Tourniquet Effect
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The Tourniquet Effect
People practice Bikram Yoga for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s to stretch tight hamstrings, lose a few pounds or increase hip flexibility to get a better golf swing, a consistent practice will be of tremendous benefit.
However, Bikram Yoga is a form of physical exercise that goes much deeper than most people realize. Thousands of years before the advent of modern medicine, yoga practitioners in India were attune to the fact that optimum health meant increasing the intensity of blood flow to every part of the body.
The intention was to FLOOD specific areas of the body with circulation, in order to reap maximum benefit…nutrition from the blood and the irrigation of toxins.
Theory
First, Pranayama deep breathing oxygenates the blood. The heated room dilates veins and arteries. Postures are held to elevate the heart rate, squeeze and compress the body while also stretching and extending it. Each posture targets specific parts of the body. Arteries and veins are extended and stretched, making their openings smaller. This creates a high pressure system.
Simultaneously the organ or joint is compressed. Squeezed like a sponge, it pushes out stale blood, toxins and lymph. This squeezing creates a low pressure system. The posture is released and like a dam being broken, the high speed pressurized blood floods the low pressure organ or joint.
This effectively flushes it free of congestion while feeding it oxygen and nutrition.
In practice
Wind Removing Pose is a great example. By pulling, the leg compresses the colon, squeezing out congestion and buildup on the colon wall. The blood vessels are stretched and pinched off, damming the blood and increasing its pressure.
The posture must be held still for the allotted time, allowing the pressure to build undisturbed to its maximum. Releasing the posture breaks the dam, sending the blood to the low pressure system (colon) effectively cleaning and nourishing it.
The final piece is Savasana or lying still. In twenty seconds the pressure normalizes preparing for the next posture.
The Experience
How do you know if you are doing it correctly?
This aspect of class is not visible or even felt. You know when your back is stretching – it hurts! – not so easy to tell when you’ve compressed and cleaned your liver. If you feel nauseous during class, this is a sign you are getting it – especially for beginners who will generally have toxic build up.
Other signs are radiant skin, clear eyes, regular bowel movements and an overall feeling of lightness in the body.
Overview
Getting a good stretch is part of class. Cleaning up internally – organs, veins, arteries, glands and lymph nodes - is just as vital. Apply yourself with as much vigor as you can muster. By doing so the wellspring of health and vitality is yours.
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