Some thoughts and discussions from me.
3 Benefits of Hot Yoga (& Why I Changed My Mind About it)
*Before we get into today’s post, I wanted to quickly announce that I am now taking on new clients for online training again! Soon I’ll write a post in detail about it, but I’ve added in 2 brand new programs & revamped my 1-on-1 online coaching, and you can find out more about them here on my Online Training tab!*
For years and years, if you suggested hot yoga as a workout form for me, I would have dismissed the idea in a heart beat.
Working out in a room that’s 100+ degrees for 60-90 minutes on purpose? Not to mention losing all of those electrolytes in such a short timeframe.
And then, on a journey to say yes to more in life and have more of an open-mind, I actually tried it. I went to my first hot yoga class last January, and left with an almost-euphoric feeling. I was hooked, and determined to find the reason why I felt so invigorated and got hooked. It couldn’t be bad for you if it felt that good, right?
Plus, the act of receiving benefits from being in a hot and steamy environment has been around for ages.
Because my hot yoga experience was pure bliss, I set out to prove myself wrong, researching the benefits of hot yoga, and doing yoga in a hot, steamy room. Turns out, there are plenty of benefits!
1. Sweating out toxins. For years I believed this was a myth, and that the only things that we sweat out during hot yoga were water, sodium, and other electrolytes and minerals. Turns out, we actually do sweat out toxins – and ones that aren’t eliminated through urine. Studies have shown that toxins such as BPA, phthalates, mercury, and arsenic shows up in our sweat. That’s reason enough for me to get my sweat on!
2. Encourage muscle recovery. Practicing yoga in a hot room improves circulation, allowing the blood to reach the limbs. Warming up the core temperature allows you to go slightly deeper in flexibility. It also has been shown to improve aterial stiffness in young adults.
3. Reduce stress. Yes, all forms of yoga are said to be stress-reducing. Deep breathing, meditation, and gentle movement clears the mind and reduces stress in the body. But doing so in a hot, steamy environment goes even further, by reducing the amount of cortisol in the body in the long run.
Another study also concluded that bikram yoga significantly increased the glucose intolerance in older, obese adults.
I currently go to a hot yoga class about once a week, but I try to get in some form of yoga most days of the week. Whether it be a 5 minute meditation or some yoga poses that make my back feel good, I try add it in when I can.
Have you tried hot yoga? What was your experience like?
Yoga is my favorite way to move right now. I am going through a funk with weight lifting…I am just not enjoying it anymore. But, yoga is something I CRAVE and look forward to oh so much. I am scared to let go of weight lifting, but I think my body needs a break from it. Thinking about taking a hiatus from it and just sticking to yoga and other light forms of exercise for a few weeks and see what happens.
Kate recently posted…Taking Back Myself
I fought HOT YOGA for sooo long.
SOOO MANY REASONS.
I finally tried.
I loved.
I miss my hot yoga studio from texas and havent found a replacement (yet!) in the Bay.
Carla recently posted…Which of these friends do you have?
Exactly! I feel the same way, girl.
I am 33 years old and FINALLY started doing yoga…not sure why it took me so long to start but I am loving it. I’ll have to try hot yoga next : )
Jenn@Mark My Miles! recently posted…Six and Seven, Sunny and Sweaty Miles.
I love hot yoga! My gym offers it, so I go once or twice a week.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Goal Talk: March.
That’s so awesome that your gym offers it, because those studios get $$$!
I havent even tried regular yoga (outside the safety of my home). But I do want to try hot yoga at some point!
Krista @ Tiny n Fit recently posted…Batten Down the Hatches!
I’ve only tried bikram once and I didn’t like it. However, I do want to try other kinds of hot yoga and yoga. You just gave me a kick in the pants to do it!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Join Me To Do 50% More
I’ve actually never tried true bikram! I like yoga classes that are 60 minutes lol
I have never tried an type of yoga but I’m really interested in hot yoga. I hope to try it at some point but I know yoga can get somewhat pricey and I’m already a member of a gym. Maybe once I start my ‘career’ I’ll have a bit more money to put towards a monthly yoga pass 🙂
Diane @ Life of Di. recently posted…Little Life Updates: January 2014.
It’s so dang pricey! Definitely one drawback.
I think hot yoga would be fun to try, but I’m always intimidated to go into yoga classes! But I love heat so it sounds amazing.
Corrie Anne recently posted…A Morning Without Bacon + Your 14.1
I think the idea of it is much more intimidating than actually going. I think crossfit is damn intimidating!
I resisted for years because “i’m not flexible”. Why I ever thought that was a must was beyond me. Now I go twice a week and would go more often if I had the time. I love what the heat does for my stretching (running and weight lifting and sitting at a desk all day). I love the de stress factor. I love letting go……..
I used to go to hot yoga weekly when I was leading Run Club at LTF, but haven’t been in a few years. I really like it though!
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…Announcing MMAZ March Ingredients!
I just bought a Groupon for a Bikram studio nearby, and I’m nervous and excited! None of my friends will go with me because they’re either too intimidated or they tried it and didn’t like it. I cannot wait!
Lex @ Flecks of Lex recently posted…Fit Food: Tomatillo Salsa Chicken
I’ve always wanted to try hot yoga. I heard of the benefits, but I am not able to find any classes nearby. Maybe I can score my own free one outside during the Summer, because it gets up to 120. Oy vey..
Natalie Staeckeler recently posted…WIAW – Food Balance Growth
I haven’t tried hot yoga but I do want to… Someday… I’m not a huge yoga fan in general so worry about the duration and heat for hot yoga but I’m sure the benefits outweigh those things!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome recently posted…Paleo MeeNut Butter
I so want to try yoga & hot yoga as soon as my financial situation is better! 🙂
Jody – Fit at 56 recently posted…Biggest Fitness Mistakes People Make in Losing Weight & Getting Healthier & Fitter
Can’t say that I’ve tried it. I bet it would help me stretch further though. (I’m about as flexible as a steel rod.)
Tiff @ Love Sweat & Beers recently posted…Exhausted But Happy