Ninety minutes, 105-degree heat, 40 percent humidity, and the same 26 postures every class: It may not sound like something you’d voluntarily sign up for, but Bikram Yoga devotees will tell you that this routine is the best thing they can do for both their mind and their body. Bikram is a type of yoga founded by instructor Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s, now practiced at hundreds of studios around the United States and the world. What sets it apart from other forms of yoga are its two very specific tenants -- a hot, humid studio (often referred to as “the torture chamber”) and its never-changing sequence of poses. Doing the sequence in a heated room keeps muscles loose and flexible, and encourages students to sweat out impurities during class. Bikram is also known as “hot yoga,” but not all hot yoga classes follow the Bikram sequence or are taught by certified Bikram instructors. But it is also an intense, and somewhat controversial, method: Dizziness and weakness during or after class are not uncommon, and doctors may advise against Bikram for people who have heart disease or other existing health conditions, or women who are pregnant.

Whether you’re thinking about trying Bikram for the first time or you already attend class regularly, it’s important to be aware of both the benefits and the risks. Like most modern yoga styles practiced today, Bikram stems from Hatha yoga -- an umbrella term that simply means the physical practice of doing poses, or asanas. Unlike other Hatha derivatives (like Vinyasa), however, every Bikram class follows the same sequence of 26 postures, designed to help oxygen flow to every part of the body and to stretch muscles and ligaments in a systematic way. Sophie Herbert, a yoga instructor based in Brooklyn, New York. In fact, Bikram’s Yoga College of India recommends that newcomers start a practice by taking class every day for two months straight. You will sweat -- a lot -- so you should wear clothes that help you stay cool and move freely (no baggy t-shirts), and bring a towel to lie on top of your yoga mat. In each 90-minute Bikram class, wherever you are in the world, your instructor will lead you through the following series of poses.

A 2013 study from Colorado State University researchers found that adults who participated in three Bikram sessions a week for eight weeks showed increased strength, improved flexibility and slightly decreased body fat compared to a control group. And in a 2008 study, also from Colorado State, a regular Bikram practice was associated with improved balance, leg strength and muscle control, as well. Choudhury claims that being in a heated room allows for more flexibility and looser muscles -- but this can have risks as well as benefits, says Herbert. As long as you’re aware of the precautions about the heat and you don’t have any medical reasons not to, you should go ahead and try it,” says Herbert. “Some people will absolutely love it, and for others, Titan Rise Male Enhancement it’s not for them. But it’s definitely an interesting experience, either way. Despres, Loraine. “Yoga’s Bad Boy: Bikram Choudhury.” Yoga Journal. Hart, CE, et at. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. Herbert, Sophie. Yoga instructor. Laskowski, Edward R., M.D. Martin, Clancy. “The Overheated, Oversexed Cult of Bikram Choudhury.” Details. Reynolds, CJ, et al. Tracy BL, et al. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

Discover how long it takes to get a six-pack and the key lifestyle changes you need to make. Learn why common pitfalls like carbs, booze, and lounging can derail your fitness goals and how to overcome them for a shredded core. Many aspire to one day have six-pack abs, but let’s be real, few have succeeded because carbs, booze, and time are not on your side. But, if we unpack (pun intended) how to obtain that coveted “six-pack,” you’ll find it’s not mission impossible after all. What you really need to know is how long it takes and exactly what behaviors (ahem: endless couch chilling and junk food) you need to kick to the curb. First and foremost, getting a six-pack (or four-pack, or eight-pack if you have great genes) comes down to the amount of body fat you have. Reducing body fat is a necessary step to reveal your chiseled midsection. To lower body fat safely and effectively, it’s important to focus on both diet and exercise.