Hell-Bent

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Hell-Bent delves into the surreal world of Bikram Yoga, a style popularized by its controversial founder, Bikram Choudhury. Known for its extreme heat and a focus on pain, this practice has attracted a diverse following, including athletes like David Beckham and Andy Murray, supermodels, and even Prince Harry. The author, Benjamin Lorr, began his journey into yoga as an overweight novice, but after encountering a competitive yoga champion, he decided to elevate his practice and train for the national championship. This decision leads him into the vibrant and competitive realm of yoga, filled with athletic prodigies, celebrities, and questionable figures. Lorr embarks on a two-year journey of research, interviewing yogis, scientists, and scholars, as he investigates the health claims and history of this practice while humanizing its enigmatic guru. The narrative culminates in his participation in the National Asana Championship, where he competes for glory. Hell-Bent offers a thought-provoking exploration of a controversial practice, revealing the science behind it, the issues of greed and corruption, and a compelling story of personal transformation, ultimately challenging readers' perceptions of yoga and the potential of the human body.