It’s August, it’s hot, and reasonably enough many of us are rushing from one indoor area to the next, never straying too far from air conditioning. But the rest of us? The rest of us are flipping a coin to see if today is a Bikram or a hot vinyasa kind of day – will you come to class with us?
You may not know this, but over the last decade Bikram and other styles of hot yoga have become increasingly popular in the U.S. and we’re very proud to say that our hot yoga flooring is supporting hundreds of those studios in the U.S. and quite a few internationally, too! The growth in popularity can be attributed to many factors, one thing is for sure though. For many, the heat not only helps – it heals.
The Benefits of Practicing Hot Yoga
The various different styles of hot yoga are typically practiced in rooms heated to a point between 95 and 105 degrees and often with an element of added humidity, amongst the benefits of practicing movement and breath work in such an environment the below are some of the more commonly cited:
- Increased circulation and improvements in metabolism rates
- Increased ability to release and maintain release of tensions related to various types of stress
- Increases strength and endurance of your cardiovascular system
- Reduces the chances of injury by increasing flexibility and range of motion while also building strength and endurance
- Assists in the release of toxins from various systems within your body
If you are an athlete who runs, bikes, etc. outdoors in the summer, heat yoga sessions will also help you perform better as your body becomes used to exercising in high temperatures.
Tips for Beginners
While yoga can be intimidating to those who have never tried it, it’s a very rewarding practice. One of the most important things to remember when preparing for a heated class is to hydrate properly – this means that at least the day before you should make efforts to ensure that you are drinking an adequate amount of water for your weight and your climate.
If it’s your first time to a class, arguably the most important goal you can set for yourself is to stay with the rhythm of your breath – ultimately you can go no further or faster than you can breathe.