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Hot yoga is having a moment. It’s rising in popularity as a form of deep relaxation. Maybe you’ve tried yoga but haven’t given hot yoga much thought. Or maybe you wonder how hot is hot?
Read below to find out more about this hot topic.
Yoga
Yoga is a practice that’s been around for thousands of years. Yoga helps balance your body and mind and trains you to stay emotionally aware. Yoga also improves your overall well-being. While there are many different forms of yoga, hot yoga has become more popular in the last decade.
Hot Yoga
So what’s making hot yoga so popular? Hot yoga consists of twenty-six held poses and exercises. During hot yoga, the studio is set to a warmer temperature than normal yoga practice. Practicing in a warm studio can produce widespread health benefits, but may also come with its own set of side effects.
How Hot is Hot?
So, how hot is hot? Hot yoga will make you sweat. You can expect the temperature of the yoga studio to be between ninety to one-hundred and eight degrees Fahrenheit. This will feel like a hot summer day.
What to Wear for Hot Yoga
You should wear lightweight clothing to a hot yoga session. You may want to wear tank tops and breathable, loose shorts. Some people prefer to wear layers. That way, they can take off a layer of clothing when they start to feel too warm.
When to Practice Hot Yoga
Hot yoga practice can be flexible. You can practice hot yoga at any time during the day. Some people practice yoga in the morning to start their day on a positive note. It helps set the tone for your day ahead. Others have found that practicing at night before bed helps them relax and sleep better.
Hot yoga sessions can be anywhere from forty-five to ninety minutes long. Find a session length that is convenient for you. Yoga offers the flexibility to fit into most schedules.
How to Prepare Your Body
To have a successful hot yoga session, you’ll want to prepare your body. Drinking water is important when preparing your body for hot yoga. Dehydration is the most common side effect people experience with hot yoga. Yoga instructors may remind students during sessions to take water breaks.
How do you know if you’re dehydrated?
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
Dehydration may cause serious side effects. Knowing the signs and symptoms of dehydration is one way to keep yourself safe while practicing hot yoga. The most common signs and symptoms of dehydration are:
Dizziness
Muscle Cramps
Headache
Confusion
Inform your instructor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.
How to Recover After Your Session
Recovering your body after a hot yoga session is important to staying healthy. Be sure to drink water after your yoga session to stay hydrated. Nutrition is also very important after a workout. Be sure to eat a balanced diet throughout your day.
Health Benefits of Hot Yoga
Hot yoga may have many health benefits. These benefits include both mental and physical. Read below to find out how hot yoga may benefit you.
Yoga connects your body to your mind. Exercising in high temperatures boosts mindfulness and can help improve your mental health. Yoga also promotes calmness and peacefulness. This can help create a positive mindset.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Hot yoga also has a positive impact on your heart. Working out in the heat makes your heart work harder. When your heart works harder, it becomes stronger and healthier. A strong and healthy heart makes for a longer and healthier life.
Improved Flexibility
Hot yoga takes your body through many different poses and positions. The variety of different poses that your body does will improve your flexibility. Flexibility is important because it reduces your risk of injury. Flexibility can also improve stiffness and overall body comfort.
There are many health benefits to hot yoga, but it may not be for everyone. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions speak with your provider before practicing.
Summary
Hot yoga is a workout that has been increasing in popularity over the last decade. Hot yoga is a form of yoga where the room is set to a higher temperature. Staying hydrated is very important when practicing hot yoga. Drink water before, during, and after a hot yoga session to avoid dehydration.
Hot yoga has many health benefits including improved mental well-being, increased heart strength, and improved flexibility. You can practice hot yoga at any time during the day making it the perfect exercise for every type of schedule. It’s never too late to book a session at a yoga studio near you.
References
Bourbeau, K. C., Moriarty, T. A., Bellovary, B. N., Bellissimo, G. F., Ducharme, J. B., Haeny, T. J., & Zuhl, M. N. (2021). Cardiovascular, Cellular, and Neural Adaptations to Hot Yoga versus Normal-Temperature Yoga. International journal of yoga, 14(2), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_134_20
Hui, B. P. H., Parma, L., Kogan, A., & Vuillier, L. (2022). Hot Yoga Leads to Greater Well-being: A Six-week Experience-sampling RCT in Healthy Adults. Psychosocial intervention, 31(2), 67–82. https://doi.org/10.5093/pi2022a4
Mace Firebaugh, C. J., & Eggleston, B. (2017). Hydration and Hot Yoga: Encouragement, Behaviors, and Outcomes. International journal of yoga, 10(2), 107–109. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoy.IJOY_8_17
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