In the past few years, hot yoga has risen in popularity as the group workout du jour. Traditional yoga already has a few health benefits, such as stress relief, increased strength, and enhanced flexibility. However, the intense heat associated with hot yoga challenges your heart, lungs, and muscles, taking the benefits of yoga to a new level. If you’re new to the world of hot yoga, here are five reasons you should give it a try.
1. Combines Cardio and Strength Training
Yoga on its own is great for building strength and balance, but it’s not known as a cardio exercise. However, adding heat to the equation can intensify the effects of regular yoga, causing a boost in your pulse and respiration rate. This effect is similar to the cardio boost you would experience from a brisk walk.
2. Increases Flexibility
Hot yoga studios conduct sessions at 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more. The extra heat warms your muscles faster, which can help loosen limbs and joints. Typically, this means you’ll be able to enjoy a wider range of motion in a hot yoga environment compared to a typical workout, which ultimately improves flexibility.
3. Elevates Your Mood
Exercise produces happy-making hormones called endorphins, which is why people experience a “runner’s high” after an intense workout. Hot yoga is particularly effective at producing endorphins because it combines body movement with breath work, emphasizing the mind-body connection. According to scientific research, regular hot yoga may even improve depression symptoms.
4. Burns More Calories
Hot yoga burns more calories for a few reasons. The increase in cardiac activity means your body is burning calories faster. Also, incorporating yoga with heat makes the movements more challenging. Ultimately, this causes your body to spend more energy during hot yoga compared to a regular yoga session.
5. Supports Glowy Skin
Surprisingly, your skin condition is likely to improve after a few hot yoga sessions. The ambient heat causes a dilation in your blood vessels, which promotes the circulation of oxygenated blood to all corners of your body, including your skin. This activity also makes you sweat, which flushes out your pores and supports hydration in your skin cells. However, sweat can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, so don’t neglect your post-workout shower.
Hot Yoga Beginner Tips
Dress Comfortably
Hot yoga isn’t the time to show off your new athleisure set. You will be hot and drenched in sweat at the end of class, so choose light, breathable fabrics that allow for movement.
Bring a Towel
During hot yoga, it’s necessary to cover your yoga mat with a towel to prevent sticking or slipping. Any bath or beach towel you have at home that can cover your mat is fine. You can also purchase a yoga mat towel designed specifically for hot yoga.
Bring a Water Bottle
Hot yoga is sweaty, thirsty work, so you’ll need some water within easy reach. Keep in mind that yoga entails twisting your body in different ways, so you should avoid filling your stomach too quickly. If you find yourself getting thirsty during class, stick to small, occasional sips of water.
