The term "hot yoga" often refers to Bikram yoga, founded by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s and similar styles. It consists of 26 yoga postures practiced in a room with a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 40%.
The goal of practicing yoga in a hot, humid room is to raise heart rates for a more intense workout and to allow muscles to loosen due to the heat.
For beginners, the room is heated above normal room temperature. Although the temperature can be adjusted to the yoga instructor's preference, it is normally between 80 and 100°F (27 and 38°C). It has been trending due to the plethora of benefits associated with it.
Benefits
Hot yoga is popular for the same reasons that hot tubs and saunas are popular: It's relaxing, sweating feels good, and you feel more flexible.
1. Improves flexibility
You must be flexible in order for your body to move and function properly. Exercising in the heat allows people to feel more flexible and elastic in their muscles. They have a greater range of motion. When your muscles heat up, they stretch more easily and are less likely to injure themselves.
2. Aids in weight loss
If you want to lose weight, you must be in a caloric deficit, which means you must consume fewer calories than you burn. Hot yoga can help you lose weight by increasing your calorie burn. According to a study, men burned about 460 calories and women burned about 330 during a 90-minute session of Hot yoga.
3. Improved circulation
The practice's intense heat has a miraculous effect on the body's capacity for blood circulation. The body can more effectively provide blood to the muscles when oxygen levels are higher.
4. Strengthens muscles
Yoga, in general, increases muscle strength by using your own body weight as resistance.
5. Reduces stress
Yoga in general can help with stress reduction, but hot yoga in particular can feel like a release because it causes you to sweat.
[Related: Expert-Approved Yoga Asanas For Stress Relief ]
6. Increases bone density
In a yoga posture, bearing your own weight helps increase bone density. Given that bone density decreases with age, hot yoga is beneficial.
HOT YOGA SEQUENCE
[Also check: 10 ways yoga improves health]
Is hot yoga good for you? [PRECAUTIONS]
Hot yoga is not suitable for everyone. Heat-related illness is possible due to the intensity of the workout and the hot temperatures. Before attempting hot yoga, consult with your doctor, especially if you have any health concerns or are pregnant.
Please avoid hot yoga, if any of the following apply to you:
- Heart disease
- Problems with dehydration
- Heat intolerance
- Prior instances of heat-related sickness (such as heatstroke)
If you have no medical concerns and want to try a hot yoga class, drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workout. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or sick in any way, come to a halt.
Takeaway
Hot yoga has a variety of advantages, such as lowered stress levels, improved flexibility and strength. However, don't push yourself to the point of dizziness or passing out in a hot yoga session. If you have never practiced hot yoga, it is better to start with a regular yoga session to determine whether you like it.