Is Hot Yoga Right for You?

What is hot yoga? What are the pros and cons? How do you know if this is something that’s right for you?

You’ve probably heard the many benefits of yoga by now… improved flexibility and strength, better concentration, breathing and posture… but you may be under the impression that it’s not intense enough to meet your workout needs. If you like yoga but you’re looking for a bigger challenge you may want to try hot yoga.

Hot yoga is performed in a heated studio, in excess of 95 degrees. Certain types, including the most popular, Bikram, are performed in a room heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity.

There are pros and cons that come along with this particular type of intensified yoga. Take a look below and decide if this exercise is right for you.

PROS

• Heat allows your muscles to stretch further, providing a greater range of motion
• You benefit from strengthened willpower, concentration and determination
• It’s a great cardio workout
• Connective tissue becomes more elastic with the heat, lessening your chance of injury
• Sweating promotes detoxification
• It’s a great stress reliever

CONS

• Excessive heat can cause heat-related illness, like heat stroke
• It can be very dehydrating so you need to make sure to drink plenty of water before, during and after exercising
• Hot yoga is challenging
• Heart rate increases caused by the heat may not be appropriate for pregnant women or people with heart problems
• Some yogis believe the heat creates too much stress on the body

Tagged hot yoga, yoga, you are smart