What is Hot Yoga and How Could You Benefit from It?

Exercise is incredibly important to help to keep our bodies healthy. Without it we are at a greater risk of sickness, injury and even premature death. If you are looking for a new exercise regime to help you to stay in shape, tone up and lose a little weight, why not consider a hot yoga class? Not sure exactly what hot yoga is and how it could benefit you? Keep reading to discover more.

What is hot yoga?

First and foremost, let’s consider what hot yoga actually is. Essentially hot yoga does exactly what it says on the tin; it is a class in which you will perform yoga exercises in a room that is heated to somewhere within the region of 95 – 105 degrees Fahrenheit, with a humidity of around forty percent. Hot yoga is also often referred to as Bikram Yoga, or Fire Yoga.

The purpose of this heated up version of a traditional yoga workout is to cause you to perspire, thereby removing any toxins from your system, and to help reduce the risk of injury to your body due to the warm temperature which allows your muscles to stretch more easily.

If you sign up to a hot yoga class you can rest assured that your instructor will be qualified in yoga instruction with experience in this more recent variation on the traditional exercise. Most hot yoga workouts will combine 26 traditional poses along with breathing exercises and warm-ups, producing a workout that could last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.

What are the benefits of hot yoga?

There is a reason that hot yoga classes are increasing in popularity all of the time and it is due in part to the many benefits to be found. Although a traditional yoga class also boasts many of the same benefits, they are often exaggerated within a hot yoga class as can be seen in the list of advantages below.

• As you sweat in the increased room temperature, you will lose any toxins to be found in your body in a similar way to spending some time in a steam room.


• You will find that your muscles stretch more easily in such a hot and humid environment, allowing each exercise to be more beneficial than it would be in a colder location.


• Weight loss may be noticed quicker than in a traditional yoga class due to the raised temperature of the room causing you to sweat more profusely.


• Your immune system will be strengthened, helping you to fight off infections such as the common cold. Although this is also true of a regular yoga workout, the added heat can further enhance the effect.


• Improved flexibility, relaxation and better sleep are just a few of the other benefits to be reaped from regularly attending a hot yoga class.

Before starting your lessons though, you should be aware of some of the downsides and risks associated with the classes.

The downside to hot yoga

While the benefits of hot yoga can clearly be seen, there are some things to watch out for as you start to attend a class. For one, beginners may frequently feel nauseous either after or during their first few workouts. There have also been several reported cases of fainting, or of simply feeling faint following the intense workout in the hot temperature.

Other potential risks include heat stroke and exhaustion, along with injuries that could be incurred from falling after feeling faint, or simply from overstretching.

Each of the risks can be countered with frequent breaks and plenty of water. Ensure that you remain hydrated throughout your workout and you should suffer from no negative effects. If you do start to feel faint just stop, step to the side, rehydrate and continue when you feel alright again.

Hot yoga is an excellent way to keep fit, stay active and meet new people. Why not give a class a try, remembering to stay hydrated to minimise any risk to yourself, to see if you too could enjoy the many benefits on offer.

cc licensed flickr photo shared by eMuse Tess Heder
cc licensed flickr photo shared by SashaW

Rebecca L. Smith is a full time freelance writer based in the UK. She specialises in creating an assortment of articles on a range of different topics of interest.