Bikram Yoga : Hot Yoga

Bikram and Hot Yoga: The Practice in the Heat

Hot yoga classes are now found in studios around the world, but the specific practice of Bikram yoga, from which most hot yoga traditions descend, has a precise structure: 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises, practised in a room heated to approximately 40 degrees Celsius with 40 percent humidity, over 90 minutes. Every class follows the same sequence. The same dialogue is used by the teacher. The structure is identical whether you are in London, New York or Tokyo.

This rigidity was by design. Bikram Choudhury, who systematised and trademarked the practice in the 1970s, believed that the fixed sequence, combined with the heat, created a specific and reproducible set of physiological conditions for healing and detoxification. His claims were often extravagant, but the practice itself attracted millions of dedicated practitioners and generated a distinct culture within yoga.

The 26 Postures and 2 Breathing Exercises

The sequence opens with Pranayama breathing: standing deep breathing to warm the lungs and calm the nervous system. The asana sequence moves through standing postures, backbends, forward bends and twists, with each posture practised twice. The sequence closes with Kapalbhati breathing: a rapid, forceful exhalation repeated in rounds.

The 26 postures include Half Moon Pose, Awkward Pose (Utkatasana variation), Eagle Pose, Standing Head-to-Knee, Balancing Stick, Triangle, Tree Pose, Toe Stand, Wind-Removing Pose, Sit-up, Cobra, Locust, Full Locust, Bow, Fixed Firm, Half Tortoise, Camel, Rabbit, Head-to-Knee with Stretching, and Spine-Twisting Pose. The floor series is practised on the back and abdomen, providing a strong focus on the spine.

Why the Heat: Research and Reality

The Claimed Benefits of Exercising in Heat

Bikram Choudhury originally claimed the heat allowed the muscles to stretch more safely, flushed toxins through sweat, and created conditions in which the practice could heal chronic injuries and illness. The detoxification claim, while popular in studio marketing, is not supported by physiology: the liver and kidneys handle toxin removal, and sweat contains trace amounts of waste products but is not a meaningful detoxification pathway.

What Research Actually Shows

The research on hot yoga is more nuanced. Studies have found that hot yoga practitioners do not necessarily achieve greater flexibility gains than those practising in normal temperatures, though the perception of ease is greater in heat. Cardiovascular demand is higher in a heated environment: the heart works harder to regulate core temperature, which may provide a mild aerobic benefit. However, the same studies note that this increased demand also raises the risk profile for individuals with cardiovascular conditions.

A 2019 study published in Experimental Physiology found that hot yoga produced similar cardiovascular benefits to moderate-intensity walking, and that the physiological responses were largely a product of the heat rather than the yoga postures themselves. The heat is a real variable, but its benefits are more modest than claimed.

The Controversy: Bikram Choudhury and Hot Yoga Today

Bikram Choudhury was the subject of multiple sexual assault and harassment allegations, documented extensively in a 2019 Netflix documentary. He fled the United States in 2017 to avoid civil judgments and criminal proceedings. The Bikram yoga organisation largely collapsed in the aftermath.

The practice itself, however, continues. Many studios that formerly operated as Bikram yoga rebranded as hot yoga, removing the Bikram name while retaining the same or a similar 26-posture sequence. Others developed their own hot yoga formats using different postures and music. The heat remains the defining characteristic, even when the specific Bikram sequence is not used. Instructors trained in the Bikram method continue to teach under their own names or at independent studios.

Who Benefits and Who Should Avoid Hot Yoga

Hot yoga can be genuinely useful for practitioners who respond well to heat, who find cold environments a barrier to physical practice, or who are seeking a vigorous and structured workout with a consistent format. The fixed sequence is also appealing to those who want to track their progress in specific postures over time without the variable of a changing class structure.

Those who should approach hot yoga cautiously or avoid it include: anyone with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure or a history of heat-related illness; pregnant women; anyone prone to dehydration; those with certain neurological conditions that affect heat tolerance; and anyone who has not already established a baseline of cardiovascular fitness. New students should inform the teacher of any health concerns before their first class and should feel free to rest in Child Pose or leave the room if they feel unwell.

Hydration before, during and after class is essential. Electrolyte replacement may also be warranted after repeated classes, as sweat depletes sodium, potassium and magnesium alongside water. With appropriate precautions, many practitioners find hot yoga a satisfying and effective practice. The heat is demanding, but for those who tolerate it well, the intensity has its own appeal.