Hot Yoga: tropical temperatures and sweaty asanas
Dec 08, 2019
Hot Yoga is guaranteed to make you sweat - LUVIYO
Winter is just around the corner. It's cold, uncomfortable and you're hiding under your blanket like a snail in its house. You think back to the last Bali trip and remember how much you enjoyed the yoga classes in the pleasant 28 degrees. Your body felt buttery soft, flexible and ready for new asanas.
The arrival of the cold season triggers the exact opposite in you, you feel stiff and immobile. And you want it to stay like this until spring? Don't panic, we have a solution for you. With Hot Yoga you can escape to tropical temperatures even in winter.
What is Hot Yoga?
Yoga that makes you thaw out.
Hot yoga is an umbrella term for certain styles of yoga that you do in a heated room. It is often a flowing vinyasa style of exercise, with a series of interconnected poses. Depending on the yoga style and studio, the room is kept at a temperature of 35 to 40 degrees Celsius.
If you've never tried this sweaty type of yoga before, it may seem a bit overwhelming at first. After all, yoga alone can push your body to its limits. If you then imagine the whole thing under sauna temperatures, you can quickly come to the conclusion that it can possibly overload your body.
Hot yoga can actually be very intense and exhausting, but with the right preparation it can be a wonderful warming remedy for the particularly uncomfortable days of the year. This post will help you prepare for your first or next hot yoga session to prevent physical exhaustion.
What is the difference between Bikram Yoga and Hot Yoga?
The variety of Hot Yoga - LUVIYO
You've probably heard of Bikram Yoga and are now wondering how it differs from hot yoga. Hot yoga originated in the 1970s when Indian yogi Bikram Choudhury first used heaters in his yoga room. Choudry further developed his experiment and eventually settled on 40 degrees Celsius at 40 percent humidity. Today, the so-called Bikram method is a widely used style of yoga. Bikram is a series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises that are performed in the same order every class.
While Hot Yoga refers to any yoga class that is conducted in a heated room, Bikram is the Hot Yoga origin form. In other words, Bikram Yoga always takes place in a heated room, but not every Hot Yoga class is Bikram.
Other forms of hot yoga include:
Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga
Named after its founder, Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, also known as Baptiste Yoga or Baptiste Power Yoga, is a blend of different styles, including Bikram, Iyengar and Ashtanga. Each yoga class is structured differently. Yogis are encouraged to follow their own preferences when it comes to the asanas. The room temperature for Baptiste's yoga classes is usually 32 degrees.
Moksha or Modo Yoga
Although it is known as Moksha Yoga in Canada, it is usually called Modo Yoga in the rest of the world. Moksha classes last 90 minutes and begin with a relaxation pose to center the mind. Unlike Bikram yoga, Moksha does not follow a script. Moksha yoga is also about more than just movement. Every Moksha Yoga studio is aware of its social and sustainable responsibility. This means that a portion of the revenue benefits organizations that promote sustainability, holistic health, and human rights.
Hot Yin Yoga
Hot Yin is a deeply relaxing yoga class performed in a comfortably warm room. Yin postures promote circulation to the joints to improve mobility and flexibility, as well as the flow of Qi . Qi flow harmonizes organ health, the immune system, and emotional well-being. Yin is the perfect complement to the energetic Yang exercises.
How healthy is hot yoga?
Know your limits - LUVIYO
Physical exertion in a heated room increases the heart rate, making the body work harder. The heat helps the body move deeper into the postures. Basically, hot yoga helps develop strength and flexibility while providing a cardiovascular workout.
That you can sweat out toxins during hot yoga is more of a myth. While the kidneys and liver are responsible for detoxifying your body, sweat is mostly water. Dehydration is therefore one of the most common dangers of hot yoga.
Like any physical exertion, hot yoga also carries risks of injury. Some poses that we don't quite manage in the "cold" state are suddenly easier for us in the heated studio. This is because the natural resistance of our ligaments is lower when heated.
Ligaments are usually put into a gentle stretch. The more you strain them in joint-heavy asanas, the higher the risk that a ligament will be overstretched and your joints will no longer be adequately supported. The result is overstretching and, in the worst case scenario, a torn ligament. That's why it's important to prepare properly and follow a few basic rules of hot yoga.
4 Tips to Prevent Dehydration and Injuries in Hot Yoga
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate - LUVIYO
Hot yoga requires the right preparation and equipment to avoid getting beat down by the heat. Here are four things to consider before your first or next session:
Tip #1: Non-slip yoga mat
For hot yoga, it's important to bring your own yoga mat, because you're guaranteed to sweat. With the non-slip LUVIYO yoga mat you also save the towel.
Tip #2: Sweat resistant clothing
Sweating also means that you should choose the right yoga clothes. Tight-fitting clothes and long leggings are good for preventing slipping during poses.
Tip #3: Drink enough
Make sure you drink enough water before, during and after the yoga session so that you don't get dehydrated. It is not advisable to eat within two hours before class. A liquid with electrolytes such as coconut water can be especially helpful and refreshing after class.
Tip #4: Stay mindful
Don't compare yourself to other yogis and don't push your limit. Keep your focus on yourself and your body. If you get too hot, leave the yoga studio for a moment. Both your yoga teacher and yourself should also pay special attention to correct posture to avoid overstretching.
Attention!
Hot yoga is not suitable for pregnant women, as it can increase body temperature.
Out of the cold, into the yoga sauna!
Sweaty, dynamic and intensely satisfying. With Hot Yoga you can penetrate through the hardened outer layers of yourself to be free and fully yourself.
If you've never done hot yoga before, we advise you to start with Bikram. While the heat adds an extra challenge, the poses in Bikram yoga are less advanced than other practices. Bikram is effectively the VW Golf of hot yoga classes. Now, if you're all fired up for a round of hot yoga, find a suitable yoga studio near you.
...and don't forget your LUVIYO!