Postures & Benefits

Bikram Yoga consists of 26 postures that can help to increase blood circulation and reduce stress levels, as well as develop muscle tone. It can benefit a variety of people, including those with illnesses and diseases such as thyroid problems, arthritis, and diabetes. They may even find that regular sessions of Bikram yoga help ease their symptoms. When Bikram Choudury was developing his style of yoga, he actually worked with scientists at Tokyo University to establish how different asanas stimulate the glands in the body. They also examined the effect of one pose moving into the next, which is why the order of the poses is considered important in this yoga. Bikram yoga has also been adapted to a practice suitable for pregnant women.

Posture 1 :
Standing Deep Breathing : Pranayama Series

Good for mental relaxation , sleep disorders, and anxiety/irritability. Brings fresh oxygenated blood to every cell of the body. Breathing is one of the most important aspects of yoga.

Posture 2 :
Half Moon Pose : Ardha Chandrasana

Helps to improve strength in the abdominal muscles and improves flexibility in the spine. Releases frozen shoulders and helps firm and trim the stomach and waist line. Aids in the release of the spine and aids in recovery of slipped or ruptured disc. *The spine is capable of backward bending as much as forward bending. Improves circulation to the legs and brain. Increases flexibility in the spine and sciatic nerves and strengthens the biceps of the thighs and calves. Stretches the hamstrings and invigorates the entire nervous system

Posture 3 :
Hand to Feet Pose : Pada-Hasthasana

Hands to Feet Pose stretches the spine and increases flexibility, as does Half Moon. Both poses firm and trim the lower body, where many problem areas, especially for women, reside. Hands to Feet Pose works the muscles, ligaments and tendons of the legs and improves circulation there as well.

Posture 4 :
Awkward Pose : Utkatasana

A strength posture that strengthens and firms all muscles of the thighs, calves, and hip and improves hip flexibility. Firms the upper arms. Increases blood circulation in the knees and ankle joints and relieves rheumatism, arthritis, gout in the legs, and helps to cure slipped disc and lumbago in the spine.

Posture 5 :
Eagle Pose : Garurasana

Working all 12 major joints in the body by creating pressure in the joints then releasing, allowing fresh blood supply to flow. Facilitating in body alignment. Known as the 'fertility' posture, massages the reproductive organs.

Posture 6 :
Standing Head to Knee Pose : Dandayamana - JanuShirasana

Develops concentration, patience, and determination. Strengthens abdominal and thigh muscles, improves flexibility of sciatic nerves, and strengthens the tendons, biceps of the thigh muscles, and hamstrings in the legs.

Posture 7 :
Standing Bow Pulling Pose : Dandayamana - Dhanurasana

Increases concentration, determination and patience. Increases circulation to the heart and lungs. Improves elasticity of the spine and helps to balance out body energies. Regulates menstrual cycle. Helps with lower back pain.

Posture 8 :
Balancing Stick Pose : Tuladandasana

Firms hips, buttocks, and upper thighs. Improves the flexibility, strength and muscle tone of shoulders, upper arms, spine and hip joints. Improves circulation, strengthens the heart muscle, and stretches the capacity of the lungs. Clears blockage of the arteries for prevention of cardiac problems.

Posture 9 :
Standing Separate Leg Stretching Pose : Dandayamana - Bibhaktapada - Paschimottanasana

Helps relieve depression and loss of memory. Increases circulation to the brain and adrenal glands. Opens the hamstrings and lengthens the spine. Relieves constipation.

Posture 10 :
Triangle Pose : Trikanasana

Works 100% of the body; muscles, joints, nerves & tissues. Strengthens quads, calves and hamstrings. Good for hip and back pain. This posture is a marriage between the heart and the lungs which changes chemical imbalances in the system. Helpful with menstrual irregularities.

Posture 11 :
Standing Separate Leg Head to Knee Pose : Dandayamana - Bibhaktapada - Janushirasana

Helps maintain blood sugar levels. Causes compression of the pancreas and kidney which acts as a cleanse. Marriage between pineal and thyroid glands. Muscular, skeletal, endocrine, digestive and reproductive systems all benefit. This posture is helpful with depression and anxiety. Also beneficial for colds, sinus problems, and migraines.

