Bikram Yoga is a Yoga Routine developed by Calcutta born Bikram Choudhury that utilizes heat to promote greater flexibility and bodily detoxification. Bikram, or, Hot Yoga is known to have many beneficial properties for those who practice it including weight loss and the promotion of healing of past injuries. Heat is a primary factor in the practice of Bikram Yoga, and those who first start the routine that involves 26 poses (hanthas) and 2 pranayama exercises, have experience feelings of nausea and dizziness due to dehydration. These symptoms eventually subside as the beginners eventually learn to drink more water and their bodies start to adapt to the heat. Pregnant women, however, are discouraged from taking up a Bikram Yoga routine.
According to some, pregnancy and Bikram Yoga do not mix. Many experts express concern that engaging in Yoga practices in such a high heat could lead to complications during a pregnancy, especially for women whose body�s are not adapted to such temperatures. Practicing Bikram Yoga raises your core body temperature just like sitting in a hot tub would and most doctors would recommend pregnant women to stay away from such activities. Also, when your body heats up, your blood tends to flow to the skin in an attempt to cool off diverting blood away from the heart and the baby.
Advocates of Bikram Yoga however, recommend those pregnant women who have been practicing hot yoga for a while to continue with it until up to the third trimester or until you are no longer to lie down on your abdomen. If you are a longtime Bikram Yoga participant, then your body has become used to the heat and you will have a less likely chance of overheating. They also claim that practicing Bikram Yoga while pregnant can have many useful benefits including the reduction of lower back pain.
The best thing a pregnant woman can do when making a decision about whether or not to continue to practice an a routine in such an intense heat is to listen to your own body and to make a decision that is best for you and your baby. If you have any doubts whatsoever about continuing with your Bikram Yoga routine while pregnant, than you should probably stop. Continuing and then stressing about it, will only lead to more complications. There are many other, gentler yoga practices out there that are perfectly safe for a pregnant woman to engage in that will not overheat the body. It is important to avoid postures that cause compression of the diaphragm or heart and to separate your feet slightly in standing positions. After the pregnancy you can always go back to Bikram Yoga.
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