The sacred art of yoga has slowly transitioned into different forms over time. Whether it is Hatha, Vinyasa, or Ashtanga yoga, there is no dearth of yoga styles with numerous benefits. One of these yoga styles is Hot yoga.
Hot yoga is one of the most in-demand yoga styles. However, it might feel a bit complicated to try the different Hot yoga pose if you have never tried it before.
Let us find out a bit in details about this yoga style.
Hot Yoga – A Brief Introduction
The Hot yoga is a style of yoga which you practice in temperatures of 32 to 40 degrees with the room at 30 to 50% humidity. The temperature is generated utilizing infrared heaters which helps you practice yoga in an environment that resembles a tropical climate. The heat loosens your tense muscles and rids the body of all toxins.
The origin of hot yoga can be traced back to the 1970s when its founder Bikram Choudhary used space heaters to warm up the rooms for yoga practice. You can enroll in a certified yoga school to learn the best hot yoga pose from yoga experts.
Are There Any Drawbacks of Hot Yoga?
Although the practice of numerous hot yoga pose offers many physical and mental health benefits, it has certain disadvantages.
For example, Nausea and exhaustion are common occurrence during a hot yoga session. However, yoga experts recommend that you remain hydrated and focus on breathing till you feel a little better. You can also do the Child’s Pose to restore the body’s energy levels.
Also, since the heat loosens your body muscles you are likely to over-extend the body during the practice. Unfortunately, this can lead to a ligament or tendon tear.
However, you should keep in mind that not all Hot yoga classes are the same.
3 Types of Hot Yoga
Given below are three different forms of Hot yoga:
1. Bikram Yoga
Founded by Bikram Choudhary during 1970s, the Bikram yoga consists of 26-pose sequence, one Pranayama, and Shatkarma technique. The session takes place in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit with each class lasting around 90 minutes.
2. Heated Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga includes a series of poses which flow from one posture to another. Many choose to practice this yoga style in hot yoga studio settings. You can enroll in a certified hot yoga pose session to learn everything about this yoga style.
3. Hot Power Yoga
The hot power yoga is a bit intense form of yoga. It combines the aesthetics of Ashtanga yoga with a room heated from 85 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot power yoga requires a moderate amount of fitness and is a bit challenging for beginners as it is a bit vigorous in nature.
Are There Any Tips I Should Follow When Practicing Hot Yoga?
Since every hot yoga pose is practiced in a heated room, you have to be aware of the potential health risks during the session.
That said, given below are a few easy-to-follow tips to help you make the most of hot yoga.
1. Hydrate
Needless to say, excess heating in a hot room leads to dehydration quicker in comparison to other yoga styles. Therefore, it is vital to maintain constant hydration. You should consume plenty of water and electrolytes to remain hydrated.
2. Go Easy
Practicing a hot yoga pose in a heated room relaxes your muscles in lesser time. However, the increase in blood flow makes you feel more flexible than you actually are. This leads to ligament tears which can lead to joint instability.
To keep an injury away, you should ease into the yoga movements at the beginning of every class instead of jumping straight in.
3. Check With Your Body
Make sure to check your body throughout the practice. Practicing in a hot room leads to exhaustion, heatstroke, dizziness, and confusion. Yoga experts recommend you take small breaks regularly to avoid feeling nauseaous.
Keeping these tips in mind will help you reap the full benefits of every hot yoga pose.
Benefits of Hot Yoga
Regardless of the room temperature in which you practice any hot yoga poses, there are a few benefits which hot yoga offers.
1. Improves Flexibility
As a yoga practitioner you are aware that proper stretching after a warm-up session makes it easier to stretch cold and stiff muscles. Therefore, the environment in a hot yoga class makes practicing the asanas a bit easier and effective.
2. Burns More Calories
According to numerous studies, a single 90-minute session of hot yoga pose helps men burn upto 460 calories for men and women can get rid of 330 calories.
In other words, if you want to practice a yoga style to burn unnecessary calories, choose Hot yoga.
3. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Doing numerous yoga asanas in a heated room gives your heart, lungs, and muscles a good workout.
As per a study, one session of hot yoga is enough to get your heart pumping at the same rate as when doing brisk walking.
This is the complete guide for you to know about hot yoga as a beginner.
Conclusion
Do you want to practice a yoga style which helps you burn calories and offers a good workout? Enroll in a certified yoga school to learn the best hot yoga pose and accomplish this goal.
