortably while recovering its shape.If you prefer full length (great for autumn and winter) pants go for a style slightly flared and not too tight at the knee. Cropped pants or capris are great not only to show of those toned legs but for leg focused activities like running, jogging, yoga and jumping rope.

Tanks and Tees: For your upper body too, look for tops that don’t restrict the movement of your arms. Tanks and t-shirts in breathable fabrics that wick moisture easily are great as active-wear. The choices for styles of tops are endless from, sleeveless tanks, cropped shirts to t-shirts and hoodies.

A Good Support Bra: When you’re doing the jumping around and exercise routines, a good bra is highly essential. Sports bra’s true to their name offer serious support and are the best for work outs. Comfort is of utmost importance here and for that your bra has to be well-fitted. If you’ve got the body you can just opt for the ‘meant to be seen’ body shaping sport tops that saucy yet, serious.

Shoes: This piece of your workout gear needs some cushion or shock absorbency in it. Sports shoes are plentiful but can be priced a bit on the higher side. Keep them aside for workout’s only and one good pair shoes, you can hold onto for a couple of years making them well worth the investment.

Jackets: A drop in temperature is no reason to abandon your outdoor fitness routine. With some stylish yet functional outerwear, you can keep you toasty, even when the wind starts blowing. Hooded terry jackets are good for keeping warm and offer stretch for range of motion, not to mention a great addition to your wardrobe for layering.

This article is brought to you by YogacaraShop.com – your source for special Yoga Apparel, yoga inspired clothing, comfort clothing clothing designed according to the Colors of the Chakras and the best trendy, high quality and comfortable  Fitness Apparel do visit YogacaraShop.com