The Yoga Novice’s Guide to Hot Yoga
Yoga is the spiritual art of unifying your mind, body, and soul. With time, this ancient art has evolved into numerous other styles like Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga among others. One style of yoga that stands out from the rest in terms of intensity is Hot yoga. There are numerous hot yoga pose which you can practice to avail the benefits of this powerful yoga style.
Let us first understand what hot yoga is.
Hot Yoga – A Brief Introduction
Hot yoga is a style of yoga which consists of practicing yoga in a heated room. The heat and humidity causes you to sweat which adds to the intensity of this yoga style. You practice Hot yoga pose in a room with temperatures between 80 and 100 degree Fahrenheit. This warms up your muscles which helps your body stretch and develop a good level of flexibility.
However, that is not all. With time, hot yoga has transitioned into different forms.
Different Forms of Hot Yoga
Given below are three forms of hot yoga that you should know about.
Bikram Yoga
Founded by Bikram Choudhary during the 1970s, this style of Hot yoga involves 26-pose sequence including 24 yoga postures, one Pranayama and Shatkarma. Bikram yoga practice takes place in a room with temperature of at least 105 degree Fahrenheit. Every class usually lasts for 90 minutes.
Heated Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga style includes a series of asanas which transition from one to another. You practice the numerous Hot yoga pose in a room with temperatures ranging from 75 to 90 degree Fahrenheit.
Hot Power Yoga
Hot power yoga is a bit intense form of hot yoga. This yoga style has elements of Ashtanga yoga which you practice in a room with temperature of 85 to 100 degree Fahrenheit. This is a bit challenging yoga style for beginners as it is a bit more vigorous especially when combined with heat.
For you to make the most of a hot yoga practice, there are a few easy-to-follow tips.
Tips to Practice Hot Yoga Pose
Given below are 5 powerful tips to help you practice any Hot yoga pose without hassle.
- Hydrate Beforehand
The most important tip you should keep in mind is to come to the first hot yoga class properly hydrated. Make sure you consume enough water 24 hours before the first Hot yoga class. It is the first tip which has a massive impact on how well you practice Hot yoga pose.
- Keep Drinking
Yes! Yoga experts recommend that you carry a water bottle to the class. Do not wait for the instructor to cue a water break. Drink before you start feeling thirsty and keep drinking after leaving the class.
- Eat Light
An important tip you should follow when learning to do Hot yoga pose without hassle is to eat light. Your diet should comprise of a nice balance of protein, fat, and carbs some hours before the yoga class. Do not come to the class hunrgy, but also do not come on a full stomach.
- Breathe Through the Nose
Even if you are a complete beginner to hot yoga, you will have some issue with breathing during the initial classes. Yoga experts recommend you take slow and deep breaths to avoid feeling dizzy when in the class. You can also take a break if you are unable to breathe properly.
- Don’t Push Too Much
Hot yoga might be bit hard but it is also one of the best yoga styles you can practice. It helps you develop a body that is flexible and open. However, when practicing Hot yoga pose you should make sure not to push the body too much as it can lead to injuries. Yoga experts recommend that you go slow and move to advanced yoga asanas with time.
If you follow all these tips, there is a world of benefits which hot yoga offers you.
Benefits of Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is a bit challenging yet fun yoga style that offers you a world of health benefits that include:
- Numerous studies and research have shown that Hot yoga improves your lower body strength, and overall body balance. Daily practice of Hot yoga pose also works on arterial stiffness as well as cholesterol and gluose levels. In the long run, this helps in taking care of bone density and stress.
- Do you know that one can burn at least 400+ calories in a 90 minutes of hot yoga session? It makes it clear that Hot yoga is one of the best way for you to lose weight without hassle.
- The external heat you experience when doing Hot yoga pose expands and contracts your muscles with ease. It improves your body’s stretching abilities which adds to overall strength.
Want to maintain a good level of muscular strength and flexibility? You should enroll in a certified yoga school to learn and practice hot yoga.
Conclusion
Do you want to develop high levels of flexibility and strength? You should enroll in a certified yoga school to learn and practice Hot yoga pose under the guidance of skilled yoga teachers.
