Bikram Yoga as a Countermeasure of Bone Loss in Women

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study was to observe whether Bikram Yoga training helps bone growth or arrest bone loss in women. In this study, the bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the hip, spine and whole body for a group of 14 pre-menopausal women (11 Caucasians, 2 Asians and 1 African Ameri-can). These 14 women had participated in Bikram Yoga classes (26 yoga postures) at least 3 times a week for 3 or more years. DEXA scans were used to measure BMD at the lumbar spine, hip and the whole body. In addition, the Z-scores were calculated for each subject at these three locations. The study results indicate that the BMD at these body areas of this group of women is generally above the mean BMD expected for normal, healthy, women of comparable age and ethnicity. Overall, the study findings suggest that the intervention of Bikram Yoga training may be beneficial for skeletal health and could prevent bone loss.