Everything you need to know about hot yoga

-

 What is hot yoga?

Hot yoga is a type of yoga that is performed in a heated room, typically between 95 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. It is often done in a style called Bikram yoga, which consists of a series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises performed in the same order in each class.

Advantages of hot yoga:

  • One of the main benefits is increased flexibility. The heat helps to warm up the muscles, making them more pliable and easier to stretch.
  • The heat also helps to sweat out toxins, which can lead to improved overall health and well-being.
  • The combination of heat and yoga poses can raise the heart rate and increase circulation, leading to an improved cardiovascular system.
  • The heat can help to increase metabolism, leading to weight loss and improved muscle tone.

Potential disadvantages of hot yoga:

One concern is the risk of dehydration. It is important to hydrate before and after class, as well as during class if necessary. It is also important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard in the heat, as this can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Additionally, hot yoga may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure or heart problems. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting a hot yoga practice. It might be a wise choice to stay away from hot yoga for pregnant ladies.

Criticisms:

As per classical teachers and scholars of hatha yoga, such a type of yoga practice is detrimental to the body and stagnates it. It increases the pitta dosha in the body which may lead to 80 kinds of ailments in the body as per the scriptures of Ayurveda. Increased heat in the body leads to the improper functioning of internal organs.

Hot yoga tips for beginners:

Take it slow and it is important to properly hydrate before and after class and bring a towel and water bottle with you to class. It is also recommended to wear lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing and to bring a change of clothes for after class.
In class, it is important to focus on your breath. If you need to take a break, it is okay to rest in a child's pose or take a break in a corpse pose.

Conclusion:

Overall, hot yoga can be a beneficial practice for those looking to improve flexibility, detoxify the body, and get a cardiovascular workout. However, people suffering from medical issues should consult their doctor before starting such vigorous sessions. With proper care and attention, hot yoga can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both the mind and body. In my personal opinion, there are better and traditional yoga forms available to practice a healthy and active lifestyle that are time tested, researched backed, and have been refined with time. There are not enough studies done on hot yoga and its claimed benefits. Stick to the roots and you definitely do not need to sweat in a steamy room to stay healthy. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Siddhasana - The best asana for meditation

-
 A stable asana is very important in the practice of meditation so that one can sit for long durations without any discomfort. All the ancient texts of yoga consider siddhasana best among asanas for meditation. How to do siddhasana? Sit on the floor with the heel of the left foot pressing the perineum and right heel on top of the reproductive organ. Push the toes of the right foot between the left thigh and calf muscles. Keep the spine erect. Now, lower the head and place the chin on the collarbone. Relax and focus on the eyebrow center i.e. practice shambhavi Mahamudra . You can rest your arms on the knees in chin mudra or you can place them in your lap with your left palm over the right one. Siddhasana can only be practiced by men. Women should perform the feminine version of siddhasana which is Siddha yoni asana which is equally effective. Benefits of siddhasana: It stimulates the third eye center which opens the door to liberation. This asana is designed to channel the energy d...
Read more

Savasana, its benefits and how to do it

-
Image
What is savasana?  Savasana aka corpse pose is a yoga asana that is usually done at the end of a yoga session to relax the body and mind. In modern terms, you can consider it as a cool-down mechanism after difficult and challenging yoga asanas. In this asana, you have to behave like a corpse, the body remains completely still. No movements whatsoever. You must be thinking how hard it could be but keeping the body still is one thing but the mind, plays its own tricks. That's why this asana seems simple but in reality, it is very challenging to do it with perfection. How to perform savasana? Lie flat on your back keeping hands a little away from the thighs, with palms up and relaxed. Close your eyes and relax your body. Do not force your body parts to keep at a certain position. Let them settle in their natural position by themselves. Take a few deep breaths. This will help you to focus better on your breathing. Now breathe slow and fine without any jerks. Breathing should be so fine...
Read more

Everything you want to know about cobra pose aka bhujangasana

-
Image
  How to do bhujangasana? Lie flat on the stomach with legs straight together. Place the palms on the floor parallel to the shoulders. Slowly raise the head and shoulders while inhaling taking the head backward. Bend the back as much as possible. Try to bend from the upper back, keeping shoulders locked backward and chest expanded fully. Keep the navel close to the floor. Hold as long as possible. Do not strain as it can hurt your back. Now you must have understood the reason behind people calling it cobra pose after reading the above paragraph and watching the picture. Variation 1: Keep the whole forearm instead of just palms on the floor, rest is the same as bhujangasana. This variation is well suited to beginners. Variation 2- sarpasana Take the arms behind and interlock the fingers. Now try to raise the body as in the cobra pose by tensing the arms and back while raising the chest. Variation 3- triyaka bhujangasana After assuming bhujangasana, twist the upper trunk and head and...
Read more