What's Hot About Hot Yoga?

Hot yoga is exactly as it sounds. It is the same as any yoga routine with one simple bonus of raising the temperature of the room.

It can be inconvenient to change the temperature in your own home for an hour workout, which is why many prefer to go to a yoga studio where they can practice hot yoga in a facilitated environment surrounded by fellow people who enjoy hot yoga as well as a trained professional to provide them the best workout. In recent years, many fitness studios have catered to this trend and specifying in hot yoga with classes at all different levels with the rise of heat.

Other hot options

These hot classes don’t stop at yoga with many other workout routines coming out with their own set of hot-style classes. This includes the likes of pilates which focuses more on strength and toning, and hit classes geared towards cardio and high-intensity strengthening.

How hot does it go?

Typically, hot yoga is practiced in isolated rooms. The heat is cranked up anywhere from 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. On top of the blistering heat, the humidity is sent to 40% which means it can get pretty stuffy in there. This led us to ask the question: Is there a benefit to raising the heat?

Is it better hotter?

It has been found that exercise in heated spaces can increase the heart rate, which can burn more calories in a session than at a regular temperature. Heat is also known to be good for stretching as it warms the muscles up, which can prevent soreness and overstretching.

However, some critics of this fitness method have been concerned. People mainly concern over dehydration and heat exhaustion which can lead to dizziness and possibly fainting.

Hydration is a fundamental must and recommendation for anyone interested in hot yoga. Instructors will typically do their best to prevent this by allowing frequent water breaks after each section of the class. They also encourage anyone to step out into the hall/lobby for a longer break or a minute to cool down. Towels are also usually given out to wipe any sweat that can be of discomfort.

We at the Edge feel that when it comes to trying hot yoga or any elevated temperature workout classes, it is very important to always listen to your body, ask your instructor any questions or personal concerns you may have about the class and balance the best you can!

Ever tried hot yoga? We’d love to hear about it! Tag us @theedgemag