Bikram yoga may lead to dangerous body temperatures, high heart rates. Fans of Bikram yoga have long claimed that keeping the room temperature (105° F) and humidity (40%) up help boost the challenge of the workout while also helping with flexibility. But new research has shown those very benefits may be dangerous. “The researchers looked at 20 healthy volunteers between the ages of 28 and 67 who regularly practiced Bikram yoga. The men and women swallowed a core body temperature sensor, and wore a heart-rate monitor during their class. Their core temperature was recorded before the class started and then every 10 minutes. Heart rate was recorded every minute. The researchers found that many of the volunteers’ core temperatures reached higher than 103° F and one passed 104° F. None of the men or women had symptoms of heat intolerance, but the researchers note that heat illness and heat stroke can happen when core temperatures reach104° F. In addition, the researchers found that average heart rate was 80% of the predicted maximum heart rate for men and 72% of the predicted maximum for women. The highest heart rate for women in the class was 85% of the predicted maximum heart rate for women and 92% for men.” The researchers acknowledge that the yoga can have its benefits, but emphasize that practitioners should stay well hydrated and avoid pushing it if they feel their body is telling them to cool it. 

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