Hot yoga has taken the world by storm over the last few years, and for good reason. There are no doubts as to how much of a positive impact yoga has on our mental and physical health, and hot yoga can help to maximise our potential! It is more physically demanding, which helps some people get more out of their practice, however for other people it’s not the best fit if they prefer a more relaxed practice. Of course, everyone practising does need to stay really well hydrated too! So, if you’re a beginner in hot yoga, we’d definitely recommend it, just have a chat with the instructor before you start to make sure it’s right for you.
You Can Push Yourself
Many people who practise hot yoga find that they are able to get much more out of their sessions. As a result of the heat in the room (usually around 38 degrees celsius!), your body will naturally be warmer and looser, so you can push yourself further into different positions that might be too difficult in a cooler room. Of course, you should never push your body into pain in yoga, however the warmer environment does help people to get the most out of their bodies and feel amazing as a result afterwards.
Burn More Calories
If you’re wanting to use hot yoga as a workout, you definitely can, as your body will burn more calories in the hot environment. Primarily yoga isn’t about burning calories, it’s about strengthening our minds and bodies, however a secondary goal could be on wanting to lose weight and get healthier. So, if this is the case, then hot yoga can be a great option to add into your weekly routine.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
As the heat involved with hot yoga does put our bodies under more strain, you will also notice cardiovascular improvements. The heat will give your mind and body a stronger workout, requiring deeper breaths and more oxygen. The challenge that comes with this can help to really get your cardiovascular system working, and when you do this regularly, it will translate into improved cardiovascular health over time. When you combine this with other improvements, like running slightly more, stopping smoking and replacing with Velo, and doing breathing work, you can really see the benefits.
Good For The Skin
Another great benefit of hot yoga is that it’s good for your skin. If you are wanting to try hot yoga, prepare for there to be a lot of sweat (so don’t forget to take a towel with you). The warm environment and therefore the sweat helps to boost your circulation and then this brings oxygen and nutrient rich blood through to your skin cells. The sweat also aids the body in detoxification, as a sauna would. The nourishment you’re giving your body as a result will then translate on the outside. Just make sure to avoid touching your face when you’re doing hot yoga as you want to avoid potentially spreading bacteria. You’ll also need a good yoga cleaning spray after!
Energetic Environment
Last but certainly not least, many people love the energetic environment that comes with hot yoga. The feeling in the room is just charged with positivity, so if you prefer a faster paced, more intense yoga workout, or at least incorporating one session like this into your weekly routine, it will leave you feeling extremely energised.
About The Author
Daisy Moss is a freelance writer specializing in vintage jewelry. When she isn’t writing you will probably find her looking for her next investment in Hatton Garden.