By Allison Hughes
Yoga enthusiast Karolis Klevecka, 28 of Somerville, explains why Bikram Yoga has helped him lead a healthier lifestyle.
Bikram Yoga classes-- which take place in rooms set up to 95 degrees-- are heating up in Greater Boston, with new studios sprouting in Cambridge, Somerville and the South End.
Bikram Yoga classes use heat to loosen muscles and release toxins from the body. Designed by Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury, founder of the Yoga College of India, the classes generally last 90 minutes and consist of 26 yoga poses designed to stretch core muscles.
Alice C. Senko, founder of Yoga in the Square in Davis Square, said Bikram Yoga can be a great outlet for those looking to de-stress, tone up or heal from minor muscle injuries. She answered Survive and Thrive's most burning Bikram questions.
Why did you get involved in Bikram Yoga?
"I started at the urging of a friend of mine who was also a long-distance runner. She felt as good physically, emotionally and mentally after a 90-minute class as she did after a 15-mile run and it was a lot less stressful to the body. I never looked back.
What can students get from a Bikram Yoga class that they wouldn't get from other classes?
"You build a lot of internal heat as well as the external heat from the room. Heat generally help to open up the body and it's absolutely therapeutic. The spine strengthening exercises are also incredibly energizing."
What types of people could benefit from Bikram Yoga?
"The feeling is one of overall calmness, relaxation and clarity. And for students going through finals anxiety, or those who are hunched over the computer it can be very therapeutic. You leave the class with a feeling of, 'My mind is clear and I'm more able to focus.'"
What should someone new to Bikram Yoga know before going into the first class?
"The best advice I could give anyone going into yoga for the first time is to pay attention to your body. Your body is the best teacher in the room. A lot of times, especially with students, people feel like they need to look a certain way in a pose or look like the person next to them. Your body goes by its own set of guidelines and limitations."
Is there anyone who should avoid doing Bikram Yoga?
"You want to keep it safe. Take a rest if the heat gets to be too much. It's your time to relax. Just pay attention to what your body is telling you.And if you have any serious heart-related problems, you should always talk to a doctor before doing any kind of yoga."
What if I can't stand the heat?
"If you know you're a person who doesn't enjoy heat, there are [non-heated] yoga classes that can still provide benefits. Everyone on the planet can benefit from a yoga practice."
Starting Monday, May 3, Yoga in the Square will be offering two weeks of classes for $25 for those with valid student IDs. Bikram Yoga Boston is also offering an introductory special for new students ($20 for 10 consecutive days). From May 1 to May 7, all classes at Karma Yoga's South End studio will cost $5. Check out their Web sites for more spring specials.