Some Like It Hot – NOT
Hot yoga has become quite popular in some circles of the contemporary American yoga movement. One of the “pioneers” of hot yoga is Mr Bikram Choudhury, who has branded Bikram Yoga.
This post examines the foundations of hot yoga as well as the ways of its famed “master”. To begin, here is a recent report (1/16/13) from ABC News Nightline about Mr. Bikram:
Qualities of a True Practitioner
It is widely accepted that the 5,000 year-old practice of yoga – codified into the 8 limbs of astaunga yoga by Maharishi Patanjali 2,200 years ago – begins with following tenets of morality (yama and niyama) and culminates in supreme realization (samadhi). One of the ten tenets of yama and niyama is aparigraha, or non over-indulgence in material wealth and acquisition. That basically means living a simple, modest life in accordance with the needs of the day. This is a fundamental component of any practitioner: To find expansion (vistara) by goading the mind toward sublime ideals, not toward the extreme over-accumulation of mundane wealth.
Other well-recognized attributions of a yogi are: humility, honor, decency, benevolence, integrity, truthfulness, and respect for all people and all beings. Anyone we consider to be an aspirant – let alone a true yogi – must embody these basic qualities, as well as other higher ideals. Remember, in yoga we never separate the teacher / preacher from the practice. One does not attain supreme realization (samadhi) without exemplifying proper conduct (yama and niyama) – regardless of their name, business stature, or insistence. The two – proper conduct and realization – go hand in hand. One must personify those ideals through thought, word, and deed. Then we can say they are true, otherwise not. There is no other way – no short-cut method.
The Efficacy of “Hot Yoga”
As we all know, yoga is a mind-body practice. And the operative factor is the glandular system; that is the linking point between the physical and mental spheres.
Every thought brings about a glandular secretion, and an ensuing bodily reaction. For example, if one is nervous (a psychic condition), there will be a glandular response, and the body will perspire; and if one thinks of their favorite food, there will be a glandular reaction, and the person will salivate. These are examples of how our thoughts alone create glandular secretions which then affect our bodies. By practicing meditation (sadhana) – an inherent aspect of yoga – regularly, one’s thought process becomes more refined, creating healthy glands. And that positively affects the body.
By practicing yoga postures (asanas) we apply pressure and de-pressure to various glands to bring them in a state of balance. In turn, the mind becomes calm and steady.
By the mind-body approach of yoga, we create a very healthy, vibrant human experience. Through meditation, the mind positively affects the body; and, through yoga postures, the body steadies the mind.
Thus, the mind is an inherent aspect of yoga. Not only that, humans are primarily psychic beings. We are mind-dominated. Our overall well-being is based on the mind. If the mind is balanced, a person is happy, regardless of the physical environment. Whereas, a person can have all kinds of physical comforts, yet be quite unhappy and dissatisfied with life, even depressed. Because the mind is imbalanced. So we are psychic beings, i.e. mind-oriented beings.
Now here comes the crux: The human mind does not function well in extreme heat. That is why the yogis left the hot flatlands of India and sought refuge from the heat in the cool foothills of the mighty Himalayas to pursue their meditative practices. That is why in the dead of summer, the US Supreme Court retreats to their inner chambers – kept at 68 degrees or so – to review cases, instead of standing outside in the 100 degree heat, or heating up their own offices to 105 degrees. People think well, gain clarity, and feel fresh in a slightly cool environment – not a hot one. That is when the mind thrives.
This universal truth is even reflected in our language: Cool-minded vs hot-headed. A “cool-minded” person is rational, composed, and serene; while, a “hot-headed” person is easily angered, irritable and difficult to get along with.
Suffice to say, the mind functions far better in a cooler environment than a hot one. And the mind is a key component of any yoga practice. A cool mind is more easily goaded to deeper thinking (higher chakras), and a heated mind is more prone towards baser propensities (lower chakras).
A cool mind is alert and focused, lightened by subtle thinking; a heated mind is sleepy and dull, encumbered by crude thoughts. Any yoga practice must aim to create an environment where the mind is focused and goaded to subtle thoughts, not crude ones. Unfortunately, this end is not met in a heated yoga room. One need look no further than the verbal exchanges in the newscast of the hot yoga class as evidence.
Furthermore, in the above interview, the analogy is given that as a blacksmith applies extreme heat to steel to make it into a knife, we should do the same to our human bodies in our yoga practice: Employ extreme heat. The problem lies in that steel is an inert, physical object essentially devoid of mind, whereas human beings are dynamic, psychic beings complete with a thriving mind. The conditions appropriate for turning steel into a knife do not correlate well for refining a human being.
That said, heat is indeed a recognized therapy for the body – as is ice. On specific occasions, we apply hot and cold to heal the body. But those are limited to certain medical needs and applied to specific body parts. Such heat is not meant for a general yoga practice where one’s entire glandular system is fully doused in steamy temperatures. That adversely affects body and mind, by encouraging degrading propensities and dulling more refined ones. That runs directly contrary to our yoga practice where the aim is: To create human beings with a refined mind and sacrificing nature who have achieved real spiritual attainment and can selflessly and benevolently lead others along the path of universal welfare.
As the American yoga movement evolves and becomes more subtle, greater attention will be paid to the psychic and psycho-spiritual realms. There will also be greater interest in understanding the mind-body relation and the role of the glandular system. At that point, we will certainly need to rethink whether the terms “hot” and “yoga” really belong together – in the same room.
