Traditional yoga offers physical and mental health benefits for people of all ages. Yoga has been around for centuries and has been evolving ever since. Over the past few decades, different methods of yoga have become increasingly popular, including hot yoga. Hot yoga comes with the benefits of traditional yoga, but increases the intensity. This blog will cover the basics of hot yoga and how to practice it safely.
What is Hot Yoga?
Hot yoga is a form of yoga practiced in a warm-to-hot (85°-100°F) studio. The high heat aims to warm the muscles, tendons, and ligaments allowing the body to achieve better poses and deepen stretches. One popular method is Bikram yoga, a rigid type of yoga consisting of 26 poses over 90 minutes in a heated studio of 105°F. You might see the terms Bikram and hot yoga used interchangeably, but Bikram is a specific method, while hot yoga is a more generalized term.
Top 10 Benefits of Hot Yoga
Yoga is an excellent form of exercise since it is low impact and can be adjusted to fit any physical limitation. When done safely, hot yoga can produce the same results as traditional yoga, but hot yoga can be more intense, along with the added benefit of detoxification due to sweating. Here are the top health benefits of hot yoga:
- Increases flexibility – Stretching while muscles are warm is safer than stretching cold muscles. The warmer room allows an increase in the range of motion.
- Burns calories – Hot yoga burns more calories than traditional yoga, anywhere from 185 – 330 calories for women and 460 for men.
- Improves lung capacity – Yoga focuses on breathing exercises that train the lungs to retain more air. Trainers recommend hot yoga for those preparing for running marathons.
- Eases depression symptoms – Yoga effectively reduces stress and negative thoughts, helping reduce the symptoms of depression.
- Builds bone density – Bone density naturally decreases with age; practicing yoga helps preserve and build bone mass.
- Boosts cardiovascular health – Working out in a heated environment boosts heart rate and respiration.
- Enhances skin health – Increased sweating while working out improves circulation bringing nutrient-rich blood to skin cells.
- Advances balance – Stabilizing the body while achieving various poses is the main objective of yoga.
- Better sleep – Those who practice yoga several hours before bedtime quickly fall asleep and tend to wake up less at night.
- Alleviates back pain – The heat combined with stretching eases back pain.
Always drink plenty of water before, during, and after each session. Yoga is meant to challenge the body, but should not be painful. If any poses become uncomfortable or painful, stop immediately and transition to a less strenuous pose.
How to Prepare for a Yoga Class
While hot yoga has many benefits, it might only be for some. It’s recommended to start with yoga in the traditional setting of a class and work your way up to hot yoga.
For hot yoga classes, bring plenty of water and wear lightweight clothes. Some opt for a towel over their yoga mat to absorb any dripping sweat and to provide a better grip. An extra towel to wipe off any excess sweat is also beneficial. For beginners, the body will likely be sore and might need some extra recovery time. IV Therapy can help make sure your body has adequate hydration and nutrients, while Peptide therapy and help alleviate sore muscles and reduce recovery time.
Hot yoga might not be for you if you:
- Are at risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke
- Get dehydrated easily
- Have a history of heart conditions
Stay Healthy with BioCure
Hot yoga is an excellent way to reduce stress, improve balance, and stay active. The best way to get the most out of hot yoga is to practice it safely. If you’re concerned if it’s right for you, always consult with a medical professional first. BioCure is here to help you achieve your health goals as safely as possible. Contact us today to learn more about our science-backed services to improve your health.
