"Hot" yoga may be hazardous to your health

Bikram or "hot" yoga took root in Los Angeles three decades ago, but the technique has spread far beyond coastal cool. However, as more and more people take up Bikram to lose pounds and gain strength, medical professionals are expressing concerns about the demands of yoga contortions performed in extreme heat. Heat increases your metabolic rate, and by warming you up, it allows you to stretch more, but once you stretch a muscle beyond 20 or 25 percent of its resting length, you begin to damage the muscle. "The extreme range of motion yoga develops does not necessarily have an advantage, and it may be counterproductive," said Shirley Sahrmann, professor of physical therapy at the School of Medicine. "In my business, I have more problems with people who have excessive mobility than limited mobility."

•	"Hot" yoga may be hazardous to your health The New York Times, Tuesday, March 30, 2004

	Story also ran in 3 others:  Spartanburg Herald Journal (SC), Wilmington Morning Star (NC) and Pravda (Russia)