Hot Yoga: Is “Hot Yoga” Better?

There are several types of hot yoga classes. Their common point is that they take place in a heated room.

“Hot yoga” is a term that can be used to describe just about any style of yoga practice performed in a hot or humid room. When a class is called “hot yoga,” you might hold poses for a minute or quickly switch between poses, but two things are almost always constant: heat and sweat.

The duration of hot yoga classes varies, but is generally between 60 and 120 minutes. Participants can sweat up to three or four pounds of water in a single class, most of which will be replaced once the person is fully hydrated, according to a 2017 study. Hot yoga classes often include postures and breathing techniques originated from other traditional yoga, but the practice of intentionally heating the room to a higher level than normal just for yoga is a somewhat newer concept.

Bikram yoga, founded in the 1970s by Bikram Choudhury, is generally recognized as the first style of hot yoga. Bikram yoga classes all include a very specific sequence of 26 yoga poses and two breathing exercises performed in the same order, in 90 minutes, in a room heated to over 38 degrees Celsius.

What is the temperature of a hot yoga class?

Room temperature can vary greatly Most studios use a forced-air heating system. Some rooms use a humidifier to make the room really humid. Other rooms use infrared heat, which comes from electric heating panels placed on the ceiling or around the room. The sensation of infrared heat is very different from that of traditionally heated rooms. She describes this feeling as being “under the sun”.

Humidity and outside heat can also have an effect on room temperature, explains. The heat can also vary depending on the number of participants in the course; if you are in a crowded room, you feel a little warmth from other people around you. If you’re in a larger room, you might have a little more room to cool off.

Is hot yoga safe?

A study found that practicing yoga in a hot environment, over 38 degrees, can have a major impact on body temperature. After practicing a 90-minute Bikram-style class in a hot studio, 8 out of 20 participants had a body temperature fluctuating between 39.4 and 40 degrees. Exertional heat stroke is defined by a core body temperature that reaches 40 to 41 degrees, which is associated with signs of organ system failure due to hyperthermia).

Although certain health conditions can make hot yoga risky for some people, it is generally safe for a healthy person. People with certain heart conditions, previous heat trauma, heat intolerance, or dehydration issues should probably avoid hot yoga.

What are the benefits of practicing hot yoga?

For people who like to sweat, hot yoga can help you achieve a sense of calm and relaxation without having to do an intense workout. You can sweat as much as if you were running 15 km, but you don’t have to exert as much effort to achieve it.

Hot yoga, like other types of yoga, can be great for relieving or managing stress. It is a moving meditation. If you don’t like to sweat, you’re probably not missing out on choosing a normal-temperature yoga class over a hot one. Although some people like to sweat, there is no clear evidence that sweating by itself is beneficial to health. Sweating is primarily a means of controlling temperature.

Hot yoga can allow you to stretch more deeply

A warm room can help improve flexibility, which can be very helpful for people who do other types of intense exercise where their muscles are very tense. In a warm room, the muscles really relax. You can perform all kinds of stretches that are more difficult to do otherwise.

But that extra flexibility means you have to be careful not to overstretch your muscles and injure yourself. It’s important to stay within your limits and listen to your body to avoid injury. In a hot room, it can be tempting to try to keep up with everyone around you. But that’s not necessarily a good thing in a heated yoga class, where stretching too much can lead to tears and muscle damage.

Is hot yoga more effective than traditional yoga?

As with any physical activity, the more you move in yoga, the more calories you burn. Although many people associate sweating with calorie burning and weight loss, this is not the case. Sweating is your body’s method of cooling itself, not a measure of how much weight you’ll lose. In other words, just because you sweat more in a hot yoga class than in a regular temperature yoga class doesn’t mean you work harder or burn more calories.

Hot yoga is definitely a form of movement and exercise, and it can be very helpful for people trying to improve their fitness or lose weight. But it generally brings more benefits in terms of relaxation, stress relief and muscle recovery than calorie burning. It is a great addition to an existing exercise regimen. Many runners or people who do activities such as CrossFit or martial arts enjoy hot yoga. It can be a way to keep their muscles supple and flexible.

What should I know before trying it for the first time?

For the first time, it’s good to have some basic knowledge of yoga, if only by watching videos on YouTube or trying an “unheated” class, before trying the hot yoga. “B

Here are some other tips

What to wear Clothing that handles sweat well, such as moisture-wicking fabrics or spandex, works well for hot yoga. Many women simply wear sports bras and leggings or shorts.

What to eat and what to drink? Avoid eating a large meal in the hours before class and snacking in the hour before class. Try to plan your meals and snacks to fuel your body appropriately, so you don’t arrive hungry or with a full stomach. Drink plenty of fluids in the hours leading up to class, and be sure to bring a bottle of water and drink during and after class.

What to bring

Call the venue ahead of time or check their website to find out what’s included in the class price and what you need to bring. Some venues provide mats, but due to the amount of sweating some people prefer to bring their own. It is good to bring a towel and a bottle of water.

A good hot yoga experience often comes down to your attitude. Come with an open mind and communicate with your instructor. It doesn’t have to be perfect or competitive; try to do what makes you feel good. Ideally, hot yoga should benefit your body and mind.