Bikram Yoga & Weight Loss

Bikram Yoga, as with other styles of yoga, has long been associated with weight loss and body contouring. Each of the 26 postures or ‘asana’ are designed to work each and every muscle and organ in the body. The 90 minute series is not only a thorough cardiovascular workout, but a popular way to tone and shape up, using the strength and resistance of your own body weight.

Widely considered an effective weight management practice, Bikram Yoga calories burned will vary from individual to individual- and will depend heavily on the effort put into each of the 26 poses. Every Bikram class is the same, the only non-constant is you. Whether you are feeling a little under the weather, or have had a particularly stressful day at work will determine how successfully you navigate through the postures, from the beginning of the class to the end. Even experienced Bikram devotees have an ‘off’ day every now and again- whether it’s struggling with a pose, the heat of the room, or feeling the need to pull out of a posture early, Bikram Yoga weight loss is dependent on all and more of these factors. Because of this, exact calories burned in a standard class is not something that is easily calculated- however estimates range from 500-700 calories per 90 minute class- some even more than this.

Although every person is different, such is the intensity of a Bikram class, that it is generally accepted that regular practice of Bikram Yoga will assist in weight loss, however the benefits of regular practice go far beyond shedding excess pounds.

Bikram Yoga converts often speak about the positive changes they see in their body shape and tone, as well as improvements in all other facets of their life, from stress reduction to improvement in sleep. The challenges faced in the hot room are often mirrored in life, and part of the challenge of Bikram is learning to push through physical discomfort. Often, this increases an individual’s stamina when other exercise is performed because of the increased strength and cardiovascular fitness gained from regular Bikram practice- which is often key to success on the journey to successful and long term weight loss.