What Is Hot Yoga?

What is hot yoga?
In a few words, hot yoga is simply the practice of performing certain yoga poses (asanas) in a room that is heated.
When performing hot yoga the room temperature is usually set to anywhere from 95-105 degrees. You will discover that the humidity in the room will increase as you perform sometimes upwards of 2 hours of yoga poses. Of course every class and instructor is different so check before you jump right in.
The heat will help to get your body to high enough temperature where your muscles are able to relax greatly improving flexibility throughout the poses and preventing injury. The rate at which you burn calories will increase dramatically. Many people swear that Bikram yoga weight loss has helped them keep the pounds off.
Many people ask what is hot yoga and how is it different then Bikram yoga?
The answer is nothing. They are one and the same. Bikram Choudhury is the inventor of the hot yoga method. Choudhury started the Bikram yoga method whereby certain poses (26 in fact) were performed a certain way in the heat. Followers of his style of yoga are trained and certified in his centers and practice certain poses. However, hot yoga is typically any form of yoga performed in a heated environment and no limited to Choudhury’s style of yoga poses.
What should I take to hot yoga class?
When people want to know what is hot yoga they also want to know what they need for class.
When taking a hot yoga class, you must have your own mat and a towel that is capable of handling all the sweat. Most students will also choose to wear as little clothing as possible in order to avoid overheating. Be sure that you drink plenty of water before you go and during your session. The worst thing is that you find yourself dehydrated because you did not drink enough water. Also, be sure to avoid eating a meal within a couple of hours before your class starts. Remember to drink lots of water before and during, bring a good hot yoga mat and towel, and wear comfortable hot yoga clothes.
Who should avoid hot yoga classes?
Expecting moms should avoid hot yoga all together. Increasing your overall body temperature is not healthy for your baby. Besides there are many great forms of yoga and classes available for expecting moms.
People with poor health conditions will want to consult a doctor before performing hot yoga. Hot yoga involves being able to tolerate high heat levels which can affect people with breathing and heart conditions.
We hope this page has helped answer all of your questions about what is hot yoga. For those wishing to learn more we highly recommend you visit the link below.
Filed under What Is Hot Yoga by on Feb 19th, 2012.














