Yoga is a popular practice that has both physical and mental benefits; it is often described as an alternative health practice along the lines of reflexology and aromatherapy. However, there are many different types of yoga and sometimes it is confusing to know which to choose. If you want to add a bit of heat to your yoga practice and challenge your body, hot yoga may be the way to go. Hot yoga is growing in popularity, so what exactly is it and how does it differ from “regular” yoga?
Types of Yoga
Yoga is an ancient practice which dates back thousands of years. It is not only a form of physical exercise but it is a “fully-integrated” practice that has both mental and spiritual benefits too. Yoga arrived in the United States in the 1890s but did not become popular until the 1960s. Today, the most popular form of yoga practice is Hatha yoga, which focuses on the asanas, or physical exercises. However, other types of yoga, such as Bhakti yoga, Jnana yoga and Raja yoga may incorporate spiritual and mental practices too.
History of Hot Yoga
Hot yoga developed from the practice of Hatha yoga. Bikram Choudhury developed a particular style of Hatha yoga in the 1970s that became known as Bikram yoga, sometimes referred to as hot yoga. However, hot yoga is generally any practice of yoga that is carried out in a hot room. Bikram yoga is a series of 26 postures practiced over a 90-minute time period; the additional factor in this style of yoga is that you practice in a studio where the temperature is turned up to between 95 and 100 degrees and the humidity is high too. The idea is that the high temperature helps to warm and stretch your muscles more and the body sweats out all impurities.
How the Heat Makes a Difference in Hot Yoga Practice
Yoga was traditionally practiced in countries such as India where it was normal to practice in high temperatures and high humidity. As yoga grew popular in colder climates (and with the invention of air conditioning in hotter countries), it became more common to practice yoga in cooler temperatures. However, many yoga exercises require heat for increased flexibility.
The heat in hot yoga warms up your muscles and promotes increased flexibility in yoga asanas and decreases the risk of injury; in addition, your body sweats a lot more and, as a consequence, many hot yoga practitioners claim that your body is able to rid itself of unwanted toxins. Deep breathing exercises incorporated into hot yoga helps to calm your mind and increase oxygen circulation throughout your body.
Benefits of Hot Yoga
Hot yoga has both physical and mental benefits. Some of the benefits of hot yoga include:
- strengthening of muscles and joints
- greater range of flexibility
- alleviation of stress
- improved posture
- improved breathing techniques
- reduced pain
- strengthened immune system
- removal of toxins from the body (through sweat)
- weight loss
Cautions for Practicing Hot Yoga
Hot yoga does carry some cautions because of the intense heat used in the practice; it is worth remembering the following points when you practice hot yoga:
- Drink lots of water before, during and after a hot yoga session.
- If you feel dizzy, nauseous, have a headache, fatigued or weak, stop practicing immediately; these are signs of heat exhaustion.
- If you are pregnant, suffer from heart problems, are a child, are elderly, or are taking certain medications, you should seek medical advice before practicing hot yoga; it is usually not advisable to practice hot yoga with these conditions
- Allow your body to “breathe” (i.e. sweat) during a hot yoga session by wearing light, comfortable clothing.
- Bring plenty of towels to a hot yoga practice to avoid slipping on your yoga mat.
However, if you find a qualified yoga instructor and pay attention to your individual needs and problems, hot yoga can be practiced by most people, whatever your age or ability. Hot yoga pushes your body one step further than traditional yoga, resulting in a fitter body and a more integrated sense of well-being.
Sources:
- University of Maryland Medical Center website, Yoga, accessed March 30, 2011
- Quality Health website, Bikram Yoga: Too Hot to Handle?, accessed March 30, 2011
- Sedona Hot Yoga website, accessed March 30, 2011
Sharon Falsetto - Sharon Falsetto is a business owner, certified clinical aromatherapist & professional writer with a life-long interest in plants.
