One type of yoga that has caught the interest of some people is Bikram yoga or what they refer to as hot yoga. Bikram yoga is literally a hot yoga because the poses are performed or executed in a room that has been well-heated. Doing the poses in a heated room relieves the disciple or the follower from the various toxins that has invaded his body by releasing sweat all throughout the session.
The hot yoga style was promoted by an Indian yoga master named Bikram Choudhury. Choudhury has recently attempted to copyright his Bikram yoga poses and this has led him to become embroiled in a legal battle that has been solved in his favor.

Choudhury claims to have the legal right to the 26 poses used in Bikram yoga and he is posing a heavy legal battle to have the exclusive right to call the practice of hot yoga Bikram yoga. If his legal action becomes successful, Bikram yoga will only be practiced and taught only by his disciples who will follow his method and prescribed yoga environment to the letter.

If his claim goes well, he would be like the franchise owner of the Bikram method and no one would be able to teach Bikram yoga without his two cents worth. This attempt to make Bikram yoga exclusive for him and his disciples has made Bikram a controversial figure in the world of yoga today.

A person who wants to give Bikram or hot yoga a try should arm himself with a durable slip-proof mat because the high temperature required by Bikram in his hot yoga will be more than enough to keep the yoga follower sweating profusely for the whole session.

It is also very important that a woman who intends to practice Bikram yoga should make sure she is not pregnant to avoid possible negative effects to her health and the health of the unborn baby. Always drink plenty of water before doing the poses, during exercise and even after to avoid dehydration. Also avoid eating at least two hours before the actual yoga exercise.

To be sure, it is best to get the opinion of a doctor before doing the Bikram yoga to avoid health problems and complications later on. To make sure the doctor understands the extent of the risk being taken by a person doing the different yoga pose, you can bring a photo of the poses and show this to the medical expert.