Posture 12 :
Tree Pose : Tadasana

Facilitates hip and knee mobility. Excellent for posture and balance. Aids in rheumatism and circulatory disorders.

Posture 13 :
Toe Stand Pose : Padangustasana

Challenges your mental concentration and helps to create balance within body and mind. Strengthens stomach muscles and helps to avoid gout, arthritis of the knee and legs. Strengthens weak joints.

Posture 14 :
Dead Body Pose : Savasana

Returns cardiovascular circulation to normal. Slows heart rate, reduces blood pressure - teaches complete relaxation and stillness.

Posture 15 :
Wind Removing Pose : Pavanamuktasana

Massages the colon and can help to prevent constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Helps to normalize production of stomach acid. Stimulates the liver, intestines and spleen. Improves flexibility of the hip joints and relieves lower back pain.

Posture 16 :
Cobra Pose : Bhujangasana

Concentrating on strengthening the lower 1/3 of the spine. Helping in the prevention of osteoporosis. Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, coccyx.

Posture 17 :
Locust Pose : Salabhasana

Strengthening and lengthening the upper 1/3 of the spine. Isometric pressure promotes muscle power in to and all over the spine. Balance strength to both sides of the body.

Posture 18 :
Full Locust Pose : Poorna - Salabhasana

Working the middle 1/3 of the spine. Helpful with hight blood pressure and back extension.

Posture 19 :
Bow Pose : Dhanurasana

Works entire spine, helps with back pain and scoleosis. Holds vertebrae in position. Strengthens quads and inner thigh muscles. Opens shoulders, neck and throat centers.

Posture 20 :
Fixed Firm Pose : Supta - Vajrasana

Stretches and strengthens the psoas muscles. Stretches knee and ankle joints. Relieves lower back pain. Slims thighs, firms abdomen and calves. Helps cure sciatica, gout, varicose veins. Helpful in the prevention of hernia.

Posture 21 :
Half Tortoise Pose : Ardha - Kurmasana

Stretches and lengthens shoulder and lat muscles. Lengthens entire spine. Provides maximum relaxation. Cures indigestion, constipation, and insomnia. Good for emphysema, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. Increases blood flow to the brain bringing mental clarity, enhancing memory.

Posture 22 :
Camel Pose : Ustrasana

Opens the chest. Strengthens muscles of the back & shoulders. Improves flexibility of the neck and spine. Produces maximum compression of the spine. The entire nervous system is stimulated. Because the heart chakra is opened often an emotional release happens in this pose.

Posture 23 :
Rabbit Pose : Sasangasana

Counter posture to the camel. Stretches and lengthens the lower spine. Helps maintain mobility and elasticity of the spine and back muscles. Nurtures the nervous system by allowing blood to flow to the brain.

Posture 24 :
Head to Knee Pose with Stretching Pose : Janushirasana with Paschimottanasana

Circulation of blood to legs & brain. Increased flexibility of the spine and ham strings. Increases flexibility of the shoulder muscles, hip joint, and last five vertebrae of the spine. Stretches sciatic nerve. Increases circulation to the liver, spleen, pancreas, thyroid, thymus and intestines. This pose improves flexibility of the sciatic nerve. Increases circulation to the liver, spleen, pancreas, thyroid, thymus and intestines. This pose improves flexibility of the sciatic nerves, ankles, knees and hip joints. Improves digestion, enhances the proper functioning of the kidneys, and expands the solar plexus.

Posture 25 :
Spine Twisting Pose : Ardha - Matsyendrasana

Twists the spine from bottom to top helping to prevent slipped discs, scoliosis, arthritis, rheumatism. Increases circulation and nutrition to the spinal nerves, veins and tissues. Relieves lethargy, depression and releases tension. Helps cure vertigo and dizziness.

Posture 26 :
Blowing In Firm : Khapalbhati

Improves oxygenation to the body. Rids the body of toxins energizing and revitalizing the body. Helps bring mental clarity and alertness.