Photo by Erik Brolin on Unsplash
Bikram Yoga also referred to as Hot Yoga, is another trendy technique that provides an exhilarating twist to the classic style of Yoga. Picture yourself doing yoga poses in a sweatbox at temperatures between 95-105°F (35-40°C) and above 40% humidity. A practice created by Bikram Choudhury, it involves a series of 26 postures plus 2 breath exercises done in extreme heat, for a workout that goes deeper than sweating! Wondering what makes hot yoga such a big hit, dive in —we uncover the benefits, share practical advice for beginners, investigate popular variations, plus share inspiring stories.
What is Hot Yoga?
Hot yoga is unique because it’s more about the conditions in which it’s done rather than the type of yoga being performed. Hot Yoga’s trademark is its use of increased heat and humidity (as in steambaths) as an aid to make yoga more effective. Created by Bikram Choudhury in the seventies, it’s made up of 26 postures as part of their sequence and two breathwork techniques.
Heat multi-tasks during a hot yoga class. It gets your muscles nice and warm, which makes you less prone to getting hurt while you dance around or go about your daily activities. High heat initiates a fever that promotes excessive perspiration, which helps flush our body with toxic compounds via our pores. Moreover, heat helps keep your thoughts in check and promotes concentration, thus enhancing mind-body connectivity.
Benefits of Hot Yoga
The variety of benefits associated with hot yoga has made it widely popular, especially among people interested in alternative forms of health and fitness.
Improved Flexibility: Higher temperatures in a hot yoga studio allow for easier muscle relaxation and stretching. The added fluidity will enable you to do difficult poses more effortlessly.
Detoxification: Sweating in hot yoga means a body detox. As the pores start to release waste through the pores, you will sweat, and your body will flush out impurities.
Enhanced Strength: Hot yoga is the combination of extreme positions and heat, which work in different muscles. These all lead to the building of strength and stamina in the long run.
Stress Reduction: Deep breathing in hot yoga is significant for releasing stress, too. As you breathe in sync with the move, it feels like stress and strain dissipate.
Weight Loss: Because of how aggressive hot yoga is, your body is able to burn calories and lose fat with consistent practice.
Preparing for Hot Yoga
It’s important to warm up before heading into your first hot yoga session.
Choosing the Right Studio: Research local studios to make the most of your hot yoga experience. Try finding good studios — those with experienced teachers and clean equipment. It’s not always possible to read every single review, but doing a few search queries can provide some useful information about the product you’re buying, who made it, and how it compares with other products.
Staying Hydrated: Hydrate correctly prior to, during, and post-hot yoga. Intense perspiration could lead to dehydration if not monitored. Keep hydrating all day long.
Selecting Appropriate Clothing: Wear moisture-wicking and breathable fabrics for clothing choices. As you’ll likely be working up a good sweat, proper practice wear is essential to keeping you feeling comfy all through your flow. Avoid heavy or restrictive clothing.
Investing in a Good Yoga Mat: A good quality yoga mat with non-slip properties works great in hot yoga. It will make sure you have firm ground when you’re in the pose and provides a solid base for your practice.
Yoga Hot Tips for Beginners.
Taking up hot yoga as a beginner may feel overwhelming at first, however, with the appropriate technique one can make it an enriching experience.
Start Slow: Don’t rush into long sessions. Start short then build up gradually for 10 minutes and over.
Focus on Breathing: Breathing as deeply and calmly as possible will be your friend when you practice hot yoga. Its purpose is to help with temperature regulation and centering in difficult postures.
Stay in the Room: When the temperature rises, you might want to run out of the studio. Still, try and stay in the room for a while to let your body adjust slowly. Leaving is far more unsettling than being in the heat itself.
Use Props: Don’t hesitate to use supports like blocks or belts for hard positions at the beginning.
Variations of Hot Yoga
While Bikram yoga is the most well-known style of hot yoga, there are other exciting variations to explore:
Bikram Yoga: A 26-posture/2-breath practice developed by the late Bikram Choudhury.
Vinyasa Hot Yoga: This hybrid fuses hot yoga’s heat with vinyasa-style fluidity into a dynamic and challenging practice.
Power Hot Yoga: Power yoga elements included in this style will provide focus on strength and endurance but still get the heat advantage.
Hot Yin Yoga: A less intense version of traditional hot yoga, where you hold the postures longer, allowing your body to go deeper into stretching and releasing tension.
Hot Yoga Safety and Precautions
Safety comes first in hot yoga practice. Here are some important considerations:
Consult a Healthcare Professional: Before beginning hot yoga or if you have any pre-existing medical condition(s), consult a physician about the safety of practicing in heat before you get started.
Know Your Limits: Tune into your body during hot yoga classes. Be aware not to go overboard, as this combination of heat and tough postures can be quite exhausting at times.
Stay Hydrated: Remind them about how vital it is to keep drinking enough fluids during their practice sessions to avoid dehydration.
Rest as Needed: Make sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard; you can take breaks, or even skip moves or poses if something doesn’t feel right. Always put your own self-care and well-being first.
Conclusion
Hot yoga — as mentioned earlier — is an energizing, transformational practice, which has numerous physical and mental-health merits to offer! From increased flexibility and detoxification to lower stress levels and weight loss, there is something for everyone. As you start down the path of hot yoga, remember: Be kind to your body; Stay hydrated; Notice the messages from your body.
Hot Yoga — A Challenge, Physical & Mental Growth and a Vibrant Lifestyle. Hence, lay down your yoga mat, enter the heat, and kindle flames within you through hot yoga. Namaste!
