I mean literally if you thought hot yoga was hot then you were wrong, because this is hotter and sweatier! Hot (Bikram) yoga is the new way to sweat yourself into a stronger, leaner body. Which also happens to benefit your skin in ways that might be hard to imagine. With the benefits of not over stretching yourself and prevention of injury. I mean who would have thought that getting into all those yoga poses could be so easy?
Founded by controversial figure Bikram Choudhury after a knee injury that allowed him to reconnect with his love of yoga, he was able to repair his body back to full recovery. The push to recovery is what inspired Bikram to create the class that has been repeated throughout the world and has helped many suffering from various muscle pains and injuries recover as well as changing their personal outlook on what being healthy and strong really means. But how can it help the skin?
What is Hot Yoga?
Bikram yoga is a form of yoga that runs for a duration of 90 minutes and follows a series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises that have been designed to help the body maximise the movement of blood flow, and help improve the flow of oxygen throughout the body.
Bikram classes take place in rooms that are heated to 40°C to recreate the tropics of the Indian sun, it is argued that the humidity built up from the heat in the room has shown evidence of improving the body’s flexibility levels as well as also proving to help prevent the risk of injury whilst stretching.
How Bikram Yoga Benefits Your Skin
Bikram yoga offers more than just a physical workout. It delivers substantial benefits to the skin, thanks to its intense heat and structured routines. The 90-minute sessions are conducted in a room heated to 40°C, promoting heavy sweating, which has significant skin-cleansing properties.
1. Detoxification and Cleansing
One of the key skin benefits of Bikram yoga is the heat-induced sweating. The extreme temperature opens up pores, allowing sweat to flush out impurities, such as dirt, dead skin cells, and toxins. This process helps prevent clogged pores, reducing the likelihood of breakouts and promoting clearer skin. Sweating also supports the removal of toxins that build up due to pollution, poor diets, and other environmental factors. Regular Bikram sessions can help purify the skin from within, leading to a brighter and more radiant complexion.
2. Improved Circulation and Oxygenation
Bikram yoga significantly boosts circulation due to the combination of heat and dynamic postures. The improved blood flow brings more oxygen and essential nutrients to skin cells, which can accelerate healing and regeneration. This increased oxygen supply enhances the skin’s natural glow and vitality, often leading to a fresher, more youthful appearance. Better circulation also contributes to healthier skin by encouraging faster turnover of skin cells, which can help reduce the appearance of dullness and dark spots.
3. Enhanced Skin Elasticity
Another critical benefit of Bikram yoga for the skin is the improvement in elasticity. The deep stretching and holding of poses, combined with the elevated temperature, stimulate collagen production—an essential protein that maintains the skin’s firmness and elasticity. Regular practice can help reduce the signs of aging, such as sagging and fine lines, by strengthening the skin’s support structure. Increased collagen levels promote smoother and more supple skin, giving it a youthful and refreshed appearance.
4. Reduced Breakouts and Acne
The detoxifying effects of sweating during Bikram yoga extend to reducing breakouts and acne. As sweat helps flush out toxins and impurities from the pores, it can prevent the buildup of oil and bacteria, which are common culprits of acne. Moreover, the improved balance in oil production that often results from regular practice may help individuals with oily or acne-prone skin experience fewer breakouts. Detoxification also helps rebalance the skin, reducing inflammation that can trigger acne flare-ups.
5. Natural Glow
Perhaps one of the most immediate and noticeable skin benefits of Bikram yoga is the natural glow that comes from increased hydration, blood flow, and detoxification. Sweating hydrates the skin from the inside out, and the improved circulation and oxygenation leave the skin looking revitalized and more radiant. The combination of detoxification and increased nutrient delivery helps to refresh and rejuvenate the skin, leaving practitioners with a visible post-yoga glow.
How is it Different to Other Types of Yoga?
Bikram yoga is different to other forms of yoga in short because it strives to push individuals out of their comfort zones and beyond their limits. Throwing members into intense heats and the body in poses and postures that are challenging, don’t let the heat or the idea of sweat put you off this class, because the benefits from participating are so much more rewarding! Remember that it’s not a competition and everyone is on a different level.
Bikram yoga in essence is about grasping onto the concept of self-mastery. Each session is about training the body to function without resilience in demanding temperatures. The series of strict poses are repeated to help you become stronger. On the other hand, traditional yoga is usually practiced in room temperatures and doesn’t follow a strict routine of set postures, whilst both are used for meditation Bikram yoga is used more so as a healing agent for muscle pain and injury, as well as helping the practitioner develop strength in their series of poses.
What Other Types of Exercise Help the Skin?
The best exercises for skin health generally also boost circulation, manage stress, and support overall wellness.
- Cardiovascular Exercise (Aerobic Exercise): Running, cycling, swimming, and brisk walking.
- Strength Training: Weight lifting, resistance bands, and body-weight exercises.
- Pilates
- High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
- Swimming
- Tai Chi and Qigong
- Facial Exercises
Overall Bikram yoga is a form of yoga that has proven to demonstrate a wide range of evidence that shows its ability to help individuals restore their body as well as allowing one to build a healthier more toxin free body. The practice is being used more often to help with the treatment of diseases. However, it also has a significant and perhaps unexpected impact on our skin . So if you’re looking for a way to test your body’s boundaries whilst also detoxing your skin this might just be the right type of yoga for you.
