Bikram Yoga and Your Baby
Bikram (hot) yoga has become so popular lately, that it’s important to discuss the effects that hot yoga can have on your baby. This topic is often hotly debated, since many experts tend to have conflicting views concerning the subject. In the end, what it all boils down to is whether or not you feel comfortable.
If you have never attended a hot yoga class, do not start while you are pregnant. However, if you are an avid Bikram yogini, you may find that continuing these yoga poses is helpful in many different ways. The founder of Bikram yoga (Bikram Choudhury) insists that his yoga series is safe for pregnant women.
Contrastingly, many medical professionals argue that any intense amount of heat is not good for pregnancy. In fact, you have probably been warned by your doctor not to take any type of hot bath, to avoid all hot tubs, and not to take part in any temperature raising activity.
Then again, many people have gone through Bikram yoga courses throughout their pregnancy. So, what is the right answer to the hot yoga question? In essence, if you have been practicing Bikram for awhile now, and you feel as though you are strong enough to continue, then this is your decision to make.
The important thing is to inform all instructors of your pregnant condition prior to any class. This way, you will be able to leave the room if you are not feeling well. Likewise, the same is true for any kind of class that you are going to take during your pregnancy – make sure to inform all instructors of your condition.
The debate over whether or not Bikram is safe will continue for years to come. Check with your doctor, check with your own body, and then base your decision upon all of the data that you have gathered. Yoga is a great way to keep your body strong and in shape…just make sure that you are feeling up to it.
Recommended Product: Bikram’s Beginning Yoga Class