| Jim has never taken a Bikram yoga class but he's | | | | Bikram yoga mat has a special type of surface that |
| heard a lot about them. Bikram yoga is practiced in a | | | | creates the friction to help you stay on your feet |
| heated room and it's believed that the additional | | | | without slipping around. |
| warmth help increases your metabolism so you'll lose | | | | Larger - A Bikram mat is generally larger than a |
| weight faster. | | | | standard mat so you don't have to worry about |
| Practitioners of Bikram will tell you that you sweat a lot | | | | moving it around and adjusting it's position during your |
| more with this type of yoga than you do with any | | | | workout. |
| other. And that all that extra sweating helps to flush | | | | Absorbent - Most Bikram mats are made of a natural |
| toxins from your body. But the one thing that Jim hasn't | | | | fiber, like hemp or cotton, to make them more |
| been able to find out is - Why do you need a special | | | | absorbent to help keep sweat off of your body. |
| Bikram yoga mat if you're going to practice Bikram? | | | | When starting any new exercise regime it's always |
| More friction - Because you really do work up a | | | | best to work with the recommended equipment first |
| sweat when practicing Bikram, your mat is also going | | | | until you're sure of what you're doing. And while yoga |
| to get a lot sweatier. A wet mat is a slippery mat and | | | | may be touted as one of the safest forms of |
| that can be dangerous. A Bikram yoga mat has | | | | exercise because it's relatively low impact, compared |
| additional friction built in to help you maintain your | | | | to other aerobic activities, you still need to take the |
| footing and your balance during your workout so you | | | | proper safety precautions. |
| don't slip and slide around. | | | | If you want to get the most benefit from your Bikram |
| Non-Sticky - Most yoga mats have a sticky surface to | | | | workout then you're going to need a mat that can |
| help keep you from slipping around. But with Bikram | | | | stand support you and allow you freedom of |
| yoga you do a lot of abs work - and your body | | | | movement without worrying about your own safety. |
| comes into contact with the mat a lot. Most people | | | | Do yourself a favor and get a Bikram yoga mat |
| don't like that sticky feeling against their body so the | | | | before you take that first class. |