Calories Burned by Bikram Yoga

Yoga is a traditional form of exercise. There are many different types of yoga, which are practiced around the world. One of the forms of yoga is Bikram yoga. This form of yoga was invented by a yoga guru, who goes with the name Bikram Choudhary. Hot yoga is the other name given to Bikram yoga. The number of calories burned by this form of yoga is much more than in any other form.

In Bikram yoga, there is a series of 26 yoga poses, which are practiced. This series is performed in a heated room. The temperature is set at 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Along with the temperature, humidity is also maintained at 40%. With the high temperature and humidity levels, a person begins to sweat profusely. Therefore, the body warms up quickly.

A warm body ensures deeper stretching, but at the same time reduces chances of injury. Every session of Bikram yoga is made up of 90 minutes. Along with the 26 postures, 2 breathing exercises are also practiced. There is a strict format in which the hot yoga workouts are to be performed.

The most important of the benefits of this yoga is weight loss. Therefore, it is not uncommon to see Bikram yoga and weight loss spoken in same breath. Other than the weight loss, there are other benefits of hot yoga as well. They include promoting flexibility as well as help in metabolism. For further information, take a look at what is hot yoga.

The number of calories burned in hot yoga vary according to the intensity in which the poses are practiced. Like any other form of exercise, more the intensity of the yoga poses, more are number of calories burned. The experts opine, that the calories burned during Bikram yoga is as high as 500 to 1200 calories per session. It is difficult to give the breakup of the calories burned per hour, as the duration of each class is 90 mins.

Calories burned per 90 mins of this yoga session vary depending on a number of factors. The most important factor is the weight of the person practicing the form of yoga. More the weight of the person, more are the calories burned in a session. We will see this with an example.

If a person weighing 180 pounds practices Bikram yoga, he will burn approximately 1000 calories. On the other hand a person who weighs 120 to 160 pounds will burn anywhere around 350 to 700 calories.

Now you will ask me why are the calories burned by yoga, less as compared to calories burned in a session of Bikram yoga. It is because of the high temperature in which one works out, while doing this yoga. The high temperature loosens the muscles. This in turn helps in burning more calories.

At the same time, the high temperature are also responsible for relaxing the body, which in turn helps in stretching the body deeper. Since different muscles and ligaments are worked out during the session, calories are burned even after the person has finished his session.

It is important that you practice the yoga exercises regularly. This will not only help in weight loss, but you will also be able to reap other benefits. Wearing the right clothes while performing this yoga will help you to burn more calories. Do not forget to consume sufficient liquids after the class, as well as before the class.