My digestion has always been slow, meaning that it takes its sweet time. This sometimes leads to unwanted pounds, no matter what I try. I read that hot yoga helps increase pitta, and that decreases the kapha affects on my digestion. Proper bowel movement is sure to help burn more calories.
The usual lightweight clothing, anti-sweat athletic wear that dries quickly will do just great. For men its light tees with shorts and women can wear a tank top or sports bra with shorts or lightweight pilates memphis yoga-style pants.
Bikram yoga is also referred to as hot yoga. This type of yoga is practiced in a room where the temperature is increased to make the room very very warm. The thought is that this warmth is good for muscle flexibility and stretching your body tissue, which should result in a much better session.
Commune as much as you want in the reception area...but once you enter the yoga room, silence is the mantra. It pays to start your practice peacefully. I recommend you lie on your pilates mat and fill your mind with things that feel good to you; let the heat bake those good feelings into your limbs. Really. So - zip the lip in the yoga room and open your heart to... whatever you want.
I discovered yoga by chance in the bookstore. I stumbled upon Beryl Birch's "Power Yoga" book. I was interested because the hot yoga routine was extremely physical. I did Power Yoga for a number of years while weight lifting (sometimes I'd take a break from weight lifting).
All types of yoga tone the body and strengthen a person's core and sense of balance. The many positions improve upper body strength, posture and general health. The heat factor associated with this type of yoga warms people up more quickly, so that their muscles are loose and ready. The temperature also increases adrenaline, which helps people better maintain or hold certain poses for longer periods of time. Many people report that they see results quite quickly.