Mar 22, 2013 Bikram Scandal Update: This news article of 3/21/13 details a new sexual harassment case that is being filed against Bikram.
Oh my goodness! Just read your lovely & humane post and THEN I watched the video. While I have become increasingly suspicious of the whole Bikram Empire, I am even more appalled by him and what he has dared to do and say about Yoga. Thank you Satyam.
Great post!
From Sarah David (Via Facebook)
I’m so happy to learn about this issue. I personally cannot tolerate high temperatures, and could never understand the attraction to Bikram yoga. I will pass this on to my Bikram loving friends!!
Great post!
Choudry has been suing people for a long time –I wish they’d have said how many lawsuits he has pursued. In addition to his lawsuits and the “McYoga” aspect of franchises addressed in the video, there is the also the notion of yoga “Competitions.” Isn’t that done on behalf of Bikram devotees?
For me, someone with a lot of joint pain, I admit to enjoying the heated aspect of the Bikram experience, but limiting practice to the same 26 poses got old quickly. I kind of wish there was a hot yoga, or maybe just warm room yoga, but in a more traditional format. just my two cents 😉
As always, love the blog Satyam!
Hi Mitchelle – Indeed – Bikram is involved in yoga competitions and he has a BIG, BIG interest in Yoga Olympics. Here is what I wrote about that topic some months back:
https://renyoga.com/2023redesign/blog/top-ten-reasons-why-yoga-should-not-be-an-olympic-event/
Thanks Mitchelle for coming forward and writing – appreciate your perspective and experience…
Satyam
Thank you for sharing this. When Hot Yoga was becoming known several years ago, my yoga students were asking what I thought about it. Since I had not experienced it I could not give a definitive answer. But I told them that I would not want to do yoga or anything else in a room that hot. I prefer a cooler atmosphere, as we are going to create internal heat with our nostril breathing and blood flow as we move through our practice.
After watching the video, it reminded me of a workshop I had atteneded locally where the instructor used some slang language which I did not appreciate.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and past experiences – there is such a curiosity about hot yoga – I feel we need to have greater talk and understanding about this. Agree with your reasoning and rationale.
On the point of behavior – it is too outrageous that he has gotten away with it for this long – why anyone would be attracted is beyond me.
I too am sensitive about the tone of seminars and workshops…
Satyam
I am cured of the curiosity regarding all the hype about “hot yoga.” I have said, “I don’t like to sweat when I’m doing yoga” and am thrilled to know that I’m not missing out on anything. I really appreciated the perspective Satyam!
Nancy
Sheesh! I second Nancy’s feelings…he seems like the antithesis of
everything yoga is about…very enlightening…I knew nothing about him personally, but had been warned against the hot yoga simply because it allows your muscles to stretch farther than is truly safe…
I knew this girl who was sort of a ‘yoga snob’ because she only did ‘hot yoga’ and told me it was the best way to do yoga and how wonderful and challenging it was. Then she asked me what kind of yoga I did and I replied, “Vanilla”! {:o)
Count me out! I have never thought ‘hot yoga’ to be safe, and certainly not for my yoga practice. Watching this video , I can add disappointment that anyone would practice with a teacher who guides by intimidation or insults.
He is the antithesis of the yogic philosophy I have valued for the 15 years I have been practicing. I have truly been fortunate to have such great teachers in my life.
Hi Satyam –
I love when Bikram says that the news fellow is not evolved enough to understand how great Bikram (the person) is. Hearing that Bikram basically thinks we are all idiots who can’t understand him is a clear indicator that I do not need to learn from him. The guy is an ego-maniac. Aside from the personality issue, I don’t think hot yoga is safe. Thanks for the great post!
I think you are spot-on Sara! It is amazing to me that such an interview / story ever came to the fore. The guy clearly does not have any advisers – and if he does, he doesn’t listen to them. From what I can tell this entire episode is the outcome of one thing: This is what happens when a person is so drowned in their own vanity that they literally become blind and dumb to any greater perspective – on any issue – but mostly about their own self. Quite a remarkable news piece. Thank you for commenting and reading… – Satyam
What came to mind for me was that Bikram must be full of fear. When a person is so adamant that their way it the ONLY right way, it’s an indication of their own doubt. I think he has to prop himself up to make himself feel legitimate. It’s too bad.
nice analysis Sara…
the yogis say that beneath every superiority complex is an even deeper inferiority complex.
Nice quote.
WOW. What an eye opener! Guess his “brand” of spirituality doesn’t include Karma! I tried Bikram yoga because of a Groupon I received. I was curious about it-what I learned is that I was spoiled by the supportive, loving Yoga that Satyam teaches. The Bikram yoga was sterile and cold even in that HOT room! I’m not going to use up all the Groupon, I didn’t really enjoy it and after watching that news story I am through with it! Thank you Satyam for teaching me in a way that caused me to love yoga. You are a blessing to South County:)
All I can say is, WOW! I’m glad I came across this article. I never had a warm and fuzzy feeling regarding “hot” yoga (pun intended). It always seemed like there was way too much hype surrounding it. Thank you, Satyam, for your insight and teachings.
Thanks for the careful read Diane!!
Thanks! I’ve wondered about it myself but I don’t do well in heat. Thank you for describing humans as psychic beings, that simplifies it and encourages me to meditate more often.