Yoga is a well known practice, which has existed across the globe for thousands of years. Hot Yoga is a variation of yoga movements and postures (asanas) in a special hot yoga studio. With 26 postures over 90 minutes in 40 degrees, it’s a workout for the mind, body and soul.
Known for its health benefits - hot yoga is a practice that is certainly growing in popularity.
Recent studies show that increasingly, people in Australia are turning to yoga to increase their health and fitness. Those who continue to practice do so to help with flexibility and muscle tone. Hot Yoga has a number of other benefits that mean you can really feel the difference every time you step into your practice.
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Cardiovascular health - Your body works much harder in the heat, so your heart rate increases during classes with sustained activity. As your heart is pumping harder, you may also see improvements in your skin too, due to increased circulation.
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Flexibility - The warm temperature of the room helps your body’s muscles to warm up and allows you to stretch and move easier, all without damaging your soft tissues and muscles.
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Better sleep - Who doesn’t want more restful and better sleep? The deep relaxation and mindful breathing experienced during hot yoga can help to improve your rest.
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Reduced stress and anxiety - In a world which is switched on 24:7, there’s a beautiful simplicity in switching off and zoning into a different world. Heat may decrease cortisol (the stress hormone) to reduce stress in the body. Focusing solely on breathing and movement, it’s like a mini holiday for your brain, helping you stay present as you move through your practice.
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Improved muscle strength and balance - studies have shown that with regular practice, yogis can experience improvements in balance and in the upper body range of movement, the unique poses in Hot Yoga take this to the next level.
Who is Hot Yoga for?
Everyone is welcome at Hot Yoga. It’s a practice completed by millions of people every day - the young, old, middle aged and everyone in between.
Everyone has their own reasons for practicing - whether that’s everyday, two or three times a week, or only occasionally, you will start to get hooked on how great you feel and the improvements in both your physical, mental and spiritual health.
Many people have reported seeing improvements in muscular pain, joint flexibility and discomfort, strength and toning for the body - every journey is totally different.
Before you start, it’s always a good idea to consult your Doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, have significant health concerns or are taking medication, to ensure that hot yoga is safe for you. The heat can amplify heat related issues, including dehydration, so it’s worth checking in with the professionals first, but the benefits are certainly there. Once you’ve had the all clear, grab your mat and head off to class.
Hot Yoga is only growing in popularity, and a word of warning, it’s addictive too!