The Sweat Factor in Bikram Yoga

Abstract

It is common ground that the practice of hatha yoga will yield many health benefits, both physical and mental. Much of the recent research on hatha yoga has focused on Bikram Yoga, which differs from other forms of hatha yoga by virtue of it being practiced in an elevated ambient temperature which occasions profuse sweating, and is generally referred to as 'hot yoga'. Much of the recent research tends to be negative about this form of yoga, for instance Bikram yoga doesn't assist in removing impurities from the body, doesn't increase aerobic fitness and doesn't yield any more benefits, physically or mentally, than other schools of hatha yoga. This article reviews the sweaty rituals that have evolved throughout human history, principally the Buddhist and Hindu practices, the Greco-Roman baths, the Finnish Sauna, Russian Bania, Islamic Hammam, Japanese Mushi-Buro, the African sweat huts, Irish sweat mounds and the Native-American & Eskimo sweatlodge, and it is shown that most of these sweaty traditions have a purification, rejuvenation and spiritual significance, and that human beings have a primary and primeval need to sweat. The fact that Bikram yoga resonates with this primeval need elevates it to a higher level than other schools of hatha yoga. The health benefits (both physical and mental) of profuse sweating are also presented, in particular that it rids the body of toxins such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and some pesticides and thus is a cleansing and rejuvenating process. But over and above the health benefits profuse sweating as a purification ritual is a major morale booster; it is a natural way to make us feel good and to make us feel good about our lives.

Salt and water balance after sweat loss: A study of Bikram yoga

“…The final posture and breathing exercise, Blowing in Firm (posture 26) were repeated twice, and the Bikram series concluded with an untimed individual savasana (Choudhury & Reynolds, 1978). This figure and legend have been slightly modified from our first analysis of the Bikram yoga study (Mathis et al, 2020) even been proposed to add an additional element of focus and meditation that elevates Bikram yoga to a sweaty ritual (Bartholomew, 2018). Although there are significant sweat and electrolyte loss due to the high temperature and humidity in a Bikram Yoga studio (Mathis et al, 2020), little is known about the amount of sodium and water lost in the sweat and the effect that this will have on plasma sodium concentration and body water balance.…”

“…It was created by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s and it is considered hot yoga since it is performed in a room heated to 105°F with 40% humidity (Choudhury & Reynolds, 1978). The elevated temperature may increase flexibility and range of motion (Tracy & Hart, 2013) and has even been proposed to add an additional element of focus and meditation that elevates Bikram yoga to a sweaty ritual (Bartholomew, 2018). Although there are significant sweat and electrolyte loss due to the high temperature and humidity in a Bikram Yoga studio (Mathis et al., 2020), little is known about the amount of sodium and water lost in the sweat and the effect that this will have on plasma sodium concentration and body water balance.…”