Pas Trusted News – What is hot yoga? Weight Loss, Benefits, Risks Explained
While the health benefits of yoga are many, and include strengthening muscles, better sleep, increased flexibility, and reduced stress; There are many styles and methods of exercise – each providing their own distinct benefits. Some such types include Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Tantra Yoga, Yin Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Power Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Prenatal Yoga.
Hot yoga is one of the most popular yoga trends today and is often incorporated into other yoga practices. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex does the same and has cited hot yoga as one of her favorite forms of exercise. Hailey Bieber also practices hot yoga like Jessica Alba and Alex Rodriguez.
But experts say hot yoga isn’t for everyone, and the heat element central to hot yoga is not part of yoga’s spiritual origins. “The heat doesn’t contribute to the spirituality of yoga, which is, after all, its purpose for many people,” says Lauren Fishman, MD, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Columbia University and medical director of Manhattan Physical Medicine. and rehabilitation.
What is hot yoga?
Hot yoga is simply any form of yoga that is performed in a heated environment. “Such environments typically range from 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit,” explains Brett Larkin, certified yoga instructor and founder of Uplifted Yoga. It can be performed in combination with standard yoga postures or during “rigorous power yoga styles for an intense workout,” says Larkin. “You can experience hot yoga by performing any other style of yoga, be it Hatha, Vinyasa or Yin.”
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How is hot yoga different from regular yoga?
While many traditional yoga practices are about increasing strength and flexibility, centering yourself, or connecting with yoga’s aforementioned spiritual roots, hot yoga is all about sweating.
“The originator of the concept was the Indian-American yoga guru, Bikram Choudhury,” explains Larkin. To recreate the idea of practicing yoga outdoors in India for her students, she decided to heat her studio to 105 degrees while performing several key yoga asanas. Larkin explains that the hot style enthralled spectators and participants alike and “hot yoga’s popularity exploded.” “Today, many studios offer yoga classes in heated rooms in a variety of styles.”
In addition to practicing Bikram yoga in a heated environment, Fishman says that power yoga is almost always practiced as a heated yoga technique as well. “The only difference between hot yoga and non-hot yoga is thermal,” he explains. “It can be done outside in the steamy jungles of Sri Lanka, but it can also be done indoors, regardless of the outside temperature.” Howsoever, including the snowy Himalayas.”
What does hot yoga mean?
Like any yoga practice, people participate in hot yoga for a variety of reasons. Many people especially love sweating, says Fishman, and “some studies show that sweating is good for the skin.” Along with that sweat comes a good cardio workout that burns lots of calories—especially when compared to more traditional yoga styles. “A 90-minute hot yoga session burns an average of 330 calories,” says Fishman. But he adds that most weight loss due to hot yoga is usually just sweat water weight “which is quickly (and intelligently) replaced by hydrating.” Still, “several studies have shown that doing yoga in a hot environment makes you get stronger faster,” he says.
Another advantage of hot yoga is better breathing techniques. “I think an overlooked benefit of hot yoga is that it forces practitioners to cultivate a greater awareness of their breathing,” says Larkin. “Performing asanas in a heated room requires more stamina and endurance and forces yogis to focus more deeply on their breath,” she says.
In addition, Larkin points out that many people also find that being in a heated room warms up their muscles, allowing for greater flexibility when stretching in asanas, and that “sweating during hot yoga removes heat from the body.” It may also help to flush out toxins.”
Who should not do hot yoga?
Despite such benefits, Larkin says, “hot yoga is not for everyone,” and “always check with your healthcare provider before engaging in it.” According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the potential disadvantages of this practice include heat exhaustion and an increased risk of heat stroke. And hot yoga is not recommended for pregnant women with asthma as it can aggravate that condition. Fishman says that anyone with heart disease should avoid it. “Heat causes your blood vessels to dilate and your heart has to work harder, which can be dangerous,” he explains.
“It’s also easy to become dehydrated from doing hot yoga,” says Larkin. “Whatever happens, wear breathable, sweat-wicking clothing — and drink lots of water.”
