Bikram Yoga and Pregnancy: Safety Concerns & Considerations

Question
Hi Byrne,

I've been practicing Bikram yoga weekly for many years.  In the past month I've been going 3 times a week.

The classroom is usually about 40 degrees celsius.  I brought a thermometer and took my temperature last class and it was 38 degrees at the peak of the class.

Will it be safe to continue going once I've become pregnant?

Obviously I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize my pregnancy, but I've been feeling terrific from the yoga and I would be sad to give it up.

Thanks,
Lisa

Answer
A raise in maternal core temperature is strongly associated with birth defects. That's why pregnant women are advised NEVER to use a hot tub or sauna.

Most fitness professionals, myself included, believe that Bikram yoga has the potential to raise core temperature and therefore advise against this form of yoga for pregnancy.

Most, if not all, pregnant women feel overly warm throughout their pregnancies, and find that exercising in a hot room is very uncomfortable.

But you certainly don't have to give up your yoga practice after you become pregnant. I'd suggest that you switch to either Iyengar, which focuses on proper alignment and precision in movement, or a flow style yoga until your belly pops out and gets "in the way" and then switch to a special prenatal yoga class for the last half of your pregnancy.

If you are planning a pregnancy, I'd switch out of Bikram when there's a possibility of implantation.